Globalization’s impact on small local businesses is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This topic has appeared in various forms over the years, reflecting its relevance in today’s interconnected world. Based on past trends, it’s likely to continue being a popular subject for future IELTS exams. Let’s explore this theme through sample essays and in-depth analysis to help you prepare effectively for your IELTS Writing Task 2.
Analyzing the Essay Question
For this article, we’ll focus on the following question that closely resembles past IELTS prompts:
Globalization has led to the decline of small, local businesses in many countries. Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
This question asks you to discuss the effects of globalization on small local businesses and evaluate whether these effects are beneficial or detrimental. It’s crucial to address both aspects of the question:
- The decline of small, local businesses due to globalization
- Your opinion on whether this is a positive or negative development
Let’s examine three sample essays of varying quality, representing different IELTS band scores.
Sample Essay 1: Band 8-9 Level
High-Band Essay Example
Globalization has undeniably transformed the business landscape worldwide, often at the expense of small, local enterprises. While this shift has brought about certain advantages, I believe the decline of small businesses is predominantly a negative development for several compelling reasons.
On one hand, the diminishing presence of small, local businesses can be seen as a natural consequence of economic progress. Larger, multinational corporations often offer consumers lower prices, wider product ranges, and more convenient shopping experiences. This can lead to improved living standards for many people, particularly in developing countries where access to affordable goods was previously limited. Moreover, these global companies may bring advanced technologies and management practices to local markets, potentially spurring innovation and economic growth.
However, the drawbacks of this trend far outweigh its benefits. Firstly, the loss of small businesses erodes the unique character and cultural identity of communities. Local shops, cafes, and artisans often embody the essence of a place, offering products and services that reflect regional traditions and tastes. Their disappearance homogenizes urban landscapes, making cities around the world increasingly indistinguishable from one another. Secondly, small businesses typically provide a vital source of employment and economic stability for local communities. Their decline can lead to increased unemployment and economic disparity, as wealth becomes concentrated in the hands of a few large corporations rather than being distributed among many small business owners.
Furthermore, the dominance of large multinational companies can stifle competition and innovation in the long run. While they may initially bring new ideas to a market, their overwhelming market power can eventually discourage new entrants and reduce the diversity of products and services available to consumers. This can lead to a less dynamic and resilient economy overall.
In conclusion, while the decline of small, local businesses due to globalization may offer some short-term benefits, I firmly believe it is a negative development overall. The loss of cultural diversity, local economic stability, and long-term innovation far outweighs any temporary advantages. To mitigate these negative effects, policymakers should consider implementing measures to support and protect small businesses, ensuring a more balanced and sustainable approach to economic development in an increasingly globalized world.
(Word count: 345)
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that would likely earn it a Band 8 or 9 score:
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Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a clear position and developing it thoroughly.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The ideas are logically organized with clear progression. Paragraphs are well-linked, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is sophisticated and precise, with a wide range of less common words and phrases used accurately (e.g., “erodes the unique character”, “homogenizes urban landscapes”, “stifle competition”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a wide range of complex structures with a high degree of accuracy. There’s a good mix of simple and complex sentences.
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Development of Ideas: Each main point is well-developed with relevant examples and explanations.
Key strengths of this essay include:
- Clear introduction with a stated position
- Balanced consideration of both sides before presenting a firm conclusion
- Sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structures
- Logical flow of ideas with effective use of topic sentences and linking words
- Strong conclusion that reinforces the main argument
Sample Essay 2: Band 6-7 Level
Mid-Band Essay Example
In recent years, globalization has caused many small local businesses to close down in various countries. This essay will discuss whether this is a positive or negative development.
On the positive side, the decline of small businesses can lead to some benefits. Big international companies often provide cheaper products and more choices for customers. For example, large supermarket chains can offer a wide range of goods at lower prices than small local shops. This can help people save money and improve their standard of living. Additionally, these big companies might bring new technologies and ways of doing business to local areas, which can help the economy grow.
However, there are also significant negative aspects to consider. Firstly, when small local businesses close, it can harm the community. These businesses often give a place its unique character and culture. For instance, traditional markets or family-owned restaurants make a town special and attract tourists. If they disappear, towns might lose their identity and become less interesting. Secondly, small businesses are important for providing jobs to local people. When they close, many people might become unemployed, which can cause social problems.
