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Your Guide to IELTS Band 7

IELTS Problem Solution Essay: tips, common mistakes, questions & essays

In this lesson we are going to look at how to answer an IELTS Problem Solution essay.

You will learn about this IELTS Writing Task 2 essay, using authentic IELTS essay questions , plus the most common mistakes. And I will finish with an IELTS model essay written by me in response to a sample IELTS essay question . So let’s get started!

What Is Your Task?

In this IELTS question type, you are usually presented with a statement about a common problem that many people or societies face. Usually you will be asked to discuss 2 things:

the causes of the problem, or the problem itself
and some solutions to the problem

Sometimes you may be asked to discuss the effects of the problem.

So it’s really important to read the question carefully, so you know exactly what you should discuss!

Read this task:

Plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are bad for the environment.

What damage does plastic do to the environment?

What can be done by governments and individuals to solve this problem?

Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Test 1

So in the task above, you are presented with a statement about a problem: “ Plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are bad for the environment. “

Next, you are asked a question related to the problem: “ What damage does plastic do to the environment?” . In this task the question is asking you about the effect of the problem.

Then, you are asked a question related to the solution: “ What can be done by governments and individuals to solve this problem?” In other words, you need to suggest some solutions.

These types of question can be worded in a variety of ways. Here are some common examples:

What problems are associated with this and what are some possible solutions?
What difficulties does this cause? What can we do to tackle this problem?

What do you think are the causes of these problems and what measures could be taken to solve them?

Why is this the case? What can be done about this problem?

As you can see, it’s really important to read the question carefully because the wording can vary a lot.

How To Plan An IELTS Problem Solution Essay

If you are aiming for a high band score (band 7 and above) it is absolutely vital that you plan your essay. A good plan will help you to see if you have answered the question, developed your ideas and organised them BEFORE you start writing.

We’re going to plan an essay using my 4 Step Planning Process .

Step 1: Understand The Task

First, you need to make sure you understand exactly what you need to write about. So you need to read the question carefully, not quickly!

Think about these three questions:

What is the topic about?

What is the topic NOT about?

How should you respond to the topic?

Let’s go back to this essay question, and answer those 3 questions:

The topic is presented in the first sentence in the task, “plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are bad for the environment.” So the topic is about the negative effects that plastic items (specifically bags, bottles and packaging) have on the natural world.

Note that the first sentence is a factual statement, not an opinion. It states that plastic IS bad for the environment, not “ some people think plastic is bad for the environment)

The topic is not about pollution in general, only plastic pollution. So don’t discuss carbon emissions or petrol fumes.
The topic also mentions only bags, bottles and packaging. So it’s probably best to avoid talking about objects made of plastic (e.g. toys…although I did this in one of my model essays! Hopefully I will get a kind examiner!)

The two questions tell you how to respond to the topic. So make sure you answer these questions. Don’t discuss the advantages of plastic, or why you think plastic is NOT bad for the environment!

Step 2: Decide Your Position

Next, you need to decide your position. In other words, you need to decide what you think.

In a problems solutions IELTS essay, your position is simply your answers to the two questions .

So in our example task, your position is your answers to these 2 questions:

What damage does plastic do to the environment?
What can be done by governments and individuals to solve this problem?

There aren’t questions with a factual answer, so they are really asking you for your opinion, ideally an opinion based on your own knowledge or experience.

Personally, I think that plastic damages the environment by harming wildlife, and because the plastic gets into the water supply system. What can governments and individuals do? I think governments need to tax plastic more heavily. And individuals can stop using plastic bags.

So what is YOUR position? What do YOU think?

Step 3: Extend Your Ideas

When you decided your position, you may have started thinking about the reasons for your position, the reasons for your answer. In other words, WHY are you taking this view?

Giving reasons for your view is essential in an IELTS essay. In fact, all IELTS questions tell you to “give reasons for your answer”. So in Step 3, you need to think about your reasons a little more.

However, just presenting your reasons is not enough. You need to develop them.

The two best ways of developing your ideas is by:

giving explanations of what you mean
giving specific examples which illustrate what you mean

Together, these add more detail to your answer.

You MUST do this to get Band 7. If you fail to develop your ideas in detail, your band score for Task Response may be limited to Band 6.

Read more about how to develop your ideas in an IELTS essay.

Step 4: Structure Your Essay

The final step in the planning process is to structure your essay. This simply means deciding which main ideas to put in which paragraphs.

Here’s a simple structure for a problem / solution essay:

Paragraph 1: introduction
Paragraph 2: discuss 2 problems
Paragraph 3: discuss 2 solutions
Paragraph 4: summarise your ideas.

Here is an alternative structure:

Paragraph 2: discuss one problem and a solution to this problem
Paragraph 3: discuss one problem and a solution to this problem

However, this structure is not always appropriate, so use it carefully! If your ideas are not closely related to the problem, it can cause problems with coherence. For example, one problem caused by global warming is melting icecaps; however, there is no direct solution to melting icecaps – the solution often lies a long way from the polar ice caps .

How To Write Your IELTS Problem Solution Essay

Let’s go through how to write the different parts of the essay.

