IELTS Writing Task 2 Band 8 Sample: Nowadays, a large amount of advertising is aimed at children. Some people think this can have negative effects on children and should be banned.To what extent do you agree or disagree?
This is an Opinion Essay, which is a standard question type in IELTS Writing Task 2. Understanding how to recognize and respond to it correctly is essential for achieving a high band score. The topic focuses on the impact of advertising targeted at children and whether it should be prohibited.
An opinion essay requires you to present your viewpoint on a statement and support it with evidence. Examiners look for a clear position and logical reasoning.
The topic focuses on the impact of advertising targeted at children and whether it should be prohibited.
The essay will explore both the potential negative impacts of child-targeted advertising and the arguments against banning it.
1. How to Analyze the IELTS Writing Task 2 Question about Advertising aimed at children
Full Question: Nowadays, a large amount of advertising is aimed at children. Some people think this can have negative effects on children and should be banned.To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The question asks for your opinion on whether advertising aimed at children should be banned due to its negative effects. You need to decide if you agree, disagree, or partially agree with the statement.
Keywords to focus on:
- advertising
- children
- negative effects
- banned
- impact
Reasons to Ban Child-Targeted Advertising
- Advertising can manipulate children's preferences, leading to unhealthy lifestyle choices.
- Children are not mature enough to understand persuasive intent, making them vulnerable to misleading advertisements.
- Exposure to advertisements can contribute to materialism and unrealistic expectations.
Reasons to Allow Child-Targeted Advertising
- Advertising can be educational and introduce children to beneficial products.
- Parental guidance can mitigate the negative impacts of advertising.
- The advertising industry supports the economy and banning it could have economic repercussions.
Examples and Reasoning Paths
- Many fast food advertisements target children, contributing to rising obesity rates.
- Educational toys advertised can enhance learning if parents choose wisely.
- Countries like Sweden have strict regulations on child advertising, resulting in healthier youth.
Which side is easier to argue? Arguing for a ban is easier due to the abundance of studies highlighting the negative impacts of advertising on children.
2. How to Plan Your Essay for a Opinion Essay
Focus on presenting a balanced argument. Clearly state your position and support it with specific examples related to child advertising.
Planning Steps:
- Brainstorm the potential negative impacts of advertising on children, such as health and psychological effects.
- Outline the essay by listing arguments for and against the ban, ensuring each point is supported by evidence.
- Structure the essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each side, and a concise conclusion.
Question-Specific Considerations:
- Consider the role of parents in mediating advertising effects.
- Reflect on the ethical implications of targeting children in advertising.
- Evaluate the economic impact of banning advertising aimed at children.
3. What is the Ideal Structure for a Band 8 Essay?
Follow this structure to achieve a Band 8 score:
- Introduction: Paraphrase the question by mentioning the prevalence of child-targeted advertising and present your stance.
- Body Paragraph 1: Discuss the negative effects of advertising on children, providing examples like increased materialism or health issues.
- Body Paragraph 2: Present counterarguments such as the role of parental responsibility and the economic benefits of advertising.
- (Optional) Body Paragraph 3: Explore potential compromises, like stricter regulations instead of an outright ban.
- Conclusion: Summarize the main points and restate your position, considering potential solutions.
Detailed Paragraph Guidance
- Introduction Tips: Clearly state your position on whether advertising aimed at children should be banned.
- Body Paragraph 1 Tips: Use specific examples to illustrate how advertising negatively affects children.
- Body Paragraph 2 Tips: Acknowledge valid points from the opposing view to demonstrate a balanced perspective.
- Conclusion Tips: Reiterate your stance and suggest practical alternatives or solutions.
4. Band 7 to 9 Sample Essays
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5. FAQ: What You Need to Know About Opinion Essay
-
How can I effectively present both sides of the argument?
Use clear topic sentences to introduce each paragraph and ensure every claim is supported by relevant examples or studies. -
What if I don't know much about advertising impacts on children?
Focus on general knowledge and logical reasoning. Use common examples like fast food ads or toy commercials. -
Can I partially agree with the statement?
Yes, you can agree to some extent and offer a balanced view by discussing both positive and negative impacts. -
How can I make my essay stand out?
Include specific examples, use varied vocabulary, and ensure your argumentation is logical and coherent. -
Should I include personal opinions or focus on general trends?
While personal opinions can be included, it is important to support them with general trends and evidence.
6. Useful Vocabulary for This Topic
Use these advanced vocabulary words to boost your band score:
- manipulate: to control or influence someone in a clever or unscrupulous way
Example: Advertisements can manipulate children's preferences by promoting unhealthy foods. - vulnerable: susceptible to physical or emotional harm
Example: Children are particularly vulnerable to the persuasive techniques used in advertising. - materialism: a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values
Example: Exposure to frequent advertising can lead to increased materialism among children. - persuasive: good at persuading someone to do or believe something through reasoning or the use of temptation
Example: Advertisers use persuasive language to captivate young audiences. - mitigate: make less severe, serious, or painful
Example: Parental guidance can help mitigate the negative effects of advertising on children. - repercussions: unintended consequences of an event or action, especially an unwelcome one
Example: Banning advertising could have significant economic repercussions. - ethical: relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these
Example: There are ethical concerns about targeting children in advertising due to their impressionability. - impressionable: easily influenced because of a lack of critical ability
Example: Children are highly impressionable and can be easily swayed by advertising. - regulations: rules or directives made and maintained by an authority
Example: Implementing stricter regulations on child-targeted advertising could be a viable solution. - compromise: an agreement or settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions
Example: A compromise could be reached by regulating rather than banning advertising.
7. Related IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions
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8. Quick Writing Tips
Remember these key tips for success:
- Use specific examples of advertising to support your arguments.
- Balance your essay by acknowledging the opposing viewpoint.
- Ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence.
- Use varied vocabulary to enhance your writing.
- Conclude with a summary of your main points and restate your position.
9. Ready to Practice?
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