IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
Describe an advertisement you have seen that you remember.
You should say:
- what type of advertisement it is
- what it advertises
- where you saw it
and explain why you remember this advertisement.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you are going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
I love watching TV, but not so much the advertisements it shows in the middle of some interesting programs, I enjoy. But sometimes, I come across some adverts that amuse me. I will talk about one such TV commercial today, which I saw at my home a while ago.
This is a “car advertisement” where Mercedes Car is congratulating “BMW” Car company, the fierce competitor of Mercedes car, on its 100th anniversary with a very cheeky message that reads “Thanks for 100 years of competition. The previous 30 years were somewhat dull”. The ad also displays the signature “kidney grille” symbol of BMW car, which is located at the front and in the middle of two front headlights, while also very cleverly ‘illuminating’ the message right below the signature “grille” in order to remind the BMW car company that Mercedes is a “senior campaigner” in the car manufacturing industry.
The advertisement was displayed on a plain dark background, the entire time with a contrasting white colour message in order to keep it as simple as possible.
I really, really like and remember this advertisement mainly because it is so simple with no background music or voice to draw the attention of its audience and keep them engaged. In fact, I put this commercial in the category of “telling many things without saying anything”. I also like this advertisement because of its “unique theme” where it shows that a particular company is very much able to promote its products while actually congratulating its competitors, also at the same time, in a very graceful and yet clever manner. Finally, I like this ad because Mercedes has managed to throw a “subtle’ challenge in a “congratulatory” tone that BMW would never really be able to “outcompete” its senior competitor, no matter how hard it tries.
Model Answer 2:
We usually do not like advertisements, especially when we watch some of our favourite programmes. However, sometimes we get the chance to watch and enjoy some truly hilarious, sensational or creative advertisements that we tend to like and enjoy. One such advertisement that I vividly remember is a television commercial for a popular soft drink. Thank you for this opportunity to let me talk about it, and here I will tell you about this advert that I still remember.
This advertisement, in my opinion, falls under the category of television commercials, and I watched it while I was watching a cricket tournament between England and Australia. This was the first time I watched this advertisement, and I was amazed by its presentation.
The advertisement promotes a well-known soft drink brand, highlighting its refreshing taste and the joy it brings to consumers.
There are several reasons why this advertisement stands out in my memory. Firstly, the advertisement features catchy music and vibrant visuals that immediately capture the viewer’s attention. Additionally, it effectively communicates the brand’s message of refreshment and enjoyment, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. Lastly, the advertisement sparked nostalgia for me, reminding me of fond memories associated with enjoying the soft drink with friends and family on special occasions. Overall, the combination of engaging content, effective messaging, and personal nostalgia makes this advertisement one that I remember vividly.
Model Answer 3:
An advertisement that left a deep impression on me revolves around the theme of environmental conservation and the impact of human actions on the planet. It was so touchy that I could not stop thinking about it. So, for this topic, I would like to talk about this advertisement.
This advertisement is a public service announcement (PSA) aimed at raising awareness about environmental issues. The central theme of this advertisement is the devastating effects of plastic pollution on marine life, particularly focusing on the harm caused to sea turtles.
The advertisement does not promote any specific product or brand but rather seeks to educate and inspire action towards protecting the environment.
I first came across this advertisement on social media platforms such as YouTube and Facebook, where it gained widespread attention and shares.
The advertisement begins with serene underwater footage of a majestic sea turtle gracefully swimming through crystal-clear waters. However, the mood quickly shifts as the camera zooms in to reveal a distressing sight – the turtle struggling to free itself from entangled plastic debris. As the poignant music intensifies, the narration highlights the heartbreaking reality of plastic pollution and its dire consequences for marine life. The advertisement concludes with a powerful call to action, urging viewers to reduce their use of single-use plastics and take steps to protect our oceans.
This advertisement stands out to me due to its emotionally charged portrayal of a pressing environmental issue. The juxtaposition of the turtle’s beauty with the stark image of it trapped in plastic serves as a powerful wake-up call, prompting viewers to reflect on their own consumption habits and the collective responsibility to safeguard our planet. The advertisement’s ability to evoke empathy and inspire action makes it one that I remember vividly.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe an advertisement that has stayed in your memory. You should clearly mention what type of advertisement it was, what product or service it promoted, where you saw it, and most importantly, why it made such a lasting impression on you. To make your answer more engaging, you should describe the visuals, message, emotions it created, and whether it influenced your thinking or behaviour. You can also mention music, storytelling or creativity if those played a role. Here are a few ideas to help you develop your answer in a more detailed and expressive way.
1. A Coca-Cola TV commercial:
One advertisement that I clearly remember is a Coca-Cola television commercial that I watched a few years ago during a major sports event. It showed people from different cultures sharing moments of happiness while drinking Coca-Cola, and the message focused on unity and togetherness. The ad was visually colourful and included a catchy background song that stayed in my mind for a long time. I remember it because it was not just about the drink, but about emotions and connection, which made it feel meaningful and memorable.
