Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following que...

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions.

The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters in the world, contributing significantly to environmental degradation. Fast fashion, characterised by cheap, rapidly produced clothing, encourages excessive consumption and waste. Millions of garments end up in landfills each year, where synthetic fabrics like polyester take centuries to decompose. Additionally, textile production consumes vast amounts of water—cotton farming alone requires enough water to meet the global population’s yearly needs. Toxic dyes and chemicals used in manufacturing further contaminate rivers, harming aquatic life and nearby communities. The industry’s carbon footprint is equally alarming, accounting for nearly 10% of global emissions—more than international flights and maritime shipping combined.

Beyond production, the environmental impact extends to transportation and consumer habits. [I] Clothes often travel thousands of miles before reaching stores, increasing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Consumers, influenced by ever-changing trends, discard clothing after only a few years, perpetuating a cycle of waste. [II] Many are unaware that washing synthetic fabrics releases microplastics into waterways, which eventually enter the food chain. While some brands promote recycling programmes, less than 1% of discarded clothing is actually repurposed into new garments. The lack of sustainable alternatives and transparency in supply chains makes it difficult for shoppers to make eco-friendly choices.

However, change is possible. A growing movement towards slow fashion encourages buying fewer, practices, such as using organic cotton, recycled fabrics, and water-saving techniques. [III] Governments and organisations must enforce stricter regulations on pollution and waste while supporting innovation in sustainable textiles. The future of fashion depends on balancing style with environmental responsibility - because looking good should never come at the cost of the planet. [IV]

Question 31: Fast fashion is mentioned in paragraph 1 as ____________.

A. a business model that relies on synthetic fabrics

B. a solution to meet increasing consumer demand for variety

C. a way to make fashion more affordable for everyone

D. a key factor in driving overconsumption and waste