Crucially, address both parts of the question explicitly and dedicate a distinct body paragraph to each. Your first body paragraph should thoroughly explore the 'reasons' for reduced advertising influence, while the second must present a clear argument on whether this is a 'positive or negative development', ensuring your stance is well-supported.

For reasons, consider the rise of independent online reviews and social media influencers, the widespread adoption of ad-blocking technologies, and increased consumer media literacy. For the positive/negative aspect, you could argue it's positive due to more informed consumer choices and reduced manipulation, but potentially negative for new businesses struggling to gain visibility or for traditional media reliant on ad revenue.

The most common mistake is to simply describe how advertising works or list various types of ads, rather than focusing on *why* consumers are *less influenced now than in the past*. To avoid this, ensure your arguments consistently draw comparisons between past and present consumer behaviour and clearly articulate the underlying shifts in influence dynamics.

For this two-part question, use a strong transitional phrase between your body paragraphs to signal the shift in focus. For example, after discussing the reasons, you could begin the next paragraph with, "Having explored the underlying causes of this shift, it is pertinent to evaluate whether this development represents a positive or negative trend for society and the economy."

Examiners look for a nuanced discussion that acknowledges the complexity of the issue, not just a one-sided argument. A band 8-9 answer will present well-developed points with specific, relevant examples (e.g., the impact of review platforms like Yelp or Amazon, or the rise of influencer marketing) and demonstrate sophisticated vocabulary related to media, consumerism, and societal trends, alongside accurate complex grammatical structures.