In many countries, a few large organisations have a large range of products, and that causes small and local businesses to ultimately shut down. Some say that the government should strictly control what types of products and services large organisations could offer to people in order to save small and local businesses. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Sample Response
The dominance of major corporations with a wide array of products and services often leads to unfair competitive conditions that disadvantage smaller enterprisesunfair competition and disadvantages for smaller enterprises. Therefore, some people advocate for the government to exercise strict control over the types of products and services large organisations maycould offer. I agree because I believeI agree with this view as I believe that by implementing regulations to level the playing field, governments can foster a more diverse and competitive business landscape that benefits both consumers and small businesses.
Large organisationsorganizations with an extensive range of products often benefit from economies of scalehave the advantage of economies of scale, allowing them to lower production costs and offer goods at more competitive prices. As a result, small and local businesses struggle to compete, leading to decreased market share and declining revenues. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the retail industry, where multinational chains can undercut the prices charged by small shopsundercut prices of small shops, forcing them to shut down. Without appropriate regulations, these large organisations can monopolize the market, creating an unevenunbalanced business environment that stifles competition and innovation.
Moreover, allowing large organisations to dominate various sectors can also undermine the preservation ofcan also have adverse effects on the preservation of local culture and identity. Small and local businesses often have deep-rooted connections to their communities, offering unique products and services that reflect the region's traditions and heritage. When these businesses are forced to close due to intense competition from larger corporations, part of the community's identitya piece of the community's identity is lost, and local cultural distinctiveness diminishesthe charm of local culture diminishes. In Italy, for example, family-owned trattorias and local shops selling artisanal products have long been an integral part of the country's cultural fabric. The expansion of multinational food chains and big-box retailers, however, poses a threathas posed a threat to these traditional establishments, potentially eroding Italy's distinct culinary and cultural experiences.
In conclusion, by implementing regulations to promote fair competition and preserve local culture and identity, governments can create a thriving business environment that supports both major corporations and smaller enterprises, ultimately benefiting the economy and society as a whole.
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response offers a clear, well-developed case for government intervention, linking corporate market power to both unfair competition and the erosion of local culture through a specific example. Its main limitation is that it advocates regulation without explaining what strict product or service controls would look like; the priority is to specify a proportionate policy mechanism and show how it would protect small firms while preserving consumer choice.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
A clear position is supported by two well-developed reasons and a relevant example, though the proposed form of strict control remains unspecified.
Name a workable restriction, such as limits on below-cost pricing or local-market concentration, and explain its likely effects.
Coherence and Cohesion
The argument progresses smoothly through focused paragraphs, with cohesive devices and referencing used accurately and unobtrusively.
Link the conclusion more directly to the specific policy requested rather than restating the broader benefits of regulation.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is wide, precise, and flexible across economic and cultural dimensions, with only minor repetition of key topic terms.
Vary repeated references to local culture and organisations while retaining the essay’s precise economic terminology.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
A wide range of complex structures is used accurately and naturally, with only rare minor lapses.
Maintain this control while incorporating a more detailed conditional explanation of how a proposed policy would operate.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
In many countries, a few large organisations have a large range of products, and that causes small and local businesses to ultimately shut down. Some say that the government should strictly control what types of products and services large organisations could offer to people in order to save small and local businesses. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.