This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of the influence of ads from the real general training IELTS exam.
Please consider supporting me on Patreon.com/howtodoielts to receive my exclusive IELTS Ebooks – you can even sign up for private live lessons with me!
Dave
IELTS Essay: Influence of Ads
Consumers are faced with increasing numbers of advertisements from competing companies.
To what extent do you think are consumers are influenced by advertisements?
What measures can be taken to protect them?
Advertising is becoming increasingly pervasive and this has led some to question its influence on the average person. In my opinion, advertisements are indeed persuasive and most consumers could be better protected if governmental regulations were stricter.
Potential customers are greatly influenced, consciously and unconsciously, by advertising. The best evidence for the effectiveness of advertising does not come from scientific studies but the continued investment of powerful corporations. Corporations have become more efficient and clever in their use of advertising and this is clearly demonstrated in the growth of companies such as Facebook and Google which generate the majority of revenue from marketing. Advertisers are now able to target specific audience segments online and tailor ads to vulnerable demographics. Often these commercials and posts do not compel an immediate purchase, however, they linger subconsciously in users’ minds and contribute to overall brand awareness.
Such pervasive advertising can be countered only through laws. Individuals themselves often do not understand the threat or they lack the willpower to stay off the internet, where most advertising now occurs. Law-makers, in contrast, have the ability to enact regulations designed to ban certain kinds of advertisements and protect the general populace. For example, after United States elections in 2016, the government investigated and passed strict regulation to limit how foreign powers are able to purchase advertising space on social media to influence politics. Some of these laws should be extended more broadly to the corporate world so that, for instance, companies cannot target individuals susceptible to addictive behaviors by marketing unhealthy foods, videogames, and questionable pharmaceuticals.
In conclusion, the amount of investment in the advertising industry clearly shows the tremendous impact of marketing and federal governments are responsible for legislation. If steps are not taken, advertising may do irreparable harm to society in the future.
Analysis
1. Advertising is becoming increasingly pervasive and this has led some to question its influence on the average person. 2. In my opinion, advertisements are indeed persuasive and most consumers could be better protected if governmental regulations were stricter.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Potential customers are greatly influenced, consciously and unconsciously, by advertising. 2. The best evidence for the effectiveness of advertising does not come from scientific studies but the continued investment of powerful corporations. 3. Corporations have become more efficient and clever in their use of advertising and this is clearly demonstrated in the growth of companies such as Facebook and Google which generate the majority of revenue from marketing. 4. Advertisers are now able to target specific audience segments online and tailor ads to vulnerable demographics. 5. Often these commercials and posts do not compel an immediate purchase, however, they linger subconsciously in users’ minds and contribute to overall brand awareness.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
- Extend with some long sentences as well.
1. Such pervasive advertising can be countered only through laws. 2. Individuals themselves often do not understand the threat or they lack the willpower to stay off the internet, where most advertising now occurs. 3. Law-makers, in contrast, have the ability to enact regulations designed to ban certain kinds of advertisements and protect the general populace. 4. For example, after United States elections in 2016, the government investigated and passed strict regulation to limit how foreign powers are able to purchase advertising space on social media to influence politics. 5. Some of these laws should be extended more broadly to the corporate world so that, for instance, companies cannot target individuals susceptible to addictive behaviors by marketing unhealthy foods, videogames, and questionable pharmaceuticals.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Continue developing it…
- as fully as possible!
1. In conclusion, the amount of investment in the advertising industry clearly shows the tremendous impact of marketing and federal governments are responsible for legislation. 2. If steps are not taken, advertising may do irreparable harm to society in the future.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
Advertising is becoming increasingly pervasive and this has led some to question its influence on the average person. In my opinion, advertisements are indeed persuasive and most consumers could be better protected if governmental regulations were stricter.
Potential customers are greatly influenced, consciously and unconsciously, by advertising. The best evidence for the effectiveness of advertising does not come from scientific studies but the continued investment of powerful corporations. Corporations have become more efficient and clever in their use of advertising and this is clearly demonstrated in the growth of companies such as Facebook and Google which generate the majority of revenue from marketing. Advertisers are now able to target specific audience segments online and tailor ads to vulnerable demographics. Often these commercials and posts do not compel an immediate purchase, however, they linger subconsciously in users’ minds and contribute to overall brand awareness.
