migration essay ielts

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IELTS band 9 essay: immigration

Here you can find advice how to structure IELTS essay and IELTS model answer for immigration topic. Question type: reasons and consequences .

Here is the question card:

Immigration has a major impact on the society.

What are the main reasons of immigration?

To what consequences can it lead?

To write a band 9 essay you should first of all choose your arguments to answer the questions from the topic. You don't have to find some complicated ideas. Remember: you won't be judged upon the quality of your thoughts, you will be judged upon the quality of your writing. So even simple, but well-written arguments can often give you a band 9 writing .

• Reasons why people immigrate
• Results of immigration

Some of the possible arguments :

• Reasons of immigration :
• People want to live in a safe country
• People search better jobs with higher salaries
• People escape from wars/disasters
• Results of immigration :
• People’s expectations come true / don’t come true
• Immigrants face other difficulties
• Countries of destination have to give money to support refugees
• Overpopulation

How to structure my answer?

Of course, there are a lot of ways to organise this essay. But here is one possible way of structuring the answer to produce a band 9 essay :

Introduction : simply rephrase the topic and say what this essay is about. When your essay question asks you about reasons/consequences or causes/solutions, you shouldn’t try to describe all that in your introduction. Instead, state that you’ll describe them later in your essay.

Body paragraphs :

• paragraph 1: main reasons of immigration
• paragraph 2: main consequences of immigration

Conclusion : sum up the ideas from body paragraphs and briefly give your opinion.

Band 9 essay sample (immigration)

Immigration has a significant impact on the contemporary society. Each year, more and more people from all over the world decide to leave their home countries and move to another place. This essay will examine the reasons and the consequences of immigration.

In my view, the main reason of immigration is a strong desire of better life quality and safe future. A lot of people from so-called Third World move to developed countries in search of better employment opportunities, and therefore, higher incomes. Moreover, living in a wealthy country implies living in a country with stable economy, so risks of losing their savings also lessen. For example, labour migration from Mexico to the USA is caused by these facts. Other reasons that force whole families to cross borders are wars and various cultural conflicts in their homeland. Many people migrate, seeking security and safe future for their children. For instance, most of the refugees who arrived in the European Union were escaping from wars.

However, sometimes immigration causes more problems than it solves, resulting in negative consequences for both immigrants and their countries of destination. First of all, most of the refugees can’t find jobs because of the lack of language skills and difficulties in adaptation. That’s why the countries have to run various refugee assistance programs to help those people. But disproportionate burden of maintaining the immigrants leads to tension in the society. Secondly, not all of the refugees receive proper asylum, food and medical care. So they are at risk even after crossing the border. Finally, even highly qualified specialists, who seek better employment, often don’t get what they are looking for.

In conclusion, I think that people immigrate to have better life prospects. However, life after immigration may not always meet people’s expectations. So it’s very important to consider all the possible outcomes and decide whether leaving your homeland is worth it.

(315 words)

Useful vocabulary

better employment opportunities – opportunity to find a better job

burden of maintaining immigrants – difficulties in helping immigrants faced by the governments

country with stable economy – rich and safe country

to cross the border – immigrate

labour migration – when people migrate to find better jobs

refugee – person who is forced to leave his birth place because of war

refugee assistance programs – when the government gives to the refugees asylum and food

to seek better employment – look for better job

Third World – developing countries

to meet expectations – if something doesn’t meet your expectations, it’s not as good as you have thought

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Essay 90 – So many people are migrating to other countries

Gt writing task 2 / essay sample # 90.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

So many people are migrating to other countries each year in recent years. Immigration has a major impact on society.

What are the main reasons for immigration? What consequences can it lead?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer:

These days, millions of people across the world are moving to other countries for a better quality of life and to avoid war and conflicts. Immigration exerts tremendous impacts on society- both for the host and origin countries.

Several factors contribute to the recent wave of migration. The most prominent reason is the dream to build a good career and to have a more satisfying lifestyle. For example, each year millions of people from developing nations move to developed countries only to have a better job and to get a better living standard for themselves and their family. Economic challenges also contribute to this phenomenon. While skilled and educated people migrate to have a more gratifying lifestyle, poor and unskilled take it as an opportunity to make a living in a rich country.

War and conflicts also compel millions to move to other countries. War destroys houses, hospitals, schools, utilities, and water and sanitation systems and hundreds of thousands of people are killed by brutal conflicts. In consequence, people flee from war-torn countries. A case in point is the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar. A substantial number of Muslim families have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh in the wake of conflicts and ethnic cleansing.

Migration has both positive and negative impacts on society. For the origin country, it causes a brain drain which is a tremendously negative impact. It also causes gender imbalance as it is typically men who migrate to foreign countries. However, it reduces pressure on resources and jobs while boosts the economy with the remittance sent by migrants. For the host nation, migrants develop a richer and more diverse culture. It also positively affects the economy as migrants tend to take low skilled, low paid jobs. Despite the positive impacts, migration is the cause of unemployment for many natives and it threatens the cultural identity of a nation.

In fine, the expectation of a better life and war have brought the recent influx of migrants. This causes positive and negative impacts on the societies of both the home country and host country.

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Immigration has a Major Impact on Society IELTS Essay

Many people are migrating to other countries each year in recent years. Immigration has a major impact on society.

What are the main reasons for immigration? What consequences can it lead?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.

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These days, millions of people across the world are moving to other countries for a better quality of life and to avoid war and conflicts. Immigration exerts tremendous impacts on society- both for the host and origin countries.

