As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. To what extent do you agree or disagree? | REAL EXAM IELTS WRITING TASK 2 CBT |

As well as making money, businesses also have social responsibilities. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

---

💡 Ideas

✅ Agree (Social responsibility is important):

• Environmental protection – Businesses contribute to pollution and should reduce carbon footprints.

• Community development – Supporting local communities through donations, employment, and services.

• Ethical practices – Fair wages, safe working conditions, and no exploitation.

❌ Disagree (Profit should be priority):

• Economic survival – Small businesses may struggle financially and can't afford CSR activities.

• Responsibility of government – Public welfare should be managed by governments, not companies.

• Distraction from main goals – Focusing too much on social goals may reduce profitability.

---

📚 Vocabulary & Collocations

Phrase	Use/Explanation
Corporate social responsibility	A company's duty towards society
Ethical business practices	Morally right behavior in business
Profit maximization	Goal of earning the highest possible profit
Environmental sustainability	Business actions that don’t harm the planet
Stakeholder interest	Concerns of anyone affected by the company
Community engagement	Involving local people in business activities
Reinvest in society	Use profits to benefit the community

---

✅ Sample Answer 

It is often argued that companies should not only focus on generating profit, but also bear responsibility towards society. I strongly agree with this view, as businesses operate within communities and should contribute to environmental and social well-being alongside their financial goals.

Starting off with the reasons for my agreement, the primary one is that businesses have a direct impact on the environment and society. In other words, most industries contribute to pollution and resource depletion; therefore, it is their moral obligation to adopt sustainable practices such as reducing emissions and recycling waste. For instance, many multinational corporations have started using renewable energy sources to lower their carbon footprints. Besides this, companies can support local communities by providing jobs, funding educational programs, or offering healthcare services. These actions not only uplift the underprivileged but also build a positive brand image for the business.

On the other hand, it can be argued that the main objective of a business is to generate revenue. While this is true to an extent, focusing solely on profit may lead to unethical practices such as underpaying employees or ignoring safety standards. If businesses reinvest part of their earnings into society, they not only gain long-term trust from stakeholders but also build a sustainable customer base. For example, companies like TATA in India are widely respected for balancing profitability with philanthropy and community welfare. Therefore, integrating social responsibility into business operations creates a win-win situation.

To conclude, I firmly believe that while profit is essential for any business, fulfilling social responsibilities is equally important. Ethical and community-focused practices not only benefit society but also lead to long-term success and reputation for companies.