Sample Answers Band 6.5–7.0
Part 1 — Advertisements / commercials
1. Do you often remember advertisements/commercials that you've seen? (Why/Why not?)
Yes, I do remember some of them, especially the creative or funny ones. For example, I still recall a Tet holiday commercial from a phone company that told a short emotional story about a family — it stuck in my mind because the music and message were touching. However, most everyday ads blur together, and I tend to forget them quickly unless they're really unusual or repeated many times.
2. What do you usually do when an advertisement/a commercial comes on TV or the internet?
It depends on the platform. On TV, I usually grab my phone or go to the kitchen during ad breaks — I rarely watch them closely unless the programme just started. On the internet, I often skip ads after five seconds on YouTube, or scroll past them on social media. That said, if an ad looks interesting in the first moment, I might actually watch the whole thing.
3. Have you ever seen an advertisement/a commercial that you really didn't like? (Why?)
Yes, definitely. I once saw an online ad that was extremely loud and flashy — it popped up suddenly and felt very aggressive, almost like spam. I disliked it because it interrupted what I was doing and seemed to manipulate viewers with exaggerated claims. I think ads like that damage the brand rather than attract customers.
4. Would you like to be in an advertisement/a commercial one day? (What kind/Why/Why not?)
Honestly, I'm not particularly interested. I'm quite a private person, so I wouldn't enjoy being on camera in front of millions of people. However, if it were a small educational or environmental campaign — something meaningful rather than just selling products — I might consider it, mainly for the experience rather than fame.
Part 1 — Practice questions
1. Are you interested in advertising?
To some extent, yes. I'm curious about how companies persuade people to buy things — the colours, music, and storytelling they use. I sometimes notice clever ads on social media, although I wouldn't say I'm passionate about the industry itself.
2. Do you enjoy watching advertisements on TV or online?
Not really, to be honest. Most of the time they feel like an interruption, especially when I'm watching a video or a football match. I only enjoy them when they're genuinely creative or funny — like some short films during Tet holiday in Vietnam.
3. Have you ever bought something because of an advertisement?
Yes, a few times. Last year I bought a pair of running shoes after seeing a sports ad that highlighted comfort and durability. The ad didn't convince me alone, but it made me search for reviews, and I ended up purchasing them online.
4. Do you think there are too many advertisements nowadays?
Yes, I think there are far too many, especially online. Whenever I open an app or website, I see sponsored posts, banners, and video ads. It can feel overwhelming, and sometimes I think it reduces the quality of the user experience.
5. What kinds of advertisements do you find most annoying?
The most annoying ones are pop-up ads and those that play automatically with sound — they're disruptive and rude. I also dislike misleading ads that promise unrealistic results, like "lose 10kg in a week" or "get rich quickly."
6. Do you trust advertisements?
Not completely. I assume companies will always present their products in the best possible light, so I take ads with a grain of salt. Before buying anything expensive, I usually check independent reviews or ask friends rather than believing the commercial alone.
Part 2 — Describe a good advertisement that is useful
I'd like to talk about a public health advertisement I see quite often on Vietnamese television and social media — it's a campaign about wearing helmets when riding motorbikes.
You can see it on TV during peak hours, on billboards near busy roads, and also on Facebook and YouTube. It's produced by a government-related organisation, so it appears in many places where young riders might notice it.
The ad shows a realistic accident scenario — not overly dramatic, but serious enough to make you think. It compares two outcomes: one rider with a helmet who survives with minor injuries, and one without who suffers severe consequences. There is very little dialogue; the message is mostly visual, which makes it easy to understand even without sound.
I think it's useful because it targets a real problem in Vietnam, where many people, especially teenagers, still skip helmets for short trips. It doesn't just sell a product — it tries to change behaviour and save lives. The message is clear, memorable, and supported by statistics shown briefly on screen.
Personally, I feel respect for this kind of advertising. It doesn't annoy me like commercial ads because it has a genuine social purpose. Whenever I see it, I'm reminded to check my own helmet before starting my bike, so I suppose it has influenced my habits in a positive way.
Part 2 — Describe an advertisement you remember well
I'm going to describe a Coca-Cola advertisement I watched during Tet holiday about two years ago.
It was for a soft drink, obviously, and I saw it on TV at my grandparents' house during a family gathering — everyone was eating and chatting, and the ad came on between programmes.
The commercial told a simple story about a young man returning home for Tet after working far away. He brings gifts, reunites with his parents, and they share a meal together with Coke on the table. There was no loud selling — just warm music, family scenes, and the slogan about togetherness.