Several factors contribute to the recent wave of migration. The most prominent reason is the dream to build a good career and to have a more satisfying lifestyle. For example, each year millions of people from developing nations move to developed countries only to have a better job and to get a better living standard for themselves and their family. Economic challenges also contribute to this phenomenon. While skilled and educated people migrate to have a more gratifying lifestyle, poor and unskilled take it as an opportunity to make a living in a rich country.

War and conflicts also compel millions to move to other countries. War destroys houses, hospitals, schools, utilities, and water and sanitation systems and hundreds of thousands of people are killed by brutal conflicts. In consequence, people flee from war-torn countries. A case in point is the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar. A substantial number of Muslim families have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh in the wake of conflicts and ethnic cleansing.

Migration has both positive and negative impacts on society. For the origin country, it causes a brain drain which is a tremendously negative impact. It also causes gender imbalance as it is typically men who migrate to foreign countries. However, it reduces pressure on resources and jobs while boosts the economy with the remittance sent by migrants. For the host nation, migrants develop a richer and more diverse culture. It also positively affects the economy as migrants tend to take low skilled, low paid jobs. Despite the positive impacts, migration is the cause of unemployment for many natives and it threatens the cultural identity of a nation.

In fine, the expectation of a better life and war have brought the recent influx of migrants. This causes positive and negative impacts on the societies of both the home country and host country. ielts  xpre ss

IELTS Essay on Immigration and Consequences

The number of people moving overseas has been surging since the last few decades and this development has various repercussions for the motherland. This essay will discuss the root causes of this problem and its adverse effects.

On the one hand, in most of the developing countries, there is an immense issue of unemployment, and these countries are facing the disquieting problem of the brain drain. The highly qualified young generation, in particular, opt to fly abroad, so that they can enhance their career prospects and get top-notch paychecks. Besides, the developed nations do offer an extremely sophisticated lifestyle that lures the folks to migrate. ieltsxpress.com

On the flip side, this trend has numerous after-effects on the society. Firstly, there will be a lack of skilled workers in the mother-land. If the doctors, nurses or other in-demand professionals, for instance, leave their countries, it will eventually create a shortage of skilled professionals. The resident citizens will get treated by the quacks in such a scenario. Unfortunately, this will hurt the development of the society. Also, when young people move out leaving old people behind, governments will have fewer taxpayers and more dependents, who will need pensions. ielts xpre s s

In conclusion, talented people are migrating in search of better jobs and lifestyles that are not exactly available in their country. Unfortunately, this migration hurts the development of their mother country by causing a shortage of skilled people to run the industries and other sectors. At the same time, developed nations who receive immigrants benefit from their expertise.

In the current scenario, there has been a trend where people are migrating to various countries. The increasing migration is due to multifarious causes that can have diverse effects on both the individual and the country. This essay will discuss the major causes and effects of migration. ielt s xpre s s .com

Primarily, people from underdeveloped countries prefer to move to the developed nations for better education for their children and a higher standard of living for the whole family since living in a wealthy country implies living in a country with a stable economy. To give a clear example, a handful of people from countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are seen migrating to the United States and Australia to seek better opportunities, earn more, and live a luxurious life. Furthermore, political or economic instability could also be a reason for migration.

However, there is a downside to immigration. Overcrowding is a major drawback that leads to several other problems like lack of employment opportunities for the native residents and scarcity of resources. Additionally, migration of people to other countries leads to lesser knowledgeable professionals in the home country thereby affecting the literacy rate of the country. This in turn causes the overall growth of the nation to depreciate.

To conclude, migration has a wide impact on society which is irrecoverable. While immigration may provide global connectivity and exposure, it does have harmful effects on society making it economically weak and difficult in terms of the country’s growth aspect.

Immigration and Consequences IELTS Writing Task 2

Immigration has a significant impact on the contemporary society. Each year, more and more people from all over the world decide to leave their home countries and move to another place. This essay will examine the reasons and the consequences of immigration.

In my view, the main reason of immigration is a strong desire of better life quality and safe future. A lot of people from so-called Third World move to developed countries in search of better employment opportunities, and therefore, higher incomes. Moreover, living in a wealthy country implies living in a country with stable economy, so risks of losing their savings also lessen. For example, labour migration from Mexico to the USA is caused by these facts. Other reasons that force whole families to cross borders are wars and various cultural conflicts in their homeland. Many people migrate, seeking security and safe future for their children. For instance, most of the refugees who arrived in the European Union were escaping from wars.

However, sometimes immigration causes more problems than it solves, resulting in negative consequences for both immigrants and their countries of destination. First of all, most of the refugees can’t find jobs because of the lack of language skills and difficulties in adaptation. That’s why the countries have to run various refugee assistance programs to help those people. But disproportionate burden of maintaining the immigrants leads to tension in the society. Secondly, not all of the refugees receive proper asylum, food and medical care. So they are at risk even after crossing the border. Finally, even highly qualified specialists, who seek better employment, often don’t get what they are looking for.

In conclusion, I think that people immigrate to have better life prospects. However, life after immigration may not always meet people’s expectations. So it’s very important to consider all the possible outcomes and decide whether leaving your homeland is worth it.

Also Check: Many Students Today are Choosing to live in Another Country

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Immigration Topic [IELTS Writing Task 2]

Posted by David S. Wills | Aug 6, 2018 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 0

Today we’re going to look at a typical IELTS writing task 2 question about immigration. I will show you how to analyze the question , generate ideas and examples, structure your essay, and then finally write it. This question type is “discuss both views” but remember that the topic of immigration could be addressed in various ways for IELTS writing task 2.

