This problem-solution essay example is about the issue of professionals leaving their own developing countries to go and work abroad in more developed countries.
This is the question:
| An increasing number of professionals, such as doctors and teachers, are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries. What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest to deal with this situation? |
Brainstorming Relevant Ideas
For this IELTS problem solution essay example question, you need to brainstorm the kinds of problems that developing countries will face if they start to lose important workers, such as doctors and teachers.
Remember you need to make sure you relate your ideas specifically to the question and you mustn’t make them too general. Simply saying that there will not be enough workers left in the developing country is not enough as a developed country could face these same problems.
For instance, in the UK, there has been a loss of doctors who have moved to other countries for better work conditions. So you need to make sure you specifically relate your response to the issue of developing nations.
When you brainstorm solutions, you should again not make them too general. Try to think of some specific ideas in detail.
Problem Solution Essay Sample Question
| You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: An increasing number of professionals, such as doctors and teachers, are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries. What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest to deal with this situation? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge. Write at least 250 words. |
Model Answer:
The primary goal of many people is to provide for their families. However, for poorer nations, what that often means is that many experienced professionals end up seeking a better life in the more developed nations. Though this can cause problems, there are measures to mitigate the issues that arise.
The main problem of this exodus of workers is that the poorer countries often lose their top specialists and are left with novices. These professionals often have the skills and ideas to significantly boost the economy, which is important to improve the standard of living of its residents. The loss of these workers is why developed countries keep improving while the poorer countries remain stagnant. Aside from the brain drain, the other issue is the lack of needed personnel. With so many people exiting the country or leaving their jobs to fulfill the requirements to work abroad, there is often a void in the workplace. For example, in many developing countries, hospitals and schools are often understaffed, causing a decline in services.
Though such problems have been going on for quite some time, there are plausible solutions. The first is to offer what the migrating professionals are looking for proper compensation and benefits. Doing this will require a lot of coordination and possible tax breaks to make things work, but the results will be well worth it if the talented and experienced workers can stay. The second solution is to prevent workers from leaving until they have served the country for several years. Thus, should the experts go, at least the people left behind will not be fresh graduates anymore. Most governments spend much on their citizens’ safety and basic needs, and therefore, it is right that the workers first contribute to their economy before being allowed to leave.
In summary, while it is good that the global economy requires workers from all corners of the world, it is not ideal that poorer countries suffer because of it. The public and private sectors need to work together to mitigate this problem before it is too late.
(339 words)
Evaluation:
Task Achievement: Band 8
The essay effectively addresses the task by identifying the key issue (brain drain) and offering two viable solutions (better compensation and mandatory service). The argument is well-developed, and examples like the understaffing of hospitals and schools provide practical illustrations. However, the essay could improve by exploring the broader societal or economic impact of these solutions and including more specific examples or data to reinforce its points.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.5
The essay is well-structured, with a logical progression of ideas. Transition phrases like “the main problem,” “for example,” and “in summary” help maintain cohesion. The paragraphing is clear, with each paragraph focused on a specific point. To further enhance cohesion, the essay could elaborate on how each solution directly addresses the stated problems.
Lexical Resource: Band 8
The vocabulary is varied and appropriate, with terms like “exodus,” “novices,” “brain drain,” “proper compensation,” and “coordination.” The language is precise, but incorporating more advanced or nuanced vocabulary related to migration, such as “retention strategies,” “emigration policies,” or “economic disparity,” could elevate the lexical range.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.5
The grammar is accurate, and the essay demonstrates a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences (e.g., “Doing this will require a lot of coordination and possible tax breaks to make things work”). There are no major errors, but further use of advanced grammatical constructions, such as conditionals or parallel structures, could enhance the score.
Word Count: 329 words
The essay slightly exceeds the recommended word range for IELTS (250–300 words). While it maintains relevance and clarity, condensing some sections could improve conciseness without losing key ideas.
Overall Band: 8.5
This is a well-written essay with strong task achievement, cohesion, and language use. To achieve a Band 9, the writer could:
- Incorporate more specific examples or data to strengthen arguments.
- Use advanced vocabulary and grammatical constructions more frequently.
- Condense ideas slightly to stay within the ideal word range.
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