2. A Nike motivational advertisement:
Another advertisement I remember well is a Nike ad that I saw on YouTube. It featured athletes overcoming challenges and pushing their limits, with the famous slogan “Just Do It.” The ad was very powerful because it showed real struggles and determination rather than just success. I remember it because it motivated me personally and made me think about discipline and hard work in my own life.
3. A mobile phone advertisement:
I recall a mobile phone advertisement that I saw on television and social media. It highlighted the camera quality and advanced features of the phone through stunning visuals and real-life scenarios. The ad was very engaging because it showed how the phone could capture important life moments. I remember it because it made me seriously consider buying the product.
4. A public awareness advertisement:
One advertisement that stayed with me was a public awareness campaign about road safety, which I saw on TV. It showed the consequences of careless driving in a very realistic way. The message was emotional and impactful, making viewers think twice about their behaviour. I remember it because it was serious and educational, and it created a strong emotional reaction.
5. A food delivery app advertisement:
I remember a food delivery app advertisement that I saw online. It used humour and relatable situations to show how convenient the service is. The ad featured funny characters and everyday problems that people face. I remember it because it was entertaining and made me laugh, which made the brand more appealing.
6. A luxury car advertisement:
Another advertisement I remember is a luxury car commercial that I saw on television. It showed the car driving through beautiful landscapes with smooth background music. The focus was on comfort, performance and elegance. I remember it because it created a sense of aspiration and made the product look very attractive.
7. A skincare product advertisement:
I recall a skincare advertisement that I saw on social media platforms. It showed before-and-after results and customer testimonials. The ad focused on improving confidence and appearance. I remember it because it was very persuasive and made me curious about the product.
8. A festive advertisement:
One memorable advertisement I saw was during a festival season, and it focused on family bonding and celebrations. It showed emotional scenes of families coming together and sharing happiness. I remember it because it connected with real-life emotions and reminded me of my own family experiences.
9. An educational platform advertisement:
I remember an advertisement for an online learning platform that I saw on YouTube. It showed how students could learn new skills from home. The ad included success stories and practical examples. I remember it because it felt useful and relevant to my goals.
10. A sports brand advertisement:
Another advertisement I remember is from a sports brand that focused on teamwork and dedication. It showed athletes training hard and supporting each other. The message was inspiring and energetic. I remember it because it made me feel motivated and positive.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card:
Catchy: Instantly appealing and easy to remember.
Example: The advertisement featured a catchy jingle that I couldn’t get out of my head for days.
Tagline: A short, memorable phrase used in advertising to sum up a brand’s essence.
Example: I clearly remember the company’s famous tagline because it was so simple yet powerful.
Persuasive: Capable of convincing someone to do or believe something through reasoning or temptation.
Example: The imagery used in the commercial was highly persuasive, making me want to buy the product immediately.
Endorsement: An act of giving one’s public approval or support to someone or something, often by a celebrity.
Example: The celebrity endorsement added a level of prestige to the brand that made the ad stand out.
Ubiquitous: Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
Example: That particular campaign was ubiquitous: I saw it on billboards, TV, and even social media feeds.
Resonate: To produce a positive feeling of emotional connection or agreement.
Example: The message of the advertisement really resonated with me because it addressed a common daily struggle.
Target audience: The specific group of people to whom an advertisement or product is aimed.
Example: It was obvious that the target audience was young professionals looking for efficient tech solutions.
Jingle: A short, catchy tune or song used in advertising.
Example: Even years later, the radio jingle remains one of the most recognisable sounds in the industry.
Aesthetically pleasing: Characterised by beauty or good taste: visually attractive.
Example: The cinematography of the car commercial was incredibly aesthetically pleasing, featuring stunning mountain landscapes.
Thought-provoking: Stimulating careful consideration or relevant ideas.
Example: Instead of just selling a product, the ad was thought-provoking, raising awareness about environmental issues.
Brand awareness: The extent to which customers are able to recall or recognise a brand.
Example: The main goal of the colourful billboard was to increase brand awareness among commuters.
Captivate: To attract and hold the interest and attention of someone.
Example: I was completely captivated by the storytelling aspect of the short film advertisement.
Subconscious: Concerning the part of the mind of which one is not fully aware but which influences one’s actions.
Example: Sometimes an ad works on a subconscious level, making you prefer a brand without even realising why.
Memorable: Worth remembering or easily remembered, especially because of being special or unusual.
Example: The use of humour made the entire scenario very memorable and shareable on social media.
Imagery: Visually descriptive or figurative language: visual elements of an ad.
Example: The vivid imagery of the tropical island made the travel agency’s promotion very enticing.
Call to action: An instruction to the audience designed to prompt an immediate response.
Example: The advertisement ended with a strong call to action, encouraging viewers to visit the website for a discount.
If you prepare for the topic “Describe an advertisement you have seen that you remember”, you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe an advertisement you like.
2) Describe an interesting advertisement you watched on TV.
3) Describe something interesting you saw on social media.
4) Describe something interesting you have learned recently.
5) Describe an unusual advertisement that you watched and found hilarious.