Analyze the Question

Here is the question we will answer today:

Some people claim that immigrants should adopt the local culture when immigrating to a new country. While others think that they can establish a minority community instead. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Let’s look first at some of the key words that can help us to understand what we should do:

• immigrants – people who have moved to a new country
• immigrating – the process of moving to a new country
• adopt – to begin to use something
• minority – meaning less than half; a small proportion of something

So what is this question about?

It is about whether or not immigrants should adopt the local culture or establish a minority community.

What do you need to do?

You need to (1) discuss both views and (2) give your opinion.

Choosing the Right Language

By now you have read the question and should be familiar with its meaning. You should have already noted down useful vocabulary from the question that you may want to use in your essay.

Remember: Don’t copy from the question. You can use some words or a short phrase, but don’t repeat the question in your essay.

Changing Word Form

• immigrant/immigrating -> immigration
• culture -> cultural
• adopt -> adoption

Think of Synonyms

It is also very important to have some synonyms handy to avoid repetition. It also makes your writing look much better to have a few carefully chosen synonyms for key words in the question.

• immigrants -> new arrivals/ newcomers
• local -> native/ regional
• establish -> create/ set up

A word I think is really, really useful for the topic of immigration and culture is “assimilate” or “assimilation”. This means the same as “adopt the local culture”.

And Don’t Forget Antonyms

Everyone knows that you need to be good with synonyms to do well in IELTS, but it also helps to know a few antonyms, too. (Antonym means the opposite of synonym.)

• minority -> majority
• adopt -> reject
• immigrating -> emigrating

By the way, it’s really useful to have a good dictionary or thesaurus for this sort of thing.

Generating Useful Ideas and Examples

When writing an IELTS writing task 2 essay, you need to be able to explore complex topics in an intelligent manner. As such, you need to be able to generate useful ideas and examples to use in your essay. It shows logical thought and will impress the examiner.

The first step is to fully understand the question. You cannot begin planning an answer until you fully comprehend the task. Go back to step one if you are unsure.

Next, you need to brainstorm . Brainstorming means thinking of lots of ideas. You can quickly think about or note down any ideas related to the question.

Here are my notes on the above question:

For – good for local culture (multiculturalism)

– makes life easier

– more job opportunities

– people will trust you more

– learn more about new country

Against – safer

– preserve traditions and language

– scary to mix

– fear of other people

– fosters strong sense of identity

If we look at the above list, we can clearly see some good ideas, and some bad ones. There are also some that would be easy to write about and some that would not be easy to write about.

When choosing ideas for your essay, ask yourself whether you (1) know enough about the subject and (2) have the language to describe it.

Pick just your very best ideas and then think of how to explain them. Can you cite examples, or give details? You must be able to elaborate in order to write a fully-developed paragraph.

Remember: It is better to describe one thing in detail than four things briefly. This is because it shows your ability to construct arguments and usual transitional phrases.

Here are some of my ideas from above, with the worst ones removed:

Developing Your Ideas

From the remaining two ideas in favour of adopting the local culture, I would probably choose to write about job opportunities .

But what could I say about job opportunities? What are some ideas relevant to immigration and culture?

• I could explain that assimilation to the local culture would increase job opportunities.
• This would then result in better quality of living for the immigrant.
• It would also be beneficial to society and the economy.
• I could then give a real or hypothetical example.

Learning to structure an IELTS writing task 2 essay is really easy. It have lots of articles on this topic here:

• IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Structures
• Selecting Ideas and Structuring an Essay [IELTS Writing Task 2]
• Structuring an IELTS Task 2 Essay
• How to Structure a Paragraph
• IELTS Writing: Should I Write 4 or 5 Paragraphs?

You should be able to master the basics of essay structure in under a day. Just follow these instructions:

• Analyze the question
• Choose 4 or 5 paragraph structure 
• Generate several good ideas
• Decide on the order of your ideas
• Make notes on the content of each paragraph
• Write the essay

In the above sections, I have outlined steps 1-3, and now I will show you my notes, which make up steps 3-4.

Introduction – paraphrase question essay outline Para #1 – in favour of assimilation main argument: job opportunity explain Para #2 – in favour of minority community main argument: preserve traditions and language explain Conclusion – state my position and review para 1-2

Here’s a useful video about structuring IELTS essays

Sample Answer

Here is my sample answer to the above question about immigration.

As the world population grows and people become increasingly mobile, people are divided over the extent to which immigrants should attempt to assimilate into the local culture. This essay will look at the main argument from each side of the debate, and then suggest that a compromise is needed, wherein immigrants both assimilate and form a strong community. The people who argue in favour of immigrants assimilating into the local culture often point out that it increases the number of job opportunities available to the newcomers. Immigrants often find it difficult to find a job when they move to a new country, but by becoming part of the wider community, they open themselves to more possibilities. The immigrant will be able to improve his quality of life, as well as to contribute to the economy, so there are clear benefits from both the perspective of the immigrant and the local society. On the other hand, the people who think immigrants should form minority communities point to the preservation of cultural traditions and language. They believe that adopting the local culture would cause a loss of the immigrants’ original language and culture. Indeed, this is something that has happened all around the world, and it is not hard to find a Little Italy or Chinatown far from Italy or China. Therefore, it makes sense that immigrants form tight-knit communities in their new countries. In conclusion, it is clear that a balance needs to be sought between these two approaches to immigration, and so neither is entirely correct. Without assimilating into the local culture, immigrants may find it difficult to get ahead in life, but if they become completely immersed in the new culture, they might forget their roots and their language may disappear.

A Final Note

If you have followed my instructions above, you should have a pretty good essay!