Such pervasive advertising can be countered only through laws. Individuals themselves often do not understand the threat or they lack the willpower to stay off the internet, where most advertising now occurs. Law-makers, in contrast, have the ability to enact regulations designed to ban certain kinds of advertisements and protect the general populace. For example, after United States elections in 2016, the government investigated and passed strict regulation to limit how foreign powers are able to purchase advertising space on social media to influence politics. Some of these laws should be extended more broadly to the corporate world so that, for instance, companies cannot target individuals susceptible to addictive behaviors by marketing unhealthy foods, videogames, and questionable pharmaceuticals.
In conclusion, the amount of investment in the advertising industry clearly shows the tremendous impact of marketing and federal governments are responsible for legislation. If steps are not taken, advertising may do irreparable harm to society in the future.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
advertising commercials, marketing, banner ads, pop-ups, etc.
increasingly pervasive more and more common
question doubt
influence impact
average person normal person
indeed persuasive in fact influential
better protected improved care
governmental regulations laws from the government
stricter more severe
potential customers possible buyers
greatly influenced significantly affected
consciously intentionally
unconsciously without knowing it is happening
best evidence clearest support
effectiveness impact
scientific studies research
continued investment further money put into
powerful corporations important companies
efficient saving time and money
clever intelligent
clearly demonstrated obviously shown
growth increase
generate create
majority most of
revenue money earned
marketing advertising
advertisers people who do advertising
target specific audience segments online located particular demographics through the internet
tailor ads create specific advertisements
vulnerable demographics weak groups of people
compel force
immediate purchase buy right away
however but
linger subconsciously hang around in the back of your mind
users’ minds brain of people online
contribute to overall brand awareness add to knowing about the company/product
pervasive common
countered fought against
laws regulations
threat risk
lack not have
willpower strength
stay off keep away from
occurs happens
law-makers politicians
in contrast however
enact regulations create laws
designed to ban meant to prevent
protect the general populace keep people safe
elections voting for politicians
investigated researched
passed strict regulation created strong laws
limit control
foreign powers governments from other countries
purchase advertising space buy ads
social media TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
politics leaders, governments, etc.
extended lengthened
broadly generally
corporate world companies
target individuals susceptible to addictive behaviors locate people who can be easily persuaded to buy things
marketing unhealthy foods advertise fast food
questionable pharmaceuticals bad drugs
tremendous impact huge effect
federal governments national governments
responsible have a duty
legislation laws
if steps are not taken if nothing is done
irreparable harm hurt that can’t be fixed
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ˈædvətaɪzɪŋ
ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli pɜːˈveɪsɪv
ˈkwɛsʧən
ˈɪnflʊəns
ˈævərɪʤ ˈpɜːsn
ɪnˈdiːd pəˈsweɪsɪv
ˈbɛtə prəˈtɛktɪd
ˌgʌvənˈmɛntl ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪʃənz
ˈstrɪktə
pəʊˈtɛnʃəl ˈkʌstəməz
ˈgreɪtli ˈɪnflʊənst
ˈkɒnʃəsli
ʌnˈkɒnʃəsli
bɛst ˈɛvɪdəns
ɪˈfɛktɪvnəs
ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˈstʌdiz
kənˈtɪnju(ː)d ɪnˈvɛstmənt
ˈpaʊəfʊl ˌkɔːpəˈreɪʃənz
ɪˈfɪʃənt
ˈklɛvə
ˈklɪəli ˈdɛmənstreɪtɪd
grəʊθ
ˈʤɛnəreɪt
məˈʤɒrɪti
ˈrɛvɪnjuː
ˈmɑːkɪtɪŋ
ˈædvətaɪzəz
ˈtɑːgɪt spɪˈsɪfɪk ˈɔːdiəns ˈsɛgmənts ˈɒnˌlaɪn
ˈteɪlər ædz
ˈvʌlnərəbl ˌdɛməˈgræfɪks
kəmˈpɛl
ɪˈmiːdiət ˈpɜːʧəs
haʊˈɛvə
ˈlɪŋgə ˌsʌbˈkɒnʃəsli
ˈjuːzəz maɪndz
kənˈtrɪbju(ː)t tuː ˈəʊvərɔːl brænd əˈweənəs
pɜːˈveɪsɪv
ˈkaʊntəd
lɔːz
θrɛt
læk
ˈwɪlˌpaʊə
steɪ ɒf
əˈkɜːz
lɔː-ˈmeɪkəz
ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst
ɪˈnækt ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪʃənz
dɪˈzaɪnd tuː bæn
prəˈtɛkt ðə ˈʤɛnərəl ˈpɒpjʊləs
ɪˈlɛkʃənz
ɪnˈvɛstɪgeɪtɪd
pɑːst strɪkt ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪʃən
ˈlɪmɪt
ˈfɒrɪn ˈpaʊəz
ˈpɜːʧəs ˈædvətaɪzɪŋ speɪs
ˈsəʊʃəl ˈmiːdiə
ˈpɒlɪtɪks
ɪksˈtɛndɪd
ˈbrɔːdli
ˈkɔːpərɪt wɜːld
ˈtɑːgɪt ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəlz səˈsɛptəbl tuː əˈdɪktɪv bɪˈheɪvjəz
ˈmɑːkɪtɪŋ ʌnˈhɛlθi fuːdz
ˈkwɛsʧənəbl ˌfɑːməˈsjuːtɪkəlz
trɪˈmɛndəs ˈɪmpækt
ˈfɛdərəl ˈgʌvnmənts
rɪsˈpɒnsəbl
ˌlɛʤɪsˈleɪʃən
ɪf stɛps ɑː nɒt ˈteɪkən
ɪˈrɛpərəbl hɑːm
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
A___________g is becoming i_______________________e and this has led some to q___________n its i_____________e on the a_____________________n. In my opinion, advertisements are i______________________e and most consumers could be b_________________d if g______________________s were s__________r.
