Bags, brands and buying decisions: IELTS Speaking Part 3 questions and answers

Mainly, I think, because people are paying for the brand name rather than the materials. Luxury labels invest heavily in advertising, celebrity endorsements and elegant shops, and those costs are built into the price. Limited supply also plays a role, since rarity makes an item more desirable. Of course, some designer bags are beautifully made, but a well-crafted bag from a small workshop can often match the quality for a fraction of the cost.

Unfortunately, I think many people do, often without realising it. Accessories are very visible, so they become a quick, if unreliable, signal of someone's income or taste. In some workplaces, for example, carrying an expensive briefcase may create an impression of success. However, I think this is changing, as more people value practicality and sustainability over logos, and plenty of wealthy people deliberately dress in a very understated way.

In most cases, I'd say buying one good-quality item is wiser in the long run. Cheap products often break quickly, so you end up replacing them repeatedly and spending more overall. A sturdy pair of shoes, for instance, may last five times longer than a cheap pair. That said, expensive doesn't always mean high quality, so people need to check materials and reviews rather than simply trusting the price or the brand.

I think it's often about emotion rather than need. Shopping gives people a short burst of pleasure, so they may buy things to cheer themselves up or reward themselves after a stressful week. Advertising and social media make this worse by constantly presenting new products as essential. Sales and discounts also create a sense of urgency, which pushes people to buy something simply because it seems like a bargain at that moment.

Yes, I strongly believe they should, because even a small charge makes people stop and think before taking a bag. In places where this has been introduced, many shoppers have started bringing their own reusable bags, which cuts down on plastic waste quite noticeably. It's also a fairly painless policy, since anyone who really needs a bag can still buy one. Ideally, the money collected could be used to fund local recycling or clean-up projects.