Describe an advertisement that you don’t like: IELTS Speaking Cue Card

You should say

When did you see it?
What is it about?
Where you saw it/how you came to know about it?
Why you didn’t like it?

8 unique answers with expert feedback

What impact do you think advertisements have on society?

Advertisements can significantly influence societal norms and values. They often shape perceptions of beauty, health, and lifestyle. For instance, ads promoting unrealistic beauty standards can lead to body image issues among young people, while those promoting harmful products can affect public health.

How do you think advertising regulations could be improved?

Advertising regulations could be improved by enforcing stricter guidelines on the portrayal of health-related products and beauty standards. For example, banning ads that promote harmful substances or unrealistic body images could help protect vulnerable audiences, especially young girls, from negative influences.

Have you ever been influenced by an advertisement? How?

Yes, I have been influenced by advertisements in the past, especially those promoting beauty products. I remember feeling pressured to buy certain items to fit in or look a certain way. However, I've become more critical of ads and try to focus on my own standards of beauty rather than those presented in media.

Band 6-7

00:00

This is quite an interesting topic, an advertisement that I didn't like was one about fairness creams. It was a fairness cream ad and I initially saw this ad when I was a kid while watching TV serials during that time, there were ads that came in between and that was I think most of the source of ads that I had. So I watched this one ad where a fairness cream was used and after that, after the cream was used, the person became fair and everyone really appreciated the beauty of that person and I think I did not like that kind of beauty standards even though I was a kid. I grew up in India where we have complexions of different types and people are of different colours. So I had friends and I have been involved with people from having different skin types. So when I saw that, I was really enraged because it did not really match my thinking and I did not like the idea that fairness is related to being beautiful because beauty comes in all skin types and colours and that is something I have had a belief from right as a kid and growing up, I saw these standards increasing which really hurt my feelings and I had different opinions. So growing up, yes, I never liked these kinds of advertisements that showed a particular set of beauty standards.

Follow up questions

How do you think advertisements influence people's perceptions of beauty?

Advertisements can significantly shape societal beauty standards by promoting specific ideals. They often create unrealistic expectations, leading individuals to feel inadequate if they don't conform. This can affect self-esteem and body image, especially among young viewers who are impressionable.

What changes would you like to see in advertising regarding beauty standards?

I would like to see more diversity in advertisements, showcasing people of all skin tones, body types, and features. Ads should celebrate individuality and promote self-acceptance rather than perpetuating narrow beauty ideals. This would help foster a more inclusive and positive perception of beauty.

Have you noticed any positive advertisements that challenge traditional beauty norms?

Yes, there are advertisements that celebrate natural beauty and diversity. Brands that feature models of various ethnicities, sizes, and ages are becoming more common. These ads often promote messages of self-love and acceptance, which can positively influence viewers and challenge harmful stereotypes.

Band 6-7

00:00

So, it is about an ad which is so irritating to see in televisions and mobile phones. It reappears again and again in YouTube ads and TV ads. So it is about a game which we play with cards. It is called Rummy. The ad is called Rummy Circle about the website or a game, I guess. It is too irritating and repetitive in YouTube ads and televisions while watching any channels. It is not recommended to below 18 as it is money laundering and money scamming maybe. Because we put money in that and we get scammed a lot. Investing in that is not a great idea. It is like gambling and it is illegal in most of the countries and it is illegal for peoples. So they might scam you a lot. I don't like about the ad is what they promote that ad as a good thing and good source of investment and you can win prizes by playing that game. But it is not good and it is not correct to play that game by investing money in that. You can play that game for free, free of cost and without investing in that. It is not good choice of playing that game.

Follow up questions

What do you think makes an advertisement effective or ineffective?

An effective advertisement captures attention and communicates a clear message. It should resonate with the audience's values and needs. In contrast, ineffective ads can be annoying, misleading, or repetitive, failing to engage viewers or convey the intended message.

How do advertisements influence people's purchasing decisions?

Advertisements can significantly influence purchasing decisions by creating brand awareness, showcasing product benefits, and appealing to emotions. They can persuade consumers to try new products or services, but misleading ads can lead to poor choices, as seen in the case of gambling ads.

What regulations do you think should be in place for advertisements?

Regulations should ensure that advertisements are truthful, not misleading, and do not promote harmful products, especially to vulnerable populations. There should be strict guidelines on advertising gambling, alcohol, and other potentially harmful products to protect consumers from exploitation.

