By the end of this exercise, you can argue convincingly for a cause — using persuasive techniques like rhetorical questions and signposting phrases to structure a speech.
Free Year 10 English practice: a fast-fashion speech, drills on persuasive techniques and signposting, plus a debate speech to write. B2/C1.
Read the speech carefully, then answer the questions below.
Who made your jeans? I don’t mean which shop. I mean the person at the sewing machine.
Three weeks ago, I watched a documentary about a garment factory in Dhaka, and I haven’t looked at my wardrobe the same way since. Cheaper, faster, trendier — that is the promise fast fashion makes us. But somebody always pays the difference, and it is rarely us. The legal minimum wage for a garment worker in Bangladesh is about 100 euros a month.
Let me give you the facts. First, according to the United Nations, the fashion industry causes between two and eight per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Second, most garment workers are women, and few of them earn a living wage. Finally, we now wear each piece of clothing about a third fewer times than people did fifteen years ago.
Some people tell me that cheap clothes help poor families. But ask yourself who is really being helped. Wearing a T-shirt twice is not a sacrifice. Neither is asking one simple question before you buy: who made my clothes?
So here is my challenge to you. Sign the petition for Fair Fashion Friday. Ask brands the question they least want to hear. And next time you want something new, try something old instead. Because change does not start in parliament or in boardrooms. It starts in your wardrobe. It starts with you. And it starts today.
1 What does the speaker ask the audience to think about at the very beginning?
2 What changed the speaker’s view of fashion?
3 What does the speaker ask the audience to do at the end of the speech?
4 Where does the speech say change starts?
5 In the opening line “Who made your jeans?”, which persuasive technique is the speaker using?
6 (Review from an earlier unit) In “Wearing a T-shirt twice is not a sacrifice”, what job does the word Wearing do?
Each sentence is taken from a campaign speech. Choose the persuasive technique it uses.
1 “Who made your jeans?”
2 “Cheaper, faster, trendier — that is what they promise us.”
3 “You have the power to change this.”
4 “Picture the hands that stitched your jacket — hands just like your mother’s.”
5 “According to the United Nations, the fashion industry causes up to eight per cent of global emissions.”
6 “We are drowning in clothes we never wear.”
7 “We will ask. We will demand. We will change.”
8 “Together, we can build a fairer fashion industry.”
A convincing speech guides its listeners. Choose the signposting phrase that fits the logic of each sentence.
1 ___ , let me give you the facts.
2 The fashion industry is growing fast. ___, that growth comes at a price.
3 Most garment workers are women, and ___, few of them earn a living wage.
4 Some people say cheap fashion helps poor families. ___, the workers themselves stay poor.
5 The workers pay the price. ___, the planet pays too: the industry causes up to eight per cent of global emissions.
6 ___ , what can we actually do? Quite a lot, as it turns out.
7 ___ , we can buy less, repair more and swap clothes with friends.
8 ___ , change starts in your wardrobe — and it starts today.
Your school council is debating a “Fair Fashion Friday” — one day a week when students wear second-hand or repaired clothes.
Write your two-minute speech to persuade the school council to introduce Fair Fashion Friday. Use at least two persuasive techniques (for example: a rhetorical question, a rule of three, direct address) and at least two signposting phrases (for example: first of all, however, in conclusion). Aim for 60–100 words.
Review your answers below, then send them to your teacher.
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