Speaking vocabulary · Topic 14 of 46
Advertisements
Model answers to every Part 1 question on this topic, with natural B2–C1 vocabulary and idiomatic phrasal verbs to help you answer in your own words.
In this lesson you will
- read and listen to model answers to 6 Part 1 questions about advertisements
- learn 10 natural phrases, including idiomatic phrasal verbs
- practise them in a gap fill, drag-the-word, multiple-choice and crossword
- answer the questions yourself and record your answers
Step 1
Key vocabulary
- fall forbe tricked into believing something
- catchyeasy to remember, especially a tune or a phrase
- pop upappear suddenly on a screen
- stick in your mindbe remembered easily
- eye-catchingattractive and noticeable
- skipnot watch or read something; move past it
- put offmake someone dislike something
- persuasiveable to make you believe or do something
- temptedwanting to do or have something
- targetedaimed at a particular group of people
Step 2
Model answers
Read and listen. The highlighted phrases are the vocabulary for this topic: hover over or tap them to see what they mean. Notice how each answer gives a reason or an example, not just “yes” or “no”.
Have you ever bought something because of an advertisement?
Yes, I have to admit I've fallen for a few. Last year I bought a skincare product after I saw an online ad, but it didn't make any difference at all. Although I'm still tempted sometimes, I usually read reviews before I buy anything now.
Do you often see advertisements when you are on your phone or computer?
All the time, because ads pop up whenever I open an app. They're so targeted that it sometimes feels as if my phone is listening to me, which is a bit worrying. Whenever I can, I skip them.
Is there an advertisement that you remember from your childhood?
Yes, there was a TV ad for a milk drink which had a really catchy song. Because I heard it a thousand times, it still sticks in my mind today, and I could probably sing it for you now!
Do you see a lot of advertising on trains and other public transport?
Yes, the metro in my city is covered in ads, including video screens which play in the tunnels. Some of them are quite eye-catching, so they're a good way to pass the time when the journey is long.
Do you like advertisements?
Not really, because most of them are repetitive. When ads are too loud or pushy, they actually put me off the product, which is the opposite of what the company wants.
What kind of advertising do you like?
I like ads that tell a story or make me laugh, because I actually remember them. A clever, funny advert is far more persuasive than one which just shouts about discounts.
Step 3
Practise the vocabulary
Match the meanings
Choose the phrase that matches each meaning.
- easy to remember, especially a tune or a phrase
- make someone dislike something
- not watch or read something; move past it
- attractive and noticeable
- able to make you believe or do something
- appear suddenly on a screen
- wanting to do or have something
- be remembered easily
- be tricked into believing something
- aimed at a particular group of people
Gap fill: use the right form
Complete the answers with phrases from the box. You may need to change the form (e.g. drag on → dragged on, struggle with → struggling with).
Have you ever bought something because of an advertisement?
Yes, I have to admit I've a few. Last year I bought a skincare product after I saw an online ad, but it didn't make any difference at all. Although I'm still sometimes, I usually read reviews before I buy anything now.
Is there an advertisement that you remember from your childhood?
Yes, there was a TV ad for a milk drink which had a really song. Because I heard it a thousand times, it still today, and I could probably sing it for you now!
Do you like advertisements?
Not really, because most of them are repetitive. When ads are too loud or pushy, they actually the product, which is the opposite of what the company wants.
Drag the words
Drag each phrase into the right gap. On a phone, tap a phrase and then tap the gap. Tap a filled gap to empty it.
Do you often see advertisements when you are on your phone or computer?
All the time, because ads whenever I open an app. They're so that it sometimes feels as if my phone is listening to me, which is a bit worrying. Whenever I can, I them.
Do you see a lot of advertising on trains and other public transport?
Yes, the metro in my city is covered in ads, including video screens which play in the tunnels. Some of them are quite , so they're a good way to pass the time when the journey is long.
What kind of advertising do you like?
I like ads that tell a story or make me laugh, because I actually remember them. A clever, funny advert is far more than one which just shouts about discounts.
Choose the right phrase
Which phrase completes each sentence?
- Yes, I have to admit I've ______ a few.
- Although I'm still ______ sometimes, I usually read reviews before I buy anything now.
- All the time, because ads ______ whenever I open an app.
- They're so ______ that it sometimes feels as if my phone is listening to me, which is a bit worrying.
- Whenever I can, I ______ them.
- Yes, there was a TV ad for a milk drink which had a really ______ song.
Crossword
Write the phrases without spaces or hyphens. The numbers in brackets show the length of each word, e.g. kill time (4,4) → KILLTIME.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||||||||||
| 5 | ||||||||||||||
| 6 | ||||||||||||||
| 7 | ||||||||||||||
| 8 | ||||||||||||||
| 9 | ||||||||||||||
| 10 | ||||||||||||||
Across
- 1 not watch or read something; move past it (4)
- 6 wanting to do or have something (7)
- 8 be tricked into believing something (4,3)
- 9 be remembered easily (5,2,4,4)
- 10 attractive and noticeable (3-8)
Down
- 2 make someone dislike something (3,3)
- 3 appear suddenly on a screen (3,2)
- 4 aimed at a particular group of people (8)
- 5 able to make you believe or do something (10)
- 7 easy to remember, especially a tune or a phrase (6)
Step 4
Now you answer
Pick a question, then answer it out loud in two or three sentences. Try to use at least two phrases from this lesson, and give a reason or an example. Record yourself and listen back: did you sound natural? Did you extend your answer?
Press Record, answer out loud, then listen back.
Questions: frequently reported IELTS Speaking Part 1 topics. Model answers and exercises written for Tips4IELTS.