Question

The act of “thrifting”, as described in the passage, can be considered ironic because it:

• A. is an anti-consumerist attitude.
• B. has created environmental problems.
• C. is not cost-effective for retailers.
• D. offers luxury clothing at cut-rate prices.
• A. luxury brands want to maintain their brand image.
• B. luxury brands do not like their product to be devalued
• C. the British don’t buy second-hand clothing.
• D. recycling is currently not financially attractive for luxury brands
• A. customers bought all their clothes online.
• B. Primark and Boohoo recycled their clothes for vintage stores
• C. second-hand stores sold only high-quality clothes.
• D. clothes were not thrown and burnt in landfills.
• A. are sold by genuine vintage stores.
• B. are of high quality and long lasting.
• C. do not shed micro fibres.
• D. do not bleed toxins and dyes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The paradox of "thrifting," as delineated in the passage, lies in its unforeseen environmental repercussions. While thrift shopping is typically lauded for its perceived sustainability and eco-friendly ethos, the text underscores a potential environmental quandary associated with this practice. Specifically, it references a study commissioned by Patagonia which reveals that older garments, often sourced from second-hand outlets, have a propensity to shed more microfibers. These minuscule fibers can ultimately find their way into water bodies such as rivers and oceans, exacerbating microfiber pollution. Thus, the ostensibly eco-conscious act of thrift shopping, aimed at waste reduction, may inadvertently engender environmental challenges due to the shedding of microfibers during the laundering of aged clothing.

So, the correct option is (B): has created environmental problems.

Answer 2

Option C emerges as the accurate choice because the passage neither mentions nor implies that the British populace refrains from purchasing second-hand clothing. Instead, it delves into the obstacles concerning luxury brands and their reluctance to distribute their current season inventory globally at reduced prices. The rationale cited encompasses financial considerations (Option D), apprehensions regarding brand perception (Option A), and the aspiration to preserve the value of their merchandise (Option C). Hence, the passage does not attribute the sluggish acceptance of platforms like ThredUP in the UK to Britons' aversion to second-hand apparel.

So, the correct option is (C): the British don’t buy second-hand clothing.

Answer 3

The passage primarily advocates for sustainable shopping practices, particularly second-hand shopping, as a solution to mitigate the adverse environmental impact of the fashion industry. Additionally, it underscores the importance of consumers being conscientious about the environmental consequences of their clothing choices, advocating for the selection of durable items that minimize microfiber shedding.
While emphasizing the potential environmental downside of second-hand clothing due to microfiber pollution, the passage suggests that this issue could be mitigated if second-hand clothes were consistently of higher quality. By purchasing high-quality items that shed fewer fibers and last longer, consumers can address both microfiber pollution and the accumulation of excess garments in landfills. Therefore, Option C is correct.

Option A pertains more to the purchasing process rather than the characteristics of the clothing, thus it does not necessarily contradict the central idea of the passage.
Option B could potentially align with the sustainability objective and reinforce the central idea, thus it doesn't inherently undermine it.
Option D aligns with the central idea by advocating for reduced environmental harm through sustainable shopping practices.

So, the correct option is (C): second-hand stores sold only high-quality clothes.

Answer 4

Option B is the correct option because the passage underscores the environmental concerns linked with fast fashion, notably the wasteful disposal of garments in landfills. Contrary to the disposable and rapid turnover nature of fast fashion, a more sustainable and enduring approach is advocated, which corresponds with the concept of "slow fashion."

The passage implies that purchasing durable, high-quality items is a strategy to address the adverse environmental effects of the fashion industry. Consequently, 'slow fashion' can be inferred to denote clothing characterized by superior quality and longevity, advocating for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to fashion consumption.

So, the correct option is (B): are of high quality and long lasting.