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Discussion (Discuss both views) Society Task 2

Somepe pie say that it is better to work for a large company than a small one. Do you agree or disagree?

A full IELTS Writing Task 2 answer to this question, with a paragraph plan, ideas you can use, and the vocabulary that fits this topic.

The question

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Somepe pie say that it is better to work for a large company than a small one. Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

How to read this question

You are given two opposing views and asked to discuss both before giving your own. The single most common Band 6 cause here is discussing both sides but never stating your own opinion, or stating it only in the conclusion.

Paragraph plan

Introduction — Paraphrase + mention both views + personal opinion

Body 1 — First viewpoint with explanations

Body 2 — Second viewpoint with explanations

Conclusion — Summarize both views and restate opinion

Model essay

Band 8.5–9.0 model essay

314 words

Some maintain that securing employment at a large corporation is inherently preferable to working for a small, independent enterprise. I largely disagree with this view, since smaller companies often provide broader professional exposure and faster advancement, although large corporations remain the better option for those who prioritise financial stability above all else.

To begin, employees at small companies typically acquire a considerably wider range of practical skills, since limited staffing compels individuals to assume multiple responsibilities beyond their formal job title. To clarify, in a large corporation, an employee's role is usually confined to a narrowly defined function within a rigid, multi-layered hierarchy, restricting exposure to other departments for years at a time. By contrast, in a small firm, a marketing employee might also assist with logistics, budgeting or customer service, thereby accumulating diverse, transferable competencies that broaden their future employability. Moreover, career progression tends to be considerably faster in smaller organisations, since fewer employees compete for each promotion, and management can more readily recognise individual contributions without them being obscured by layers of bureaucracy.

However, for individuals who prioritise financial security and long-term stability, large corporations remain the superior choice. This is attributable to the fact that established corporations typically offer more comprehensive benefits, including structured pension schemes, health insurance, paid leave and greater resilience during economic downturns. To illustrate, when recession strikes, small businesses are considerably more vulnerable to bankruptcy owing to limited financial reserves, whereas large corporations can often weather such periods without resorting to mass layoffs. For risk-averse employees, particularly those supporting families or repaying long-term mortgages and loans, this stability can outweigh the advantages of broader skill acquisition.

To conclude, I disagree that large companies are categorically superior workplaces, given the broader hands-on experience and faster promotion that smaller firms typically offer employees. Nevertheless, for those valuing financial stability above career diversity, large corporations remain the more prudent choice.

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Ideas & vocabulary for this topic

Ideas you can use

  • Introduction: Paraphrase the claim that large companies are better employers and take a mainly-disagree position, conceding an exception for stability-seeking employees.
  • Body 1: Argue that small companies give broader, transferable skills because staff wear multiple hats, and offer faster promotion since fewer people compete for each role, unlike rigid large-company hierarchies.
  • Body 2: Concede that large corporations are better for financial security, offering pensions, health insurance and resilience during recessions, when small businesses are more likely to fail.
  • Conclusion: Restate the disagreement that large firms are categorically better, while accepting they suit those who most value stability.
Word or phraseMeaningUsed in a sentence
hierarchya system that ranks people according to authoritya rigid, multi-layered hierarchy
transferableable to be usefully applied in a different job or settingtransferable competencies that broaden their future employability
resiliencethe ability to withstand or recover from difficultygreater resilience during economic downturns
downturna decline in economic activityeconomic downturns
reservesresources kept available for future uselimited financial reserves
layoffsthe dismissal of employees, often for economic reasonswithout resorting to mass layoffs
risk-averseunwilling or reluctant to take risksrisk-averse employees
prudentcareful and sensible, especially about moneythe more prudent choice

Created by a Band 8.5–9.0 IELTS Writing achiever — Premium. Sign up free to see the ideas and vocabulary for this topic and unlock every model on the site.

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