I remember it because it connected with Vietnamese culture — Tet is the most important holiday for families, and the ad captured that emotional atmosphere perfectly. It made many people in the room go quiet for a moment, which doesn't usually happen during ads.
I don't even drink much soda, but that advertisement stayed with me because of the storytelling, not the product itself.
Part 3 — Discussion
1. What do you think of online advertising?
Online advertising is extremely powerful because companies can target specific groups based on age, location, and interests. That's efficient for businesses, but it can feel invasive for users — sometimes I search for shoes once and then see shoe ads everywhere for a week. Overall, I think it's effective but needs clearer rules about privacy and data use.
2. Are there any great online advertisements?
Yes, some are genuinely creative. Short video ads on YouTube or Instagram that tell a mini-story in 30 seconds can be as engaging as a film trailer. I've seen impressive campaigns from tech companies and fashion brands that use high-quality visuals and humour. The best ones don't feel like ads — they feel like entertainment.
3. What do people usually buy?
It varies by age and income, but common purchases influenced by ads include clothes, cosmetics, electronics, and food delivery services. Young people tend to buy gadgets and fashion items, while families respond more to supermarket promotions and household products. Online shopping has made impulse buying much easier.
4. Why does buying new things make people happy?
I think it's partly psychological — new products give a sense of excitement and novelty, and they can temporarily boost self-esteem, especially if the item is associated with status. Advertising reinforces this by linking products to happiness, success, or attractiveness. However, the feeling often fades quickly, which is why some people keep buying more.
5. Do people watch useless advertising in this day and age?
Many people try to avoid useless ads by skipping, using ad blockers, or paying for premium services. However, a lot of low-quality advertising still reaches audiences — especially pop-ups, spam emails, and repetitive social media promotions. So yes, useless ads still exist, but viewers are less patient with them than before.
6. What are the advantages of advertising for consumers and businesses?
For businesses, advertising increases brand awareness and sales — without it, new companies would struggle to compete. For consumers, it provides information about choices, discounts, and new products we might not discover otherwise. It also supports free content online, since many websites rely on ad revenue.
7. In what ways can advertising be harmful?
It can manipulate people into buying things they don't need, create unrealistic expectations about beauty or success, and encourage unhealthy habits — especially when junk food or gambling is marketed aggressively. Children are particularly vulnerable because they can't always distinguish persuasion from fact.
8. Should advertising aimed at children be banned or restricted?
Yes, I believe it should be strictly restricted. Children are easily influenced and may pressure parents to buy toys or sugary snacks they saw on TV. Many countries already ban certain child-targeted ads, and I think unhealthy food advertising during children's programmes should be controlled more tightly.
9. Do you think governments should regulate advertising more strictly?
To some extent, yes. Governments should ban false claims, protect consumer privacy online, and restrict harmful products like cigarettes and alcohol from being marketed to young people. However, overly strict regulation could hurt small businesses, so the key is balancing consumer protection with economic freedom.
10. How has online advertising changed the way companies promote products?
It has shifted marketing from mass TV campaigns to highly targeted digital ads. Companies now track user behaviour, use influencers on Instagram and TikTok, and adjust campaigns in real time based on clicks and engagement. This makes advertising faster, cheaper, and more personalised than traditional media.
11. Is advertising a form of art?
To a degree, yes. The best advertisements combine visual design, music, storytelling, and psychology — similar skills to filmmaking or graphic design. Campaigns like Apple's or Nike's are often discussed creatively, not just commercially. However, the primary goal is still to sell, so I wouldn't put it in the same category as fine art.
12. Why do advertisers use celebrities in their campaigns?
Because celebrities attract attention and transfer their image to the product. If a famous athlete endorses sportswear, fans associate the brand with success and performance. It's a shortcut to building trust and status, although it can backfire if the celebrity has a scandal.
13. Should unhealthy foods be advertised to children?
No, I don't think so. Children don't fully understand the long-term health risks of sugary snacks and fast food, and colourful ads make unhealthy products look fun. Restricting this type of marketing would help reduce childhood obesity and protect parents from constant pester power.
14. How does advertising influence people's spending habits?
It creates desire for products people didn't plan to buy by linking items to emotions like happiness, belonging, or success. Limited-time offers and influencer promotions also encourage impulse purchases. Over time, this can normalise consumerism — feeling that you always need the latest phone, fashion trend, or gadget.