79. Large businesses have big budgets for marketing and promotion, and as a result, people gravitate towards buying their products.

What problems does this cause?

What are the possible solutions?

Sample Answer 1

Band 8.5

It is undeniable that large businesses have a significant advantage over small and medium enterprises in terms of marketing and promotion. Due to their huge budgets, they can afford to use various channels and strategies to attract customers and increase their sales. However, this phenomenon also poses some serious problems for the society and the economy. In this essay, I will discuss the negative impacts of this trend and suggest some possible solutions.

One of the main problems caused by the dominance of large businesses is the loss of diversity and innovation in the market. When people tend to buy products from the same big brands, they are less likely to explore other options and alternatives that might offer better quality, value or variety. This reduces the incentives and opportunities for small and medium enterprises to compete and innovate, and eventually leads to a monopoly or oligopoly situation where a few large businesses control the market and set the prices. This is detrimental to the consumers' interests and welfare, as well as the overall economic development and growth.

    Another problem associated with this trend is the negative impact on the environment and the society. Large     businesses often use aggressive and unethical marketing techniques to persuade and manipulate consumers,      such as false or misleading advertising, celebrity endorsements, product placement, etc. These methods can      create unrealistic and unhealthy expectations and desires among the customers, and influence their                    consumption patterns and behaviors. Moreover, large businesses tend to produce and sell products that are        mass-produced, standardized and disposable, which generate a lot of waste and pollution, and contribute to       the depletion of natural resources and the degradation of the environment.

To address these problems, some possible solutions can be implemented by the governments, the consumers and the businesses themselves. Firstly, the governments should regulate the market and the advertising industry more strictly, and impose taxes and fines on large businesses that engage in unfair or illegal practices, such as price-fixing, monopoly, false advertising, etc. Secondly, the consumers should be more aware and critical of the marketing and promotion strategies used by large businesses, and make informed and rational decisions based on their own needs and preferences, rather than following the trends and fashions. Thirdly, the businesses should adopt more ethical and sustainable approaches to marketing and production, and focus on creating products that are innovative, diverse and durable, rather than homogeneous, disposable and wasteful.

In conclusion, the dominance of large businesses in the market and the media has caused some serious problems for the society and the economy, such as the loss of diversity and innovation, and the negative impact on the environment and the consumers. Therefore, it is essential to take some measures to balance the market and protect the interests and welfare of all the stakeholders involved.

Difficult Words/Phrases with Example Sentences:

Undeniable (adjective) - Impossible to deny or doubt.

Example: The vast marketing budgets of large businesses are an undeniable advantage over smaller competitors.

Dominance (noun) - The state of having power or control over someone or something.

Example: The dominance of tech giants in the online market can threaten consumer privacy.

Phenomenon (noun) - An observable fact or event.

Example: The trend of "fast fashion" highlights the environmental problems associated with mass production.

Incentives (noun) - Something that encourages someone to do something.

Example: Small businesses need government incentives to compete in markets dominated by large corporations.

Oligopoly (noun) - A market situation where only a few sellers control a large share of the market.

Example: The airline industry in many countries is an example of an oligopoly.

Word: Detrimental (adjective) - Causing harm or damage.

Example: Aggressive marketing tactics can be detrimental to both consumers and ethical businesses.

Manipulation (noun) - The act of controlling someone or something in a clever or dishonest way.

Example: Social media platforms have been criticized for manipulating user behavior through targeted advertising.

Word: Homogeneous (adjective) - All the same or very similar.

Example: Consumers increasingly desire unique and personalized products, rather than the homogenous goods offered by some large corporations.

Word: Stakeholders (noun) - People or groups who have an interest in something.

Example: Governments, businesses, and consumers are all stakeholders in a healthy and balanced market.

79. Large businesses have big budgets for marketing and promotion, and as a result, people gravitate towards buying their products.

What problems does this cause?

What are the possible solutions?

Sample Answer 2

Band 8.5

Large businesses have the ability to spend a lot of money on marketing and promotion, which gives them a competitive edge over smaller and medium-sized enterprises. As a result, many people are drawn to buying their products, regardless of their quality, price or necessity. This trend, however, has some negative consequences for the market and the society. In this essay, I will analyse the problems caused by this phenomenon and propose some potential solutions.

One of the problems that arises from the influence of large businesses is the lack of consumer choice and satisfaction. When people are exposed to the same advertisements and messages from the same big brands, they tend to develop a preference and loyalty for those products, even if they are not the best or the most suitable for their needs. This limits their options and alternatives, and makes them less likely to try new and different products that might offer more benefits or advantages. This also affects the quality and diversity of the products in the market, as large businesses have less incentive and pressure to improve and innovate, and can rely on their reputation and popularity to maintain their sales. This is harmful to the consumers' rights and interests, as well as the overall market efficiency and competitiveness.

Another problem that stems from this trend is the social and environmental impact of the consumption patterns and behaviors influenced by large businesses. Large businesses often use persuasive and deceptive marketing techniques to create a demand and a desire for their products, such as emotional appeals, social proof, scarcity, etc. These methods can affect the consumers' attitudes and values, and make them more materialistic, impulsive and wasteful. Furthermore, large businesses tend to produce and sell products that are cheap, standardized and short-lived, which create a lot of environmental problems, such as waste generation, resource consumption, pollution, etc.

To solve these problems, some possible solutions can be suggested for the governments, the consumers and the businesses themselves. Firstly, the governments should enforce more regulations and restrictions on the market and the advertising industry, and penalize large businesses that violate the rules or the laws, such as monopoly, fraud, false advertising, etc. Secondly, the consumers should be more educated and informed about the marketing and promotion strategies used by large businesses, and make wise and responsible decisions based on their own needs and values, rather than following the crowd and the hype. Thirdly, the businesses should adopt more responsible and ethical practices in marketing and production, and focus on creating products that are useful, diverse and long-lasting, rather than unnecessary, homogeneous and ephemeral

In conclusion, the power and influence of large businesses in the market and the media have caused some serious problems for the market and the society, such as the lack of consumer choice and satisfaction, and the social and environmental impact of the consumption patterns and behaviors. Therefore, it is important to take some actions to regulate the market and promote the interests and welfare of all the parties involved.

Difficult Words/Phrases with Example Sentences:

Word: Competitive edge: A significant advantage over competitors.

Example: Large businesses' vast marketing budgets grant them a clear competitive edge over smaller enterprises.

Word: Saturation: The state of being completely filled or occupied.

Example: Constant exposure to similar advertisements can lead to market saturation, reducing consumer excitement for new products.

Word: Deceptive: Intentionally misleading or untrue.

Example: Deceptive marketing practices, like hidden fees or exaggerated claims, undermine consumer trust and choice.

Word: Materialistic: Placing great importance on material possessions and wealth.

Example: Large businesses can contribute to a materialistic culture, influencing consumer desires beyond real needs.

Word: Ephemeral: Lasting for a very short time.

Example: Focus on ephemeral trends can lead to rapid product obsolescence and waste generation.