Cue Card

Describe an advertisement you remember well

You should say:

• Where you saw it
• What it was about
• What it was like
• And why you remember it well.

Sample Part 3 Questions

1. Why do some people hate advertisements?
2. Do some people buy stuff after watching an advertisement?
3. Is music useful in advertising?
4. What are the advantages of TV advertisements? What about internet advertisements?

Sample Cue Card Answer

I'm going to take you back to the 90s, when I was a kid and TV ads were basically the only way to discover new products. There's one commercial that's still stuck in my head to this day - the Budweiser Frogs. You know, the ones that croaked 'Bud-weis-er'? It was this super catchy, super annoying jingle that would get stuck in your head for days. But here's the thing - it worked. I mean, who wouldn't want to remember a beer commercial? It was genius marketing. The ad was so ridiculous, so over-the-top, that it became a cultural phenomenon. People would quote it, parody it, and even create their own versions. It was like a meme before memes were even a thing.

What's crazy is that the ad wasn't even that long - just a few seconds of these three frogs sitting on lily pads, croaking away. But it was the simplicity that made it so effective. The ad didn't need to be complicated or sophisticated to be memorable. It just needed to be catchy, and boy, was it ever. I mean, I'm still talking about it years later, and I'm not even a beer drinker. That's the power of a well-crafted ad - it can stick with you long after the commercial is over.

But what's even more interesting is how the ad tapped into our collective psyche. It was more than just a commercial - it was a cultural moment. People would gather around the TV, waiting for the ad to come on, just so they could sing along with the frogs. It was like a shared experience, a communal moment that brought people together. And that's what makes it so memorable - it's not just an ad, it's a piece of our shared cultural heritage.

Cue Card Answer Key Phrases and Idioms

stuck in your head

something that you can't stop thinking about or remembering

I had that song stuck in my head all day

I couldn't get the image out of my head

cultural phenomenon

something that becomes very popular and influential in a particular culture

The TV show became a cultural phenomenon, with millions of viewers tuning in each week

The new restaurant is a cultural phenomenon, with people lining up around the block to get in

meme

a humorous idea, image, or piece of content that is copied and spread rapidly online

The funny cat video became a meme, with people sharing it all over social media

The politician's gaffe was turned into a meme, with people mocking him online

Sample Part 3 Answers

Why do some people hate advertisements? One reason some people might hate advertisements is that they can be super intrusive. I mean, think about it - you're watching your favorite TV show, and suddenly the screen is filled with a loud, obnoxious commercial that completely disrupts the flow of the program. It's like, you're trying to relax and enjoy some entertainment, and then suddenly you're being yelled at to buy something you probably don't even need. And it's not just TV ads - online ads can be just as bad, with pop-ups and banners covering up the content you're trying to read or watch. It's like, can't they just let you enjoy your experience without trying to sell you something?

Do some people buy stuff after watching an advertisement? Actually, yeah, a lot of people do buy stuff after watching an ad. I mean, think about it - if you see a commercial for a new product that looks really cool or solves a problem you've been having, you're probably going to be more likely to buy it, right? That's what advertisers are counting on, anyway. And it's not just about the product itself - sometimes the ad can create a whole emotional connection with the viewer, making them feel like they need the product to be happy or successful. Like, I remember this one ad for a car that showed a family on a road trip, laughing and having a great time, and it made me feel like I needed that car to have a happy family vacation too.

Is music useful in advertising? Music can be super useful in advertising because it can create a really strong emotional connection with the viewer. Think about it - when you hear a song that you love, it can bring back all these memories and feelings, right? Advertisers use that to their advantage by choosing music that's catchy and memorable, so you associate those feelings with their product. And it's not just about the emotions - music can also make an ad more memorable, so you're more likely to remember the product and the brand. Like, I can still remember the jingle from a commercial I saw years ago, and it still gets stuck in my head sometimes.

What are the advantages of TV advertisements? What about internet advertisements? One advantage of TV ads is that they can reach a huge audience, all at once. I mean, think about the Super Bowl - millions of people are watching, and the ads are a big part of the experience. And even though people might fast-forward through commercials on their DVR, there are still a lot of people who watch live TV and see the ads. On the other hand, internet ads are super targeted, so you can reach exactly the people who are most likely to be interested in your product. Plus, online ads can be way more interactive, with videos and animations and all that. But the downside is that people are way more likely to ignore or block online ads, so you have to be really creative to get their attention.

Part 3 Key Phrases and Idioms

Super intrusive

Extremely annoying or disruptive

The pop-up ads on the website were super intrusive and made it hard to read the article.

Flow of the program

The smooth and continuous progression of a TV show or event

The commercial interrupted the flow of the program and ruined the suspenseful moment.

Yelled at

Spoken to in a loud and aggressive manner

The salesperson yelled at me to buy the product, which was really off-putting.

Covering up

Hiding or obscuring something

The ads on the website were covering up the content I was trying to read.

Emotional connection

A feeling of attachment or relationship between a person and a product or brand

The ad created an emotional connection with the viewer, making them feel like they needed the product.

Bring back memories

To cause someone to remember past events or experiences

The song in the ad brought back memories of my childhood.

Get stuck in my head

To remember something, especially a song or jingle, and be unable to stop thinking about it

The jingle from the commercial got stuck in my head and I couldn't stop singing it.

Reach a huge audience

To communicate with or be seen by a large number of people

The Super Bowl ads reach a huge audience and are a major platform for advertisers.

Fast-forward

To skip over or quickly move through a part of a video or recording

I fast-forwarded through the commercials during the TV show.

Super targeted

Extremely focused or directed at a specific group or audience

The online ads were super targeted and only showed up on websites that I frequently visited.