Some people say that advertising is extremely successful at persuading us to buy things. Others think that advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion: IELTS writing task .

Bhargavee Sisodia

31 Jul 2024

Criteria for scoring in the IELTS Writing Task 2

To answer strategically in the IELTS writing Task 2, there are certain parameters to bear in mind that are consequential to scoring a high IELTS writing band score. Only when you completely get an idea of the IELTS writing test marking criteria, will you know exactly what the examiner is looking for in your responses. This will help you work on the areas where you feel that you are weak, and strengthen them to reach a targeted band score. Your writing task will be marked with these 4 band descriptors. 

Task Response/ Task Achievement

Task response or achievement is that criterion that tests how well a candidate has been able to meet the requirements of the task. It also prioritizes if he/she has provided a relevant and clear response to the prompt question. Everything from thoroughly addressing the questions, to supporting the explanation with appropriate instances and evidence is covered here. Hence, it demands maintaining a coherent focus throughout the response. 

Coherence and Cohesion

Coherence requires that the candidate can continue with a structured and clear flow in writing. Those ideas should be organized and sequenced in paragraphs to enhance readability. For cohesion, linking words should be used to bridge the ideas and successive progression is essential without disrupting the flow. 

Lexical Resource

In simple words, this criterion assesses the vocabulary ability of the test taker. To excel in this area, there should be balance in using clear communication, accurate spelling and tone, collocations, and a variety of vocabulary. 

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

For grammatical range and accuracy, the test taker's writing is gauged by focusing if he/she has used a variety of sentence structures throughout the essay. Also, there should not be systematic grammatical mistakes, and proper uses of punctuation and verb tenses count. 

Assessment criteria based on Band score

IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic with Answers

Some people say that advertising is extremely successful at persuading us to buy things. Others think that advertising is so common that we no longer pay attention to it. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

This essay question is supposed to be addressed in the format of a discussion essay, with a personal opinion since it has been asked. We have presented three sample responses that match the requirements of bands 6, 7, and 9. Let's first take you through a walk to interpret the format before skimming through the essays. 

Introduction: Paraphrase the background information (and state your opinion). 

Body paragraph 1: Elucidate the first viewpoint and support it with reasons. 

Body paragraph 2: Elucidate the second viewpoint and give relevant reasons. 

Body paragraph 3 (Optional): To extend and justify both views, this paragraph can be used. 

Conclusion: Summarize the content (and assert your opinion). 

Band 6

Some people see that advertising has influenced effectively in letting them decide what to buy while others defend that nobody cares about the advertisment. Presently, social media has made it usual for people but I think it has the powerful element due to which it influences buying mindset within buyers. 

The ads in the social media platforms or broadcasting channels that are shown hundred number of times in between an important debate or news report annoys the ones who are watching something with full focus. Too much of everything loses its value. Seeing a thing too many times make it seem unimportant as people are not affected by what they are trying to sell, and this lead to reduction in fulfilling objective of the particular advertisement. Ultimately, it has no power to influence. 

But, there are a large number of advertisents that pop up when we watch something on television or mobiles. Advertising products of daily use, or luxury item in between a show or football match is a frequent thing of today. This is a trick of the companies to form interest in the minds of watchers so that they desire buying products. Like this, the social media platforms play a important role in impacting the decisions of people. When a celebrity or influencer participates in an advertisment, they are drawn to buy a thing just because it is there favorite celebrity, even if it is not required. 

While advertising can lose its important over time, I witnessed the rising impact of appealing advertisement in today's society. Thus, in my opinion, advertisement still hold immense power in changing a non-consumer to a buyer. 

Thoughts on the essay: 

Paragraphs are organized, however, transition phrases and linking devices can be used. Spelling errors, inaccurate words, restricted vocabulary, and few collocations have been spotted. The word ‘watchers’ can be replaced with ‘viewers,’ and ‘’important should be ‘importance’. Punctuation errors, missing articles, and grammatical mistakes. Some parts sound redundant and more mixed sentences must be included. 

