Speaking Boost · C1 · Lesson 18 of 50
Speaking Boost C1 · Block 4: Economy and Society

What is the true cost of cheap clothes?

A cheap T-shirt has a hidden price paid by workers and by the planet. Discuss the fashion industry and learn the mandative subjunctive: it is essential that he be paid, I suggest that she apply, the law demands that firms report.

1

Warm-up

5 min
1.1

Fashion and ethics

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

  1. How many clothes do you buy in a year?
  2. Do you know where your clothes are made?
  3. Would you pay more for ethical clothing?
  4. Do you buy second-hand clothes?
  5. How long do you keep a garment?
  6. Should shops tell customers how their clothes are made?
2

Words and phrases

12 min
2.1

New words

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about clothes and ethics.

2.2

Which word?

Choose the word that fits.

  1. A single item of clothing is a .
  2. Clothes made without harming the planet or workers are described as .
  3. Unwanted clothes often end up in , buried under rubbish.
  4. Many brands production to countries where wages are lower.
  5. Cheap clothes often depend on low-paid in factories abroad.
  6. Clothes designed to be worn only a few times are almost .
  7. Making and transporting clothes produces greenhouse gas .
  8. Some shoppers brands that treat workers badly by refusing to buy from them.
2.3

Opposites and pairs

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

  1. a garment is a single item of
  2. sustainable = not harming the
  3. landfill is a place where rubbish is
  4. to outsource = to give work to
  5. disposable = made to be
  6. to boycott = to refuse to
    someone as a protest
2.4

Useful phrases

Use these phrases to make formal recommendations and demands.

  • It is essential that... be...Важливо, щоб... було...It is essential that workers be paid a fair wage.
  • I suggest that the company...Я пропоную, щоб компанія...I suggest that the company publish its suppliers.
  • The law demands that firms...Закон вимагає, щоб фірми...The law demands that firms report their emissions.
  • We recommend that... not...Ми рекомендуємо, щоб... не...We recommend that brands not hide their costs.
  • It is vital that...Життєво важливо, щоб...It is vital that conditions be inspected.
  • The union insists that...Профспілка наполягає, щоб...The union insists that the factory improve safety.
  • Suffice it to say that...Досить сказати, що...Suffice it to say that conditions were poor.
  • ... as if it were...... ніби це було...The clothes are sold as if they were disposable.
3

Read and react

8 min
3.1

The price of a T-shirt

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

What is the true cost of cheap clothes?

What is the true cost of cheap clothes? A T-shirt may cost only a few euros, but the price on the label rarely reflects the full story. The model known as fast fashion relies on a long supply chain, in which brands outsource production to factories where labour is cheap.

The human cost became widely discussed after April 2013, when the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed, killing more than 1,100 garment workers. Many of the factories in the building had supplied well-known brands. Afterwards, campaigners insisted that brands accept responsibility for their suppliers, and an agreement on building safety was signed by many companies. It is essential that such inspections continue.

The environmental cost is also considerable. Estimates vary, but the industry is often said to account for a few per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Cotton needs a lot of water, and a commonly cited figure is around 2,700 litres for a single T-shirt, though the number depends on the method. Meanwhile, large amounts of clothing end up in landfill after being worn only a few times.

What can be done? Some experts recommend that brands publish the names of their suppliers. Others suggest that governments require companies to report their emissions. Shoppers, too, can buy fewer and better garments, or choose second-hand. Critics point out, however, that low-income households depend on cheap clothing, so it is vital that solutions not penalise the poor.

So what is the true cost? Probably more than the price tag, and it is paid by people who rarely appear in the advert.

Would you pay more for a T-shirt if you knew who made it?

3.2

True or false?

  1. The Rana Plaza collapse happened in Bangladesh.
  2. The text gives an exact and certain figure for the industry's emissions.
  3. Some experts recommend that brands publish their suppliers.
  4. The text says low-income households never buy cheap clothes.
  5. The text suggests that shoppers can also make a difference.
3.3

What do you think?

  1. Who is responsible for the cost of cheap clothes?
  2. Would you pay more if you knew who made your T-shirt?
  3. Should governments regulate fashion?
  4. Is second-hand clothing the answer?
4

Grammar for speaking

10 min
4.1

Grammar for speaking

The mandative subjunctive

After verbs and adjectives of demand, advice and importance (insist, demand, suggest, recommend, propose, ask; essential, vital, important, crucial that), use the base form of the verb for all persons. The negative is not + base form. In passive sentences use be + past participle.

It is essential that every worker be paid fairly. The union insists that the factory improve safety. I suggest that the company publish its suppliers. It is vital that she not be blamed.

Other subjunctive forms

The subjunctive also appears in fixed formal expressions and with were in unreal comparisons. In British English, should + base form is a common alternative to the base form.

Suffice it to say that conditions were poor. Be that as it may, the price is too low. They sell the clothes as if they were disposable. We recommend that the brand should be more open.

Block 4 review

Use the grammar from this block.

formal register (L16) · cause and effect (L17)

Common mistakes: after insist, demand, suggest, recommend, it is essential / vital / important that use the base form (no -s, no will), and make the negative with not + base form. ✗ It is essential that every worker is paid fairly → be paid. ✗ The union insists that the factory improves safety → improve. ✗ It is vital that she is not blamed → not be blamed. ✗ We recommend that the brand to be open → be open.