Remember to leave a few minutes for editing at the end. Here’s a good checklist:

• Have I spelled all the words correctly?
• Is my grammar correct?
• Did I stray off-topic in any paragraph?
• Is my position clear from beginning to end?
• Did I completely answer the question?

If you are struggling with #2, you can pick up a FREE copy of my grammar textbook :

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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IELTS Writing Task2 Essays

Migration and Immigration

Achieve excellence in Migration and Immigration essays for IELTS with IELTS24. Expert questions and model essays guide your test preparation journey.

IELTS24 caters to IELTS Writing Task 2 aspirants with a section dedicated to the nuanced themes of Migration and Immigration. Our questions explore the complexities of population movement, integration, and the socio-economic effects on host and origin countries. With model essays that provide exemplary responses, students can learn to craft essays with clarity and insight. Comprehensive feedback aims to refine students' skills, equipping them with the ability to write essays that engage critically with migration topics, a crucial edge for attaining top IELTS scores.

50 Latest Immigration IELTS Topics

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer: Migration of professionals (Band 8)

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IELTS Writing Task 2 essay with model answer

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 knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer :

In recent times, brain drain has become a global issue, especially in many developing countries around the world. In this essay, I will shed some light on the factors contributing to this problem and will also suggest some solutions for the same.

It is evident that professionals are migrating from their own developing country to reside or work in a developed one; thereby, leading to two obvious outcomes: a decrease in professionals in the developing countries and a negative impact on these countries’ economy. The migration of experts from the poor country results in a brain drain. For instance, recent immigration report has claimed that plethora of doctors from India are applying for citizenship in USA and Canada; thus, India is facing a huge deficiency of expert doctors. Moreover, migration slows the growth rate of the developing country also. For example, if teachers leave their own country; schools may not be able to produce sharp students, which will ultimately affect the future growth of a country’s economy.

There are a plethora of solutions to overcome the migration problem. Firstly, in order to stop the brain drain, the government should make the salary of professionals equivalent to what is being paid in developed countries. In fact, a recent study has concluded that hiking salary has helped in stopping professionals from moving to other countries. Another possible solution is to provide better jobs and infrastructure to citizens. To exemplify, nowadays, schools in India are adopting latest technology similar to other developed countries; consequently, it has created more jobs and teachers find teaching more interesting and fun.

In conclusion, even though migration is a growing problem which leads to a decrease in the number of professionals and affect the economy’s growth, various means and methods such as providing high salary and suitable infrastructure are available which can prevent this from worsening.

Total Words: 298

Task Achievement: 9

Coherence & cohesion: 8, lexical resources: 8, overall score: band 8.

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Give me tips about writing task 2and 1

Dear Rupinder, Have you checked out the tutorials on my website. If not here are the links for IELTS tips on all modules. Free tutorials on all 4 modules – https://ieltsonlinepractice.com/courses/twenty20-online-ielts-course/ Band 9 Essay Tips – https://ieltsonlinepractice.com/7-ielts-essay-samples-of-band-9-students/ IELTS Model Answers – https://ieltsonlinepractice.com/ielts-writing-speaking-samples-band-7-8-9-students/ Recent IELTS exam questions – https://ieltsonlinepractice.com/recent-ielts-exam-questions-topics/ IELTS Exam Day Cheat Sheet – https://ieltsonlinepractice.com/ielts-exam-day-cheat-sheet/ IELTS Band Score Calculator – https://ieltsonlinepractice.com/calculate-your-ielts-band-score/ 

Hope this helps, Cheers, Atul.

An increasing number of professionals such as doctors and teachers are leaving their poor countries to work in developed countries What problems does this cause?

In recent times, a vast majority of experts are migrating from underdeveloped countries to more developed countries. The consequence of this is a reduction in the economy and shortage of experts in these countries. Solutions for this problems would be an increase in salary scale and provision of better living standards for experts in their native countries. The foremost problem faced due to emigration to health care professionals is the reduction in provision of basic health care in their countries which necessitates the migration of other experts in search of this services which consequently cripples the economy of these developing countries. In addition to this, recent survey done by WHO ( World Health Organization) revealed that the mortality rates of individuals in developing countries are higher compared to those in developed countries. The quality of education is also diminished due to high efflux of teachers which will have an effect in the future economy of these poor countries. Not only would the quality health care and education be on the decline due to shortage of professionals, there would also be a backlash on the economy of the country. As these poor countries will depend more on foreign technical aid which will cost them billions of dollars and further aggravate the economic instability issues. For instance, presently the economy of Nigeria was on the verge of collapse due to their high spending to get foreign technical aid. In other words, migration of skilled professionals from underdeveloped countries creates problems such as skill shortage and economic instability in the countries. However, there are solutions to this problems such as provision of better salaries and living conditions. Also provision of jobs and infrastructure similar to those in developed countries. One of the major cause of emigration is poor salaries and benefits. So the government can ensure the professionals are given better incentives to entice them to stay and work in their countries. Another reason is lack of job opportunities and infrastructure. In this instance, the Government can increase the budget allocated to this sectors and thus, help create more hospital and schools equipped with modern technology. For example, underdeveloped countries like Ghana increased the budget allocated to health care and education and witnessed a decline in the rate of efflux of experts. In short, provision of infrastructure, employment opportunities and better standard of living are possible solutions to be undertaken by developing countries to curb the emigration of professionals. In conclusion, with the increased efflux of qualified labour force there is a consequent backlash to the economy and the ability to provide essential services to indigenes of poor counties. The government can help solve this problem by providing employment and better renumeration to experts thus reducing the rate at which the leave their countries.

