People’s Lives are now Surrounded by Advertisement - IELTS Writing Task 2

The essay prompt, “People’s Lives are now Surrounded by Advertisement” is an Agree/Disagree Essay task that has been featured in an IELTS test. The IELTS Agree-Disagree essay, also known as an IELTS Opinion Essay, asks test-takers to present a clear stance on a specific statement, where they should clearly state whether they agree or disagree with a given opinion. 

The IELTS writing task 2  often challenges test takers with thought-provoking statements like: “People’s Lives are now Surrounded by Advertisement.” This Agree/Disagree essay type requires a clear stance supported by strong arguments and relevant examples. To perform well, candidates must refine their writing skills and learn how to present balanced, well-structured opinions.

Learn how to write the perfect IELTS essay introduction for a Band 9 score with the guide below!

Question

Structure Breakdown

People’s Lives are now Surrounded by Advertisement - Sample Answer 1

Advertisement is dominant in people’s daily lives nowadays, with the high frequency of people having to see the same products or services over and over again. Some people think that this phenomenon is negative because it distorts people’s perspective on life. I completely agree with this statement.

Admittedly, advertisements have certain benefits to modern lives. First of all, the purpose of a piece of advertising is to deliver essential information about a product to the public. This would assist a person in choosing a product, saving both time researching for the right product and potentially, money from overspending. Secondly, the advertising industry is getting more creative than ever, incorporating many current social issues in ads. Some people even consider advertisement nowadays as a form of entertainment, especially with commercials in forms of short movies or music videos.

However, I believe that the ubiquity of advertisement is distorting people’s perception of what is important in life. Seeing too many advertisements is thought by many experts to be the cause of excessive consumerism. People are encouraged by these ads to buy and own more stuff than needed. One consequence of this indulgence in buying new things is that people are buying more. They are also throwing out more stuff than ever, causing a burden on the environment. Another consequence of this phenomenon is that it makes younger generations become more superficial and only care about owning whatever’s considered popular.

In conclusion, although advertisement can introduce many benefits to its audience, I still think that the oversaturation of advertising can bring negative impacts on individuals and society as a whole.

People’s Lives are now Surrounded by Advertisement - Sample Answer 2

In today’s consumer-driven world, advertising infiltrates nearly every aspect of our lives—from social media feeds to public spaces. I strongly agree that this constant exposure not only influences people’s perception of what matters but also has detrimental effects on their well-being and values.

Firstly, advertising shapes people’s priorities by promoting materialism and unrealistic standards. Luxury brands, for instance, often associate success with expensive products, making people believe that owning such items is the key to happiness or social acceptance. As a result, individuals may prioritise wealth and appearance over meaningful aspects like personal growth or relationships.

Furthermore, constant advertising fosters dissatisfaction and impulsive spending. People are frequently made to feel inadequate unless they purchase the latest gadgets, clothes, or beauty products. This relentless push to consume leads to financial strain, especially among younger generations who are more vulnerable to persuasive marketing techniques.

Admittedly, advertising has a role in informing consumers about new products or services. However, this informative function has been overshadowed by manipulative tactics designed to exploit emotions and desires, often to the detriment of mental health and genuine life satisfaction.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that the pervasive nature of advertising distorts what people consider valuable and contributes negatively to society by promoting superficiality and excessive consumerism.

People’s Lives are now Surrounded by Advertisement - Sample Answer 3

It is true that advertisements are now an integral part of our daily environment. While I acknowledge that advertising can influence public opinion and sometimes mislead, I believe its impact is not entirely negative and depends on how it is consumed.

On one hand, advertisements undeniably affect people’s priorities. They often portray certain lifestyles or products as symbols of success, causing individuals to place undue importance on material possessions. For example, social media ads promote luxury travel and high-end products, which may lead some to feel inadequate or overly focused on wealth and appearance.

On the other hand, advertising also plays a practical role in modern life. It helps people make informed choices by introducing new products, innovations, and services. Educational campaigns, such as those promoting public health or environmental awareness, are also forms of advertising that have a positive social impact.

Moreover, many consumers today are becoming more media-savvy. With access to information and reviews, people are less likely to be blindly influenced and more likely to make thoughtful decisions. The growing popularity of ethical brands and minimalist lifestyles suggests a shift away from mindless consumerism.

In conclusion, although advertising can negatively shape perceptions and priorities, it is not inherently harmful. Its impact depends on content, context, and the critical awareness of the audience.

People’s Lives are now Surrounded by Advertisement - IELTS Vocabulary

Have a look at the IELTS Vocabulary used in the sample answers for ‘People’s Lives are now Surrounded by Advertisement - IELTS Writing Task 2’.

• Advertisement
  Meaning: A message to promote or sell a product or idea
  Eg: I saw an advertisement for a new online course on YouTube.
• Ubiquity
  Meaning: The state of being everywhere
  Eg: The ubiquity of ads in public spaces makes them hard to ignore.
• Materialism
  Meaning: A focus on owning things rather than values or relationships
  Eg: Advertising often promotes materialism by linking happiness to shopping.
• Distort perception
  Meaning: To wrongly change the way people see or understand things
  Eg: Ads can distort our perception of success and beauty.
• Excessive consumerism
  Meaning: The habit of buying too much, often unnecessarily
  Eg: Excessive consumerism is harming both people and the planet.
• Impulsive spending
  Meaning: Buying things without planning or thinking
  Eg: Many people regret impulsive spending caused by flashy advertisements.
• Financial strain
  Meaning: Money problems caused by spending more than one can afford
  Eg: Constant exposure to luxury ads can lead to financial strain.
• Superficial
  Meaning: Only concerned with appearances, not depth or meaning
  Eg: Advertising can make young people more superficial in their values.
• Oversaturation
  Meaning: Too much of something, leading to negative effects
  Eg: The oversaturation of ads online can overwhelm and annoy users.
• Informative function
  Meaning: The role of providing useful knowledge or facts
  Eg: Despite its flaws, advertising still serves an informative function for new products.

People’s Lives are now Surrounded by Advertisement - Connectors Used

Connectors, also known as connectives or transition words, are words or phrases that link ideas or parts of a sentence or paragraph together. Here are some of the connectors used in the above sample answers:

• Admittedly
• However
• On the one hand
• On the other hand
• Firstly
• Secondly
• As a result
• Although
• In conclusion
• Especially

Mastering the Agree/Disagree essay in IELTS Writing Task 2 requires clarity, critical thinking, and a well-organized response. By analyzing sample answers and understanding how to present a strong viewpoint, you can enhance your writing skills and aim for your desired IELTS Band Score. Remember to proofread your essay for grammar, vocabulary, and spelling errors. These tips, combined with practice, will help you write well-structured and coherent IELTS Writing Task 2 Opinion Essay like the ‘People’s Lives are now Surrounded by Advertisement.’

Useful Links:

• How to Plan an IELTS Opinion Essay?
• Recent IELTS Topics in Writing Task 2 for 2025
• Tips to Write an Effective Introduction for IELTS Writing Task 2
• IELTS Writing Answer sheet
• Popular Synonyms for 'My Opinion' You Can Use in IELTS
• IELTS Writing Task 2: Should I give my opinion?
• Parallelism in IELTS Writing: What It Is and How to Use it?