Some people say that the main aim of advertising is to improve the

IELTS Band 9 Essay About Some people say that the main aim of advertising is to improve the sales

Here we take a look at a band 9 ielts writing task 2 sample about “Some people say that the main aim of advertising is to improve the sales of products that people do not really need”. This sample then will be further analyzed for its vocabulary, grammar and format, so we see how it has qualified for such band score. We also suggest over 200 band 9 IELTS samples released in 2025.

Sample Essay (Band 9)

Some people say that the main aim of advertising is to improve the sales of products that people do not really need.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Advertising has become an indispensable component of modern economies, shaping consumer behavior and influencing market trends. While some argue that its primary purpose is to stimulate demand for non-essential goods, others contend that it serves a broader role in informing and educating consumers. This essay will argue that although advertising does, to some extent, promote unnecessary consumption, its broader impact extends beyond merely persuading individuals to purchase superfluous items.

One compelling argument supporting the claim that advertising encourages excessive consumption is its strategic employment of psychological tactics. Marketers frequently use emotional appeals and persuasive messaging to create a sense of urgency or exclusivity, leading consumers to perceive certain products as indispensable when, in reality, they are not. Additionally, advertising often capitalizes on social pressures, making individuals feel compelled to conform to societal standards. For instance, luxury brands utilize aspirational marketing, portraying their products as status symbols, thereby convincing people to spend on items that serve more of an aesthetic than a functional purpose.

However, it is reductive to assert that advertising exists solely to promote unnecessary goods. In reality, it plays a pivotal role in fostering competition, driving innovation, and educating consumers about products that genuinely enhance their quality of life. For example, public service campaigns raise awareness about pressing societal issues, such as health and environmental sustainability. Similarly, advertisements for technological advancements—such as energy-efficient appliances or medical breakthroughs—enable individuals to make informed purchasing decisions that benefit both them and society.

Moreover, advertising fuels economic expansion by stimulating demand across various industries. A thriving advertising sector contributes to employment generation, as it sustains a vast network of professionals, from creative designers to market analysts. Furthermore, businesses rely on advertising not only to maximize revenue but also to sustain operations and fund research and development, which ultimately leads to the introduction of innovative products that serve genuine needs.

In conclusion, while advertising undeniably influences individuals to purchase products they might not require, its significance extends far beyond that narrow scope. It serves as a powerful tool for economic growth, consumer awareness, and technological advancement. Thus, rather than dismissing advertising as a mechanism for unnecessary spending, it should be viewed as a dynamic force that shapes both markets and societies.

5 Academic Words in the sample for Some people say that the main aim of advertising is to improve the sales

Indispensable /ˌɪndɪˈspɛnsəb(ə)l/
- Meaning: Absolutely necessary or essential
- Example: Access to clean water is indispensable for maintaining public health.
Stimulate /ˈstɪmjʊleɪt/
- Meaning: To encourage development or increased activity
- Example: Governments often introduce financial incentives to stimulate economic growth.
Pivotal /ˈpɪvətl/
- Meaning: Of crucial importance in relation to something else
- Example: The invention of the internet was a pivotal moment in human history.
Expansion /ɪkˈspænʃən/
- Meaning: The process of increasing in size, scope, or importance
- Example: The company’s rapid expansion into international markets boosted its global influence.
Strategic /strəˈtiːdʒɪk/
- Meaning: Carefully planned to achieve a specific goal
- Example: The government implemented a strategic plan to improve national infrastructure.

5 Advanced Grammar Structures and How They Enhance the Essay

Complex Sentences with Subordinate Clauses
- Example: “While some argue that its primary purpose is to stimulate demand for non-essential goods, others contend that it serves a broader role in informing and educating consumers.”
- Why it helps: Adds depth by presenting contrasting ideas in a single sentence, demonstrating a higher level of coherence and cohesion.
Use of Nominalization
- Example: “Advertising fuels economic expansion by stimulating demand across various industries.”
- Why it helps: Nominalization (using nouns instead of verbs) makes the writing sound more formal and academic, increasing lexical resource.
Parallelism in Lists
- Example: “It serves as a powerful tool for economic growth, consumer awareness, and technological advancement.”
- Why it helps: Improves readability and flow by maintaining grammatical consistency within a list.
Passive Voice for Objectivity
- Example: “Advertising has become an indispensable component of modern economies, shaping consumer behavior and influencing market trends.”
- Why it helps: Makes the argument more formal and impersonal, which is expected in academic writing.
Use of Concessional Clauses
- Example: “While advertising undeniably influences individuals to purchase products they might not require, its significance extends far beyond that narrow scope.”
- Why it helps: Shows balance in the argument by acknowledging opposing views before refuting them, which strengthens the argument.

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