IELTS Writing Task 2: Small Businesses (Advantages Disadvantages) - Band 6/7/8/9 Model Answers
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Sample Prompt
Some people believe that small businesses are more advantageous to society than large corporations. Others argue that large companies have more benefits. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Model Answers with Scoring Breakdowns
Band 9 Model Answer
Small businesses contribute significantly to society, but large corporations also have considerable advantages. This essay will examine both perspectives.
On one hand, small businesses offer several benefits. They often create more jobs within local communities, thereby stimulating economic growth. Additionally, small businesses tend to be more flexible and adaptable to changing market conditions. For example, local cafes can quickly adjust their menus based on customer preferences. Furthermore, small businesses often have a personal touch, providing better customer service and building stronger relationships with their clientele.
However, large corporations also bring substantial benefits. They have the resources to invest in research and development, leading to innovations that can improve society. For instance, large tech companies like Google and Apple have revolutionized communication and technology. Moreover, large corporations often have economies of scale, allowing them to offer products at lower prices. This can make essential goods more accessible to a broader population.
In conclusion, while small businesses have clear advantages, large corporations also play a crucial role in society. A balanced approach that supports both is likely the most beneficial for economic and social development.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position throughout the response. Presents, extends, and supports main trends, arguments, or points of view. Covers all parts of the task.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses cohesive devices effectively. Arranges information and ideas logically. Uses paragraphing appropriately.
- Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a wide range of vocabulary with great flexibility and precision. Uses less common lexical items with full awareness of style and collocation.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a wide range of complex sentence forms with full flexibility and accuracy. Rarely makes any grammatical errors.
Band 8 Model Answer
Small businesses and large corporations both have their advantages and disadvantages. This essay will discuss both views.
Small businesses are beneficial in many ways. They often provide jobs for local people, which helps the local economy. For example, a small bakery can employ several neighbors and provide fresh bread to the community. Additionally, small businesses can adapt quickly to changes in the market. If customers want a new product, a small business can produce it faster than a large company. Furthermore, small businesses often have a personal relationship with their customers, which can lead to better service.
On the other hand, large corporations have their own advantages. They have more money to spend on research and development, which can lead to new inventions. For instance, large pharmaceutical companies can develop new medicines that save lives. Moreover, large corporations can produce goods at a lower cost due to economies of scale. This means that essential items like food and clothing can be more affordable for everyone.
In conclusion, both small businesses and large corporations have their benefits. It is important to support both types of businesses to ensure a balanced economy.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position throughout the response. Presents, extends, and supports main trends, arguments, or points of view but may not cover all parts of the task fully.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses cohesive devices effectively but may occasionally use them in a mechanical way or make errors in the use of cohesive devices.
- Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a sufficient range of vocabulary to allow some flexibility and precision. Uses less common lexical items but may make some errors in word choice and collocation.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. Makes only occasional grammatical errors.
Band 7 Model Answer
Small businesses and large companies both have good and bad points. This essay will talk about both sides.
Small businesses are good for society. They give jobs to people in the area, which helps the local economy. For example, a small shop can employ people who live nearby. Also, small businesses can change quickly if the market changes. If people want something new, a small business can make it faster than a big company. Another advantage is that small businesses know their customers well, so they can give better service.
But large companies also have advantages. They have more money for research, so they can make new things. For example, big tech companies can make new products that help people. Also, large companies can make things cheaper because they make a lot of them. This means that people can buy important things like food and clothes for less money.
In conclusion, both small businesses and large companies are important. We should support both to have a good economy.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Presents a clear position but may not extend and support main trends, arguments, or points of view fully. Covers all parts of the task but may not in equal depth.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses cohesive devices but may make some errors in the use of cohesive devices. Arranges information and ideas logically but may not always use paragraphing appropriately.
- Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a mix of simple and more complex vocabulary. May make some errors in word choice and collocation.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms but may make frequent grammatical errors.
Band 6 Model Answer
Small businesses and big companies are both good and bad. This essay will talk about both.
Small businesses are good. They give jobs to people. For example, a small store can employ people. Also, small businesses can change quickly. If people want something new, a small business can make it. Another good thing is that small businesses know their customers, so they can give good service.
But big companies are also good. They have money for research. So they can make new things. For example, big companies can make new medicine. Also, big companies can make things cheaper. This means that people can buy things for less money.
In conclusion, both small businesses and big companies are important. We need both.
Scoring Breakdown
- Task Response (TR): Presents a position but may not extend and support main trends, arguments, or points of view adequately. May not cover all parts of the task.
- Coherence and Cohesion (CC): Uses some cohesive devices but may make frequent errors in the use of cohesive devices. May not arrange information and ideas logically. May not use paragraphing appropriately.
- Lexical Resource (LR): Uses a limited range of vocabulary. May make frequent errors in word choice and collocation.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA): Uses mostly simple sentence forms. May make frequent grammatical errors.
Vocabulary Highlights
- Advantages: Benefits or favorable aspects. Example: Small businesses have several advantages, such as job creation and flexibility.
- Disadvantages: Drawbacks or unfavorable aspects. Example: Large corporations may have disadvantages like higher prices and less personal service.
- Flexible: Able to adapt easily. Example: Small businesses are often more flexible and can respond quickly to market changes.
- Adaptable: Capable of adjusting to new conditions. Example: Small businesses tend to be more adaptable to changing customer preferences.
- Economies of scale: Cost advantages that enterprises obtain due to their scale of operation. Example: Large corporations benefit from economies of scale, allowing them to produce goods at lower costs.
- Innovation: The introduction of new ideas, methods, or products. Example: Large corporations invest heavily in innovation, leading to new technologies and products.
- Stimulate: Encourage or provoke something to happen or develop. Example: Small businesses can stimulate local economic growth by creating jobs and attracting customers.
- Accessible: Easily approached or reached. Example: Large corporations can make essential goods more accessible to a broader population.
- Resource: A stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization. Example: Large corporations have the resources to invest in research and development.
- Invest: To commit money or other resources to something in the hope of future benefits. Example: Large corporations invest in research and development to create new products.
- Essential: Absolutely necessary. Example: Large corporations can produce essential goods at lower prices.
- Personal touch: A characteristic or style that is unique to an individual or small group. Example: Small businesses often have a personal touch, providing better customer service.
- Clique: A small group of people who do not readily allow others to join them and who often have a strong sense of identity. Example: Some people argue that small businesses can create a sense of community that large corporations cannot match.
- Revolutionize: To change something very quickly and completely, often in a way that improves it. Example: Large tech companies have revolutionized communication and technology.
- Affordable: Reasonable in cost; not expensive. Example: Large corporations can make essential items more affordable for everyone.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Not Presenting a Clear Position: Some students fail to take a clear stance on the issue, making their essays less persuasive.
- Using Generic Examples: Students often use vague or generic examples instead of specific, relevant ones.
- Poor Vocabulary Choice: Using limited vocabulary can make the essay less impressive and may lead to repetition.
- Grammatical Errors: Frequent grammatical mistakes can detract from the overall quality of the essay.
- Lack of Coherence and Cohesion: Poor organization and transitions can make the essay difficult to follow.
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