How To Write The Introduction To An IELTS Problem Solution Essay

In the introduction to an IELTS Problems Solutions essay, you need to do two things:

briefly introduce the topic of the essay
briefly say what you are going to write about

Introduce The Topic

You should begin with a background sentence which introduces your reader to the topic of the essay. The best way to do this is to paraphrase the topic statement.

How To Paraphrase

Think about the meaning of the topic statement, and briefly rewrite it using your own words. Try not to use the same grammatical structures as in the essay question, and try to move language around. In other words, be flexible. This is important if you are aiming for a Band 7 or higher.

In the example essay question above, the topic statement said:

“Plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are bad for the environment.”

Here is one way of paraphrasing this:

“People are becoming increasingly concerned about the damaging effects of plastic on the environment.”

This sentence has the same general meaning as the original sentence, but uses different vocabulary and different grammatical structures.

Say What You Are Going To Write About

In an IELTS Problems Solutions essay, it’s a good idea to briefly say what you are going to write about – in other words, say that you are going to answer the two questions.

In our example essay above, we need to answer two questions:

So I could write:

This essay will examine the damage done to the environment by plastic, along with some possible solutions.

How To Write The Body Paragraphs

In an IELTS Problems Solutions essay, you need to present the problem (or the causes of the problem) and possible solutions in the body paragraphs.

There a couple of possible structures:

Body Paragraph 1: discuss the problems
Body Paragraph 2: discuss the solutions
Body Paragraph 1: discuss one problem and its solution
Body Paragraph 2: discuss another problem and its solution

However, this second structure is not always appropriate. I would recommend only using the first structure.

Each body paragraph should contain:

A problem (or a solution) – your main idea
A more detailed explanation of the problem (or solution)
An example which illustrates this
You can also include a 2nd problem or (2nd solution) in the same paragraph.

This structure is what is meant by developing your ideas, and it is essential for a Band 7.

You can read more about developing your ideas here .

How To Write The Conclusion

In the conclusion to an IELTS Problem Solution essay, you need to do one thing:

summarise your main points

Do NOT write any new ideas in your conclusion. If you think of new ideas while writing your conclusion, forget them! It’s too late.

Common Mistakes in an IELTS Problem Solution Essay

These are the most common mistakes made by Test Takers when writing an IELTS Problem Solution essay:

presenting too many problems and solutions: you MUST develop ALL of your ideas to get a high band score, so it’s best to present 3 or 4 problems / solutions in total and explain them all
not answering the exact question. If the question asks you to discuss the CAUSES of the problem, make sure you discuss the causes, not the problem. If the question asks you to discuss the EFFECTS of the problem, make sure you discuss the effects, not the problem. So read the question carefully!
Writing an overly general statement about the topic in the introduction (e.g. “The Environment is a topic of hot debate.” )
Your main ideas are not explained and illustrated enough. You need to develop all of your ideas to get a band 7 and higher.
Writing an opinion in the conclusion: you usually only need to summarise your main points in the conclusion.
Using memorised phrases (e.g. “a hot topic”, “in a nutshell”, “quick fix”)
Using “research studies” as examples: examples should illustrate your ideas, not prove them. Read about how to use examples in IELTS essays .
Trying to use rare or “novel” language: examiners are looking for groups of words used naturally, not rare words.quick fix

Sample IELTS Problem Solution Essay Questions

Plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are bad for the environment. What damage does plastic do to the environment? What can be done by governments and individuals to solve this problem?

(Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Test 1)

Nowadays many people complain that they have difficulties getting enough sleep. What problems can lack of sleep cause? What can be done about lack of sleep?

(Cambridge IELTS 15 General Training Test 2)

In spite of the advances made in agriculture, many people around the world still go hungry. Why is this the case? What can be done about this problem?

( Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Test 4 )

Many working people get little or no exercise either during the working day or in their free time, and have health problems as a result. Why do many working people not get enough exercise? What can be done about this problem?

(Cambridge IELTS 13 General Training Test 2)

Model IELTS Problem Solution Essays

Here is an IELTS Problem Solution Essay that I wrote in response to this task:

In some countries the average weight of people is increasing and their levels of health and fitness are decreasing.

Cambridge IELTS 8 Test 4 (Academic)

Over the last few decades, rising obesity and a drop in people’s overall health and fitness have become a major concern in many countries, especially those in the developed world.

One of the main causes of increasing weight amongst the population is because so much food and drink contains large amounts of carbohydrates. Junk food, for example, tends to contain high quantities of cheap pasta and rice, while soft drinks often contain large amounts of sugar. If these carbohydrates are not burned up through exercise, they will simply be converted by the body into fat, leading to weight gain.

However, people are getting less exercise, which means that not only will they gain weight, they will also experience lower levels of health and fitness. One of the main reasons for this lack of exercise is our increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Whereas in the past, many people used to be engaged in manual labour such as factory work or farming, today they are more likely to be sat in an office hunched over a computer. Add to that the fact that people are more likely to commute to work by car, rather than walk or cycle, and we can see why people are getting fatter and less healthy.

