IELTS 6 Writing Model Essay (Free sample)
Test 1 Task 2 Question
Write about the following topic:
Today, the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer ad include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
Test 1 Task 2 Model Essay by an Expert Two
In today’s consumerist society, sales of popular goods are through the roof. Arguably, powerful advertising has influenced this trend of buying unnecessary items. However, the idea of what is a ‘real need’ is very dependent on context.
Advertising is big business, and is now designed to be highly influential on consumers. Advertising agencies employ psychologists to come up with increasingly creative and powerful ways to persuade the public that certain products will make them happier, healthier, even better looking. One technique that advertisers use is to suggest that certain products or brands would make you belong to an exclusive group. This is a powerful psychological drive, and can make consumers buy particular products or brands that they may not truly need.
Indeed, many popular consumer goods are arguably completely unnecessary, suggesting that it is advertising that prompts people to buy them. For example, most people update their smart-phones every couple of years. Is this really necessary? More likely, it is a result of powerful advertising suggesting that it is uncool and old-fashioned to have anything other than the latest model of their branded product.
On the other hand, though, what can be defined as the ‘real needs’ of a society is very dependent on the context. Do we really need virtual maps in our pockets, to direct us whenever we are lost? Do we even need ovens and hobs, when an open fire would cook our food? Technically no, but both products are extremely useful. Thus, it is easy to push the idea of a society’s ‘real needs’ too far. The ‘needs’ of a society change and develop along with the technology it uses.
Advertising is undoubtedly a powerful force in modern society. However, it is worth remembering that often, high sales of consumer goods, whilst prompted by advertising, may be a reflection of high-quality, convenient products that people do actually need in the modern world.
(316 words)
