IELTS HUBIELTS Agree Disagree Essay on Media & Money & Society
Full IELTS Writing Task 2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Some believe that people will purchase a product based on their needs and advertising is not needed.
To what extent Do you agree or disagree?
Write at least 250 words.
Introduction
Paraphrase the topic regarding needs versus advertising's role in purchasing. State that needs are crucial but advertising is not useless.
Body Paragraph 1 View 1
Discuss the view that basic needs drive buying choices. Examples: purchasing medicine for symptoms, buying necessary goods like food and clothes based on dietary needs.
Body Paragraph 2 View 2
Argue against the idea that advertising is useless. Explain its roles: informing about new products (e.g., smartphones) and creating perceived needs (e.g., luxury watches for status).
Conclusion
Summarize that while needs play a large part in buying (e.g., medicines, necessities), advertising is not useless due to its roles in introducing products and creating perceived needs.
Band 9 Sample Answer:
In the field of consumer behavior, it's commonly believed that people's needs are the main factor in their buying decisions, making advertising pointless. While I agree that needs are crucial in shaping purchasing choices, I can't agree that advertising is totally useless.
It's true that consumers' basic needs often guide their buying choices. For example, someone with a cold will probably buy medicine to relieve their symptoms. This decision is a direct response to a need, and it's unlikely that an ad would greatly sway this choice. Also, for necessary goods like food and clothes, the buying is usually based on needs, not on promotional efforts. A family, for instance, will buy groceries according to their dietary needs, not because an ad convinced them to.
However, to say that advertising is completely useless is an exaggeration. First, advertising is key in letting consumers know about new products or services on the market. Think about the release of a new smartphone; without advertising, potential buyers might not know it exists, even if they need a new phone. Second, advertising can create a perceived need where there wasn't one before. An effective ad for a luxury watch, for example, might make a consumer think that having such a watch is a status symbol, thus creating a desire to buy it.
In conclusion, while I agree that consumer needs play a big part in buying decisions, as shown by the purchase of medicines and necessary goods, I can't agree with the idea that advertising is totally useless. The role of advertising in introducing new products and creating perceived needs is too important to ignore.
Band 7 Sample Answer:
In the realm of consumer behavior, a prevalent perspective is that individuals are primarily driven by their needs when deciding to purchase a product, rendering advertising superfluous. While I concur that needs play a pivotal role in influencing buying decisions, I cannot endorse the assertion that advertising is entirely unnecessary.
Undeniably, the fundamental needs of consumers often dictate their purchasing decisions. For instance, a person suffering from a cold is likely to buy a medicine to alleviate their symptoms. This action is a direct response to a need, and it is unlikely that an advertisement would significantly influence this decision. Furthermore, in the case of essential commodities like food and clothing, the purchase is often need-based rather than influenced by promotional activities. A family, for example, will buy groceries based on their dietary requirements, not because an advertisement persuaded them to do so.
However, to assert that advertising is entirely redundant is an overstatement. Firstly, advertising plays a crucial role in informing consumers about new products or services in the market. Consider the launch of a new smartphone; without advertising, potential buyers may remain oblivious to its existence, regardless of their need for a new phone. Secondly, advertising can create a perceived need where none previously existed. A compelling advertisement for a luxury watch, for instance, might convince a consumer that owning such a watch is a status symbol, thereby creating a desire to purchase it.
In conclusion, while I agree that consumer needs are a significant factor in purchasing decisions, as evidenced by the purchase of medicines and essential commodities, I cannot subscribe to the belief that advertising is completely unnecessary. The role of advertising in introducing new products and creating perceived needs is too significant to be dismissed.