4.2

Choose the right form

  1. It is essential that every worker
    paid fairly.
  2. The union insists that the factory
    safety.
  3. I suggest that the company
    its suppliers.
  4. It is vital that she
    blamed.
  5. The law demands that companies
    their emissions.
  6. We recommend that the brand
    more open.
  7. to say that conditions were poor.
  8. The shop demanded that the order
    immediately.
4.3

Fix the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

  1. It is essential that every worker is paid fairly. →
  2. The union insists that the factory improves safety. →
  3. I suggest that the brand publishes its suppliers. →
  4. It is vital that she is not blamed. →
  5. The law demands that firms reports emissions. →
  6. We recommend that the brand to be more open. →
4.4

Talk about it

Answer in detail. Use the subjunctive, cause and effect and a formal register.

  1. What do you think brands should be required to publish?
  2. It is essential that workers be paid a living wage. Do you agree?
  3. What would you suggest that shoppers do?
  4. Should the law demand that companies report where their clothes are made?
  5. What would you insist on if you ran a clothes factory?
  6. How can the problem be solved without hurting poorer shoppers?
5

Three views and a short talk

8 min
5.1

Three views on cheap clothes

Three people discuss cheap clothes. Compare them. Who blames the brands? Who blames the shoppers? Whose view is closest to yours?

Person 1

Rina, 36

  • Worked in a garment factory
  • Says wages are very low
  • Wants safer buildings
  • Hopes that customers will ask questions
Person 2

Hugo, 48

  • Runs a clothing brand
  • Says ethical production costs more
  • Insists that customers are not ready to pay
  • Is trying to change his supply chain
Person 3

Dr Kahn, 44

  • Studies the fashion industry
  • Recommends that brands publish their suppliers
  • Says the law must be stricter
  • Warns that second-hand is not enough
5.2

Mini-talk: the cost of clothes

Your teacher will time you.

  1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
  2. Part 1: describe the problem with cheap clothes.
  3. Part 2: make recommendations (use the subjunctive at least twice, for example I suggest that... and It is essential that...).
  4. Part 3: say what you will do personally.
2:00
6

Personal questions

10 min
6.1

Part I: Me

  1. Where do you usually buy clothes?
  2. How much do you spend on clothes?
  3. Do you throw away clothes?
  4. Would you buy second-hand clothes?
  5. Do you check labels?
  6. Would you boycott a brand?
  7. Do you repair your clothes?
  8. What is your favourite garment and why?
6.2

Part II: Other people

  1. Who in your family is good at repairing clothes?
  2. Who buys the most clothes in your family?
  3. Who influences your style?
  4. Who should check how clothes are made?
  5. Who do you know who works in fashion?
  6. Who gave you advice about shopping?
6.3

Part III: A bit deeper

  1. Is cheap fashion a good thing for poor families?
  2. Should brands be responsible for their suppliers?
  3. Is it fair to blame shoppers?
  4. Should there be a tax on throwaway clothes?
  5. Is sustainable fashion realistic?
7

Roleplay

12 min
7.1

Questioning a brand

You

Journalist

You interview a brand manager (your teacher):
  • ask where the clothes are made
  • ask about workers' pay
  • suggest that the brand publish its suppliers
  • thank the manager
Speak for at least 2 minutes in total. Use the subjunctive in your suggestions.
Your teacher

Brand manager

Says things like:
  1. We use several factories.
  2. We pay legal wages.
  3. That would be difficult.
  4. Thank you for the interview.
7.2

Presenting recommendations

You

Adviser

You present recommendations to a committee (your teacher):
  • describe the problem
  • make three recommendations
  • explain why each matters
  • use it is essential that...
You do most of the talking. Use: I suggest that... · It is vital that...
Your teacher

Committee member

Says things like:
  1. What is the problem?
  2. What do you recommend?
  3. Why does it matter?
  4. Thank you for your report.
8

Homework

at home

Your homework score

Do all four exercises, then press Check all homework. Correct answers will appear next to your mistakes.

– / 30
H1

Complete with a word

garmentsustainablelandfilloutsourcelabourdisposableemissionsboycott
  1. A single item of clothing is a .
  2. Clothes made without harming the planet or workers are described as .
  3. Unwanted clothes often end up in , buried under rubbish.
  4. Many brands production to countries where wages are lower.
  5. Cheap clothes often depend on low-paid in factories abroad.
  6. Clothes designed to be worn only a few times are almost .
  7. Making and transporting clothes produces greenhouse gas .
  8. Some shoppers brands that treat workers badly by refusing to buy from them.
H2

Choose the correct form

  1. It is vital that workers protected.
  2. The manager insists that the rules to everyone.
  3. I propose that the shop early.
  4. It is important that he late.
  5. The law requires that firms accounts.
  6. We suggest that the report shared.
  7. to say that it failed.
  8. The customer demanded that the money .
H3

Correct or incorrect?

Decide if each sentence is grammatically correct.

  1. It is essential that every worker be paid fairly.
  2. It is essential that every worker is paid fairly.
  3. The union insists that the factory improve safety.
  4. The union insists that the factory improves safety.
  5. It is vital that she not be blamed.
  6. It is vital that she is not blamed.
  7. The law demands that firms report emissions.
H4

Match the two halves

  1. It is essential that workers
  2. I suggest that the company
  3. The law demands that firms
  4. We recommend that brands
  5. It is vital that conditions
  6. The union insists that the factory
  7. Suffice it to say

Finished the lesson?

Mark it as complete to keep track of your progress.

© Yevheniia Kolesnykova, Academy of Languages. All rights reserved. No copying or reuse without written permission.