A/The second measure is

[kira_moondance]

'A second measure would be for governments to encourage immigration in order to increase the number of working adults who pay taxes.' I have always thought it should have been 'The second measure'. Should 'a' or 'the' be used in this sentence?
You can find the sentence from the link http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2013/01/ielts-writing-task-2-problemsolution-essay.html

 

[bennymix]

"A" is correct. There are a number of 'measures' (steps) to take.

"The" would be used if there were already steps in place, and the writer was listing them: "The second step was to admit Albanians without visas."

 

[dn88]

In this context, "a second" is similar to "another".

 

[kira_moondance]

Thanks for clearing it up for me.

 

[wandle]

In this context, "a second" is similar to "another".

Yes. The sssay is simply introducing three possible measures. None of them has been mentioned before.
However, once they have been introduced, if the essay then went on to discuss the pros and cons of the different measures, then it would be necessary to refer to 'the first measure', 'the second measure' etc.

Suppose alternatively that the writer had said initially, 'There are three measures to consider.'
In this case, it is appropriate to follow by saying 'the second measure is ...' instead of 'a second measure is ...'.

On the other hand suppose the writer had said inititally, 'Three possible measures may be mentioned'.
In this case, it would be equally appropriate to say either 'the second measure is ...' or 'a second measure could be ...'.