B1 – Intermediate
Advertising is the way to sell products or goods to customers. It’s a creative way to communicate and to publicly promote products, brands, and services with potential buyers.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about advertising.
https://listenaminute.com/a/advertising.html
Discussion Questions:
- How would you define advertising?
- Do you think advertising is an art? Explain.
- What do you think of the ads in other countries?
- Is advertising a good or bad thing? Explain.
- What would the world be like without advertising?
- Do you think you are easily persuaded to buy things after seeing or hearing an ad? Why / Why not?
4 replies on “Advertising”
1. Advertising is necessary to sell goods or services that otherwise would not be known by the end customers. Depending on the target audience different techniques can be used to get the attention of current and future clients.
2. Normally the features of a product are overrated in ads; when we speak about a service there is always an implicit promise of reward to the customer, that in practice, will not be so different from other providers’ offering.
3. In my opinion there is a creativity crisis nowadays. It seems all ads are based on ideas from the past. Apart from that, I think budget constraints are forcing companies to limit their efforts to targeted actions, rather than traditional mass campaigns. Said that, I do not remember getting attracted or convinced by an ad.
4. The benefits of a product must be tested by the user; that is not always feasible but in general, the quality is very similar for items in the same price range, so the choice is based on emotional aspects and then is when advertising plays a key role.
My choices are different, depending on the product’s category. It is not the same buying sandwich bread than perfume or renting a car for your holidays.
5. Only under strict regulations, as it is nowadays. Brands should have the freedom to advertise their products but limiting the actions to intended audiences. The consumer also has the right to know what brands are offering and the promotions they can benefit from. On the contrary, the use of alcohol and tobacco have been demonstrated as cause of serious diseases and even controlled advertising is not helping to lower the number of deaths per year.
6. The most advertised products are consumer packaged goods and food.
7. It is harmful because it is very annoying. You can pay for your freedom and get rid of ads in your Spotify account. That creates a mental association: advertising equals punishment for not paying for your entertainment or information services.
Just to mention a beneficial effect, you take advantage from good promotions or choose a ‘best option’ that otherwise you would never be aware of.
Good job writing your responses. These are some well-written sentences. Keep it up!
This is how this sentence can be revised:
Until your next entry!
I´m not sure about what to do in this section, I´ll ask you next time.
I wanted to say that it´s satisfactory for me to help others, grateful wasn´t the right word, I think… We will speak next time, thank you!
Nice to meet you too!
Hi! This page aims to be a way for you to practice your writing skills. You can write the responses to the discussion questions below the page of your every lesson. Happy writing!