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IELTS Common Essay Topic: Immigration and Migration

Immigration: Immigration is when people move from their native place to another permanently. Immigrants do not return back to their native places, they settle down there.

Migration: Migration is when people move from one place to another. In this case, migrant come back to their native places after certain period of time.

Advantages of moving abroad:

Social, political and economic development of personality is the main reason people shift from one place to another.

Better job opportunities/Salaries:

• Many people migrate for better job opportunities and salaries. Many foreign countries offer better jobs in MNC (Multinational National Companies), which provide better facilities. And there are several professions, which are paid well in other countries.

Better lifestyle:

• Many foreign countries provide better lifestyle to their citizens.
• Well organized society- rules and regulations.
• Respect towards fellow citizens.

Better environment:

• Many foreign counties have clean environment like clean water supply, fresh (less polluted) air, etc.

Better facilities:

• Several foreign countries provide better medical facilities, better pension after the age of retirement, better transport system, etc.

People get a chance to explore new cultures and customs(International Exposure):

• People come across new people from different cultures and tradition. Immigrants can learn and explore new things about them.

Consequences of moving abroad :

• People find language as an obstacle, as they may face social as well as practical problems:

Social Problems:

• People may lose certain job opportunities due to lack of communication with their colleagues.
• Some people may find it difficult to co-ordinate with other coworkers during the team work.
• Jobs regarding marketing, salesperson or any other in which they have to interact with other native people, can be problematic. They may need to hire a translator for them.

Practical Problems:

• People can have troubles in the market places. Language may act as an obstacle when they are buying the daily needs.
• It is difficult for the people to make friends and they lack social circle.
• Some people even find it difficult to get along the neighbors.
• People may feel the culture difference at new places.
• People find homesick being away from their home, family and friends.

Sample Topics:

• Living in a country where you have to speak a foreign language can cause serious social problems, as well as practical problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
• Some people say that the only reason for learning a foreign language us in order to travel to or work in a foreign country. Others say that these are not the only reasons why someone should learn a foreign language. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
• Some people believe that professionals, such as doctors and engineers, should be required to work in the country where they did their training. Others believe they should be free to work in another country if they wish. Discuss bith these views and give your own opinion.
• So many are migrating to other countries each year in recent years. Immigration has a major impact on society. What are the main reasons for immigration? What consequences can it lead?

IELTS Essay topic: Internet and its uses

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• Sep 24, 2023

Rural People are Moving to Cities, so the Population in the Countryside is Decreasing - Task 2 Essay

Updated: Mar 24

Write about the following topic:

In many countries around the world, rural people are moving to cities, so the population in the countryside is decreasing.

Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experiences.

You should write at least 250 words.

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Sample Essay 1

Across the globe, the migration from rural areas to urban centers has become a pronounced trend, leading to a decline in countryside populations. This essay contends that such a shift has both positive and negative implications, focusing on economic development and cultural erosion as key discussion points.

On one hand, the urban migration fuels economic growth significantly. Cities, renowned for their dynamic economic activities, offer a plethora of employment opportunities that are scarcely found in rural settings. This concentration of labor and capital in urban areas not only accelerates innovation and infrastructural development but also enhances the nation's economic landscape, driving substantial growth. For instance, tech hubs like Silicon Valley have become economic powerhouses due to the aggregation of talent and resources, contributing enormously to the United States' GDP. Furthermore, urbanization supports the proliferation of education and healthcare services, vastly enhancing the quality of life for many. The presence of diverse educational institutions and state-of-the-art healthcare facilities in urban areas underscores the benefits of urban migration.

However, this migration is not without its drawbacks, affecting both the social fabric and the environment. The exodus to cities often results in the depopulation of rural areas, leading to the gradual erosion of traditional cultures and lifestyles that have been the backbone of societies for centuries. Rural communities, with their rich heritage and traditions, play a pivotal role in preserving cultural diversity. As these communities dwindle, invaluable cultural practices and languages risk extinction, stripping humanity of its rich cultural tapestry. Additionally, the sudden surge in urban population exacerbates housing and infrastructural pressures, leading to overcrowded cities and the unchecked expansion of slums. This not only strains urban resources but also poses significant environmental and social challenges, such as increased pollution and social inequality.

In conclusion, while the movement towards urban areas champions economic advancement and access to better services, it concurrently poses a threat to cultural heritage and strains urban capacities. Balancing economic development with cultural preservation and urban planning is essential to mitigate the negative impacts of this global trend.

Sample Essay 2

The accelerating trend of rural people moving to cities, precipitating a decreasing population in the countryside, has captivated global attention. This essay contends that this urban migration is overwhelmingly beneficial for both individuals and nations at large. I will dissect its advantageous impact on economic opportunities in urban settings and debunk concerns regarding the alleged neglect of cultural heritage and environmental degradation in rural areas.

First and foremost, the migration from rural to urban settings serves as an impetus for economic invigoration and affords transformative personal opportunities. Cities are hotbeds for diverse job markets, cutting-edge healthcare facilities, and well-funded educational systems. For example, data from the World Bank reveals a staggering 20-30% wage differential favouring urban areas over their rural counterparts. Such figures validate the enhanced quality of life migrants can attain, propelling not just individual but also collective national prosperity. Moreover, the argument that urban migration depletes rural cultural heritage is misguided. Cities serve as hubs for cultural amalgamation where rural traditions don't just survive but thrive and adapt. The exposure to a broader audience can provide traditional arts and crafts with a platform for wider acceptance and commercial viability.