There are some solutions to this problem that governments could provide, such as a sugar tax. In countries where this has been introduced, such as the U.K., this has led to drinks’ manufacturers reducing the amount of sugar in their products. I also feel that higher levels of tax on petrol might make car drivers think twice about whether they should really take the car out on the road. Ultimately, however, it is up to individuals to take more responsibility for their own health and fitness. They could make the effort to walk more and take the car less, and make better choices regarding their diet using information that is widely available on the Internet.

(321 words)

Read my full plan and comments for this essay.

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Discover the 7 STEPS to BAND 7 in IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Problem Solution Essay - Topics, Structure and Sample Answers

Updated On Sep 26, 2024

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The IELTS problem solution essay tests your ability to identify issues and propose solutions. Focus on one or two problems, provide clear solutions, and use examples. Ensure a structured essay and proofread for errors.

Identifying a problem solution essay ielts, problem solution essay ielts topics, how to write a problem solution essay ielts, structure of problem solution essay, breakdown of the ielts problem solution essay format, common mistakes to avoid in ielts problem solution essays, tips for ielts problem solution essays, problem solution essay ielts topics with sample answers:.

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The IELTS problem solution essays is a type of IELTS writing task 2 that asks you to discuss a problem and propose possible solutions. You get 40 minutes to complete this task and have to write at least 250 words on the topic given.

Therefore, to do well in IELTS Writing Task 2 , it is important to be familiar with the structure, range of IELTS problem solution essay questions and tips on how to handle them.

The IELTS problem solution essays are designed to assess your ability to identify, analyze, and evaluate problems or causes, as well as your ability to develop and articulate effective solutions. They are quite similar to IELTS cause and solution essays.

Each essay type in IELTS Writing has a unique structure, so it’s important to identify the common synonyms, words, and phrases used in problem solution questions. Here are the keywords and their synonyms used in the examples above:

Problem: issues, resulting, situation
Cause: reasons, why
Solution: deal with, addressed, tackled, remedied, improved, measures taken, solved, prevent

However, you will mostly be asked to write about both the problem and its solution. The first part of the question will state the problem or cause, and the second part will ask you to identify solutions.

Problem solution essay IELTS topics can be drawn from a variety of sources and are based on real-world situations and issues. Let us check out some problem and solution essay topics to see how it is often worded as:

One major problem faced by large cities is traffic congestion. What do you think the causes are? What solutions can you suggest?
Most countries believe that international tourism has harmful effects. What problems are caused by international tourism? Solutions to change negative attitudes?
Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems. Identify one or two serious ones and suggest ways that the community can tackle these problems.
Many museums and historical sites are mainly visited by tourists but not local people. Why is this the case and what can be done to attract more local people to visit these places?
Corruption becomes a common disease among several nations. What are the causes and measures to resolve this trend? Give your own examples and explain.
Scientists tell us some activities are good for health and others are bad. Despite knowing that, millions of people continue doing unhealthy activities. What are the causes and what are the solutions?
Nowadays businesses face problems with new employees who just finished their education and lack some interpersonal skills such as the ability to work in a team. What do you think is the main cause of the problem? How can it be resolved?
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?
The consumption of the world’s resources is increasing at a dangerous rate. What are causes and solutions?
Nowadays more and more people are becoming overweight. What are the reasons for this and what can be the solutions?
Nowadays, many people complain that they have difficulties getting enough sleep. What problems can lack of sleep? What can be done about lack of sleep?
Many animal species are becoming extinct as a result of human activities. What are the causes and possible solutions to this problem?

To plan and write a problem solution essay IELTS while practising the IELTS Writing Task 2 sample essays or the actual exam, you can follow these steps:

Understand the question - The first step is to carefully read the question and understand what is being asked. You should identify the problem, the cause(s) of the problem, and the required solution(s).
Brainstorm your ideas - Once you understand the question, take some time to brainstorm your ideas. What are the different aspects of the problem? What are the possible causes? What are the different solutions that could be implemented?
Organize your ideas - Once you have a good understanding of the problem and its possible solutions, it is time to organize your ideas into a logical structure.
Write your essay - When writing your essay, be sure to use clear and concise language. Avoid using complex sentences and jargon. You should also support your claims with evidence from credible sources.
Proofread your essay - Once you have finished writing your essay, be sure to proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar, spelling, or punctuation.

For a better understanding of how to write PROBLEM SOLUTION Essay in the video below!

Now that we have understood how to write a problem solution essay, let’s have a look at the structure of a problem solution essay. You can also check tips to write an effective introduction in IELTS Writing Task 2 to present a great IELTS problem solution essay!

Enroll in our free IELTS online coaching today and learn how to identify and write problem solution essays like a champ!

Let’s do an example problem solution essay from an IELTS Writing practice test to understand the above mentioned structure.

Problem Solution Essay Example with Structure

Introduction:.

