F2 English

F2 U6 Notes

Unit 6 : Own your style

1. Introduction section

All you need to know about fast fashion : definition, evolution ,

current trends and how environmentally- unfriendly it is

What is fast fashion ?

Fast fashion refers to the business model of rapidly producing

inexpensive clothing by mirroring current fashion trends, mass-producing
them and selling them as cheap as chips. This approach enables retailers to
offer the latest styles to consumers at affordable prices, resulting in high
turnover of inventory. Fast fashion brands can quickly replicate designs from
fashion shows and influencers, ensuring that hip items are accessible to a
broader audience.

How Fast Fashion rose to fame

The rise of fast fashion can be traced back to the late 1990s
and early 2000s, coinciding with the advent of globalization and
advancements in technology. Retailers like Zara, H&M, and Forever 21
pioneered this model, leveraging economies of scale to reduce production
costs and shorten lead times. The growth of social media platforms also
played a pivotal role, as influencers and celebrities showcased new styles,
driving consumer demand for the latest trends. The accessibility of online
shopping further amplified the reach of fast fashion brands, making trendy
clothing available to consumers worldwide.

Current Trends

As of late 2023, the fast fashion industry continues to evolve

and thrive , with an increasing focus on speed and affordability. However,
consumers are becoming more aware of the ethical and environmental
implications of their purchasing choices. Brands are responding by putting
sustainable practices in effect , such as using recycled materials and
promoting clothes that can be easily mixed and matched. Regardless , fast
fashion remains heavily condemned for perpetuating a throwaway culture,
where clothing is worn only a few times before being discarded. The rise of
secondhand markets and rental clothing services also indicates a shift in
consumer preferences towards more sustainable options.
Although people love fast fashion, the earth doesn’t ……

The fast fashion industry significantly contributes to

pollution through various channels. Firstly, the production processes often
involves noxious chemicals that are perilous to workers and local
ecosystems. The dyeing and finishing processes alone can lead to the
contamination of water sources. Moreover, the large volume of clothing
produced leads to massive textile waste, with millions of tons discarded in
landfills each year. This non-biodegradable waste exacerbates land and
water pollution. Additionally, the fast fashion model encourages short
seasonal cycles, resulting in the rapid depletion of resources like water and
energy. The transportation of goods worldwide, from manufacturing sites
typically in developing countries to retail markets, adds to carbon emissions.

To sum up , while fast fashion continues to thrive by meeting consumer

demand for trendy, affordable clothing, its environmental impact raises
critical concerns. As awareness grows, the industry faces increasing pressure
from consumers and advocates to adopt more sustainable practices and
reduce its ecological footprint.

Complex word list :

1. As cheap as chips : Very inexpensive (simile )

2. Hip : Fashionable ( it also means the area below the waist and above
the legs at either side of the body )
3. Rose to fame : To become famous
4. Coinciding : To happen at or near the same time
5. Advent : The fact of an event happening
6. Leveraging : The power to influence people and get the results you
want
7. Amplified : To make something louder
8. Condemned : To criticize something or someone strongly, usually for
moral reasons
9. Noxious : Poisonous or very harmful
10. Perilous : Extremely dangerous
11. Exacerbates : To make something that is horrendous even worse
 2. Vocab enrichment corner : Loanwords
 Loanword : a word taken from 1 language  used in another language
( no / little change made)
 Example of loanwords :

Emoji Japanese Digital icon  express an emotion /

emotions
Finale Italian The last part (of something)

3. Grammar and Usage

i) Talking about purposes
 In order to / So that : Express purposes
(Purpose : Reason why something is done / Why something exists )
 After in order to : base form (Reason : to) ; after clause : so that
 Examples :

She studied diligently in order to pass the exam with flying colors.
He saved his money so that he could buy a new laptop for school.

 Spoken / informal : in order to  to ; so that  so [Shortened]

 Examples :

He saved his money into buy a new laptop for school.

She studied diligently so she can pass the exam with flying colors.

 In order not to OR won’t / wouldn’t / needn’t / don’t + need to

[Negative form of in order to and so that respectively ]  things we
want to avoid
 Examples :

She adjusted her schedule in order not to miss the important meeting.
She won't need to worry about the exam since she studied thoroughly.

Extensions :
  Need to + in order to / so that : what we think needs to be done +
what will happen as a result

Example : Wendy needs to fix her attitude in order not to get fired.

 For + noun / noun phrase : talk about one’s purpose ( Note : X

gerund after for )
Example : I went here for an interview with a famous interviewer.

 For + Gerund : General purpose / function of things

Example : This worksheet is used for testing student’s ability with
conditionals.

ii) Indirect questions

 Make questions sound more polite / less blunt and sudden : indirect
questions
 Indirect questions : ask someone can they answer a question / can
we ask them a question
 Example : Do you know why he learnt how to knit ?
 Ways to form an indirect question :

End with question mark : Can / could you tell me/us …… ?

May I ask …… ?
End with full stop : I / we wonder if … .
I / we would like to know … .

 Notes to remember when forming indirect questions :

 Take out do/does/did (if there is ) in original question + keep
tense use

How much does this trench coat cost  Do you know how much this
trench coat costs

 Put the subject before the verb (follow the SVO structure )
 Add if/whether for yes/no questions

Has your income been affected  Can you tell me if your income
has been affected

 For wh- questions : Keep the wh- word

What is the time  Can you tell me what the time is ?

Extension :

 Add expressions such as excuse me / please before indirect questions

 more polite

Excuse me + can you tell me + what time it is ?

iii) Making requests

 Can / Could you …… ?  ask someone to do something for us
 Example : Can you tell me what the time is ?

 Would you mind + gerund also used to make requests

 Example : Tommy, would you mind sharing your findings on this
topic ?

 Sometimes : use would like (Contracted form : ’d like )

 Example : I’d like a double bacon cheeseburger, please.

 I / We wonder if you could + bare infinitive OR I/We were wondering

if you could + bare infinitive  make requests but in a more polite
manner
 Example : I wonder if you could take Little Timmy to his tutoring
class.

iv) Asking for permission

 Can / Could / May : ask for permission
 Example : Can I borrow this pen ?
 Note : Could is more polite when compared to can

 Do you mind if I + present tense OR would you mind if I + past

tense  ask for permission
 Note : Would you mind if I + past tense  More formal
 Example : Would you mind if I borrowed your pen ?
4. Writing a letter of request
 Tone : Formal
 Aim : Write to _______ to ask for a favor (i.e : borrowing something )
 How to achieve : By describing the purpose + informing the
recipient + explaining how important it is + persuade the recipient
to agree  achieve our goal
 Reminder : Include ALL NECESSARY INFOMRATION to persuade /
facilitate communication late on /etc (i.e : what is the organization
that wants the favor ? )
 Some phrases that are used to make formal requests :

o I / We are writing to ….
Example : I am writing to request permission to use your latest
song in our awards ceremony.
o I / we would be most grateful if you could ……
Example : We would be most grateful if you could let us use your
latest song in our awards ceremony.
o I/We hope that you will
Example : I hope that you will do a photo shoot for our summer
collection.
o I/We would be most grateful if you could
Example : I would be most grateful if you could do a photo shoot
for our summer collection.

--End of Unit 6--