P_________________s are g______________________d, c________________y and u_________________y, by advertising. The b__________________e for the e_________________s of advertising does not come from s___________________s but the c_______________________t of p_____________________s. Corporations have become more e__________t and c______r in their use of advertising and this is c______________________d in the g__________h of companies such as Facebook and Google which g___________e the m__________y of r__________e from m_____________g. A___________s are now able to t_____________________________________e and t_____________s to v________________________s. Often these commercials and posts do not c_________l an i____________________e, h__________r, they l_________________________y in u____________s and c__________________________________s.
Such p____________e advertising can be c_________d only through l____s. Individuals themselves often do not understand the t________t or they l____k the w____________r to s__________f the internet, where most advertising now o_________s. L_____________s, i______________t, have the ability to e______________________________n certain kinds of advertisements and p___________________________e. For example, after United States e___________s in 2016, the government i_______________d and p________________________n to l_____t how f_________________s are able to p_________________________e on s_____________a to influence p___________s. Some of these laws should be e__________d more b__________y to the c___________________d so that, for instance, companies cannot t________________________________________________________s by m__________________________s, videogames, and q__________________________s.
In conclusion, the amount of investment in the advertising industry clearly shows the t_______________________t of marketing and f______________________s are r____________e for l_______________n. I_______________________________n, advertising may do i_______________________m to society in the future.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching videos from The New York Times YouTube channel below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
https://adage.com/article/news/behind-scenes-new-york-times-truth-campaign-tuesday-wake-call/2317926
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Buying
- Which item do you buy the most?
- Do you care about the price when buying an item?
- What was the last thing you bought?
- Are good products always expensive?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related IELTS essay topic below:
Some believe that people will purchase a product based on their needs and advertising is not needed.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
You have mentioned United States in example. Shouldn’t it have the article ‘the’.
Please provide feedback-
It is irrefutable that there has been an increase in the quantity of advertisements from various businesses that customers are being swamped with. I concede that these adverts definitely seem to be influencing consumers’ purchase decisions. This essay will elucidate statements supporting my perspective and provide plausible steps which might be helpful to safeguard consumers.
Are people really influenced by advertisements? Certainly, they are. The main motive of advertisements is to entice people into buying products. Corporations spend an enormous amount of money on creating ads not only to market their products but also to boost their sales. With the help of technology, people are being bombarded with a large number of ads for the products they are interested in buying. For example, when someone searches for a product online, many apps, such as Facebook and Instagram, catch that movement, and then people will receive continuous adverts related to that particular product. This incessant targeting manipulates customers into purchasing products they may or may not have a real need for. In many cases, people appear to have been purchasing things merely because the advertisements were attractive and convincing enough to close the deal. Therefore, the pervasiveness of advertisements is indeed stimulating the minds of people.
However, there are multifarious measures available to prevent people from being the target of companies. Firstly, prior to buying anything, consumers should ask themselves whether there is truly a need for this, and if not, then do not shop for products. Although it is important to keep abreast of the latest products, people need to learn to skip or turn a blind eye to persistent advertisements so they are not lured to spend money on unnecessary items. Secondly, governments need to sensitize people to the marketing gimmicks. Only by knowing the underlying tactics in ads will people gain actual insights about the product. This way, purchasers will be mindful while purchasing products offered by the seller rather than simply buying anything.
