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IELTSTM CUE CARD

Describe An Advertisement That You Don't Like: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

Updated on Nov 13, 2024, 06:13

Overview

An IELTS Speaking cue card is a task designed to assess your ability to speak fluently on a given topic. It's a key part of the IELTS Speaking test, where you'll have to talk about a specific subject for 1-2 minutes.

 

Today, we'll delve into the cue card topic, 'Describe An Advertisement That You Don't Like.' This is a frequently encountered topic in the IELTS Speaking test, where you'll be asked to articulate your dislike for a specific advertisement and provide reasons for your opinion.

 

Throughout this discussion, we'll delve into sample answers. These examples are designed to illustrate effective approaches and responses to the 'Describe An Advertisement That You Don't Like' cue card topic, aiding in your preparation for the IELTS Speaking test.

 

Cue Card/Topic: Describe An Advertisement That You Dont Like

You should say

  • What is it about?
  • When did you see it?
  • Where did you see it?
  • How did you feel after seeing it?
Sample Answer 1

Introduction:

 

  • The advertisement that really bothers me is for a fairness cream called "FairGlow."
  • It's frequently aired during prime time slots and promotes unrealistic beauty standards.

 

Describing your experience/opinion/interest:

 

  • Promotes the idea that fair skin is superior, which is misleading and harmful.
  • Targets young women, creating pressure to conform to narrow beauty ideals.
  • Features a storyline where using the cream leads to instant success, which is unrealistic and misleading.

 

Key highlights:

 

  • Fails to mention potential side effects of using such products.
  • Ignores the diversity of skin tones and beauty in our country.
  • This contributes to low self-esteem among those who don't fit the advertised standard.

 

Conclusion:

 

  • Advertisements like this should promote diversity and self-acceptance.
  • Consumers should be critical and support brands that celebrate real beauty.
  • Advertisers need to be responsible in their messaging and avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
Sample Answer 2

Introduction:

 

  • There's an advertisement that really irks me whenever it pops up on TV.
  • For a popular energy drink called "PowerBoost," it's overly sensationalized.

 

Describing your experience/opinion/interest:

 

  • The ad portrays extreme stunts and feats after consuming the drink, which is unrealistic.
  • It targets young adults by suggesting that consuming the drink will make them fearless and adventurous.
  • Such exaggerated claims can influence impressionable viewers to make unhealthy choices.

 

Key highlights:

 

  • Fails to mention the potential health risks of consuming energy drinks excessively.
  • Misleads consumers by associating the drink with enhanced physical and mental performance.
  • Creates a false sense of invincibility and encourages risky behavior among young people.

 

Conclusion:

 

  • Advertisements like this should be more responsible in their portrayal of product benefits.
  • Consumers should question exaggerated claims and consider the potential health impacts.
  • Advertisers must prioritise truthful and balanced messaging to promote consumer well-being.
Sample Answer 3

Introduction:

 

  • There's this one advertisement that really disappoints me whenever I see it on TV.
  • It's for a pesticide called "BugKill," concerning how it's presented.

 

Describing your experience/opinion/interest:

 

  • The ad shows BugKill as a quick and effective solution to pest problems, but it neglects to mention its potential harm to the environment and other beneficial insects.
  • It targets homeowners by creating fear of pests and promoting a "spray and forget" mentality without discussing safer alternatives.
  • Such ads can mislead consumers into using harmful chemicals unnecessarily.

 

Key highlights:

 

  • Fails to highlight the environmental impact and potential risks associated with pesticide use.
  • Glosses over the importance of integrated pest management practices and non-chemical solutions.
  • This contributes to the misconception that harsh chemicals are always the best solution for pest control.

 

Conclusion:

 

  • Advertisements for pesticides should emphasise environmental responsibility and safe usage.
  • Consumers should be encouraged to explore safer and more sustainable pest control methods.
  • Advertisers must educate consumers on the potential risks and promote environmentally friendly alternatives for pest management.

When the cue card section begins, the examiner will hand you the cue card with the topic written on it. They will instruct you to speak on the topic for 1 to 2 minutes. You will have 1 minute to prepare before you start speaking.

 

The best approach to answering cue cards like this is to structure your answer into clear sections.