Before you begin writing your problem solution essay, read the question and identify the problem/ solution.
Note down the ideas that come to your mind naturally. For example, look at the table below.
Choose one of the problems and discuss it in detail. Here’s an example:
Problem : Dumping of industrial wastes into the nearby water bodies.
Solution : They must be treated, purified and recycled.
Wastewater treatment
Biodegradable products
Water bodies such as lakes, rivers etc

You should paraphrase the question and outline the problem and solution in your introduction as mentioned below:

Body Paragraph 1:

The body paragraph 1 must be organised as follows:

Main body paragraph 1: Letting out of industrial wastes in nearby water bodies
Central idea: Industries are increasing in number.
Explanation : There are no strict rules in place regarding the environment. So industries let out their wastes into the nearby water bodies such as lakes, rivers, etc which affects the respective eco-system and thereby leading to more serious issues.
Example : As installing a wastewater treatment plant is an additional burden and is costly, it is easier to let the waste water into the nearby water bodies as nobody questions this.

The completed main body paragraph 1 will look like this :

Body Paragraph 2:

The body paragraph 2 must be organised as follows:

Main body paragraph 2: Industrial wastewater treatment
Central idea: Installing Industrial waste water treatment plants could be beneficial to the environment.
Explanation : Industrial wastewater treatment illustrates the processes used for treating wastewater that is produced by industries into a by-product. The treated industrial wastewater may be reused or released to a sanitary sewer.
Examples: There are proven records for reducing water pollution after wastewater treatment.

The completed main body paragraph 2 will look like this :

Conclusion:

Make sure to sum up all that has been in the previous paragraphs.
Use words like in summary, to summarise, to conclude, or as a conclusion, etc.

The final conclusion will look like this:

Sample Answer

Therefore, the finished essay will have the following structure:

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Following are some of the common mistakes that should be avoided in IELTS problem solution essays to increase your overall IELTS band score :

Not understanding the difference between a problem and its causes.
Trying to include too many ideas in the essay, without developing them fully.
Not considering both sides of the argument equally.
Not linking the problems to the solutions.
Not being specific enough in the discussion of the problems and solutions.
Using incorrect IELTS Vocabulary and making spelling errors.

Here are some IELTS Writing tips to follow while practicing or writing an IELTS Problem Solution Essays:

Read and understand the instructions given in the question (sometimes the question might ask to write about the cause of the issue as well).
Follow the word count (no less than 250 words)
Plan the problems and solutions you wish to write about, before starting to write.
Start the essay with an introduction paragraph and conclude it with a conclusion paragraph, with the body paragraph between the two.
If you’re asked to write about both, cause and the solution, then you can write the cause in one body paragraph and the solution in the next body paragraph.

Pro tip: To avoid a low score in IELTS problem solution essays, focus on one or two problems and identify specific solutions. Explain the problems and solutions in detail, with examples.

Check out some sample IELTS problem solution essay topics with model answers:

Get the inside scoop on how to write a high-scoring IELTS problem solution essay from our IELTS expert in our free webinar. Book your Seat Now !

Also check :

IELTS Writing recent actual test
IELTS Writing Answer sheet
Free IELTS Writing Essay Evaluation and Correction Service
All Useful IELTS Writing Lessons & Websites
IELTS Band 9 Essays

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write cause and solution in the same paragraph?

How to write a solution paragraph?

What is the difference between a Problem solution essay and a cause solution essay?

How do you analyze a problem solution essay?

How to identify a problem solution essay?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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Janice Thompson

Soon after graduating with a Master’s in Literature from Southern Arkansas University, she joined an institute as an English language trainer. She has had innumerous student interactions and has produced a couple of research papers on English language teaching. She soon found that non-native speakers struggled to meet the English language requirements set by foreign universities. It was when she decided to jump ship into IELTS training. From then on, she has been mentoring IELTS aspirants. She joined IELTSMaterial about a year ago, and her contributions have been exceptional. Her essay ideas and vocabulary have taken many students to a band 9.

Explore other Problem Solution Essays

In the Developed World, Average Life Expectancy is Increasing - IELTS Writing Task 2

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Essay Task 2

How to Write Problem Solution Essay in IELTS

Essay Types
Double Question
Advantage Disadvantage
Problem Solution
Essay Length

IELTS problem-solution tasks are the easiest of the IELTS essay types as you are required to explain the given problem(s) and provide some relevant suggestions/solutions. In this IELTS Task 2 Writing guide, we will take a look at how to produce a well-written essay for an IELTS writing task 2 problem and solution task.

1.1 understanding the question, 1.2 example problem/solution questions.

Essay Structure for Problem/Solution Essays
3.1 Identify key words and phrases

3.2 Organise your ideas

3.3 identify vocabulary, 4.1 introduction, 4.2 main body paragraphs, 4.3 conclusion.

5.1 Complete the sample problem/solution essay

5.2 Problem Solution Sample Essay

1. problem/solution overview.

A problem and solution essay is a common type of IELTS writing task 2 essay question .

Remember, there are five main types of writing task 2 questions:

Advantage/disadvantage
Double question
Problem/solution

You will have 40 minutes to write at least 250 words which you use to explain one or more of the following

A common problem/ problems in the world
A cause/causes of a problem
A possible solution/solutions

There are a few different ways that a problem/solution question may be worded and it is important to understand exactly what you are being asked to do.

