Everything we eat, wear or use is often dictated to us through commercial advertising. One of the most powerful forms of advertising is television. It provides an excellent chance for
companies to promote and sell their products. It is an easy and effective way to let people from
all over the world know about certain brands and attract their interest. To my mind television is
able to sell different goods like no other mass medium can.
Some people find TV commercials rather annoying. Advertisers use the concept of
repetition in order to promote goods, services, ideas and to awake the desire of purchasing.
Besides, people usually get nervous when their favourite film or programme is constantly
interrupted by endless ads.
To spend a day without television is almost impossible for a child or teenager living in
the 21st century. A number of hours a modern child spends in front of TV is enormous. Adults
also depend greatly on TV news, weather reports, sports or entertaining programmes.
Advertisers choose the particular time of the day and specific programmes to gain attention of
their target audience. For instance, a cartoon show will break for commercials advertising toys,
cereals or chocolate for children. Or a soap opera will target women with ads of make-up
products or household cleaners. Luckily alcohol and tobacco advertising is banned on TV in our
country. Children and youth are easily influenced and sometimes naive, so I believe that
television ads should send only positive and healthy messages. Sex, violence or racism should
be banned during TV commercials. Many food companies advertise unhealthy snacks, sugary
cereals or fast food. It affects children’s food choices and increases rates of childhood obesity.
Television advertising plays an important role in our lives. It influences our views and
preferences unconsciously. We often choose this or that chewing gum, for example, because of
the colourful TV commercials which convince us, as potential buyers, of its best qualities.
Moreover, by exploiting celebrities, fashion or sports icons advertising companies make a huge
impact on their consumers and promote their products even more effectively.
1- Make up 5 alternative questions.
2- Find all new verbs and give their 3 forms (present simple, past simple, present
perfect).
3- Give the title of the text
4- What is the main idea of the text?