To conclude, I concur based on the aforementioned reasons, it can be vindicated that advertisements affect the purchasing choices of people. Preventive measures such as self-interrogation and government support can assist people to not be influenced by advertisements to some extent.
Good work, Samaira!
Careful with phrasal words like swamped with (too informal) and phrases like irrefutable (everything is refutable).
Also don’t put questions in your writing – really snice specific examples though.
A lot of expressions also aren’t used in English like ‘it can be vindicated’…
Keep working hard, Samaira! (and spotting my typos!)
Thank you Sir Dave. Your feedback means a lot.
You’re welcome, Samaira!
I am a little confused how to use ‘vindicate’.
As you have used in one of your essays- https://howtodoielts.com/ielts-essay-choosing-a-job/
Is the use of the word ‘vindicated’ correct in my below sentence?
To conclude, I concur that advertisements affect the purchasing choices of people, which can be vindicated by the aforementioned reasons.
Not exactly, Samaira.
Vindicated means proven right but there is the supposition that someone said you were guilty/wrong first – like being vindicated at a trial.
Is that clearer?
Oh okay! I understand now. Thank you.
In 3rd Para line 2
Individuals themselves often do not understand the threat or they lack the willpower to stay off the internet, ‘where’ most advertising now occurs.
word ‘where’ is missing or is it correct without it.
Yes, you’re right – thanks again, Samaira!
It is true that advertising is increasingly omnipresent, which leads some to question its influence on consumers. In my opinion, advertising can have a colossal impact on the behaviors of consumers, and governmental actions are necessary to mitigate the effects of advertising.
Consumers nowadays are heavily impacted by advertising. This is because advertisers have become clever, using different strategies to persuade consumers to buy their products. One of the most noticeable marketing strategies is to associate certain products with high social status. A good example of this would be iPhone whose price can be prohibitively expensive, giving an impression that it is a luxurious product only used by the upper-class. Therefore, numerous consumers of different socio-economic statuses want to own this product in an attempt to gain social acceptance as well as boost their self-esteem. Another reason why advertising can have an enormous impact on the purchasing decision of consumers is that conglomerates can adopt the popularity of social media platforms to reach their prospective customers. For example, advertisers constantly spy on Facebook users to collect their personal information ranging from their preferences to their current needs of products, thus enabling them to target effectively specific audience segments online.
Governmental intervention is required to counter the pervasive effects of advertising on consumers. The authorities should adopt restrictive legislation to regulate the use of exaggerated advertising. Those who defy this policy by giving inaccurate information or overstating the effectiveness of their products through advertising should face penalties ranging from monetary fines to prison sentences. This would minimize the possibility of customers being misled by advertising. Certain forms of limitation should also be introduced to advertising targeting children who are inherently naïve and impressionable. For example, advertising of highly addictive products to children such as video games and unhealthy food should be strictly banned to curb their adverse influence on the young generation.
In conclusion, advertising tremendously influence the purchasing decisions of consumers, and law-makers should use legislation to curb its detrimental effects. Consumers should also be more skeptical when receiving information through advertising.
There is a statement that people always buy when they need them, and advertising has little influence. In my opinion, asking people to buy what they do not need is impossible. Even if there were tremendous ads, it would only be noise to customers.
People only buy products when they lack them. Products are produced to serve buyers. If the problems that people are facing are solved, they do not need to buy extra things. For example, a student will not buy a new laptop for studying when he already has a suitable one. Even if he has seen many ads for a new type of laptop that is much more powerful than the one he owns. Clever customers would focus on their needs and step up their mind to reject what is unnecessary. We have only a pair of feet, so that we do not need more than ten pairs of shoes.
Advertisements are like noise to people, which is why people hate them. Although ads may have an influence on people to pick a brand, it only happens when people need a product. Moreover, the final decision depends on the evaluation or performance of the product instead of advertising. In most situations, ads only divert people from their work or recreation. It would be a terrible experience if a pants ad showed up on a video website. Hence, ads cannot decide what people buy, and they only make things worse when people do not need them.
In sum, ads have no impact on what people are going to buy. By contrast, people buy only when they want to. Therefore, companies should focus on improving their products rather than delivering advertisements.
Good, Gakko!
Nice examples – there is some mechanical over-use of linking phrases though and it could be slightly more formal….