Social enterprises and their role in economic development have become increasingly prevalent topics in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on recent trends and the significance of this subject in today’s global economy, it’s highly likely that candidates will encounter questions related to this theme in future tests. Let’s explore a relevant essay question and analyze sample responses across different band scores.
Some people believe that social enterprises play a crucial role in economic development, while others think traditional businesses are more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question presents a balanced argument task, requiring candidates to discuss two contrasting viewpoints on the importance of social enterprises versus traditional businesses in economic development. The key aspects to address are:
- The role of social enterprises in economic development
- The importance of traditional businesses in economic development
- A comparison of both views
- Your personal opinion on the matter
Now, let’s examine sample essays for different band scores, starting with a high-scoring response.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In recent years, the debate surrounding the significance of social enterprises versus traditional businesses in driving economic growth has gained traction. While some argue that social enterprises are pivotal for sustainable development, others maintain that conventional businesses remain the backbone of economic progress. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Proponents of social enterprises emphasize their dual mission of addressing social issues while generating profits. These organizations often focus on areas neglected by traditional businesses, such as providing employment opportunities for marginalized communities or developing sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. By tackling these societal problems, social enterprises contribute to long-term economic stability and growth. Moreover, they often inspire innovation and create new markets, which can stimulate overall economic development.
On the other hand, advocates for traditional businesses argue that these entities are the primary engines of economic growth. They point to the significant contributions of large corporations and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in terms of job creation, tax revenue generation, and technological advancements. Traditional businesses also tend to have more established structures and greater access to capital, allowing them to scale their operations and impact more rapidly than many social enterprises.
In my opinion, both social enterprises and traditional businesses play crucial roles in economic development, and their importance should not be viewed as mutually exclusive. While traditional businesses undoubtedly form the foundation of most economies, social enterprises complement them by addressing critical social and environmental issues that may otherwise be overlooked. The ideal scenario would be a symbiotic relationship where traditional businesses incorporate more socially responsible practices, and social enterprises strive for greater economic efficiency and scalability.
In conclusion, the debate should not focus on which type of business is more important, but rather on how both can work together to create a more balanced and sustainable economic landscape. By leveraging the strengths of both models, societies can foster inclusive growth that addresses both economic and social needs.
[Word count: 309]
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates excellent qualities that justify a high band score:
- Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both views and clearly presenting a personal opinion.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The ideas are logically organized with clear progression throughout the essay. Paragraphing is well-managed, and cohesive devices are used effectively.
- Lexical Resource: A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately, including topic-specific terms like “marginalized communities” and “sustainable solutions.”
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay displays a wide range of complex structures used accurately, with only minor errors.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
There is a debate about whether social enterprises or traditional businesses are more important for economic development. Some people think social enterprises play a crucial role, while others believe traditional businesses are more significant. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.
Social enterprises are important because they try to solve social problems while making money. They often work in areas that normal businesses don’t, like helping poor people get jobs or finding ways to protect the environment. This can help the economy grow in a good way that lasts a long time. Also, social enterprises can come up with new ideas that create new markets and help the economy.
On the other hand, traditional businesses are seen as the main drivers of economic growth. They create many jobs, pay taxes, and develop new technologies. Big companies and small businesses both contribute to the economy in important ways. They also have more money and experience, which allows them to grow faster and have a bigger impact than many social enterprises.
In my opinion, both social enterprises and traditional businesses are important for economic development. Traditional businesses are necessary because they form the base of the economy. However, social enterprises are also crucial because they deal with important social and environmental issues that might be ignored otherwise. I think the best situation is when both types of businesses work together and learn from each other.
To conclude, instead of arguing about which type of business is more important, we should focus on how they can work together to create a better economy. By combining the strengths of both social enterprises and traditional businesses, we can have economic growth that helps everyone and solves social problems at the same time.
[Word count: 287]
Essay Analysis
This essay demonstrates qualities consistent with a Band 6-7 score:
- Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, presenting both views and offering a personal opinion. However, the ideas could be developed more fully.
- Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized, but the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical.
- Lexical Resource: There is a sufficient range of vocabulary, but more sophisticated lexical items could be used to express ideas more precisely.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, with some errors that do not impede communication.
The role of social entrepreneurship in economic development is a complex topic that requires careful consideration of various factors. Both sample essays demonstrate different approaches to addressing this issue, with the higher-scoring essay showing more nuanced analysis and sophisticated language use.
Key Vocabulary to Remember
-
Social enterprise (noun) – /ˈsəʊʃəl ˈentəpraɪz/ – A business that aims to solve social problems while also making a profit.
-
Economic development (noun phrase) – /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk dɪˈveləpmənt/ – The process by which a nation improves the economic, political, and social well-being of its people.
-
Marginalized communities (noun phrase) – /ˈmɑːdʒɪnəlaɪzd kəˈmjuːnɪtiz/ – Groups of people who are excluded from mainstream social, economic, educational, and/or cultural life.
-
Sustainable solutions (noun phrase) – /səˈsteɪnəbl səˈluːʃənz/ – Answers to problems that meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
-
Symbiotic relationship (noun phrase) – /ˌsɪmbɪˈɒtɪk rɪˈleɪʃnʃɪp/ – A close, long-term interaction between two different biological species or, metaphorically, between two entities.
-
Inclusive growth (noun phrase) – /ɪnˈkluːsɪv grəʊθ/ – Economic growth that creates opportunity for all segments of the population and distributes the dividends of increased prosperity fairly across society.
-
Scalability (noun) – /ˌskeɪləˈbɪləti/ – The ability of a business or system to grow and manage increased demand.
-
Socially responsible practices (noun phrase) – /ˈsəʊʃəli rɪˈspɒnsəbl ˈpræktɪsɪz/ – Business operations that are ethical and beneficial to society in addition to maximizing profit for shareholders.
These vocabulary items are crucial for discussing the importance of sustainability in business operations and the broader impact of social enterprises on economic development.
Conclusion
The topic of social enterprises and their role in economic development is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, candidates should practice writing essays on related themes, such as:
- The balance between profit-making and social responsibility in modern businesses
- Government support for social enterprises versus traditional businesses
- The impact of social entrepreneurship on job creation and economic growth
- The role of innovation in social enterprises and its effect on the economy
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of appropriate vocabulary, and support your arguments with relevant examples. By doing so, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any question related to this important topic.
We encourage you to practice writing an essay on the question provided in this article and share it in the comments section. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your writing skills and receive feedback from fellow IELTS candidates and instructors.
How to promote social entrepreneurship among young people is another important aspect to consider when discussing the broader impact of social enterprises on economic development. By encouraging youth involvement in social entrepreneurship, we can foster innovation and sustainable growth in our economies.