Practice other cue cards

Band 6-7

00:00

Well, I think that advertisement gives us some knowledge to know about more things. But I saw an advertisement at my age 12 that is about the discrimination between fair skin or black skin. There are some beauty products which are telling that fair skins are too much good rather than black skin or dark skin. But I think this is not a good message for society. So I think that it is not good to advertise this for the beauty products to everyone. But the Indian typical thinking that the fair skin is only the good human being posture. But they can't see the heart too. So that's why I do not like that advertisement at all.

Follow up questions

How do you think advertisements can influence societal beauty standards?

Advertisements have a significant impact on societal beauty standards as they often promote specific ideals. When ads favor fair skin, they can reinforce the notion that beauty is linked to skin tone, which can lead to discrimination and low self-esteem among those who do not fit that standard.

What measures can be taken to promote diversity in advertisements?

To promote diversity in advertisements, companies can showcase models of various skin tones, body types, and backgrounds. They can also create campaigns that celebrate different forms of beauty and challenge stereotypes, ensuring that all individuals feel represented and valued.

Have you seen any advertisements that promote positive messages about beauty?

Yes, I have seen advertisements that promote positive messages about beauty. Some brands focus on natural beauty and self-acceptance, featuring diverse models and emphasizing that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors, which helps to foster a more inclusive perspective.

Band 6-7

00:00

Recently, while watching cricket match between India and Pakistan, I came across an advertisement which is promoting a betting app, I watched it on television and I didn't like this advertisement because it is spreading some false information and also it is easier to attract children towards betting which is not so good. Betting is a type of gambling, it involves very much risk and children of young age who are interested in watching cricket also do watch all these ads and get spoiled at a very young age, getting addicted to betting is a threat for today's children, these sites are being continuously promoted on social media, television and even on magazines which is not a very good idea and this could lead to loss of money, not only their own money but also the money their parents earn by doing a lot of hard work, this should be banned by government, promoting such sites is illegal and also involves a lot of risks, so I didn't like this advertisement, this is the reason.

Follow up questions

What impact do you think advertisements have on children's behavior?

Advertisements can significantly influence children's behavior by shaping their desires and interests. When children see ads for betting or gambling, they may become curious and develop a fascination with these activities, which can lead to risky behaviors and poor decision-making at a young age.

How do you think society can protect children from harmful advertisements?

Society can protect children by implementing stricter regulations on advertising, especially for products like gambling. This includes banning such ads during children's programming, educating parents about the risks, and promoting media literacy so children can critically evaluate what they see.

Have you seen any positive advertisements that promote healthy behaviors?

Yes, there are many positive advertisements that promote healthy behaviors, such as those encouraging physical activity, healthy eating, and mental well-being. These ads often feature relatable characters and positive messages that inspire children to make better lifestyle choices.

Show all 8 answers

Cue 1:When did you see it?

Mention the specific time or occasion when you first encountered the advertisement.
Provide context about your environment or mood at that time to make it relatable.

Example

I first saw this advertisement about three months ago while watching television in the evening. It was during prime time, and I was looking forward to a relaxing night after a long day at work.

Cue 2:What is it about?

Give a brief overview of the product or service being advertised.
Highlight any specific features or claims made in the advertisement that stood out.

Example

The advertisement was promoting a new brand of instant noodles that claimed to be healthier and tastier than others on the market. It featured a catchy jingle and colorful visuals of people enjoying the noodles at a picnic.

Cue 3:Where you saw it/how you came to know about it?

Specify the medium through which you saw the advertisement, such as television, social media, or billboards.
Explain how this medium influenced your perception of the advertisement.

Example

I saw this advertisement on television, which is a common way for brands to reach a wide audience. However, the over-the-top presentation and unrealistic scenarios made me skeptical about the product.

Cue 4:Why you didn’t like it?

Discuss specific reasons for your dislike, such as misleading claims or annoying presentation.
Relate your feelings to broader issues, like consumer trust or advertising ethics.

Example

I didn’t like the advertisement because it seemed very exaggerated and unrealistic. The claims about the noodles being '100% healthy' felt misleading, especially since instant noodles are generally not considered nutritious. Additionally, the jingle was so catchy that it became annoying after a few times of hearing it.

Conclusion

Summarize your overall feelings about the advertisement.
Reflect on how this experience might influence your future purchasing decisions.

Example

In conclusion, this advertisement left a negative impression on me. It made me more cautious about believing flashy ads in the future, and I prefer to research products before making a purchase.

Following this structure will ensure you cover all the essential points while providing a clear and engaging response to the cue card topic.

