Which of the following is a common aim of a business?

• A. Profit
• B. Tax evasion
• C. Publicly listing all assets
• D. Employee theft

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is why businesses exist and what they strive to achieve. The common aim is profit, because it represents the surplus left after all costs are paid. Profit gives a business the funds to pay wages and other expenses, reward owners, reinvest in the company to grow, and survive tough times. It also signals to investors and lenders that the business is viable and worth supporting.

Other options don’t fit as aims. Tax evasion is illegal and unethical, so it’s not something a legitimate business aims to do. Publicly listing all assets is not an objective a business pursues; it’s information that might be disclosed for transparency or regulatory reasons, not a primary aim. Employee theft harms the business and is illegal, so it cannot be a goal.

So profit is the best answer because it directly supports the longevity and growth of the business.