IELTS Writing Task 2: Outsourcing (Discussion) — Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers

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The Prompt

Paraphrased Prompt: Some people believe that outsourcing is beneficial for both companies and countries, while others argue that it has negative effects. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Score Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 5.0 - Presents a position but with some irrelevant details.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 6.0 - Ideas are logically organized but with some unclear progression.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 6.0 - Uses a mix of appropriate and limited vocabulary.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 6.0 - Attempts complex sentences but with frequent errors.

Answer:

Outsourcing is when companies give work to other countries. Some people say this is good, but others say it is bad. I think outsourcing is good for companies but bad for countries.

Companies can save money by outsourcing. They do not have to pay workers in their own country. Also, they can find workers who are very good at what they do. For example, a company in the US can find a good programmer in India for less money. This is good for the company.

But outsourcing is bad for countries. Workers in the country lose their jobs. Also, the country might not have good workers anymore because they are not needed. For example, if a country outsources all its computer work, the country might not have good computer workers in the future.

In conclusion, outsourcing is good for companies but bad for countries. I think countries should not allow outsourcing because it is bad for workers and the country.

Band 7.0 Answer

Score Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 7.0 - Presents a clear position with relevant, extended arguments.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 7.0 - Ideas are logically organized with clear progression.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 7.0 - Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary with some less common lexical items.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 7.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors.

Answer:

Outsourcing has become a common practice in many industries. While it offers certain advantages, it also has some drawbacks that need to be considered.

On the one hand, outsourcing can help companies reduce costs and increase efficiency. By hiring workers from countries with lower labor costs, companies can save a significant amount of money. Additionally, outsourcing allows companies to focus on their core competencies by delegating non-core tasks to specialized service providers. For instance, a software company might outsource its customer support to a call center in the Philippines, enabling it to concentrate on developing new products.

On the other hand, outsourcing can have negative consequences for the countries where jobs are lost. When companies outsource work, local employees may lose their jobs, leading to higher unemployment rates. Moreover, the continuous outsourcing of jobs can result in a brain drain, as skilled workers leave the country in search of better opportunities elsewhere. For example, if a country outsources most of its IT jobs, it may struggle to develop a strong technology sector in the future.

In my opinion, outsourcing should be regulated to ensure that it benefits both companies and countries. Governments should implement policies that protect local workers while still allowing companies to outsource when necessary. By striking a balance between the two, outsourcing can be a positive force for economic growth and development.

Band 8.0 Answer

Score Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 8.0 - Presents a clear position with fully extended and supported arguments.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 8.0 - Ideas are logically organized with clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 8.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with less common lexical items and some sophisticated words.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 8.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with some errors but minimal impact on communication.

Answer:

The phenomenon of outsourcing has sparked intense debate in recent years, with proponents and critics presenting compelling arguments. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting a personal stance.

Proponents of outsourcing argue that it offers numerous benefits for companies. Firstly, it enables businesses to reduce operational costs significantly by tapping into cheaper labor markets. For example, a multinational corporation might outsource its manufacturing processes to a country with lower wages, thereby increasing its profit margins. Secondly, outsourcing allows companies to access a global talent pool, enabling them to find the most skilled workers for their needs. Additionally, it permits businesses to concentrate on their core competencies by delegating peripheral tasks to external service providers.

However, critics contend that outsourcing can have detrimental effects on the countries from which jobs are outsourced. The most immediate impact is job losses, which can lead to higher unemployment rates and economic instability. Furthermore, the continuous outsourcing of jobs can result in a brain drain, as skilled workers emigrate in search of better opportunities. This can hinder a country's long-term economic development and innovation. For instance, if a country outsources most of its research and development work, it may struggle to cultivate a strong scientific community.

In my view, outsourcing should be approached with caution and regulated appropriately. Governments should implement policies that protect local workers and promote fair competition. Additionally, companies should consider the long-term consequences of outsourcing and strive to strike a balance between cost reduction and social responsibility. By doing so, outsourcing can be a positive force for global economic growth and development.

Band 9.0 Answer

Score Breakdown:

• Task Response (TR): 9.0 - Presents a clear position with fully extended and supported arguments, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of the topic.
• Coherence and Cohesion (CC): 9.0 - Ideas are logically organized with clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices, creating a smooth and coherent argument.
• Lexical Resource (LR): 9.0 - Uses a wide range of vocabulary with less common lexical items and sophisticated words, demonstrating a high degree of lexical resource.
• Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): 9.0 - Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with minimal errors, demonstrating a high degree of grammatical accuracy and range.

Answer:

The contentious issue of outsourcing has garnered considerable attention in recent years, with proponents and detractors presenting well-substantiated arguments. This discourse will elucidate both viewpoints before proffering a personal perspective.

