In recent years, many small local shops have closed because customers travel to large shopping centres or malls to do their shopping. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Why do you think this is the case?
Is this a good thing or a bad thing?


Many prioritise fashion over other important aspects of their lives, say, career or family commitments. While there are many reasons why some people choose to live fashionably, I believe that the benefits this development brings to society as a whole are generally outweighed by its drawbacks.


Many people follow fashion mainly for various psychological reasons. Firstly, those who religiously follow the latest trends in the fashion industry tend to have a need to stand out from the crowd—having a distinctive look from those of others is a way for them to express their identity. Peer pressure is another reason why so many teenagers choose fashion as a way of life. For example, many teenagers stay up to date with the latest fashion items because they want to fit in with their peers and fear being left out. Clearly, these factors drive the fashion industry.


However, the problems resulting from fashionable lifestyle are often enormous. Firstly, to be ahead of everyone in fashion, so many people end up spending more than they actually can afford. As a result, they are unable to make long-term investments like purchasing a house. Apart from the financial burden, people suffer from self-esteem problems if they cannot purchase the in thing and in some cases, this can lead to a vicious circle of depression for poor people. Therefore, people must be cautious of the consequences of the life they choose to live.
In conclusion, I feel that the trend towards wearing fashionable clothes is generally a negative development as it does more harm than good to individuals and society. Thus, life without fashion is much more enjoyable, with fewer troubles.


275 words, 8.0


18. Many people believe that a university education is necessary for a good career.