In my opinion, the negative effects of this trend outweigh the positive ones. While big companies can offer some advantages, the loss of small local businesses is harmful to communities and local economies. I think it’s important to find ways to support small businesses so they can compete with larger companies. This could include government policies to help small businesses or encouraging people to shop locally.
In conclusion, although the decline of small local businesses due to globalization has some positive aspects, I believe it is mostly a negative development. It’s crucial to maintain a balance between global and local businesses to preserve local cultures and ensure economic stability in communities.
(Word count: 298)
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates qualities that would likely earn it a Band 6 or 7 score:
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Task Response: The essay addresses the task and presents a clear position, but the ideas could be more fully developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the links between ideas could be stronger in some places.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with some attempts at less common words, but lacks the sophistication of the higher band essay.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: There’s a mix of simple and complex sentences with generally good control, but not the range and flexibility seen in higher band scores.
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Development of Ideas: Main points are supported with examples, but these could be more specific and detailed.
Key strengths of this essay include:
- Clear structure with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
- Consideration of both positive and negative aspects
- Use of examples to support main points
- Clear position stated in the conclusion
Areas for improvement:
- More sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structures
- More detailed examples and explanations
- Stronger cohesive devices to link ideas more effectively
- More nuanced discussion of the issue
Sample Essay 3: Band 5-6 Level
Lower-Band Essay Example
Globalization is making small local businesses close in many countries. This essay will talk about if this is good or bad.
There are some good things about this. Big companies can sell things cheaper. This helps people buy more stuff. Also, big companies have many different products. People can choose what they want. Sometimes big companies bring new ideas to places. This can be good for the economy.
But there are also bad things. When small shops close, it can be bad for the town. Small shops make a place special. If they all close, the town might look the same as other places. Also, many people work in small shops. If the shops close, these people might not have jobs. This is a big problem.
I think this is mostly bad. Even though big companies have some good points, losing small shops is worse. Small shops are important for towns. They make the place interesting and give people jobs. I think we need to help small shops stay open. Maybe the government can help them.
To finish, I believe that small local businesses closing because of globalization is not good. We should try to keep both big and small shops to make our towns better.
(Word count: 198)
Analysis of Band 5-6 Essay
This essay demonstrates qualities that would likely earn it a Band 5 or 6 score:
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Task Response: The essay addresses the task but in a limited way. The position is clear but not well-developed.
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Coherence and Cohesion: There’s a basic structure, but the organization is simple and sometimes unclear.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, with mostly common words used.
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Sentences are generally simple with limited use of complex structures.
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Development of Ideas: Ideas are present but not well-expanded or supported with specific examples.
Key strengths of this essay include:
- Attempts to address both positive and negative aspects
- Presents a clear opinion
- Has a basic structure with introduction, body, and conclusion
Areas for improvement:
- Expand ideas with more specific examples and explanations
- Use a wider range of vocabulary and more sophisticated sentence structures
- Improve coherence with better use of linking words and phrases
- Develop a more nuanced argument with deeper analysis
Key Vocabulary to Remember
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Globalization (noun) – /ˌɡləʊbəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ – The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.
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Multinational (adjective) – /mʌltɪˈnæʃənl/ – Operating in several countries; involving people of several nationalities.
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Erode (verb) – /ɪˈrəʊd/ – Gradually destroy or diminish.
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Homogenize (verb) – /həˈmɒdʒənaɪz/ – Make uniform or similar.
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Stifle (verb) – /ˈstaɪfl/ – Suppress or inhibit (an action or idea).
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Resilient (adjective) – /rɪˈzɪliənt/ – Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
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Mitigate (verb) – /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – Make less severe, serious, or painful.
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Disparity (noun) – /dɪˈspærəti/ – A great difference.
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Unique character (noun phrase) – /juːˈniːk ˈkærəktə/ – The distinctive qualities or features that make something special or individual.
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Economic stability (noun phrase) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk stəˈbɪləti/ – A state in which an economy experiences minimal fluctuations in output growth and maintains low inflation.
Conclusion
The impact of globalization on small local businesses is a complex and multifaceted issue that continues to be relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. By studying these sample essays and understanding the criteria for different band scores, you can improve your own writing skills and prepare more effectively for the IELTS exam.
Remember, practice is key to improving your writing skills. Try writing your own essay on this topic or similar ones, such as:
- The effects of online shopping on local retail businesses
- The role of government in protecting small businesses from global competition
- The importance of cultural diversity in business landscapes
Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section below. This active engagement will help you refine your skills and gain valuable feedback. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!