Writing Task Two (Academic and General ) - IELTS Cambridge 20 ( Test 1 ), 2025

 

Question: Some argue that advertising has too much influence on people’s purchasing decisions. To what extent do you agree or disagree? 

Advertising undeniably shapes consumer behaviour, yet the extent of its power is often overstated. While promotional campaigns can encourage impulsive purchases, individual judgement and broader social factors still play an equally strong role.

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On one hand, modern advertising is sophisticated and persuasive. Companies use emotional appeals, celebrity endorsements, and targeted online marketing to convince people to buy products they do not necessarily need. For example, fast-food chains frequently link their products to happiness and friendship, encouraging unhealthy consumption patterns. Such strategies clearly show that advertising can manipulate consumer choice.

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However, many people are increasingly resistant to such tactics. The rise of consumer awareness, product reviews, and independent online platforms means buyers often make decisions based on quality and price rather than glossy advertisements. For instance, environmentally conscious consumers frequently reject heavily advertised but unsustainable brands. This demonstrates that advertising is influential but not decisive.

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In conclusion, advertising does affect what people buy, especially when products are emotionally marketed. Nevertheless, informed consumers are capable of resisting pressure and making rational choices. Therefore, advertising is powerful, but its impact is limited.

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Word count: 268

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Commentary on the grammar used:

Intro:
"Advertising undeniably shapes consumer behaviour, yet the extent of its power is often overstated. While promotional campaigns can encourage impulsive purchases, individual judgement and broader social factors still play an equally strong role."

• Grammar: Present simple dominates ("shapes," "is," "play") → general truths.

• Use of concessive adverb "yet" creates contrast.

• Complex sentence with subordinate clause ("While... purchases").

• High-band feature: balance of clauses for contrast.

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Body 1:
"On one hand, modern advertising is sophisticated and persuasive. Companies use emotional appeals, celebrity endorsements, and targeted online marketing to convince people to buy products they do not necessarily need. For example, fast-food chains frequently link their products to happiness and friendship, encouraging unhealthy consumption patterns. Such strategies clearly show that advertising can manipulate consumer choice."

• Mix of simple and compound sentences.

• Present simple with adverbs ("frequently link") → describes tendencies.

• Participle clause: "encouraging unhealthy consumption patterns."

• Cohesion with "On one hand," and "For example."

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Body 2:
"However, many people are increasingly resistant to such tactics. The rise of consumer awareness, product reviews, and independent online platforms means buyers often make decisions based on quality and price rather than glossy advertisements. For instance, environmentally conscious consumers frequently reject heavily advertised but unsustainable brands. This demonstrates that advertising is influential but not decisive."

• Complex noun phrase: "The rise of consumer awareness, product reviews, and independent online platforms."

• Present tense + adverbs ("often," "frequently").

• Contrast marker "However."

• Cohesive pronoun reference: "This demonstrates..."

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Conclusion:
"In conclusion, advertising does affect what people buy, especially when products are emotionally marketed. Nevertheless, informed consumers are capable of resisting pressure and making rational choices. Therefore, advertising is powerful, but its impact is limited."

• Mix of linking adverbs ("Nevertheless," "Therefore").

• Gerund phrase "making rational choices."

• Parallel structure in final sentence ("is powerful, but its impact is limited").