Part 3 Discussion (Topic: Shopping & Consumerism)
Goal: To practice discussing social trends, ethics, and making predictions.
Instructions: Part 3 requires you to speak about society in general, not just your own personal experiences. Try to answer these questions by considering what "most people" do or the impact on the "economy."
Questions:
Why do you think people often buy things they do not actually need?
Do you think advertisements aimed at children should be banned?
Do you believe physical shops ("brick-and-mortar" stores) will disappear completely in the future?
Example Response
Model Answers (Band 7.0+)
1. Why do you think people often buy things they do not actually need? "I think a lot of it comes down to the psychological power of advertising. Companies are experts at creating a sense of artificial scarcity or the fear of missing out, which drives people to make impulse purchases. Additionally, many people practice 'retail therapy'—shopping as a way to boost their mood or relieve stress. In these moments, the dopamine hit from buying something new outweighs the logical realization that the item isn't necessary."
2. Do you think advertisements aimed at children should be banned? "That is a controversial topic, but I lean towards saying yes, or at least they should be heavily regulated. Children are incredibly impressionable and lack the critical thinking skills to understand that an advertisement is trying to sell them a product, not just entertain them. This can lead to pester power, where kids pressure their parents to buy expensive toys or unhealthy snacks. I believe there is an ethical responsibility to protect young minds from aggressive marketing tactics."
3. Do you believe physical shops ("brick-and-mortar" stores) will disappear completely in the future? "While online shopping is undeniably dominant right now, I don't think physical stores will vanish entirely. They will likely evolve rather than die out. People still value the tactile experience—being able to touch, try on, or see a product in real life before purchasing it. High-end luxury brands and experiential stores, where the focus is on customer service rather than just the transaction, will likely continue to thrive alongside e-commerce."
