Practice Tests
IELTS Reading (AC) Task 1 #128

A. The circular economy is a model of production and consumption that challenges the traditional linear "take-make-dispose" industrial model. At its core, the circular economy aims to design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use for as long as possible, and regenerate natural systems. This approach represents a systemic shift towards sustainability, seeking to decouple economic growth from the consumption of finite resources by creating a closed-loop system where materials are continuously reused, repaired, and recycled.

B. Key principles of the circular economy include designing products for durability, reparability, and disassembly. This means that from the outset, items are created in a way that allows their components to be easily recovered and repurposed at the end of their primary life. Business models within this framework also shift from selling products to providing services—for example, a company might lease lighting services instead of selling light bulbs. This incentivises the manufacturer to produce long-lasting, efficient products that they retain ownership of and are responsible for maintaining and recycling.

C. The benefits of a circular economy are manifold. Environmentally, it reduces the demand for raw material extraction, minimises waste sent to landfill, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions associated with production and disposal. Economically, it can create new business opportunities in repair, remanufacturing, and recycling sectors, foster innovation in product design, and build more resilient supply chains. For consumers, it can lead to more durable products and lower long-term costs.

D. Implementing a circular economy on a large scale requires significant changes in policy, business practices, and consumer behaviour. Governments need to create supportive regulatory frameworks, such as standards for product design and incentives for recycling. Businesses must redesign their products and supply chains, while consumers need to embrace new models of consumption, such as repairing items instead of replacing them and participating in take-back schemes. While challenging, this transition is increasingly viewed as essential for achieving long-term sustainable development.