Advocates of outsourcing posit that it confers multifaceted benefits upon corporations. Primarily, it facilitates substantial cost reduction by capitalizing on lower labor expenses in developing economies. For instance, a transnational enterprise might externalize its customer service operations to a country with a lower cost of living, thereby augmenting its profitability. Moreover, outsourcing grants access to a global talent pool, enabling organizations to secure the most adept professionals for their requisites. Furthermore, it empowers businesses to concentrate on their core competencies by outsourcing ancillary functions to specialized vendors.

Conversely, adversaries of outsourcing contend that it can engender deleterious consequences for the countries from which jobs are externalized. The most palpable impact is employment losses, which can precipitate heightened unemployment rates and economic volatility. Additionally, the perpetual outsourcing of jobs can result in a brain drain, as highly skilled individuals emigrate in pursuit of more lucrative opportunities. This can impede a nation's long-term economic growth and innovation. For example, if a country outsources the majority of its engineering work, it may struggle to foster a robust engineering sector.

In my estimation, outsourcing should be subjected to rigorous regulation and oversight. Governments should enact policies that safeguard local workers and foster equitable competition. Furthermore, corporations should contemplate the long-term implications of outsourcing and endeavor to strike a harmonious balance between cost reduction and social responsibility. By adopting this approach, outsourcing can be a catalyst for global economic growth and development, benefiting both corporations and countries alike.

Vocabulary Highlights

1. Outsourcing: The practice of hiring an external company or individual to perform tasks, handle operations, or provide services for your company.

• Example: The company decided to outsource its customer service to a call center in the Philippines.

1. Brain drain: The emigration of highly skilled or educated individuals for better pay or conditions, causing a shortage of skilled professionals in the source country.

• Example: The continuous outsourcing of IT jobs has contributed to a significant brain drain in the country.

1. Core competencies: The key strengths or strategic advantages on which a business should build its strategy.

• Example: By outsourcing non-core tasks, the company can focus on its core competencies and improve its competitive advantage.

1. Profit margins: The difference between the revenue generated by a business and its costs, expressed as a percentage.

• Example: Outsourcing has enabled the company to increase its profit margins significantly.

1. Economic volatility: The tendency of a market or an economy to experience sudden and significant changes or fluctuations.

• Example: The outsourcing of jobs has contributed to economic volatility in the country.

1. Ancillary functions: Secondary or supplementary functions that support the primary operations of a business.

• Example: The company decided to outsource its ancillary functions to focus on its core business.

1. Transnational enterprise: A business or organization that operates in multiple countries.

• Example: The transnational enterprise decided to outsource its manufacturing processes to a developing country.

1. Global talent pool: The worldwide pool of skilled and qualified professionals available for employment.

• Example: Outsourcing has enabled the company to tap into the global talent pool and find the most skilled workers.

1. Cost reduction: The process of reducing expenses and saving money in a business or organization.

• Example: Outsourcing has enabled the company to achieve significant cost reduction.

1. Social responsibility: The idea that businesses should balance profit-making activities with activities that benefit society; a business has a duty to serve its community as well as its shareholders.

• Example: The company strives to balance cost reduction with social responsibility in its outsourcing decisions.

1. Economic growth: An increase in the production of economic goods and services, compared from one period of time to another.

• Example: Outsourcing can be a catalyst for global economic growth and development.

1. Regulation: A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.

• Example: The government has implemented regulations to protect local workers from the negative effects of outsourcing.

1. Competitive advantage: An advantage that a firm has over its competitors, allowing it to generate greater sales or margins and/or acquire more customers.

• Example: Outsourcing has enabled the company to gain a competitive advantage in the market.

1. Emigration: The act of leaving one's own country to settle permanently in another.

• Example: The outsourcing of jobs has led to a significant emigration of skilled workers.

1. Innovation: The process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value or for which customers will pay.

• Example: The outsourcing of research and development work can hinder a country's innovation and long-term economic growth.

Common Mistakes

1. Failing to address both sides of the argument: Some test-takers focus solely on one side of the argument, neglecting to discuss the opposing viewpoint. This can result in a lower score for Task Response.

1. Using vague or unclear language: Some test-takers use imprecise language or unclear expressions, making it difficult for the examiner to understand their arguments. This can result in a lower score for Coherence and Cohesion and Lexical Resource.

1. Inadequate organization and structure: Some test-takers present their arguments in a disorganized or unclear manner, making it difficult for the examiner to follow their line of reasoning. This can result in a lower score for Coherence and Cohesion.

1. Lack of supporting evidence: Some test-takers present their arguments without providing sufficient supporting evidence, making their arguments less convincing. This can result in a lower score for Task Response and Coherence and Cohesion.

1. Inadequate vocabulary and grammar: Some test-takers use a limited range of vocabulary and make frequent grammatical errors, making their writing difficult to understand. This can result in lower scores for Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

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