Here are the three main types of problem/solution question aims:

Write about a problem and possible solutions to that problem
Write about a cause of a problem and possible solutions
Only write about the solutions

And here are some ways the question may be worded for each aim:

What problems arise from this and how can they be tackled?
What do you think the causes are? What are the solutions?
What solution can you suggest to deal with this problem?

Identifying common synonyms in the instruction words will also help you to identify the aim:

Problem : Situation; resulting in…; issue

Cause : Reason; why

The only solution : address; present; solve; improve; tackle; remedy; deal with

Take the time to read the question carefully! It is a common mistake to answer the wrong question.

Here are some example problem/solution questions. Try to work out what the aim is for each question:

The internet has transformed the way information is shared and consumed, but it has also created problems that did not exist before. What are the most serious problems associated with the internet and what solutions can you suggest?

Also, read the following IELTS Essay Writing Guides

IELTS Discussion Type Questions
Double Question IELTS Essay Topics
Opinion-based Task 2 IELTS Guide
IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Type

Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems. Identify two serious ones and suggest ways that governments and individuals can tackle these problems.

One problem faced by almost every large city is traffic congestion What do you think the causes are? What solutions can you suggest?

More and more wild animals are on the verge of extinction and others are on the endangered list. What are the reasons for this? What can be done to solve the problem?

In many developing countries, there is a problem with declining quality of air and water from both industry and construction. What measures could be taken to prevent this?

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2. Essay Structure for Problem/Solution Essays

You will see more than one way to structure a problem/solution IELTS essay. We’ve given you two options to choose from that are nice and easy to follow and enable you to produce a clear and cohesive essay everytime:

Essay structure 1

Essay structure 2

Note that essay structure 2 suggests that it is an option to write about more than one problem and solution . In fact, the essay question will usually ask for problems and solutions in the plural.

However, it is acceptable to write about one problem and solution so that you fully develop your ideas rather than rushing through your essay and missing any important examples or explanations.

Why not time yourself writing an essay in test conditions and see what option works for you!

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3. Planning your Problem/Solution Essay

Taking the time to plan your essay will really make a big difference. Read on for some useful tips to help your planning.

3.1 Identify keywords and phrases

It’s a good idea to start your planning by confirming the topic of your essay by locating the topic words .

Here’s the question for our model 9 band writing task 2 answer at the end of this guide:

Some people think that children nowadays are spending an excessive amount of time watching TV or using a computer or mobile phone.

Describe some of the problems that too much screen time can have for children , and what can be done to tackle them .

The topic of this essay is about the amount of time children spend using screens (TV, computer, mobile phones).

By looking at the instruction words , we can see this question also asks for problems and solutions in the plural form (although remember it is ok to focus on a single problem and solution in the exam).

A list is a great way to organise your ideas before you start writing your IELTS essay about problem and solution. Your ideas do not have to be elaborate or in-depth, just put pen to paper and start to jot down some ideas for an IELTS essay. You could choose to only write down ideas you will use in your essay, or you might end up with more than you need (we suggest ticking off the ideas you use to avoid repetition)

We have used a simple bullet point list to note down ideas for our model essay:

Childhood obesity
Mental health issues
Targeted junk food adverts

Solutions :

Government incentives for active children
Limited screen time imposed by parents
Lessons to educate children on the dangers of too much screen time
Restrictions on adverts at certain times

Writing down any useful vocabulary for IELTS that comes to mind during the planning process could improve your score in Lexical resources . Ask yourself if you know any idioms, collocations or other unusual IELTS essay vocabulary linked to your essay topic.

4. Writing your Problem/Solution Essay

There are three key things to include in your problem/solution introduction:

Paraphrase the given IELTS statement and question
State the problem/cause/solution
State what your essay will do

To successfully paraphrase the statement, you can use synonyms, change the word order or change the word class (e.g from a noun to an adjective). The tricky part is making sure you keep the meaning of the statement the same. Look what we’ve done for our model answer:

You can also briefly state what your essay will do using an outline statement . Here’s an example sentence:

This essay will look at these problems in more detail and propose some solutions.

For each problem or cause you write about, you should create a topic sentence which introduces each main idea.

Here are some possible ways you could structure your topic sentences:

One major problem connected to _____ is…
Another issue is that…
A final problem is the…
One cause of ____ is …
One reason for ____ is …
A further way to explain ____ is …
One contributing factor to ____ is…

You could also use the structure that + a clause. Here are some examples:

One major problem connected to childrens’ health is lack of exercise .

Another issue is that there are a large amount of junk food advertisements on television aimed at children .

As well as language for problems, you will also need to introduce solutions to these problems. Even though the topic of your essay will be different, you can learn language chunks/sentence starters to do this. Take a look at these examples:

To deal with this problem, _____ could …
The way forward might be for _____ to …
The solution is for people to …
In order to solve this issue, _____ should …

When you provide a solution, it is a good idea to keep the actor of the sentence more general, for example:

The government

You can also learn lexical chunks related to solutions to common problems. Here are just a few suggestions for our model answer:

The government could bring in a law to ban junk food advertising.
The government could allocate more money to healthy eating campaigns.
Parents could set aside time in the day to do activities as a family away from screens.
Schools could employ more physical education teachers to improve students’ fitness levels.

