رایتینگ problem and cause solution

The first essay is asking in the instructions words: What problems does this cause? The word ‘this’ refers to the issue of ‘professionals leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries’  So you have to write about: the problems that happen as a result of these professional people (doctors, teachers, etc) leaving their own developing countries. You then have to write about: possible solutions to this issue of these professional people wanting to leave their own countries.

In the second essay, the instruction words ask: What are the causes of this problem? The word ‘this’ again refers to the issue of ‘professionals leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries ‘ so it’s the same issue as in essay 1. However, you have to write about why this problem is happening in the first place. In the essay, you do not need to focus on what happens when these professionals leave their countries, instead, you will write about what is causing this issue to happen. The solutions paragraph will be the same as the first essay, addressing ways to solve the cause of the problem.

Of course, you can mention the result of people leaving their own countries and the problems it will cause but remember that this essay is asking you what are the causes of the problem.

This is the reason why I advise taking a couple of minutes to really be sure you understand what the task question is asking you to write about. The second essay task would be considered a ’causes solutions’ essay.

Other instruction words to indicate a causes solutions essay:

• What are the reasons for this happening?
• Why is this happening?
• What is the cause of this issue?

IELTS likes to paraphrase the instruction words in essay tasks, so you may see the above instruction words in this kind of essay, they are all asking about the causes.