Band 7 

In the present era, with the increasing prevalence of advertising, some state that it has become so common that it neither entertains nor encourages people to buy while others argue that it does. Although it is a matter of controversy, I will present discussion on both the views and delineate my opinion to show that I support the second point. 

Masses believe that the ample advertisements that are released today go unnoticed as they are  non appealing and seem like unnecessary to most. When advertisements are repeated after every next break, it is very common to not pay any heed to it. An example can be those commercials that express unrealistic things. This sort of information is not favorable for consumers. Rather, it pushes them, to never purchase that product. 

It is often a matter of discussion for many that advertisements sort of act like the weapon to change people's minds in buying a thing. Due to easy accessibleness to social media platforms, consumers are likely to obtain product information easily through pop-up ads. With the influencer community’s relentless efforts at promoting products, and brands for a specific target audience, previous era's advertisements are replaced. These wide range of advertisements by influencers and celebrities have gained significance because the consumer's behavior is impacted after viewing the endorsement from their favorite star. Moreover, these are suited to match the current trends and attitudes, which lets constant purchasing.

After all, I believe that advertisements cannot be regard as common or powerless even though they are all over our televisions and social media because these are the decisive element to push the consumer chain. 

Thoughts on the essay: 

There is a detailed explanation for both the topics, although a distinct example could have been added for each. A few grammar errors, including tense and plurals, and inaccurate words. The word ‘push’ can be propel. There is a natural and progressive flow in the content, unlike the one with 6+ bands.  

Band 9 

A growing interest and deliberation on the subject of advertisement from two schools of thought has been rampant. While some deem advertising as being ubiquitous and inconsequential, opponents regard it to be successful in coaxing people through the ages.  In this essay, I will delineate both perspectives in detail and contend that advertisements effectively shape the purchasing decisions of consumers. 

The precipitous amount of advertising that is encountered daily creates advertising fatigue among individuals. The incessant exposure to numerous ads stresses out human beings at some point or the other. To instantiate, a HubSpot study reported that around 90% of online ads go unheeded, and TV commercials were disregarded too. Being exorbitant in numbers, it has only capacitated room for desensitization among viewers. Subsequently, modern people find every released ad to be incredulous. Although social media promotes sales pitches, people are sharp-witted and cautious about the claims posited by advertisers which makes them launch research about a product. 

Proponents state that advertising effectiveness asserts an influence that imbues a predisposition in the minds of consumers. It is typical that advertisements maneuver by inducing emotional appeals, initiating celebrity endorsements, and promulgating memorable slogans that intrigue the viewers and mold their discernment of certain products and services. A suitable instance can be a movie actress endorsing a beauty brand that will appeal to the consumers to associate the product with attractiveness, grooming, and self-care. In addition, advertising tactics emphasize psychological strategies to accentuate urgency and prompt purchasing choices instantaneously. 

In a nutshell, although there is an oversaturation of advertising, I believe that advertising is not obsolete as it reinforces creativity, and relevance, and ushers crafting of impactful campaigns. 

Thoughts on the essay: 

This essay has been marked with a 9+ band score because it exhibits logical, rational, and structured writing. There is high-level vocabulary usage like  discernment, obsolete, and ubiquitous are used. Linking words, mixed sentences, and synonyms are used throughout the paragraphs evenly. 

Conclusion

If you are worried about where to get your practice materials, you can connect with D-VIVID to access the latest practice materials.  It will help you in:

• Getting used to the test format
• Getting familiar with the types of tasks involved.
• Testing under timed conditions to earn a suitable IELTS writing band score. 
• Reviewing your own answers and comparing them with the model/ sample answers.

To begin your IELTS exam preparation, D-VIVID  is your go-to destination to where you will receive your training from the best certified IELTS trainers. Our team of expert IELTS mentors has designed several IELTS study modules that include IELTS writing task topics and IELTS essay topics. You will have one-to-one guidance and be assessed regularly while accessing numerous practice sets and blogs that cover frequently asked IELTS writing task 2 topics with answers. To achieve a full IELTS writing band score of 9, contact us, seek a consultation, and we will take it from there.