Mastering IELTS Writing Task 2: Sample Essays and Analysis on Regulating Advertising to Children

In recent years, the topic of regulating advertising aimed at children has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. This subject has appeared multiple times in past tests and is likely to continue being a popular choice for examiners due to its relevance in today’s society. Let’s explore this topic through sample essays and in-depth analysis to help you prepare for your IELTS Writing Task 2.

Analyzing the Question

One of the most common variations of this topic is:

Some people think that there should be stricter regulations on advertising to children. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

This question requires you to express your opinion on whether stricter regulations should be imposed on advertisements targeting children. You need to consider both sides of the argument and provide a clear stance supported by relevant examples and reasoning.

The influence of advertising on children’s eating habits is a crucial aspect to consider when addressing this topic. The impact of advertising on children’s food choices and overall health is a significant concern that often drives the debate for stricter regulations.

Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)

In today’s consumer-driven society, the debate over regulating advertising to children has gained significant traction. While some argue for stricter controls, others believe in maintaining the status quo. In my opinion, I strongly agree that there should be more stringent regulations on advertisements targeting children due to their vulnerability and the potential long-term consequences.

Firstly, children are particularly susceptible to the persuasive techniques employed in advertisements. Their cognitive abilities are still developing, making it challenging for them to discern between factual information and marketing strategies. For instance, a study by the University of Liverpool found that children exposed to food advertisements were more likely to choose unhealthy snacks, regardless of their nutritional knowledge. This vulnerability necessitates stricter regulations to protect children from manipulation.

Moreover, excessive exposure to advertising can have detrimental effects on children’s mental health and self-esteem. Advertisements often present unrealistic ideals of beauty, success, and happiness, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth in young viewers. A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association revealed that 60% of teenagers felt pressure to look like the images they saw in advertisements. Implementing tighter controls on advertising content and frequency could mitigate these negative impacts.

However, opponents argue that stricter regulations could stifle creativity in the advertising industry and infringe on commercial free speech. While these concerns are valid, they should not outweigh the importance of protecting children’s well-being. Instead, advertisers should be encouraged to develop more responsible and ethical marketing strategies that do not exploit children’s vulnerabilities.

In conclusion, the potential harm caused by unrestricted advertising to children far outweighs the benefits of maintaining the current system. By implementing stricter regulations, we can create a safer media environment for children to grow and develop without undue influence from commercial interests. It is crucial for policymakers, parents, and advertisers to work together in establishing and enforcing these regulations for the benefit of future generations.

Stricter regulations on advertising to children

Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay

This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that contribute to its high band score:

1. Clear position: The writer clearly states their agreement with stricter regulations in the introduction and maintains this stance throughout the essay.

2. Well-developed arguments: Each paragraph presents a strong point supported by specific examples and research findings.

3. Cohesion and coherence: The essay flows logically, with effective use of linking words and phrases (e.g., “Firstly,” “Moreover,” “However”).

4. Lexical resource: The writer uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately (e.g., “susceptible,” “cognitive abilities,” “detrimental effects,” “mitigate”).

5. Grammatical range and accuracy: The essay showcases various complex structures without noticeable errors.

6. Task response: All parts of the question are fully addressed, with a clear conclusion summarizing the main points.

Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)

In recent years, there has been a growing debate about whether stricter rules should be put in place for advertising to children. Some people believe that tougher regulations are necessary, while others think the current system is fine. In my opinion, I agree that there should be stricter controls on ads targeting kids.

One main reason for stricter rules is that children are easily influenced by advertisements. They don’t always understand that ads are trying to sell them something and may believe everything they see. For example, many ads for toys make the products look more exciting than they really are, which can lead to disappointment when children actually get the toy. This shows why we need better rules to protect kids from misleading ads.

Another important point is that too much advertising can have negative effects on children’s health. Many ads promote unhealthy foods like sugary snacks and fast food, which can contribute to childhood obesity. A study I read showed that children who watch more TV ads for junk food are more likely to eat unhealthily. Stricter regulations could help reduce the number of these ads and promote healthier choices for kids.

On the other hand, some people argue that more regulations would be bad for businesses and limit their freedom to advertise. They say that parents should be responsible for teaching their children about ads. While this is partly true, I think the government also has a role to play in protecting children who may not have parents who can guide them properly.

In conclusion, I believe that stricter regulations on advertising to children are necessary to protect their well-being and health. While there may be some challenges in implementing these rules, the benefits for children’s development and future health outweigh the potential drawbacks.

Should advertising to children be restricted is a question that continues to be debated in many countries. This essay provides a balanced perspective on the issue, considering both the need for protection and the concerns of businesses.

Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay

This essay demonstrates good qualities that place it in the Band 6-7 range:

1. Clear position: The writer states their agreement with stricter regulations in the introduction and maintains this stance throughout.

2. Adequate development: The essay presents relevant points with some supporting examples, although they could be more detailed.

3. Coherence: The essay has a clear structure with appropriate use of paragraphing and some linking words.

4. Vocabulary: The writer uses a mix of common and some less common vocabulary (e.g., “influenced,” “misleading,” “contribute to”).

5. Grammar: There is a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control.

6. Task response: The essay addresses the main parts of the question, though the conclusion could be more comprehensive.

Children watching advertisements on various devices

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Susceptible (adjective) /səˈseptəbl/ – easily influenced or harmed by something
2. Cognitive abilities (noun phrase) /ˈkɒɡnətɪv əˈbɪlətiz/ – mental skills used in the process of acquiring knowledge
3. Detrimental (adjective) /ˌdetrɪˈmentl/ – tending to cause harm
4. Mitigate (verb) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – make less severe, serious, or painful
5. Infringe (verb) /ɪnˈfrɪndʒ/ – actively break the terms of a law or agreement
6. Stifle (verb) /ˈstaɪfl/ – restrain or suppress
7. Persuasive techniques (noun phrase) /pəˈsweɪsɪv tekˈniːks/ – methods used to convince someone to do or believe something
8. Unrealistic ideals (noun phrase) /ˌʌnrɪəˈlɪstɪk aɪˈdɪəlz/ – perfect standards that are impossible to achieve in reality
9. Commercial free speech (noun phrase) /kəˈmɜːʃl friː spiːtʃ/ – the right of businesses to advertise and promote their products
10. Ethical marketing (noun phrase) /ˈeθɪkl ˈmɑːkɪtɪŋ/ – promoting products in a way that is morally right and does not exploit consumers

Conclusion

The topic of regulating advertising to children is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related subjects such as the impact of advertising on consumerism among teenagers or how fast food advertising influences eating habits in children. These topics will help you develop a broader understanding of the issues surrounding advertising and its effects on young people.

Remember to always analyze the question carefully, plan your essay structure, and use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures to express your ideas clearly. Practice writing essays on this topic and share them in the comments section below for feedback and discussion with other IELTS candidates.