Tips to answer this Cue Card

1: Vague Descriptions

Using vague language makes your answer unclear and unengaging. Specific details help the examiner understand your perspective better.

Tip

Provide concrete examples and specific details about the advertisement to make your answer more vivid and interesting.

2: Ignoring the Cues

Failing to address all the cues can lead to an incomplete answer. Each cue is designed to guide your response.

Tip

Make sure to answer all the cues in a structured way, ensuring you cover when, what, where, and why.

Overly Negative Tone

Being excessively negative can come off as unprofessional. It's important to express your dislike constructively.

Tip

Explain your reasons for disliking the advertisement while also acknowledging any positive aspects, if applicable.

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Answer

The toy which I liked in my childhood was a panda doll, which makes me pleasant and makes me more blush. The pandas are the most beautiful creatures of the world, which looks gigantic and has pooshy cheeks and they are like stars in the clouds and they dream in me. Furthermore, these have been given by my father. My father is a very very beautiful artistic person, who makes me think of that. Every day you will face every difficulties and make you suffer and move forward. Pandas are always seen in Japanese countries. It is my lifelong dream to visit a Japanese country and click a photo with the original pandas, which makes sounds better.

Describe a time you were in a place where you didn't know the local language

Reported by

Anonymous student Band 6.5

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Answer

As India is a very large country full of diversity, so there are many places which have their own language and speak their native language. The place which I visited and I didn't know about their language was Leladakh, which is about 300 km away from my hometown and it is a very good place as it consists of different kind of trees, animals and have many scenic views and I visited over there last year in summers as it was the best time to visit because it has many, it was cold over there and we had summers in our area so it was the best time to visit over there and I went over there with my whole family.

Describe a time when your friend damaged something you owned

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Anonymous student Band 7

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Describe a book you recently read

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Answer

It Ends With Us is a book I read recently. It's by the author Colleen Hoare. It's mainly a story about two teenagers, Atlas and Lily, and how they just handle their life going through high school, adolescence, and just domestic violence at home. Both of them come from very, very different families. However, they have one common determining factor between them, which is domestic violence. The abuse that they've seen their moms go through is just insane, and they connect through that on a different level. They're actually in the same high school, but they never speak to each other until Atlas actually crashes into an empty house next to Lily's villa. When Atlas is homeless and he doesn't have anywhere to go, he just comes and breaks into the house next to Lily's, and Lily helps him with all the daily necessities like clothes and food, medicines and stuff. Furthermore, their friendship blossoms into love, but it doesn't really fructify as Atlas has to leave. This book really gave me a lot of knowledge about domestic abuse and how to deal with it.

All Answers

Here are all the answers by real-users practicing speaking for IELTS Cue Cards on our IELTS Prep App.

Band 6-7

Band 5-6

Yeah, there are several kinds of advertisements in social media, especially in YouTube and also in Instagram. Some other social media platforms are showing this advertisement, for example, some kind of charities from India, also from other provinces, it will always, once we will see, it always show for us and if we will see completely, continuously they will call and they will ask by forcefully for money or other things. I faced this last six months onward in my mobile, just by mistakely I attached for that advertisement and continuously they are sending for me notification and also they are calling to my phone number and WhatsApp continuously and it is not at all good for me, also whenever I open my social media, continuously I am getting notification and in WhatsApp, they are continuously, they are sending so many messages, unwanted messages, I attended the calls and given reply for them, don't provide any notification without my interest, but still I am getting so

Band 5-6

I was advertised when I see television and live match during live match and it is related to Red Bull but I don't think it is really because Red Bull required to lots of money about energy drink but I don't think so Red Bull is considered to be good. But on my TV I watch this type of ad and I think this ad is not really so it is a bad impression on children so I disagree with them. May be this type of ad is banned in my India because this type of ad is make a bad impression to our life. So I watch this ad and I think it is very really but it is not realistic so after I know about this type of ad I get very disagree. So I don't like this type of ads.

Band 5-6

Media play very important role to spread news around the world, whether it related to news or sometimes they also show the advertisement related to their work, but sometime they don't look at their advertisement impact on society. So here advertisement I would like to talk about which I don't like, Advertisement is very important to spread news among the society, if the news is totally positive way, so we get positive result instead of this. The other time when I talk about the tobacco and cigarette related advertisement which hardly deadly impact on the society, so that kind of news or advertisement I always don't like to see, because not only one particular person, but sometimes the children are always encourage after watching that kind of cigarette or tobacco advertisement, they directly just go through the shop and directly buy that kind of which directly impact on their physical mental health.