IELTS Writing Task 2: Should Governments Ban Advertising Aimed at Children? (Band 6-9 Sample Essays)

The topic of advertising aimed at children has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on past trends and current societal concerns, it’s likely to appear in future tests as well. This issue is particularly relevant for Vietnamese candidates, as the country has seen a surge in child-targeted advertising in recent years. Let’s explore this topic through a typical IELTS question and provide sample essays for different band scores.

Analyzing the Question

Some people think that governments should ban all advertising directed at children. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?

This question asks for your opinion on whether governments should completely prohibit advertisements targeting children. Key points to consider:

1. The scope of the ban: “all advertising”
2. The target audience: “directed at children”
3. The implementing authority: “governments”
4. Your stance: agree or disagree, and to what extent

Band 8-9 Sample Essay

In today’s consumer-driven society, the impact of advertising on children has become a contentious issue. While some advocate for a complete ban on child-targeted advertisements, I believe that such a drastic measure is unnecessary and potentially counterproductive. Instead, I propose a more nuanced approach that involves stricter regulations and enhanced media literacy education.

Firstly, it’s important to acknowledge that not all advertising aimed at children is inherently harmful. Some advertisements can be educational or promote positive behaviors, such as encouraging healthy eating habits or physical activity. A blanket ban would eliminate these beneficial messages along with the more problematic ones. Moreover, exposure to advertising, when properly regulated, can help children develop critical thinking skills and become more discerning consumers in the long run.

However, the current state of child-targeted advertising does present significant concerns. Many advertisements exploit children’s naivety and susceptibility to persuasion, often promoting unhealthy products or unrealistic ideals. This can lead to issues such as childhood obesity, materialism, and low self-esteem. To address these problems, governments should implement stricter regulations on the content and frequency of advertisements directed at children, particularly for products that may be detrimental to their health or well-being.

A more effective solution would be to combine regulatory measures with comprehensive media literacy education. By teaching children from an early age how to critically analyze advertisements and understand their persuasive techniques, we can empower them to make informed decisions as consumers. This approach would not only protect children from manipulative marketing practices but also equip them with valuable life skills.

In conclusion, while the concerns about child-targeted advertising are valid, a complete ban is not the most appropriate solution. A balanced approach that combines stricter regulations, responsible advertising practices, and enhanced media literacy education would be more effective in protecting children while preparing them for the realities of a media-saturated world. (297 words)

Band 6-7 Sample Essay

In recent years, there has been much debate about whether governments should ban all advertising aimed at children. While I understand the concerns behind this proposal, I partially disagree with a complete ban. I believe that stricter regulations and better education about advertising would be more effective solutions.

On one hand, it’s true that many advertisements targeting children can be harmful. They often promote unhealthy foods or expensive toys, which can lead to problems like obesity or family arguments about money. Some ads also use clever tricks to make children want things they don’t really need. These issues are serious and need to be addressed.

However, banning all child-targeted advertising might not be the best answer. Firstly, not all ads for children are bad. Some can teach useful things or encourage good habits. For example, ads about brushing teeth or eating vegetables can be helpful. Secondly, completely removing ads might not prepare children for the real world, where they will face many advertisements as adults.

Instead of a total ban, I think governments should make stricter rules about what can be advertised to children and how. For instance, they could limit ads for junk food or set guidelines for honest advertising. At the same time, schools should teach children about how ads work and how to think critically about them. This would help kids make better choices and not be easily tricked by advertising.

In conclusion, while protecting children from harmful advertising is important, a complete ban is not necessary. A combination of better regulations and education would be a more balanced and effective approach to dealing with this issue. (253 words)

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Essays

Key Points to Remember When Writing

1. Structure: Both essays follow the standard IELTS Writing Task 2 structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The Band 8-9 essay has a more sophisticated structure with clearer topic sentences and smoother transitions between ideas.

2. Vocabulary: The Band 8-9 essay uses more advanced vocabulary and phrases like “contentious issue,” “nuanced approach,” and “media literacy education.” The Band 6-7 essay uses simpler language but still incorporates some good phrases like “stricter regulations” and “critical thinking.”

3. Grammar: The higher band essay demonstrates a wider range of complex sentence structures, while the Band 6-7 essay uses mostly simple and compound sentences with some attempts at complexity.

4. Task Response: Both essays address the question directly, but the Band 8-9 essay provides a more nuanced view and explores the topic in greater depth.

5. Coherence and Cohesion: The Band 8-9 essay has better paragraph organization and uses more sophisticated linking words and phrases.

Difficult Vocabulary to Remember

1. Contentious (adjective) /kənˈtenʃəs/ – causing or likely to cause disagreement
2. Nuanced (adjective) /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ – characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression
3. Discerning (adjective) /dɪˈsɜːnɪŋ/ – having or showing good judgment
4. Susceptibility (noun) /səˌseptəˈbɪləti/ – the state of being likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing
5. Materialism (noun) /məˈtɪəriəlɪzəm/ – a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values
6. Comprehensive (adjective) /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv/ – complete; including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something
7. Manipulative (adjective) /məˈnɪpjələtɪv/ – exercising unscrupulous control or influence over a person or situation
8. Saturated (adjective) /ˈsætʃəreɪtɪd/ – filled with something to the point that no more can be added

In conclusion, the topic of banning advertising aimed at children is a complex issue that requires careful consideration. While writing about this topic, focus on presenting a balanced argument and supporting your points with relevant examples. Remember to practice writing essays on similar topics, such as the regulation of social media for children or the impact of technology on young people’s development. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and further discussion.