Skeptics often claim that this migration influx strains urban ecosystems, exacerbating pollution and resource depletion. However, it is essential to recognize that cities are at the forefront of pioneering sustainable initiatives. Due to their high-density populations, cities are more incentivized to invest in efficient public transport systems that reduce carbon footprints, as well as green architecture that emphasizes energy efficiency. For instance, cities like Copenhagen and Singapore have set global standards in sustainability, from waste management to renewable energy adoption. Therefore, rather than being detrimental, the increased population in urban areas can expedite the transition to more sustainable living practices, dispelling the misconception that urban growth inherently compounds environmental issues.

In conclusion, the rural-to-urban migration trend serves as an indispensable catalyst for economic growth, cultural enrichment, and environmental sustainability. Far from being detrimental, this shift is integral to the advancement of contemporary societies.

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Sample Essay 3

The phenomenon of rural people moving to cities, thereby inducing a decreasing population in the countryside, has garnered considerable scholarly and policy attention. This essay asserts that such migratory patterns are not only advantageous but indeed vital for the individual and collective well-being of nations. I will delve into the financial prospects it avails in urban environments, while also addressing and dispelling the lingering doubts concerning cultural erosion and ecological detriment.

Primarily, the transition from rural to urban landscapes acts as a linchpin for economic rejuvenation and personal advancement. Urban locations are breeding grounds for a diverse array of professions, avant-garde medical facilities, and high-calibre educational institutions. A study conducted by the International Labour Organization corroborates that urban locales offer a wage surplus of approximately 25-35% compared to rural settings. Such metrics substantiate the notion that migration offers an escalator to augmented personal prosperity and contributes to macroeconomic vibrancy. Additionally, the diversification of job markets in cities fosters innovation, often leading to ground-breaking advancements in fields like technology, medicine, and social services.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, this migratory trend doesn't necessarily portend the extinction of rural culture. Cities often function as crucibles where native traditions find not just refuge but also fertile ground for evolution and propagation. Moreover, fears of ecological degradation in rural localities are largely misplaced. Many cities are fast becoming paragons of sustainability, adopting innovations like vertical farming and waste-to-energy technologies that offset their environmental impact. For example, metropolises like Tokyo and Stockholm are exemplars of integrating ecological initiatives within their urban planning, thus neutralizing the perceived environmental cost of migration.

To encapsulate, the urban migration trajectory serves as an invaluable engine for economic prosperity, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship. This trend is far from a societal liability; rather, it is an indispensable asset in shaping resilient, modern societies.

• Task 2 Sample Essays

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IELTS Essay # Migration from rural areas

Ielts essay, migration from rural areas.

Many countries today are experiencing high levels of migration from rural areas to cities. What are the causes of this trend, and what effects does it have on the existing city dwellers? Give reasons for your answer, and provide ideas and examples from your own experience. You should spend about 40 minutes on this question. You should write at least 250 words.

Sample Answer

Migration from countryside to cities is growing at a very rapid pace. Various countries are experiencing this pattern today. In this essay, I will discuss the reasons as to why this happens and the effects it has on the inhabitants of the cities. On one hand, the main cause of this is unemployment. Rural areas experience slow growth as compared to cities due to their remote locations and lack of basic infrastructure. There are several parts in my country, India that still have dirt roads and no electricity. Without basic facilities in place, it is very difficult for companies to come up and set factories and offices there. Moreover, majority of the people in countryside are engaged in farming. With modernisation of farming techniques and less dependency on manual labour, most of the people have lost their livelihoods leaving them with no choice but to flock towards cities. Regarding the effects felt by urban residents, perhaps the biggest problem is overpopulation. Cities nowadays have become big concrete jungles where only a certain amount of people can fit in. It increases the burden on already over laden infrastructure. Local transports suffer exponentially and the number of vehicles on the roads increases rapidly, having detrimental effects on the environment. Accommodation becomes expensive as well as property markets skyrocket leading to hardships for people as many may never be able to buy houses in their lifetime. To sum up, poverty and unemployment are the main reasons as to why people move from rural areas to cities. To overcome this issue, government should allocate a certain amount of funds from the budget for development of rural areas. Effective laws should also be put in place to regulate accommodation prices and city dwellers can be more welcoming towards people from the countryside. (297 Words)

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The main reason for migration: Multiple Charts and Graphs Essay Modal Answer | IELTS Writing Task 1

In this post, we will look at a Writing Task 1 Academic multiple chart essay example from the IELTS writing task 1 Academic Test: Main reasons for migration.

Students often ask if the questions are repeated year after year and the answer is no, but the type of chart or graph can be. There are so many questions written each year, you may find you practice answering various questions on different topics. It is best practice to learn how to answer each one of the various types of writing task 1 questions, from bar charts, line graphs, maps, process etc.

If you would like to learn how to structure a multiple charts essay please click the button below > How to structure a multiple charts essay

Take a look at the IELTS Writing Task 1 Multiple Charts and Graphs Academic essay example below:

*This multiple chart question and answer were provided by a student. IELTS Achieve did not design this  question*

The Question is:

The main reason for migration

The pie charts show the main reasons for migration to and from the UK in 2007. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Take a look at the model answer.

