Why are people everywhere beginning to want the same products and services? Why are regional differences rapidly disappearing? The arguer asserts that it is the rise of multinational¹ corporations that is leading to this global homogeneity. We don’t have to look very far to see the validity of this argument.

  During the past few decades, multinational corporations have successfully implemented³ strategies expanding themselves into almost every corner of the world, bringing the same products and standard services to customers of different countries and regions. The most striking example among all is perhaps McDonald Inc, which has miraculously⁴ globalized its mass-produced American-flavored hamburger all over the world. Take China for an example. Some 6 years ago, Chinese people did not care for foreign food; very few people knew the taste of cheese--a symbol of difference between Oriental and Western food. However, with its overwhelming advertising⁵ campaigns, with its efficient management, with its standardized⁶ foods and services, McDonald’s has proved to be a great success, turning Hamburger, French fries, Big Mac into household words in China.

    In addition to McDonald’s, Coca-Cola is another striking example of the globalizing trend in world culture. Today almost in every country of the world, people instinctively⁷ think of Coca-Cola when they want to drink something. Obviously, with the rapid emergence⁸ of numerous multinational corporations like McDonald and Coca-Cola, people of different races and cultures are more and more likely to eat, drink, wear and use uniform commodities.

    Admittedly, the rise of multinational corporations is not the only factor that has contributed to the global homogeneity. First, the more and more prosperous international travel  has provided people of every nation with more and more opportunities to visit and learn from foreign cultures. Second, television has made it possible for people of different places to understand and imitate each other’s way of life. Last but not least, the Internet is connecting every office and family, turning the whole world into a global village.

    In conclusion, while numerous other factors have contributed to and are still adding to the globalizing trend, the rise of multinational corporations is certainly one major force in shaping a homogeneous world.

Case Study 4：

    "Every business decision is based on the profit motive⁹. Even charity has as its ultimate goal generating good will for the person or group doing the charity."

    Assuming that the term "business decision" is broad enough to include the decisions of any decision-making authority--an individual, a family, a small business or a large corporation--explain whether you think that this point is valid². In your discussion, use reasons and/or examples drawn¹⁰ from your own experience, observation, or reading.

 Student’s Essay

   Many people believe that profit motive is the base of every business decision. Even ultimate goal of people or groups is to make profit when they are doing charity. I think that sometimes people make decision based on profit , but it is not always true.

   The claims may be real and understandable under certain circumstances. In order to remain in existence, people or organizations must get profit. For example, a food-processing company may donor¹¹ its products to Africa children, so it can solve its excessive store, get a good reputation and publicity¹² its products. At last, it can gain ultimate its aim--making more money.

Although this thing may be happening in our lives, I think it is not consistent with general facts. I believe many people's decision rests on love sympathy, humanity and other things. The famous nurse--Nightingale is a good example: She was born in a rich family and she could live in a cozy¹³, fortunate life. But she chose to be a nurse and devoted¹⁴ her life to the wound and the poor. Nobody can say what all she did is to make profit.    

    In conclusion, I hold that business decision sometimes is based on the profit motive, but in most cases, it is based on people's emotion or character.

 Revised Essay

    Many people believe that profit motive is the basis of every business decision. Furthermore, they claim that the ultimate goal of every people or group including charity organizations is to make profit. In my opinion, it is true that people often make decisions by calculating profit, but it is unfounded to assert that any decision-making is motivated by profit.

    The arguer's claim may be true and understandable under certain circumstances. For one thing, in order to survive in the economic world, people or organizations have to make profit. As we know, the first thing that people must do on earth is to survive. Without adequate profit out of investment, no single human being or organization can make a living. For another, individuals or organizations are instinctively dissatisfied with what they have already achieved. They strive for further development, for greater success  and  hence for  higher   profit. For example, a food-processing company may donate its products to African children so that it can not only reduce its overstocking products, but also win a good reputation and publicize its products. As it turns out, the ultimate result is always expectedly rewarding--big bucks¹⁵.

   Although people all over the world spare no pains to seek fortune through various means, it is unwise for us to conclude that any decision-making is necessarily profit-oriented. First, some examples of altruism¹⁶ are difficult to explain in terms of self-interest alone. The famous nurse Nightingale is a good example. Born in a rich family, she could naturally live a cozy, fortunate life. But she chose to be a nurse and devoted all her life to the wounded and the poor. Nobody can say for sure that all she did is to make profit. Second, this argument is not consistent with the fact that human motivation is far too complex. Many of our daily decisions rest on love, sympathy, humanity and other things. Finally, it is ridiculous to lump together "profit" and "good will". Obviously, these two terms are not interchangeable.  

   In conclusion, the arguer oversimplifies human nature. Although business decisions and many of our daily decisions are based on the profit motive, it would  be  too  cynical¹⁷ to assume that profit is the only thing that motivates people in the world. I wonder if the speaker has any hidden profit motive in making this argument, which is certainly not a profitable idea.