 

Here’s how you can break down the topic:

 

Introduction

 

In this part, briefly introduce the advertisement you will discuss. You can:

 

  • Mention the product or service being advertised.
  • Explain why this particular advert caught your attention.

 

Describe your experience/opinion/interest
 

Here, you should describe your personal experience of the advert and your reaction to it. You can:

 

  • Mention when and where you saw it (TV, internet, billboard, etc.).
  • Share your initial thoughts about the advert.

 

Key highlights
 

Now, provide more details to explain why you didn’t like the advert. Focus on:

 

  • The content, style, or message that made you dislike it.
  • The impact it had on you (annoyed, confused, or offended).

 

Conclusion
 

Wrap up your answer by summarising how you felt about the advert after seeing it.

Follow-Up Questions

In the IELTS Speaking test, you might encounter questions about advertisements or commercials in Part 2 of the exam. During this part of the test, you'll have a minute to prepare your response after receiving a cue card with the topic and guiding questions. 
 

Then, you'll need to speak coherently about the advertisement, explaining why you dislike it and possibly discussing its impact or effectiveness. 

Q1. What advantages do TV commercials provide?

Answer 1: TV commercials offer businesses a powerful platform to reach a large audience quickly. They can effectively promote products or services, build brand awareness, and influence consumer behaviour through persuasive visuals and messages.

 

Answer 2: TV commercials provide consumers with information about new products, special offers, and upcoming events. They can also entertain and educate viewers, showcasing innovative ideas or solutions to everyday problems and enhancing consumer knowledge and choice.

Q2. Do customers buy things after seeing the advertisement?

Answer 1: Yes, customers often make purchasing decisions influenced by advertisements. Effective advertising campaigns can create awareness, highlight product benefits, and persuade consumers to buy by appealing to their needs, desires, or emotions.

 

Answer 2: However, not all advertisements lead directly to purchases. Some customers may need multiple exposures to an ad before buying, while others may be influenced by other factors like reviews, recommendations, or personal experiences with the product.

Q3. Why do people think advertising is offensive?

Answer 1: Some people find advertising offensive because it often employs aggressive tactics to capture attention, which can feel intrusive and disrupt their daily lives. Pop-up ads, targeted marketing based on personal data, and overly persuasive techniques can create a sense of annoyance or invasion of privacy.

 

Answer 2: Advertising sometimes promotes unrealistic standards or stereotypes, which can offend certain groups or individuals. Messages that perpetuate gender roles promote unhealthy body images, or stereotype cultures can be seen as insensitive or discriminatory, leading to negative perceptions of advertising as a whole.

Q4. Are there any inappropriate commercials on display?

Answer 1: Yes, occasionally, inappropriate commercials are on display, especially those that contain explicit content or promote harmful behaviours. These commercials may not align with ethical standards or societal values and can be deemed offensive or inappropriate for certain audiences.

 

Answer 2: However, regulations and guidelines are in place to minimise the display of inappropriate commercials. Advertising standards organisations work to ensure that commercials adhere to legal and ethical principles, promoting responsible advertising practices and protecting viewers from offensive or misleading content.

FAQs

Q. How should I manage my time during the Cue Card task?

Ans. To manage your time effectively during the Cue Card task, allocate a few minutes to brainstorm ideas and outline your response. Next, focus on delivering your main points clearly and concisely, ensuring you cover all aspects of the topic. Finally, reserve the last couple of minutes for a quick review to check for any errors or areas of improvement.

Q. Can I express my opinion during the test, even if it's different from the examiner's?

Ans. Yes, you can express your opinion during a test even if it differs from the examiner's. Tests often assess your ability to think critically and formulate your own ideas. However, ensure your opinion is supported by relevant arguments or evidence as required by the test's expectations. Constructive and respectful communication of differing viewpoints is generally encouraged in academic settings.

Q. How do you crack the Cue Card task?

Ans. To crack the Cue Card task effectively, focus on organising your thoughts clearly. Start with a concise introduction, delve into specific details or examples supporting your main points, and conclude with a brief summary reinforcing your key message. Practice speaking fluently and maintain eye contact to engage your audience effectively.

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