Band 7 Example

Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of advertisements?

Idea 1

Advantages
Model Answer
One advantage of advertisements is that they help people know about new products or services. For example, if a new phone comes out, you might see it on TV or online. Also, some ads are really funny or creative, so they can be entertaining. Advertising also helps businesses grow, which can create more jobs. Plus, ads support free content on websites and apps, so we don't have to pay for everything.
There are quite a few advantages to advertisements. Firstly, they keep us informed about the latest products and services, which is really useful if you're looking for something new. Some ads are actually quite entertaining or clever, so they can be enjoyable to watch. Advertising also supports free content on TV, websites, and apps, so we get access to lots of things without having to pay. On top of that, ads help businesses grow and create jobs, and they make it easier for us to compare different brands before making a purchase.
Grammar Analysis
1. Present simple tense: The answer consistently uses the present simple tense (e.g. "they keep us informed," "ads help businesses grow") to talk about general truths and ongoing situations, which is appropriate for discussing advantages and disadvantages. 2. Linking words and phrases: Words like "Firstly," "On top of that," and "so" are used to connect ideas smoothly and logically, making the answer more coherent and natural. 3. Relative clauses: The phrase "which is really useful if you're looking for something new" uses a relative clause to add extra information, showing a good command of complex sentences. 4. Parallel structure: The answer uses parallel structure in lists (e.g. "help businesses grow and create jobs") to make the points clear and balanced.
Vocabulary
  • advantages to advertisements
  • keep us informed
  • latest products and services
  • entertaining
  • enjoyable to watch
  • supports free content
  • help businesses grow
  • create jobs
  • compare different brands

Idea 2

Disadvantages
Model Answer
On the other hand, advertisements can be quite annoying, especially when they interrupt your favorite TV show or pop up on your phone. Sometimes, ads are misleading and make products look better than they really are. They also encourage people to buy things they don't actually need, which can be a waste of money. Plus, ads often target children, which isn't really fair, and they can make people have unrealistic ideas about life or what products can do.
However, advertisements do have their downsides. They can be really irritating, especially when they interrupt what you're doing, like watching a video or playing a game. Some ads are even misleading, making products seem better than they actually are, which can trick people into buying things they don't need. There's also the issue of ads targeting children and influencing their choices, which can be quite problematic. Finally, advertising often creates unrealistic expectations, making people believe that buying certain products will make their lives perfect, which just isn't true.
Grammar Analysis
1. Use of modal verbs: "can be really irritating" and "can trick people" show ability or possibility, which is appropriate for discussing advantages and disadvantages. 2. Relative clauses: "making products seem better than they actually are, which can trick people into buying things they don't need" uses a relative clause to add detail and explanation. 3. Present continuous as a gerund: "interrupt what you're doing" uses the present continuous form as a gerund, showing an ongoing action. 4. Parallel structure: Listing several disadvantages in a similar grammatical structure (e.g., "interrupt what you're doing," "trick people into buying things," "targeting children and influencing their choices") makes the answer clear and organized.
Vocabulary
  • downsides
  • irritating
  • interrupt
  • misleading
  • trick people
  • targeting children
  • influencing their choices
  • problematic
  • creates unrealistic expectations