Cambridge IELTS 15 Test 3 Writing Task 2: Sample Answer

Advertising is a constant presence in modern life, which leads to disagreement about its real power. Some argue that it remains highly effective at shaping what we buy, while others claim that we have become so accustomed to it that we ignore it. In my view, both positions contain some truth, but the first is closer to reality.

Those who believe advertising succeeds can point to the enormous sums that companies invest in it, which they would hardly do without results. Campaigns draw on psychology, using celebrity endorsement, emotional storytelling and limited-time offers to create desire. Children are especially responsive: a cartoon character on a cereal box can determine which brand a family purchases. Furthermore, online advertising is now personalised, following users with products they have just browsed, which makes a purchase considerably more likely.

On the other hand, the sceptics have a valid point. Because adverts appear on billboards, buses, social media feeds and between television programmes, many viewers develop a kind of selective blindness. They skip videos after five seconds, install ad blockers or simply scroll past. Some consumers also distrust claims that seem exaggerated, and rely instead on reviews from friends or independent websites before they buy anything.

Taking both views into account, I believe advertising works largely because it operates below conscious attention. A person may claim to ignore a logo, yet repeated exposure makes that brand feel familiar and trustworthy when they stand in a shop aisle. Thus, even if we do not actively notice a commercial, it can still tip a decision in its favour.

In conclusion, although audiences are increasingly resistant to obvious sales pitches, advertising continues to be effective, mainly through subtle repetition and personalisation.