Mastering IELTS Writing Task 2: Expert Guide on ‘Should Advertising to Children Be Banned?’ with Sample Essays

In recent years, the topic of advertising to children has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. This subject touches on various aspects of modern society, including consumer behavior, child psychology, and ethical marketing practices. As an IELTS candidate from Vietnam, understanding this topic and being able to articulate your thoughts clearly is crucial for achieving a high band score. Let’s delve into this important issue and explore how to craft compelling essays that will impress IELTS examiners.

Analyzing the Topic and Its Relevance in IELTS

The question of whether advertising to children should be banned has appeared in various forms in past IELTS exams. It’s a topic that combines elements of social responsibility, child development, and economic considerations. Based on trends observed in recent years, we can expect this theme to continue appearing in future tests, possibly with slight variations in focus or perspective.

For our sample essays, we’ll focus on the following question:

Some people think that advertisements targeting children should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

This question is representative of the type of task you might encounter in the IELTS Writing Test. It requires you to present a clear stance and support it with well-structured arguments.

Analyzing the Question

Before we dive into the sample essays, let’s break down the key elements of this question:

1. Topic: Advertisements targeting children
2. Focus: Whether these advertisements should be banned
3. Task: Express your level of agreement or disagreement
4. Key considerations: Ethical implications, impact on children, freedom of commerce

When approaching this question, you should consider various perspectives, including the potential harm to children, the rights of businesses to advertise, and the role of parental guidance.

Sample Essay for Band 8-9

Here’s a high-quality sample essay that would likely score in the Band 8-9 range:

The debate over whether advertisements aimed at children should be prohibited is a contentious issue in many societies. While I acknowledge the concerns that drive this proposition, I disagree with a blanket ban on such advertising. Instead, I believe a more nuanced approach involving stricter regulation and educational initiatives would be more beneficial.

Firstly, it’s crucial to recognize the potential negative impacts of unchecked advertising to children. Young minds are impressionable and may lack the critical thinking skills to discern commercial intent, potentially leading to unhealthy consumer habits or unrealistic expectations. For instance, advertisements for sugary snacks or expensive toys can create pressure on children and parents alike, contributing to health issues or financial strain.

However, a complete ban on child-targeted advertising could have unintended consequences. Many educational and informative products designed for children, such as books or educational software, rely on advertising to reach their intended audience. A blanket ban could inadvertently reduce children’s access to these beneficial resources. Moreover, advertising can serve as a tool for children to learn about the world around them, albeit in a controlled manner.

Instead of an outright ban, I propose a two-pronged approach. Firstly, governments should implement and enforce stricter regulations on advertisements targeting children. These could include limits on advertising during children’s programming, restrictions on the types of products that can be advertised to children, and clear guidelines on the content and presentation of such ads. For example, advertisements for toys could be required to clearly state the actual size and capabilities of the product to prevent misleading claims.

Secondly, there should be a greater emphasis on media literacy education for both children and parents. Schools could incorporate lessons on critical thinking and understanding commercial messages into their curricula. Parents could be provided with resources to help them guide their children in interpreting advertisements and making informed decisions. This approach would empower children to become more discerning consumers as they grow, rather than sheltering them entirely from commercial messages.

In conclusion, while the concern over advertising to children is valid, a complete ban is not the most effective solution. By combining stricter regulations with comprehensive education on media literacy, we can protect children from exploitation while still allowing for the benefits that responsible advertising can provide. This balanced approach would better prepare children for the commercial realities of adult life while safeguarding their wellbeing during their formative years.

(Word count: 395)

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Essay

Sample Essay for Band 6-7

Now, let’s look at a sample essay that would likely score in the Band 6-7 range:

The question of banning advertisements for children is a hot topic these days. While some people think it’s a good idea, I partially agree with this opinion. I believe that some types of ads should be banned, but not all of them.

On one hand, there are good reasons to ban some advertisements for children. Many ads try to sell unhealthy foods or expensive toys to kids. Children are young and don’t always understand that ads are trying to make them buy things. This can lead to problems like children wanting too many sweets or parents feeling pressure to buy expensive toys. For example, ads for sugary drinks during cartoon shows can make kids want these unhealthy drinks more.

However, I don’t think all ads for children should be banned. Some advertisements can be helpful or educational. Ads for books or educational games can help children learn new things. Also, if all ads for children were banned, some good products for kids might not be able to reach their audience. This could be bad for businesses that make good things for children.

I think a better solution is to have stricter rules for ads aimed at children. The government could make laws about what kind of products can be advertised to kids and when these ads can be shown. For instance, ads for unhealthy foods could be banned during children’s TV shows. There could also be rules about how ads should look so they don’t trick children.

Another important thing is to teach children about advertisements. Schools could have lessons about how to understand ads and why companies make them. Parents should also talk to their children about ads and help them understand what they see on TV or the internet.

In conclusion, while banning some advertisements for children is a good idea, I don’t think all of them should be banned. With better rules and education, we can protect children from bad ads while still allowing good ones. This way, children can learn about the world of advertising in a safe way.

(Word count: 329)

Key Considerations When Writing About This Topic

When tackling this IELTS Writing Task 2 question, keep the following points in mind:

1. Clear stance: Ensure your position is clear from the introduction and maintained throughout the essay.
2. Balanced argument: Even if you agree or disagree, acknowledge the opposing viewpoint to demonstrate critical thinking.
3. Specific examples: Use concrete examples to illustrate your points, as seen in both sample essays.
4. Coherent structure: Organize your essay logically, with clear paragraphs for each main idea.
5. Appropriate vocabulary: Use a range of vocabulary related to advertising, child development, and consumer behavior.

Important Vocabulary to Remember

Here are some key terms that can elevate your essay:

1. Impressionable (adjective, /ɪmˈpreʃənəbl/): Easily influenced or affected.
2. Discern (verb, /dɪˈsɜːn/): To recognize or perceive clearly.
3. Blanket ban (noun, /ˈblæŋkɪt bæn/): A complete prohibition on something.
4. Media literacy (noun, /ˈmiːdiə ˈlɪtərəsi/): The ability to understand and analyze media messages.
5. Nuanced (adjective, /ˈnjuːɑːnst/): Characterized by subtle differences or distinctions.
6. Contentious (adjective, /kənˈtenʃəs/): Causing or likely to cause disagreement or argument.
7. Inadvertently (adverb, /ˌɪnədˈvɜːtəntli/): Without intention; accidentally.
8. Empower (verb, /ɪmˈpaʊər/): To give someone the authority or power to do something.
9. Formative (adjective, /ˈfɔːmətɪv/): Having an important and lasting influence on the development of something.
10. Discerning (adjective, /dɪˈsɜːnɪŋ/): Having or showing good judgment.

Conclusion

The topic of banning advertising to children is a complex and relevant issue for IELTS Writing Task 2. By understanding the nuances of the debate and being able to articulate your thoughts clearly, you can craft a compelling essay that demonstrates your language skills and critical thinking abilities.

Remember to practice writing essays on similar topics, such as:

• The impact of social media advertising on young people
• Regulating fast food advertisements during children’s programming
• The role of parents in mediating children’s exposure to advertising

We encourage you to try writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This practice will help you refine your skills and prepare for success in your IELTS Writing Task 2.