IELTS Writing Task 2: Multinational Companies - Band 9.0 Sample with Full Breakdown

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Prompt

Some people think that multinational companies are beneficial to the countries in which they operate. Others argue that they are detrimental. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6.0

Multinational companies are very common nowadays. They have both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, they can bring jobs and money to the countries where they operate. On the other hand, they can also cause problems like pollution and exploitation of workers.

In my opinion, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. For example, many people can find jobs in these companies, and the economy can grow. However, we should also make sure that these companies follow the rules and regulations to protect the environment and workers.

In conclusion, multinational companies can be good for countries, but we need to control them properly.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but with some limitations in addressing the task.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 5.5 - Uses some cohesive devices but with some problems in organization.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 5.5 - Uses some less common vocabulary but with some errors in word choice and collocation.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 5.5 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms but with frequent errors.

Band 7.0

The proliferation of multinational corporations has sparked debate regarding their impact on host countries. Proponents argue that these entities foster economic growth and job creation, while detractors contend that they often exploit local resources and labor.

From a positive perspective, multinational companies inject capital into local economies, stimulating infrastructure development and job opportunities. For instance, tech giants like Apple and Google have established research centers in various countries, creating high-paying jobs and driving innovation. Moreover, these companies often introduce advanced technologies and management practices, enhancing the overall productivity of the host nation.

Conversely, the negative aspects cannot be ignored. Multinational corporations often prioritize profit over social responsibility, leading to environmental degradation and labor exploitation. For example, fast-fashion brands have been criticized for their unsustainable practices and poor working conditions in developing countries. Additionally, these companies may dominate local markets, stifling small businesses and creating economic imbalances.

In my view, the benefits of multinational companies outweigh the drawbacks, provided that stringent regulations are in place to ensure ethical practices. Governments should enforce strict environmental and labor laws to mitigate the negative impacts while encouraging foreign investment to boost economic growth.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively but with some less sophisticated ones.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a mix of less common and sophisticated vocabulary but with some errors in word choice.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors in grammar and punctuation.

Band 8.0

The global expansion of multinational corporations has become a contentious issue, with proponents highlighting their economic contributions and critics emphasizing their detrimental effects on host countries. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting a personal stance.

Advocates of multinational companies argue that they bring substantial economic benefits to host nations. Firstly, they create employment opportunities, ranging from entry-level positions to highly skilled jobs. For example, automotive giants like Toyota and Volkswagen have established manufacturing plants in various countries, providing jobs to thousands of locals. Secondly, these companies contribute to the host economy through taxes and investments in infrastructure. Additionally, they facilitate technology transfer and knowledge sharing, enhancing the host country's competitive advantage in the global market.

However, the negative impacts are equally significant. Multinational corporations often exploit local resources and labor, prioritizing profit maximization over social responsibility. For instance, mining companies have been accused of environmental degradation and human rights abuses in developing countries. Moreover, these corporations may engage in unethical practices such as bribery and corruption, undermining the host country's governance and rule of law.

In my opinion, the benefits of multinational companies outweigh the drawbacks, but only if stringent regulations are enforced. Governments should implement and enforce robust environmental and labor laws to protect local communities and resources. Furthermore, they should encourage transparency and accountability in the operations of multinational corporations to ensure that their activities align with the host country's development goals.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas, and presents, extends, and supports ideas with some development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively with a clear progression throughout the response.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with some sophisticated and less common lexical items.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences.

Band 9.0

The ascendancy of multinational corporations in the global economy has sparked intense debate regarding their impact on host countries. While these entities undeniably drive economic growth, their operations often come at a significant social and environmental cost. This discourse will critically examine both viewpoints before proffering a nuanced perspective.

Proponents of multinational companies contend that they catalyze economic development through job creation, infrastructure investment, and technology transfer. For instance, pharmaceutical conglomerates like Pfizer and Novartis have established research facilities in developing countries, fostering innovation and creating high-skilled employment opportunities. Furthermore, these corporations contribute to the host economy through substantial tax revenues and investments in public infrastructure, such as roads, schools, and hospitals. Additionally, they facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building, enhancing the host country's human capital and competitive advantage in the global market.

Conversely, the detrimental effects of multinational corporations are equally profound. These entities often exploit local resources and labor, prioritizing shareholder value over social responsibility. For example, oil and gas corporations have been implicated in environmental degradation and human rights abuses in resource-rich but institutionally weak countries. Moreover, these corporations may engage in unethical practices such as tax evasion, bribery, and corruption, undermining the host country's governance and rule of law. Furthermore, their market dominance can stifle local entrepreneurship and innovation, creating economic imbalances and dependency.