The two charts illustrate the comparative statistics on the number of principal causes of travelling in and out from the UK in 2007. The units are measured in percentages and the source came from ONS. Overall, looking for work is the main purpose of migrating and emigrating to the UK while no reason stated had the lowest percentage of arrivals in the UK during 2007. It also can be seen that with regards to emigration, formal studies garnered the lowest fraction. On the one hand, the data shows that landing a worthy profession was consistently high in reasons for both going in and out of the country, 30% and 29% respectively. According to the data, there is a big difference in the percentage of formal studies in the UK, which gained 26% whereas only 4% were recorded of the number of people who studied outside of the UK in 2007. On the other hand, there is a slight difference between migrating (15%) and emigrating (13%) if the reason was to escort someone. The same can be seen in other purposes where 11% left for migration and 14% decided to emigrate respectively. However, the percentage doubled when looking for a job for both going in and out of the UK 12% and 22% correspondingly.

Word count – 213 / Band score 8

Instructor Feedback on Multiple Charts and Graphs Essay Modal Answer: Main reasons for migration

Task Achievement  – The answer provides a paraphrased question, to begin with, followed by an overview that gives the reader key information.    

Coherence and Cohesion  – The answer has been divided into clear logical paragraphs.      

Lexical Resource  – There is evidence of paraphrasing, synonyms and some less common words. 

Grammatical Range and Accuracy  – The answer has no grammatical errors. The sentences are mainly made up of multiple clauses and have a variety of structures. 

We hope you found this post useful in helping you to study for the IELTS Test . If you have any questions please let us know in the comments below or on the Facebook page.

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IELTS Sample Essays

Here you will find IELTS Sample Essays for a variety of common topics that appear in the writing exam.

The model answers all have tips and strategies for how you may approach the question and comments on the sample answer.

You can also view sample essays with band scores on this page. 

Looking at IELTS essay topics with answers is a great way to help you to prepare for the test. 

These IELTS sample essays have been categorised in a way that makes it easy for you to see how certain essay question types require you to provide certain responses to ensure the question is fully answered. 

Specifically these are:

• Agree / Disagree
• Discuss Two Opinions
• Problems and Solutions
• Advantages and Disadvantages
• Other Types

Agree / Disagree Type Questions

In these types of question you are given one opinion and you then have to state the extent to which you agree or disagree with that opinion:

• Advertising
• Alternative Medicine
• Spending on the Arts
• Human Cloning
• Social Interaction & the Internet
• Airline Tax
• Free University Education
• Scientific Research
• Banning Smoking
• Employing Older People
• Vegetarianism
• Paying Taxes  
• Examinations or Formal Assessment 
• Multinational Organisations and Culture
• Internet vs Newspapers
• Technology Development  
• Dying of Languages
• Animal Extinction
• Truth in Relationships
• Role of Schools
• Return of Historical Artefacts

Discuss Two Opinions Type Questions

In this essay question type you are given two opinions, and you have to discuss both of these and then give your own view:

• University Education
• Reducing Crime
• Animal Rights
• Child Development
• Diet & Health
• Donating Money to Charity
• Closing Zoos   
• Becoming Independent  
• Formal and Informal Education  
• Influence of Scientists and Politicians
• Sources for Stories
• Searching for Extraterrestrial Life

Cause Type Questions

There are a variety of 'cause type' essay questions. In these you first have to give the reasons why something has happened, in other words the causes, but then discuss a different aspect of it, such as the effects, solutions or the extent to whether it is a positive or negative development:

Causes & Effects:

• Child Obesity
• Skin Whitening Creams
• Family Size
• Having Children Later in Life
• Time Away from Family

Causes and Solutions:

• Youth Crime
• Global Warming
• Paying Attention in Class
• International Travel & Prejudice 
• Museums & Historical Places
• Disappearance of Traditions
• Communication Between Generations

Causes, Pros & Cons:

• Family Closeness
• Living Alone
• Rural to Urban Migration

Problems & Solutions Type Questions

In these type of questions, instead of discussing the causes of a problem, you need to discuss the problems related to a particular issue in society, and then suggest what can be to solve these problems:

• Overpopulation
• Competing for Jobs  
• Professionals Immigrating

Advantage & Disadvantages Type Questions

In these type of questions you are asked to discuss the positive and negative sides of a particular topic. You will usually be asked this in the context of giving an opinion ( e.g. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? Is it a positive or negative development? ): 

• Traffic Problems
• Food Additives
• Computer Games
• Age Discrimination at Work  
• Children using Tablets and Computers  
• Cell Phones, Internet, & Communication  
• Working from Home 
• Eating Locally grown  Produce  
• Oil and Gas Essay  
• Peer Pressure on Young People
• Online Fraud

'Hybrid' Types of Essay Question

There are sometimes questions that don't fit easily into a particular category as above. I've called these 'hybrid', as they are of mixed character, are composed of different elements from other types of essay, or are perhaps just worded differently. 

• Protecting Old Buildings
• Animal Testing
• Fear of Crime
• Communication Technology
• Influence of Children's Friends  

Sample Essays with Band Scores

You can also view some sample essays that have been written by candidates practising for the test and have band scores and comments by an experienced ex-IELTS Examiner based on the IELTS marking criteria. 

• IELTS Band 8 Essay Samples
• IELTS Band 7 Essay Samples
• IELTS Band 6 Essay Samples
• IELTS Band 5 Essay Samples
• IELTS Band 4 Essay Samples

Student Sample Essays

For more IELTS essay topics with answers you can also view essays that have been written by students. Some have feedback from other students or IELTS teachers:

• Student Model Essays  (with comments by other students)
• Student Model Essays (with comments by IELTS buddy)

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Writing Task 2 Sample

IELTS Writing Task 2 ( also known as IELTS Essay Writing ) is the second task of your IELTS Writing test. Here, you will be presented with an essay topic and you will be scored based on your ability to respond to the topic.