We’ve used the tips above to create the following body paragraphs:

Your conclusion for any IELTS writing task 2 essay is very important as without it, you will not score above a band score 6.0 in Task achievement .

Always make your conclusion easy to identify for the examiner by starting with:

In conclusion,…
To conclude,…
To sum up,…
In summary,…

Now you will need to paraphrase (again) what you have written for your introduction in your own words. Compare out model answer introduction and conclusion:

You can also include the following points in your conclusion (it is not necessary to include all the points):

State the seriousness of the problem (we’ve used the phrase ‘ increasingly serious ’)
Suggest who you think should solve the problem (we’ve gone with a balance between the government and parents )
Make suggestions about what to do in the future (we’ve kept this general: ‘ reducing the amount of screen time ’)
State what might happen if nothing is done to solve the problem (again, we’ve kept this general to reduce the word count: ‘ these problems will only intensify ’)

5. Example Problem/Solution Essay and Exercise

Below you will find the complete problem/ solution essay that we have been using throughout this guide, except we have removed some of the keywords.

Your task is to select the missing words and complete the sample answer. Good luck!

5.1 Complete the Sample Problem/Solution Essay

Describe some of the problems that too much screen time can have for children, and what can be done to tackle them.

Nowadays, governments and health experts around the world have become increasingly concerned about the general health of children. They are particularly worried about problems caused by too much time spent in front of a TV, computer or mobile. This essay will look at these problems in more detail and propose some solutions.

One major problem connected to childrens’ health is lack of exercise: in recent years , the amount of time children spend being sedentary in front of a screen has increased drastically, and as a result, childrens’ fitness levels have plummeted. This is a significant problem in the USA, for example , where children spend an increasing amount of time watching a TV screen. To try and solve this problem, governments should implement incentives for children that spend more time being active, such as giving vouchers for sport equipment or free tickets to sporting events.

Another issue is that there are a large amount of junk food advertisements on television aimed at children. This means that children are being targeted to buy unhealthy junk food and processed meals which can lead to weight and other health problems due to the high amounts of fat and sugar in the food. The answer could be for the government to ban these adverts at certain times of the day. If they did this, children would not be subjected to these unhealthy marketing tactics.

To sum up, there is no doubt that the problem of too much screen time is becoming increasingly serious for the youth of today. Unless action is taken urgently, these problems will only intensify. My opinion is that responsibility for reducing the amount of time in front of a screen lies mainly with the government, but also with the parents.

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IELTS writing task 2: How to write a causes solution essay

Step by step guide to writing an IELTS causes solution essay.

Updated : January 2024

A common type of IELTS task 2 essay is a problem solution or causes solution essay. Here you will need to write about the causes of the problem in main body one and recommendations or possible solutions that could solve the issue in main body two. I could have a 3rd body paragraph but I prefer the 2 main body approach.

In this lesson we will look at:

1. A good structure for a causes/problem solution essay. 2. How to analyse the question. 3. Tips on thinking of ideas for the essay. 4. Getting ideas effectively. 5. How to paraphrase the question and write a good introduction. 6. How to build main body paragraphs. 7. How to write an effective conclusion. 8. Model Answer.

In this type of IELTS essay, you can either write about 2 problems and 2 solutions or just 1 problem and 1 solution as long as you develop and extend your ideas. Both are fine there is no one particular magic structure that will guarantee a high band score.

Example of one problem one solution structure.

problem solution essay useful vocabulary

Analyse the question.

This is the first thing that needs to be done before getting ideas or writing anything. Let’s look at the question.

All over the world, societies are facing a growing problem with obesity. This problem affects both children and adults. What are the reasons for this rise in obesity, How could it be tackled?

Keywords: all over the world, societies, a growing problem, obesity, affects children and adults,

(The general topic is about obesity, however, we need to focus on the issues. Keywords such as “all over the world” “societies” ” affects children/adults” “growing problem” It is important to write about the issues by looking at the keywords, not just a general essay on obesity.)

Instruction words: These words show what kind of essay you will need to write, there are 5 essay types and each structure is different. In this case, the instruction words are: “what are the reasons for this? ” and “how could it be tackled?” . I have to write about the reasons for the problem and how can the problem be solved. This is a causes solution essay.

Tips on getting ideas for the essay.

1. listing pros and cons or problems and solutions:.

This idea might work well for a problem solution essay or an advantage disadvantage essay but for the other types of essay, it might not work very well. You just list problems on the left and solutions on the right. (I will use this method in this lesson.) but remember we only choose one or two problems and solutions to write about.

This took me about 2 minutes to list them, so now I need to select just 1 or 2 problems and 1 or 2 solutions and write about those. I do not need all these ideas, be selective here.

Important: do not just write a list of problems in the essay. You have to explain the causes of the problem and give specific examples and a suggestion for what action should be taken in the body paragraphs. You only need to write about 1 or 2 problems and suggest solutions. Don’t waste time brainstorming ideas or going into too much detail because you will not have time.

