IELTS Speaking Part 2 · Books, films & music
Describe an advertisement that made a memorable impression on you
Describe an advertisement that made a memorable impression on you
You should say:
- Where and when you saw or heard it
- What product or service was being advertised
- What happened in the advertisement
and explain why you think this advertisement was particularly effective or memorable.
How to plan your answer
Use your 1 minute to jot down key words for each point, not full sentences.
- 1
Where and when you saw or heard it
Saw it on a streaming platform last year while watching a film.
- 2
What product or service was being advertised
Advertised an eco-friendly public transit pass for urban commuters.
- 3
What happened in the advertisement
Showed a commuter transforming a stressful traffic jam into a peaceful ride.
- 4
and explain why you think this advertisement was particularly effective or memorable.
Overall, it shifted my perspective on daily commuting and stuck with me.
Sample answer
about 259 words · 2 minutesOne advertisement that really left a lasting impression on me was a short video commercial I saw about a year ago while watching a film on a popular streaming platform. It appeared during an ad break right before the main feature started, and usually, I tend to skip these clips, but this one caught my eye immediately. The advertisement was promoting a new eco-friendly public transportation pass designed for urban commuters. It aimed to encourage people to leave their personal vehicles at home and rely more on buses and trains around the city. What happened in the clip was quite clever. It opened with a driver stuck in a noisy, chaotic traffic jam during peak morning rush hour. The person looked thoroughly exhausted and stressed out. Suddenly, the scene smoothly transitioned into a quiet, bright train carriage where the same person was sitting comfortably, reading a book and sipping coffee while scenic views passed by outside the window. A gentle voiceover then highlighted how much time and peace of mind you could gain by making the switch to public transit. I found this ad particularly effective because it appealed directly to emotions rather than just listing features or prices. By contrasting the frustration of driving with the calm experience of taking the train, it created a relatable story that resonated with my own daily struggles. The visual storytelling was subtle yet powerful, which made the message stick in my mind long after the video ended. Ultimately, it actually persuaded me to start taking the bus to work more frequently.
A teaching example, not a script to memorise. Say it in your own words.
Useful phrases
left a lasting impression on me
The motivational speech left a lasting impression on everyone in the audience.
caught my eye immediately
The colorful painting on the wall caught my eye immediately when I walked in.
stuck in a chaotic traffic jam
We were stuck in a chaotic traffic jam for nearly two hours yesterday.
appealed directly to emotions
The charity campaign appealed directly to emotions to encourage more donations.
stick in my mind
Catchy melodies tend to stick in my mind for days after hearing them.
Common mistakes
The ad was very memorable for me because it was famous.
The ad made a memorable impression on me because of its creative storytelling.
Explain personal impact and effectiveness instead of stating vague facts like being famous.
I saw this commercial in the TV two years ago.
I saw this commercial on TV two years ago.
Use the correct preposition 'on TV' or 'on a platform' for media.
The advertisement is about buy a new car.
The advertisement was about buying a new car.
Use a gerund after prepositions like 'about' when describing products or actions.
Tips for a higher band
- Use varied descriptive adjectives to explain sensory details and visual elements of the ad.
- Focus on the 'why' section to show high-level reasoning and opinion phrases.
- Maintain a natural speaking rhythm by using flexible discourse markers instead of rigid lists.
Part 3 follow-up questions
After Part 2 the examiner may ask deeper questions on the same theme.
- How do advertisements influence the purchasing decisions of young consumers?
- Do you think governments should restrict certain types of advertising targeted at children?
- In what ways has digital advertising changed compared to traditional media advertising?
Now try this cue card
1 minute to prepare, up to 2 minutes to speak, then a band estimate and tips for each criterion.
Practice estimate, not an official IELTS score.