Tanvi from Udaipur got a question about advertising aimed at children. She wrote “ads make children want things” and couldn’t take the idea any further.

Learn IELTS media and advertising vocabulary as phrases with their usual partners, not as single words. The 15 phrases below sit in two groups, with three Task 2 questions and three Part 3 questions to practise on.

What If You Forget the Exact Phrase?

The official IELTS website says the Speaking Lexical Resource criterion includes the ability to use alternative vocabulary when you don’t know a particular word. So “a famous person recommending a product” is better than silence.

Cricketers and film stars in advertisements, messaging-app forwards and regional news channels give you everyday examples.

Media and Advertising Words: News and Media

Word or phrase Meaning Example
mass media Television, radio, newspapers and websites that reach large numbers of people. The mass media can shape how people see an issue.
news coverage The reports of events in newspapers, on television and online. Good news coverage should give both sides of a story.
press freedom The freedom to report events and express opinions. Many people believe press freedom is important for a healthy society.
fake news False reports of events, written and read on websites. Fake news can spread quickly in messaging-app forwards.
sensationalism Presenting events in a shocking way to get people’s interest. Some newspapers use sensationalism to attract readers.
broadcast To send out programmes on television or radio (past tense: broadcast). Several channels will broadcast the cricket match live.
reliable source A person or document that gives information you can trust. Check the story in a reliable source before you share it.
social media influencer A person who influences buyers by recommending products on social media. A social media influencer may promote make-up or fashion brands.

Media and Advertising Words: Advertising

Word or phrase Meaning Example
target audience The group of people that an advertisement is aimed at. A toy advert may have young children as its target audience.
misleading advertising Adverts that give a false or confusing idea of a product. Misleading advertising can make a product seem better than it is.
consumerism The belief that buying and using more goods is good for society. Some critics say consumerism makes people buy things they do not need.
brand loyalty The habit of continuing to buy products from the same company. Good service helps companies build brand loyalty.
celebrity endorsement A famous person saying in an advertisement that they like a product. A cricketer’s celebrity endorsement can make a product more popular.
impulse buying Buying something without planning to or thinking carefully. Shop displays near the checkout can encourage impulse buying.
persuade To make someone do or believe something by giving reasons. Adverts try to persuade people to buy new products.

How to Avoid Vocabulary Mistakes

Incorrect: “Advertisements persuade people for buying products they do not need.”

Correct: “Advertisements persuade people to buy products they do not need.”

The pattern in Oxford Learner’s is persuade somebody to do something.

Incorrect: “Social media platforms spread many fake news during election campaigns.”

Correct: “Social media platforms spread a lot of fake news during election campaigns.”

Fake news is uncountable, so use “a lot of” or “some”, not “many”.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Practice: Media and Advertising

Give yourself five minutes to plan each answer, which is our advice, not an IELTS rule. Then write it using at least four phrases from the tables.

Practice question 1 (written for this post)

Some people believe that all advertising aimed at children should be banned. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

  • Young children may not understand that adverts are trying to sell something.
  • Adverts for sweets and toys may pressure parents into buying things.
  • Advertising can also inform families about useful products such as books.
  • A complete ban may be hard to enforce.

Practice question 2 (written for this post)

Some people now get their news from social media instead of newspapers or television. Is this a positive or negative development?

  • Social media gives quick access to breaking news and different opinions.
  • Fake news and sensationalism can spread before anyone checks the facts.
  • Readers can compare stories and check a reliable source before sharing.
  • Traditional media may lose readers and income.

Practice question 3 (written for this post)

Many companies use famous sportspeople and film stars to advertise their products. Why do people trust celebrity endorsements, and is this a problem?

  • People may admire a celebrity and trust their taste.
  • Fans may buy a product to feel closer to the celebrity.
  • Endorsements can mislead if celebrities promote products they do not use.
  • Clear labels showing paid promotion would help viewers judge adverts.

IELTS Speaking Part 3: Media in Everyday Life

Part 3 is a discussion of general, abstract issues linked to your Part 2 topic, so practise extended answers on abstract topics and language for giving reasons.

Why do people trust social media influencers?

Sample answer (illustrative Band 7)

I think it’s because followers feel they know the person. A social media influencer shares daily routines and replies to comments, so a recommendation feels like advice from a friend. But influencers may be paid, so their target audience should ask whether the opinion is honest.

Should governments control what the news reports?

Sample answer (illustrative Band 7)

Only in limited ways, I think. Rules against dangerous false stories can protect people, but too much control puts press freedom at risk, and people may stop trusting the news coverage. A system with independent checks seems fairer than direct control.

Does advertising make people buy things they don’t need?

Sample answer (illustrative Band 7)

Sometimes, yes. Adverts try to persuade us that a new phone or shirt will improve our lives, and discounts can lead to impulse buying. But people have a choice too, and consumerism isn’t only the advertisers’ fault.

Tip

Say “a famous person recommending a product” in your own words, then replace it with the exact phrase.

Key Takeaways

  • Learn media phrases with their usual partners, not as single words.
  • Check the pattern: persuade somebody to do something.
  • Fake news is uncountable; use “a lot of”, not “many”.

The bottom line: Replace “ads make children want things” with a sentence that names the target audience and one technique, such as celebrity endorsement.