ESSAY INFORMATION:
Written by: Xuân Phi, 01/12/2024
Supported by: Ex-BC Examiner, 02/12/2024
Question: Some people think advertisements may have positive economic effects whereas others think there are negative social effects because individuals are not satisfied with who they are and what they have. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
(IELTS Academic – 30/11/2024)
ANSWER (8.0+):
It is sometimes argued that advertisements can contribute positively to the economy, while opponents believe they have negative social impacts, leaving people dissatisfied with themselves and their possessions. In this essay, I will examine both sides of the argument and explain why I lean toward the latter opinion.
On the one hand, advertising offers notable economic benefits. Chief among these is its ability to boost sales. Effective advertising enables businesses to reach a larger audience, thereby increasing the demand for their products or services. For example, Coca-Cola’s global marketing campaigns have significantly contributed to its widespread popularity and sales growth. Furthermore, the advertising industry creates numerous job opportunities. It supports various sectors such as media, design, and marketing, providing employment for professionals like graphic designers, content creators, and campaign managers. Without advertising agencies, these industries would face considerable challenges in sustaining employment levels.
On the other hand, advertisements can lead to profound social repercussions. First and foremost, they promote materialism. Advertisements often convey the message that happiness and social status are tied to owning specific products, fostering a consumerist mindset. As a result, people may become overly focused on material possessions, often at the expense of deeper values and contentment. Additionally, advertisements perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards. For instance, ads in the fashion and cosmetics industries frequently depict narrow and unattainable ideals of physical attractiveness. This can contribute to body image issues, low self-esteem, and, in extreme cases, mental health problems such as depression and eating disorders.
In conclusion, both perspectives have their merits. However, I maintain that advertisements are more detrimental to societal well-being due to their impact on consumerism and mental health. Therefore, governments should regulate the advertising industry more rigorously, including banning harmful and misleading advertisements from public circulation.
(Word count: 291)
WORD LIST
| ENGLISH | TIẾNG VIỆT |
| Notable economic benefits | Lợi ích kinh tế đáng chú ý |
| Reach a larger audience | Tiếp cận lượng khán giả lớn hơn |
| Widespread popularity | Sự phổ biến rộng rãi |
| Providing employment for professionals | Cung cấp việc làm cho các chuyên gia |
| Sustaining employment levels | Duy trì mức độ việc làm |
| Profound social repercussions | Hệ lụy xã hội sâu rộng |
| Consumerist mindset | Tư duy tiêu dùng |
| Deeper values and contentment | Những giá trị sâu sắc và sự hài lòng |
| Unrealistic beauty standards | Tiêu chuẩn sắc đẹp phi thực tế |
| Unattainable ideals | Lý tưởng không thể đạt được |
| Depression and eating disorders | Trầm cảm và rối loạn ăn uống |
