Sample 01

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

write about the following topic:

Today, the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Write at least 25o words

This response is written by Ms. Sofia Butt: Published on 06-November-2019

In running days, the flourishing trend of well-known brands has gained momentum; the sales of such trademarks have been boosted through extensive stout advertisement without keeping into consideration the actual requisite of the end consumers. Therefore, one can easily assess the persuasive supremacy of that medium which makes others inclined towards particular product, without any concrete reason, because of that I strongly agree with the stance.

Whether it is on TV, radio or hoardings, advertisement has become an integral part of our lives, and people have been immensely influenced by these broadcasting in many ways. First and foremost, viewers get attracted by fascinated commercials that ultimately lead them toward impulsive buying - without even making an allowance about the precise need of that product, and it is usually an undue burden on targeted audience because of false claims that hardly match with the attributes of the actual products.

Moreover, majority of broadcasting rarely follow any hard and fast rule to assess the quality or reliability of the product, instead, in order to boost sales these agencies usually hire influential icons: famous actors or sports players, just to mesmerize the innocent crowd by such charismatic personas. As a consequence, these agencies give helping hand to lift sales at any cost. All these aspects contribute to spoil expectation and wastage of money just for the sake of lucrative trades.

In the culmination of the above discussion, I may assert that we have probably been living in a remote yurt of advertisement for a decade or so; these trailers have their roots deep inside our lives. So, no one can deny from its colossal impact on misguided intensive purchasing or shopping trend of our society.


In actuality, the pivotal role of advertisement in expanding sales drags our immediate attention because of its universality. Analytically speaking, there are two folds of the subject. Some of us go to the extent of saying that by using modern ways of advertisement, in running days when media is so influential, a seller can persuade a buyer to purchase a product. Contrary to this ideology, some others assert that in a true sense, it is the needs of people that boost the sale of a product. I tend to agree with the first stance.

One cannot deny the robust impact of advertisement on boosting the sale of consumer items. In the beginning of a fiscal year, knowing its significance, the organizations around the world allocate a high percentage of their budget to the promotional head. Story makers and designers, in the advertisement industry, who closely deal with human psychology, hold the talent of crafting eye-catching ads, earn huge amounts by utilizing their talent, and under the influence of this psychological call, people unintentionally purchase such advertised brands. Despite the fact that the famous item is beyond their actual needs. Hence, it is observed that those who do not advertise lack behind in this race.

Though need also plays an important role in extending the sales, effective advertising is inevitable for a significant hike in trade. Following the statistics of yesteryear, there were hardly (few) any people who had developed taste buds to enjoy noodles, but, in running days, the Maggie Noodles have now become an essential meal for youngsters, is considered as a glorying example which establishes the verdict in favor of advertisement and against the need. Pakistan, the country in which people face boiling and scorching weather almost three-quarter of a year, here against the expectation, the enormous sale of Nescafe is another indicator which backs the influential role of advertisement.

However, it is a wise approach that could double the size of sales if the advertising companies consider the needs of people before designing their promotions. Both factors -advertisement and need- could attract more people.


Response

Nowadays, there are lots of advertisements on television or on the streets. Some people think that the advertising boosts the sales of goods and it encourages people to buy things unnecessarily. This arguments may be true. In my country, many advertising companies produce advertisements with famous and popular actors or singers. People, especially youngsters, buy good that their favorite singer advertise, although they do not really need the products.

Also, on the television screen, a product may look gorgeous and good quality. As a result of it, people often buy goods without enough consideration. Consumers may not actually need it but they buy goods impulsively soon after they watch the advertising. Furthermore, as many customers buy a particular product due to its advertising campaign, the other people may be affected by the trend, even if the product is not of the real need of the society. On the other hand, there are various aspects against these arguments. Moreover, it is people’s choice to make a decision to buy goods. Advertising may be not a cause of customers, buying habits.Individuals have their own spending habits. If they have got enough disposable income, then the right to make a decision is given to them. No one actually can judge whether the goods sold are the real needs of the society or not. In addition, as there should be a limited amount of disposable income consumers are able to spend, people try to allocate their budgets. They cannot be simply swayed by those advertisements.

In conclusion, as customers have their own strong opinions and standard of good quality goods, it is better to leave them to make their own decision in buy goods. It is fairly difficult to say everyone is swayed by adverting by advertising and buy good impulsively. However, in sensitive area of businesses such as toy industries, it may be necessary to band advertising to those children have not got enough to control themselves or to know what they need.

This is an answer written by a candidate who achieved a Band 7.5 score. Here is the examiner’s comment;

Reference: Cambridge IELTS Book 6 Test 1

Examiner Comments

The way in which the candidate has responded to the task is a strong point of this script. It is a Well-developed answer that addresses the issues relevantly and at length .The writer introduces the topic, examines both sides of the argument and expresses a clear position. Points are well-argued and supported with example s.The answer is well organized and the message is easy to follow with clear paragraphing and linking of ideas.There are too many errors in cohesion, however and some linkers are not always fully appropriate, so this limits the rating for the rating for this criterion.

A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and precisely, in spite of one or two awkward expressions and some rare errors. Similarly, a sophisticated range of structures is used but there are too many minor errors and omission (such as in the use of preposition and basic subject/verb agreement to reach Band 8).Nevertheless these mistakes do not reduce the clarity of the answer and overall a wide range of language is used with a high level of proficiency.