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Describe an advertisement that you remember well

Try the card on the exam timer first, then read the band-8 sample answer and the Part 3 questions that follow it.

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Part 2 · Candidate task card

Describe an advertisement that you remember well.

You should say:

  • what the advertisement was for
  • where and when you saw it
  • what happened in it

and explain why you remember it.

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1 minute to prepare, then 2 minutes to speak. It switches on its own.

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Band 8 sample answer

261 words · about 2 minutes at a natural pace · Phrases from the vocabulary list are highlighted.

An advertisement that I remember very clearly was for a mobile phone company, which I saw on television a few years ago, around New Year's. It lasted about ninety seconds, which is long for an advert, and I remember sitting there thinking it was more like a short film.

It told the story of an elderly man who lived alone in a village and couldn't see his grandchildren, who had moved abroad. At first he found his new smartphone confusing and kept pressing the wrong buttons, which was quite funny. But with the help of a neighbour's child, he learned to make a video call. The final scene showed him smiling as he spoke to his grandchildren on the screen, and they were all showing him the snow outside their window. There was no dialogue, just soft piano music and a short slogan at the end saying that distance is just a number.

There are a few reasons why I remember it so vividly. Firstly, it tugged at the heartstrings. My own grandparents live in another city, and I thought of them straight away, and I noticed that other people in my family seemed moved too. Secondly, the storytelling was clever, since it didn't try to sell the phone's features, but showed how technology can bring people together. Finally, the timing was perfect, because it was broadcast during a holiday when families think about each other. It was a great example of how an advert can create a strong emotional link with the brand rather than simply persuade people to buy.

What to notice

  • It takes the points on the card in order, so the examiner can follow it.
  • Each point gets a specific detail or a short story, which is what keeps a talk going for two minutes.
  • The "explain" line at the end gets the most time, because that is where you give an opinion and show your range of language.

We wrote this answer for practice; it does not come from IELTS. Take its structure and phrases and tell your own story, because examiners notice memorised answers.

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Useful vocabulary

PhraseMeaning
eye-catchingattracting attention
a memorable slogana short phrase that is easy to remember
target audiencethe group of people an advert is aimed at
brand awarenesshow well people know a company
persuade someone to buyconvince someone to make a purchase
tug at the heartstringscause strong emotions

Plan it in one minute

Choose what to talk about in the first ten seconds, then write two or three key words for each point. Full sentences take too long to write and to read back.

Who or what you could talk about

  • A funny television advert
  • An emotional advert about family
  • An online advert that was surprisingly creative

How to spend the two minutes

  1. 25 swhat the advertisement was for
  2. 25 swhere and when you saw it
  3. 25 swhat happened in it
  4. 45 sand explain why you remember it.

Part 3 questions

In the exam these come straight after your talk, on the wider subject: Advertising and consumers. Answer each in 3–4 sentences, with your view, a reason and an example.

  1. Why do companies spend so much money on advertising?
  2. Do you think advertisements influence what children want to buy?
  3. What are the most effective ways to advertise products today?
  4. Should there be stricter rules about what advertisements can say?
  5. Are online advertisements more annoying than those on television?

Frequently asked questions

How should I describe a book, film or programme in an IELTS cue card?

Do not retell the whole plot. Give the title and what it is about in two sentences, then spend your time on one part you remember and why it affected you. Your opinion is what fills the two minutes.

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