ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: Ielts Xuân Phi, 02/05/2023
Supported by: Ex-BC Examiner, 02/05/2023
Question: Many companies sponsor sports as a way to advertise themselves. Some think it is a positive trend, while others think there are disadvantages. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
(IELTS Academic – 30/04/2023)
ANSWER (8.0+):
While many advocate the trend of corporations funding sports activities, others are strongly opposed to this sponsorship. This essay will elaborate on both perspectives and the reasons why I lean towards the former.
On the one hand, some people disapprove of advertising in sports. Their main rationale is that companies may promote products that are harmful to the public. For example, Budweiser, a leading beverage brand, has sponsored football tournaments around the world to encourage the consumption of alcohol, despite scientific evidence on the damaging effects of alcohol on drinkers’ health. Furthermore, the prevalence of advertisements during sporting events may negatively affect the overall event experience. Excessive promotion of sponsors’ images can overshadow those of great athletes, and numerous TV ads can frequently interrupt live broadcasts of these events, leading to a decline in the viewing experience.
On the other hand, there are those who argue that the merits of sports sponsorship outweigh the potential disadvantages mentioned above. For sports development, it provides essential funding for the purchase of new equipment, payment of staff at venues, and athletes’ salaries. Additionally, it can fund campaigns that promote the benefits of physical activities, contributing to the overall growth of sports. For businesses, sponsoring sporting events is an excellent opportunity to boost sales of their products. This increased revenue, in turn, can be invested in the development of innovative goods and services that effectively address consumers’ problems, as well as to expand their business, creating more job prospects for the public. Thus, it is clear that this practice is beneficial to everyone in society.
In conclusion, although sports sponsorship might potentially lead to the promotion of harmful products or a reduced experience of sports events, I believe it can significantly contribute to the development of both sports and businesses. This is because more people benefit from the enjoyment and improved well-being of a sporting-focused nation with premier facilities, compared with those that are negatively impacted by the association with harmful products. Therefore, governments should issue necessary legal frameworks and regulations, including the restriction of tobacco and alcohol promotion, for this win-win partnership to thrive.
(Word count: 339)
WORD LIST:
| ENGLISH | TIẾNG VIỆT |
| A leading beverage brand | Thương hiệu nước giải khát hàng đầu |
| Football tournaments | Giải đấu bóng đá |
| Damaging effects | Những nh hưởng tiêu cực |
| Overall event experience | Kinh nghiệm sự kiện tổng thể |
| Excessive promotion of sponsors’ images | Quảng cáo quá mức hình ảnh của nhà tài trợ |
| Interrupt live broadcasts of these events | Làm gián đoạn chương trình phát sóng trực tiếp của các sự kiện này |
| The purchase of new equipment | Việc mua thiết bị mới |
| Payment of staff at venues | Thanh toán cho nhân viên tại các địa điểm |
| Revenue | Doanh thu |
| Create more job prospects for the public | Tạo ra nhiều triển vọng việc làm hơn cho công chúng |
| A sporting-focused nation | Một quốc gia tập trung vào thể thao |
| Premier facilities | Cơ sở vật chất hàng đầu |
| Issue necessary legal frameworks and regulations | Ban hành các khung pháp lý và quy định cần thiết |