2. Asking questions to yourself:

This technique is very useful for getting ideas quickly, remember that you don’t have much preparation time before writing. So you write a statement and ask yourself questions, like having a conversation with yourself. This works well for an opinion essay or discussion essay.

By the way, you can just use one problem and one solution and still get a Band 7 if the essay is well supported and developed.

You have a little conversation with yourself to get ideas and then write some notes. Imagine you are with a friend and they are having a conversation with you about this topic. Keep it short though because you have to now think of paraphrasing the question and writing a thesis statement.

Giving Examples

You do not need to be an expert on the topic, but you need to give an opinion and support it with specific examples. Another thing to bear in mind is the specific examples you give do not have to be accurate. For example, if I say “the consumption of fast food in the UK has risen by 24% since 2002 “ that sounds fine, but if I say “ it has risen by 98% “ then that just doesn’t sound believable.

Click this link on how to give examples in body paragraphs.

Tip: The IELTS test is not a general knowledge test. It is designed to test your English ability and the way you can back up your arguments with examples. Many students are scared and think their facts, opinions or statistics will be cross-checked. The examiner is not going to check online to see if your facts or statistics are correct, they just don’t have time to do that.

How to paraphrase the question and write an effective introduction.

Now it is time to paraphrase the question for the introduction and add a thesis statement. Here is the question again.

Paraphrased version:

Nations worldwide are dealing with the increasing issue of obesity. This is a cause for concern for all age groups.

These are the words and phrases that I have paraphrased using synonyms.

All over the world – Worldwide
Societies – Nations
Are facing a growing problem with.. – Are dealing with the increasing issue of…
This problem affects both children and adults – This is a cause for concern for all age groups

Have you noticed that I didn’t paraphrase everything? It is not necessary to change every single word. Also, I changed the phrase “All over the world, societies are….” to a much simpler “ Nations worldwide” . It’s not just about paraphrasing words with synonyms the grammar can be slightly altered too. Now I need to state the causes of the problems and possible solutions in the Thesis statement.

The Thesis Statement.

There are two main causes, overconsumption of fast food and a lack of exercise. Possible solutions would be a government tax on fast food and special incentives on gym membership to get people exercising.’

Keep the thesis statement short and to the point. Another method is to state the causes of the problem and refer to the fact that there are possible solutions to the issue. This means you will have a much more concise thesis statement. Example below.

This is caused by overconsumption of fast food and a lack of exercise, however, some steps can be taken to resolve this.

Remember: Your main body paragraphs will reflect the thesis statement so you must plan your thesis statement well.

Here is the introduction in full.

Nations worldwide are dealing with the increasing issue of obesity. This is a cause for concern for all age groups. There are two main causes, overconsumption of fast food and lack of exercise. Possible solutions would be a government tax on fast food and special incentives for gym membership to get people exercising.

This introduction is around 54 words. Keep it concise it is not necessary to have a long introduction.

Main body paragraphs.

I have chosen 2 key problems which are fast food and lack of exercise so I want to stick with those and not go off onto another topic. Do not suddenly change your ideas in the middle of writing you will lose time. Take a look at the idea below.

One of the reasons people are becoming obese these days is that they eat junk food like hamburgers and chips. The solution is for the government to raise taxes on fast food.

Is there enough detail here? Is there anything missing from this paragraph? How can I improve it? The answer is that I need more detail and a specific example, not just a general example . I need to explain what can be done to solve the problem. I can also write about what the result of the solution could be.

In this case, I will go with 2 causes 2 solutions

Key: Green = main topic sentence, Blue = give an explanation, Purple = give an example, Orange = give a possible solution, Grey = result of the possible solution (you don’t have to use this though)

One of the reasons that people are becoming overweight these days is that they are eating more junk food, ready meals and convenience food rather than cooking healthy meals at home. This is because many people tend to lead a busy life and after a long day at work it is easier to just buy ready meals in the supermarket or get a takeaway. For instance, In the UK sales of these types of foods have risen dramatically since 1990. This is due to busy people seeing cooking at home as time-consuming. To tackle this issue the government should take steps to increase tax on high fat, high sugar or unhealthy foods. Therefore consumers would think twice about the foods they consume, which could lead to them losing weight.

Now I will use the same technique to write the main body 2 paragraph about lack of exercise.

Another problem that needs to be considered is the lack of exercise. As a result of leading a busy life or work pressures, many people are just too tired to go to the gym or join a sports club. For example, after a hard day at work, most people prefer to just come home and sit in front of the TV. It goes without saying that when people have time off they tend to relax rather than going to a gym. One possible solution is for employers to consider the health and well being of their employees and offer in-house company gyms or special incentives, such as discounts to join a sports or fitness club. If this is implemented it would have a positive effect on peoples health and a reduction in weight gain.

