In this week's IELTS Writing Task 2 episode we're brainstorming ideas and writing a 2 question essay for the following topic:

In some countries, people are purchasing fewer new items and more second-hand goods. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or a negative trend?

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Intro: A trend has been noticed in several nations of people making fewer purchases of new goods and instead opting to buy previously owned items. There are several reasons for this related to price and environmental concerns and I believe it is a positive development.

P1: As mentioned previously, one of the major reasons for this trend is connected to the cost of goods with previous owners compared to those without. Second-hand items are much cheaper than brand new goods. For example, second-hand books or clothes are sold at a fraction of their original price compared to new ones. Therefore it is understandable why customers prefer such goods. In addition to this rationale, buying used goods is less wasteful in terms of the environmental resources as well as financial ones. If products have already been made, there is no need to produce new ones and expend resources such as energy or water without cause. As a result, avoiding  purchasing new goods contributes to preserving the environment.

P2: Overall, this appears to be a positive trend. It allows customers to maximise their budget and does not encourage companies’ wasteful behaviour. People can save their money for their other projects such as education and resources are preserved for future generations. Moreover, purchasing used goods promotes a less consumerist culture. If people focus less on consumerism, they will have more time for spiritually productive activities like developing their relationships and spending quality time with their families. It could be argued, however, that the consumption of new products is required for a healthy economy, but this seems to be outweighed by the aforementioned positive aspects.

Conclusion: In summary, there are many reasons why people are choosing to buy more second-hand goods which are mostly connected with financial and environmental benefits. While this may not be healthy for the economy, it is a net gain for both society and individuals.

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