In my view, the benefits of multinational companies outweigh the drawbacks, but only if robust regulatory frameworks are in place. Governments should enact and enforce stringent environmental and labor laws to protect local communities and resources. Furthermore, they should promote transparency and accountability in the operations of multinational corporations, ensuring that their activities align with the host country's sustainable development goals. Additionally, international cooperation is crucial to address the cross-border challenges posed by these entities, such as tax evasion and environmental degradation.

Scoring Breakdown

• Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas, and presents, extends, and supports ideas with full development.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Uses cohesive devices effectively with a clear progression and logical organization throughout the response.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with sophisticated and less common lexical items used with precision.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with frequent error-free sentences and varied sentence structures.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Proliferation (noun): rapid increase in the number or amount of something.

• Example: The proliferation of multinational corporations has sparked debate regarding their impact on host countries.

1. Detractors (noun): people who express strong disapproval of something.

• Example: Detractors contend that they often exploit local resources and labor.

1. Inject (verb): to introduce something new or different into a situation or process.

• Example: Multinational companies inject capital into local economies, stimulating infrastructure development.

1. Stifle (verb): to restrict or prevent something from growing, developing, or being successful.

• Example: These companies may dominate local markets, stifling small businesses and creating economic imbalances.

1. Stringent (adjective): strict, precise, and exacting.

• Example: Governments should enforce stringent environmental and labor laws to mitigate the negative impacts.

1. Facilitate (verb): to make something easier or more likely to happen.

• Example: They facilitate technology transfer and knowledge sharing, enhancing the host country's competitive advantage.

1. Exploit (verb): to make full use of and derive benefit from a situation or resource.

• Example: Multinational corporations often exploit local resources and labor, prioritizing profit maximization over social responsibility.

1. Undermine (verb): to make something weaker or less effective, especially gradually or secretly.

• Example: These corporations may engage in unethical practices such as bribery and corruption, undermining the host country's governance and rule of law.

1. Ascendancy (noun): the position of being in control or having the most power or influence.

• Example: The ascendancy of multinational corporations in the global economy has sparked intense debate.

1. Catalyze (verb): to cause or accelerate a significant event or change.

• Example: Proponents contend that they catalyze economic development through job creation and infrastructure investment.

1. Conglomerates (noun): a large corporation consisting of several different companies or industries.

• Example: Pharmaceutical conglomerates like Pfizer and Novartis have established research facilities in developing countries.

1. Implicated (verb): to show or suggest that someone is involved in a crime or wrongdoing.

• Example: Oil and gas corporations have been implicated in environmental degradation and human rights abuses.

1. Enact (verb): to make something, especially a law, officially true or existing.

• Example: Governments should enact and enforce stringent environmental and labor laws.

1. Transparency (noun): the quality of being done in an open way without secrets, so that people can know how decisions are made.

• Example: Governments should promote transparency and accountability in the operations of multinational corporations.

1. Nuanced (adjective): having or involving subtle differences in meaning, tone, or expression.

• Example: This discourse will critically examine both viewpoints before proffering a nuanced perspective.

1. Robust (adjective): strong and healthy; able to withstand or overcome adverse conditions.

• Example: The benefits of multinational companies outweigh the drawbacks, but only if robust regulatory frameworks are in place.

1. Framework (noun): a supporting structure around which something can be built.

• Example: Governments should enact and enforce robust regulatory frameworks to protect local communities and resources.

1. Enhance (verb): to increase or improve something, especially a quality, ability, or piece of equipment.

• Example: They facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building, enhancing the host country's human capital.

1. Undermine (verb): to make something weaker or less effective, especially gradually or secretly.

• Example: These corporations may engage in unethical practices such as bribery and corruption, undermining the host country's governance and rule of law.

1. Sustainable (adjective): able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources.

• Example: Ensuring that their activities align with the host country's sustainable development goals.

Common Mistakes

1. Lack of Clear Position: Many students fail to present a clear position in their response, leading to a lower score in Task Response.
2. Poor Organization: Some students struggle with organizing their ideas coherently, resulting in a lower score in Coherence and Cohesion.
3. Limited Vocabulary: Using a limited range of vocabulary can lead to a lower score in Lexical Resource. Students should aim to use a wide range of vocabulary, including less common and sophisticated words.
4. Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical errors can significantly lower the score in Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Students should proofread their responses to minimize errors.
5. Overgeneralization: Some students make broad, unsupported claims without providing specific examples or evidence, leading to a lower score in Task Response.
6. Repetition: Repeating the same ideas or words can make the response less engaging and lower the score in Coherence and Cohesion.
7. Lack of Specificity: Vague or general statements can weaken the argument and lower the score in Task Response. Students should provide specific examples and details to support their ideas.
8. Inadequate Conclusion: A weak or rushed conclusion can leave a negative impression and lower the overall score. Students should ensure that their conclusion is well-developed and summarizes the main points effectively.

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