Workers like nurses, doctors and teachers are undervalued and should be paid more - Task 2 Band 9
- IELTS Luminary
- Oct 24, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 17, 2024
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people feel that certain workers like nurses, doctors and teachers are undervalued and should be paid more, especially when other people like film and actors or company bosses are paid huge sums of money that are out of proportion to the importance of the work that they do.
How far do you agree?
What criteria should be used to decide how much people are paid?
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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Model Essay 1
In today's society, the financial valuation of professions such as healthcare and education often seems incongruous when juxtaposed with the extravagant earnings of entertainers and corporate executives. This disparity raises questions about the metrics governing remuneration. I contend that while market forces play a role, the societal impact and necessity of a job should command its monetary reward, necessitating a reevaluation of pay structures for undervalued professions.
Delving into the essence of value, it becomes apparent that roles integral to the well-being and advancement of society—nurses, doctors, and teachers—do not receive remuneration reflective of their indispensable contributions. For instance, a nurse working tirelessly through a pandemic, ensuring patient care and safety, or a teacher molding the future generation's intellect and moral compass, performs tasks of immeasurable societal worth. Yet, their compensation often does not align with this value, especially when compared to the salaries of film stars or corporate moguls whose contributions, while culturally significant, do not directly sustain the fabric of society. This misalignment suggests the need for a recalibrated valuation model that places greater emphasis on societal contribution rather than market demand.
Criteria for determining pay should encompass not only the requisite skill level and education but also the societal impact of the profession. A remuneration model that incorporates these elements would likely see a rise in the wages of teachers, healthcare workers, and other foundational roles. By adopting such a model, society would not only acknowledge the true value of these professions but also encourage future generations to pursue careers that contribute meaningfully to societal well-being.
In conclusion, the current remuneration discrepancies between critical societal roles and those deemed less essential, yet highly paid, necessitate a thorough reassessment. By valuing societal impact alongside market forces, we can create a fairer, more equitable system of remuneration that truly reflects the importance of each profession to the fabric of society.
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Model Essay 2
The valuation of professions within society often ignites debate, especially when comparing the earnings of healthcare and educational professionals to those in entertainment and corporate sectors. It is my stance that the importance of one's contribution to societal welfare should predominate in salary considerations, underscoring a need for a reevaluation of compensation norms for undervalued roles such as nurses, doctors, and teachers.
The discrepancy in remuneration between critical societal roles and those perceived as less essential yet more lucrative is striking. For example, the commitment of healthcare professionals, who safeguard public health, and educators, who empower future generations with knowledge and critical thinking skills, is undeniably pivotal. Despite their profound impact on society, these professionals often find their financial compensation does not reflect the vital nature of their work. This contrast becomes even more pronounced when juxtaposed with the astronomical earnings of individuals in the entertainment industry or high-ranking corporate executives, whose contributions, albeit valuable, do not directly sustain societal well-being to the same extent.
The criteria for salary determination should thus prioritize societal impact, necessitating a shift towards recognizing and rewarding the intrinsic value of professions essential to societal health and development. Incorporating factors such as the direct impact on community welfare, the level of responsibility borne, and the long-term benefits to society could lead to a more equitable and justified distribution of earnings. This would not only rectify current disparities but also reinforce the societal respect and appreciation for these critical roles.
In sum, the current imbalance in salary scales between pivotal societal roles and other professions demands reconsideration. Recognizing and compensating individuals based on the societal value of their work would foster a more equitable and just society, where the essential contributors to our collective well-being are duly acknowledged and rewarded.
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Essay Sample 3
It has been claimed that health workers and professors are not well paid which can be translated as an undervaluation, whereas actors, soccer players and models are getting mind-blowing payments. I strongly believe that this is never a fair wage distribution, because it should be allocated on the basis of level of experience, skill and contribution to the society. I am going to elucidate this idea in the following paragraphs.
I truly believe that health professionals and teachers should receive a better salary. Additionally, when we compare their prospects with those of famous artists and athletes, we can truly see the giant gap between them. This enormous disparity can be a representation of our social values that have been changing over the decades. From my personal experience as a medical doctor and as the son of an ophthalmologist, I can assert that medical income was much higher in the past. On my father’s days, doctors were much more respected, whereas now soccer players are the ones who have replaced us both in terms of wage and recognition.
However, when it comes to a financial recognition, we cannot let the discrepancy between an 18 year old soccer player and a veteran heart surgeon continue. The former is earning tons of money with only a few years of training, whereas the latter has decades of practice and social contribution without minimum financial gains. This inequality could be fixed by reinforcement what it is really relevant for the betterment of the society. In other words, financial benefits should be based on study degrees, years of experience on the field, teaching skills, level of specialization and more importantly, contribution to the nation.
To sum up, we have been modifying our heroes and validating unimportant subjects. In this way the 2020 pandemic has been an eye opener for what it´s essential. Health and knowledge are our most valuable goods and the ones responsible for them must be well recognize for the outstanding job that they do.
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