You need to write at least 250 words and justify your opinion with arguments, discussion, examples, problem outlining, proposing possible solutions and supporting your position. You will have approximately 40 minutes to finish your Essay Writing. IELTS Writing Task 2 carries more weights than Writing Task 1.

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Paul Krugman

Are immigrants the secret to america’s economic success.

By Paul Krugman

Opinion Columnist

When we accuse a politician of dehumanizing some ethnic group, we’re usually being metaphorical. The other day, however, Donald Trump said it straight out : Some migrants are “not people, in my opinion.”

Well, in my opinion, they are people. I’d still say that even if the migrant crime wave Trump and his allies harp on were real, and not a figment of their imagination (violent crime has in fact been plummeting in many cities). And I’d say it even if there weren’t growing evidence that immigration is helping the U.S. economy — indeed, that it may be a major reason for our surprising economic success.

But as it happens, there is a lot of evidence to that effect.

Some background here: When Covid struck, there were widespread concerns that it might lead to long-term economic “ scarring .” Millions of workers were laid off; how many of them would either depart the labor force permanently or lose valuable skills? Investment and new business formation fell. It seemed plausible that even after the worst of the pandemic was behind us, America would have a smaller, less productive work force than previously expected.

None of that happened. If we compare the current state of the U.S. economy with Congressional Budget Office projections made just before the pandemic, we find that real G.D.P. has risen by about a percentage point more than expected, while employment exceeds its projected level by 2.9 million workers.

How did we do that? American workers and businesses turned out to be more resilient and adaptable than they were given credit for. Also, our policymakers didn’t make the mistakes that followed the 2008 financial crisis, when an underpowered fiscal stimulus was followed by a premature turn to austerity that delayed a full recovery for many years. Instead, the Biden administration went big on spending, probably contributing to a temporary burst of inflation but also helping to ensure rapid recovery — and at this point the inflation has largely faded away while the recovery remains.

Beyond that, the very surge in immigration that has nativists so upset has played a big role in increasing the economy’s potential.

The budget office recently upgraded its medium-term economic projections, largely because it believes that increased immigration will add to the work force. It estimates that the immigration surge will add about 2 percent to real G.D.P. by 2034.

But are immigrants taking jobs away from native-born Americans? No. A recent analysis by Goldman Sachs contains this really interesting chart:

In case you’re wondering, “SA by GS” refers to the fact that official data aren’t adjusted for seasonal fluctuations, so Goldman Sachs has done its own seasonal adjustment.

This chart shows no rise in native-born unemployment during the immigration surge. It does show a rise in foreign-born unemployment, which I’ll come back to. But for now let’s just note that there is no good evidence that immigrants are taking away jobs from workers born in America.

Still, doesn’t immigration put downward pressure on wages? That sounds as if it could be true — in particular, you might think that immigrants with relatively little formal education compete with less educated native-born workers. I used to believe this myself.

But many (although not all) academic studies find that immigration has little effect on the wages of native-born workers, even when those workers have similar education levels. Instead of being substitutes for native-born workers, immigrants often seem to complement them, bringing different skills and concentrating in different occupations.

In some ways the current immigration surge, probably consisting mainly of less educated workers (especially among the undocumented), is a test case. Have wages for lower-wage workers declined? On the contrary, what we’ve seen recently is a surprising move toward wage equality, with big gains at the bottom :

Overall, then, immigration appears to have been a big plus for U.S. economic growth, among other things expanding our productive capacity in a way that reduced the inflationary impact of Biden’s spending programs.

It’s also important to realize that immigration, if it continues (and if a future Trump administration doesn’t round up millions of people for deportation), will help pay for Social Security and Medicare. C.B.O. expects 91 percent of adult immigrants between 2022 and 2034 to be under 55, compared with 62 percent for the overall population. That means a substantial number of additional workers paying into the system without collecting retirement benefits for many years.

Finally, let me return to that Goldman Sachs chart on unemployment rates, which shows no rise in unemployment among the native-born but a significant rise among the foreign-born. Believe it or not, that’s probably good news.

Goldman argues that the rise in foreign-born unemployment reflects a longstanding tendency for recent immigrants to have relatively high unemployment, presumably because it takes some time for many of them to get settled into sustained employment; unemployment is much lower among immigrants who have been here three years or more.

Why is this probably good news? The overall U.S. unemployment rate has crept up recently — not enough to trigger the Sahm rule , which links rising unemployment to recessions, but enough to make me and others a bit nervous .

Goldman argues, however, that this time is different. All of the rise in unemployment is among foreign-born workers — and this, they suggest, means that we aren’t seeing the kind of weakening in demand for labor that presages recessions. What we’re seeing instead, they argue, is an increase in labor supply, with many of the new workers taking some time to find their feet. If so, the Sahm rule, which has been spectacularly successful in the past, may currently be misleading.

I hope they’re right.

The bottom line is that while America’s immigration system is dysfunctional and really needs more resources — resources it would be getting if Republicans, pushed by Trump, hadn’t turned their backs on a bill they helped devise — the recent surge in immigration has actually been good for the economy so far, and gives us reason to be more optimistic about the future.

A summary of that Goldman Sachs study.

Another time dark-skinned immigrants (that is, Italians) were accused of fostering violent crime .

There are more bad economists — in the sense of being bad people — than I would ever have suspected.

New business creation is surging .

Facing the Music

“Dune: Part Two” is terrific, but I wanted more Sardaukar chanting .

Paul Krugman has been an Opinion columnist since 2000 and is also a distinguished professor at the City University of New York Graduate Center. He won the 2008 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his work on international trade and economic geography. @ PaulKrugman