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IELTS Writing Task 2:
Outsourcing - Band 8.0 Sample with Full Breakdown

Get a Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer on outsourcing. Learn key strategies, vocabulary, and common mistakes to avoid.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Outsourcing - Band 8.0 Sample with Full Breakdown | English AIdol Blog

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Get a Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer on outsourcing. Learn key strategies, vocabulary, and common mistakes to avoid.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Outsourcing - Band 8.0 Sample with Full Breakdown

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Prompt

Some people believe that outsourcing is beneficial for both companies and countries. Others argue that it has negative consequences. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Outsourcing is when companies give work to other countries. Some people think this is good because it saves money. But others say it is bad because it takes jobs away from local people.

Companies like outsourcing because it is cheaper. They can pay workers in other countries less money. Also, they do not have to pay for offices or equipment. For example, many tech companies outsource to India because workers there are skilled and cost less. This helps companies make more profit.

But outsourcing is bad for local workers. If companies send jobs to other countries, local people lose their jobs. This can make unemployment rise. Also, local workers may not have the skills needed for the remaining jobs. For example, in the US, many factory jobs have been outsourced to China. This has caused problems for American workers.

In my opinion, outsourcing is good for companies but bad for local workers. Governments should make rules to protect local jobs. They should also help workers learn new skills so they can find other jobs.

Scoring Breakdown

  • Task Response (TR): Presents a position but lacks depth and development. (5.0)
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Ideas are logically organized but with limited use of cohesive devices. (6.0)
  • Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a mix of simple and some complex vocabulary but with some inaccuracies. (6.0)
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms but with frequent errors. (5.0)

Band 7.0 Answer

The practice of outsourcing has become increasingly prevalent in the global economy. While it offers certain advantages for businesses and economies, it also presents significant drawbacks that cannot be ignored.

Proponents of outsourcing argue that it is a cost-effective strategy for companies. By outsourcing, businesses can reduce operational costs significantly. For instance, many multinational corporations outsource customer service to countries like the Philippines, where labor costs are lower. This allows companies to allocate resources to other areas, such as research and development. Additionally, outsourcing enables businesses to access a global talent pool, benefiting from specialized skills that may not be available locally.

However, outsourcing can have detrimental effects on local economies. When jobs are outsourced, local workers often face unemployment or underemployment. This can lead to economic instability and social issues. For example, the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs to countries like China has resulted in job losses and economic hardship in many Western countries. Furthermore, outsourcing can lead to a brain drain, as skilled workers migrate to countries offering better opportunities.

In my view, while outsourcing has its benefits, the negative impacts on local economies and workers cannot be overlooked. Governments should implement policies that balance the needs of businesses with the protection of local jobs. This could include incentives for companies to hire locally or invest in reskilling programs for workers affected by outsourcing.

Scoring Breakdown

  • Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position with relevant examples and extends and supports ideas. (7.0)
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Ideas are logically organized with a clear progression and use of cohesive devices. (7.0)
  • Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items but some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. (7.0)
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms but with some errors in grammar and punctuation. (7.0)

Band 8.0 Answer

The phenomenon of outsourcing has become a contentious issue in the contemporary globalized economy. While it presents undeniable benefits for businesses and economies, it also poses significant challenges that warrant careful consideration.

Advocates of outsourcing contend that it is a strategic move that enhances competitiveness. By outsourcing non-core functions, companies can focus on their core competencies, leading to increased efficiency and innovation. For example, many tech giants outsource software development to countries like India, where a vast pool of skilled professionals is available at a lower cost. This allows companies to reduce operational expenses and invest in research and development, ultimately driving growth and profitability. Moreover, outsourcing fosters economic interdependence, promoting global trade and cooperation.

Conversely, critics argue that outsourcing can have adverse effects on local economies. The relocation of jobs to foreign countries can result in job losses and economic instability in the home country. For instance, the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs to countries like China has led to job losses and economic hardship in many Western countries. Additionally, outsourcing can exacerbate income inequality, as it often benefits highly skilled workers while leaving low-skilled workers vulnerable to unemployment. Furthermore, the brain drain phenomenon, where skilled workers migrate to countries offering better opportunities, can deprive the home country of valuable human capital.

In my opinion, while outsourcing offers significant advantages, the negative impacts on local economies and workers cannot be ignored. Governments should adopt a balanced approach, implementing policies that encourage responsible outsourcing practices. This could include providing incentives for companies to hire locally, investing in education and training programs to equip workers with the skills needed for the modern economy, and fostering an environment that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship.

Scoring Breakdown

  • Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position with relevant, extended, and supported ideas. (8.0)
  • Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Ideas are logically organized with a clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices. (8.0)
  • Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a wide range of vocabulary with less common lexical items and some sophisticated vocabulary but with occasional inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. (8.0)
  • Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with frequent use of complex structures but with some errors in grammar and punctuation. (8.0)

Vocabulary Highlights

  1. Prevalent (adj.) - Commonly existing or found; widespread.
  • Example: The practice of outsourcing has become increasingly prevalent in the global economy.
  1. Contentious (adj.) - Causing or likely to cause disagreement or argument.
  • Example: The phenomenon of outsourcing has become a contentious issue.
  1. Strategic (adj.) - Relating to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests and the means of achieving them.
  • Example: Advocates of outsourcing contend that it is a strategic move.
  1. Enhance (v.) - Increase or improve in value, quality, or extent.
  • Example: By outsourcing non-core functions, companies can enhance competitiveness.
  1. Efficiency (n.) - The state or quality of being efficient, or able to perform tasks quickly and accurately.
  • Example: This allows companies to reduce operational expenses and invest in research and development, ultimately driving growth and profitability.
  1. Interdependence (n.) - The reliance of two or more people or things on each other.
  • Example: Outsourcing fosters economic interdependence, promoting global trade and cooperation.
  1. Adverse (adj.) - Preventing success or development; harmful; unfavorable.
  • Example: Conversely, critics argue that outsourcing can have adverse effects on local economies.
  1. Exacerbate (v.) - Make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse.
  • Example: Additionally, outsourcing can exacerbate income inequality.
  1. Vulnerable (adj.) - Susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.
  • Example: It often benefits highly skilled workers while leaving low-skilled workers vulnerable to unemployment.
  1. Deprive (v.) - Prevent someone from having or using something.
  • Example: The brain drain phenomenon can deprive the home country of valuable human capital.
  1. Adopt (v.) - Choose to take up or follow (an idea, method, or course of action).
  • Example: Governments should adopt a balanced approach, implementing policies that encourage responsible outsourcing practices.
  1. Incentives (n.) - A thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something.
  • Example: This could include providing incentives for companies to hire locally.
  1. Equip (v.) - Supply with the necessary items for a particular purpose.
  • Example: Investing in education and training programs to equip workers with the skills needed for the modern economy.
  1. Foster (v.) - Encourage the development of something, especially something desirable.
  • Example: Fostering an environment that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship.
  1. Entrepreneurship (n.) - The activity of setting up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.
  • Example: Fostering an environment that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship.

Common Mistakes

  1. Lack of Clear Position: Some students fail to present a clear position on the issue, making their argument weak and unclear.
  1. Insufficient Examples: Students often provide general statements without supporting them with specific examples, which weakens their argument.
  1. Poor Organization: Some answers lack a clear structure, making it difficult for the examiner to follow the argument.
  1. Vocabulary and Grammar Errors: Students often use complex vocabulary incorrectly or make grammatical errors, which can lower their score.
  1. Overgeneralization: Some students make sweeping statements that are not supported by evidence, which can make their argument seem weak or unfounded.

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