Onterra TutorWould you rather work for a large company or a small one?
Duolingo English Test writing question in the official format, with a full model answer and notes on why it scores. Write your own version below it and get an instant rater-style score.
The question
Some people think it is better to work for a large company, while others prefer a small one. Which would you choose, and why? Support your answer with reasons and examples.
Model answer
I would choose a small company, because of what I call the distance to consequence. In a large firm, my work would travel through several layers before touching a customer, and both my mistakes and my ideas would arrive diluted. In a small company the distance is one desk: if I improve something, revenue moves this month, and if I break something, I hear about it by lunchtime. That pressure is exactly what makes people grow quickly. I accept the trade-offs, since big companies offer better salaries, training budgets and stability. But early in a career, I believe you should optimise for learning speed rather than comfort, and nothing teaches faster than being close enough to see your own impact.
Why this answer scores
- Invents a clear organising idea ('distance to consequence') and uses it consistently.
- Acknowledges the trade-offs honestly, which reads as mature reasoning.
- Direct answer, two supporting reasons, one concession: efficient structure for a five-minute task.
Do not memorise model answers; raters recognise recycled essays instantly. Study the moves, then make them with your own ideas, and check where you stand with a scored practice.
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