Some key phrases for introducing the causes of the problem and giving solutions

Problem: One of the main reasons for….. Solution : To tackle this issue…..
Problem: Another problem to consider is… Solution : One possible solution is….
Problem : One main cause of……. Solution : The way forward could be to…..
Problem: A particular cause for concern is … Solution: To solve this problem…

Examples for introducing problems:  

One of the main reasons for people becoming overweight these days is that they are eating junk food, ready meals and convenience food…
Another problem that needs to be considered is the lack of exercise…..

Grammar for showing possible results/outcomes:  

Therefore, consumers would think twice about the food they consume…..
As a result, this would have a positive effect on peoples health…..
Unless action is taken, the problem will get worse……
If the government takes steps to address the issue, the problem could be resolved…
This would result in a reduction of obesity/This would lead to a reduction in obesity…

Key point on giving examples in body paragraphs: Something that is important for backing up your supporting points is giving specific examples, such as “In the UK sales of these types of food have risen dramatically since 1990” . You can give statistics but they are not really necessary. The examiner is not going to google your information and check. The aim of this is to show how you can use examples to back up your points.

How to write a good conclusion.

Now let’s take a look at the conclusion. Here you need to briefly summarise the 2 problems and 2 solutions with a recommendation or prediction sentence.

Key: Green = cohesive device, Orange = summarise the 2 problems, Blue = summarise the 2 solutions, Purple = recommendation or prediction sentence

In conclusion, being overweight is an increasing issue because of consumption of fast food, convenience foods and lack of exercise due to work commitments. The government needs to look at taxing fast food and companies should set up incentives for gyms, sports or fitness clubs. Unless this issue is tackled soon, then the problem of obesity will lead to a higher mortality rate in the future.

The last sentence is optional (the recommendation prediction sentence) but this is a good idea to include if you think the essay is under 250 words.  The conclusion should briefly repeat the main points you were writing about in the main bodies of the essay. Be sure to keep the conclusion short and simple, about 3 sentences is enough.

You must write a conclusion, If you do not write a conclusion you will lose a Band score in task response. One useful method is to paraphrase your introduction in the conclusion.

Examples of cohesive devices to conclude.

In conclusion
To conclude

Just choose one of these in the conclusion. Some words that should not be used to conclude are ‘ All in all, Finally, Lastly, in the end, In a nutshell, I reckon … ‘ don’t use these, they are informal or are inappropriate.

Model Answer (2 causes 2 solutions)

Nations worldwide are dealing with the increasing issue of obesity. This is a cause for concern for all age groups. There are two main causes, over-consumption of fast food and lack of exercise. Possible solutions would be a government tax on fast food and special incentives for gym membership to get people exercising.

One of the reasons that people are becoming overweight these days is that they are eating more junk food, ready meals and convenience food rather than cooking healthy meals at home. This is because many people tend to lead a busy life after a long day at work it is easier to just buy ready meals in the supermarket or get a takeaway. For instance, In the UK, sales of these types of foods have risen considerably since 1990, this is due to busy people seeing cooking at home as time-consuming. To tackle this issue the government should take steps to increase the tax on high fat, high sugar or unhealthy foods. Therefore, consumers would think twice about the foods they consume, which could lead to them losing weight.

Another problem that needs to be considered is the lack of exercise. As a result of leading a hectic life with pressures at work, many people are just too tired to go to the gym or join a sports club. For example, after a hard day at work, most people prefer to just come home and sit in front of the TV. Furthermore, when people have time off they tend to relax rather than go to a gym. One possible solution is for employers to consider the health and well being of their employees and offer in-house company gyms or special incentives, such as discounts to join a sports or fitness club. If this is implemented it would have a positive effect on peoples health and a reduction in weight gain.

In conclusion, being overweight is an increasing issue because of consumption of fast food, convenience foods and not enough exercise due to work commitments. The government needs to look at taxing fast food and companies should set up incentives for gyms, sports or fitness clubs.

Note: The essay doesn’t have to be this long , I did this for example purposes only, aim for around 260 to 290 words as you will not have the time to write a long essay in the exam.

There is no magic structure that can guarantee you a high band score for an IELTS essay. You can have 1 problem 1 solution as long as it is well supported or 2 problems 2 solutions or a 3rd body paragraph.

Just work with whatever you feel comfortable with. The essay must have an introduction and a conclusion though, and no more than 3 body paragraphs.

Any questions? comment below.

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6 thoughts on “IELTS writing task 2: How to write a causes solution essay”

Hi, I got a bit confused. you have said the structure for this type of question, at the top of this page in a box, that in main body one, we bring the problems, and in the main body two we bring solutions, but in your Model Answers you have brought one problem and its solution in the main body 1, and the second problem and its solution in the main body two. which structure is valid then?

The one problem one solution is easier to write for many people, so i recommended that… the model answer just shows a longer essay type with 2 problems and 2 solutions but that tends to be a challenge for some people to write about as they run out of time. Both structures are ok to use, whatever you feel comfortable with.

So that means, if I wrote two problems in body 1 and their solutions in body 2, that is still OK?

yes thats fine, but try to keep the essay concise.

I would like to appreciate the way you explained each and everything in a very simple and concise way. Appreciated.

Thanks, glad it was useful.. Ray