ielts liz problem solution essay

• Ebooks & Courses
• Practice Tests

How to Plan & Write IELTS Problem Solution Essays

IELTS problem solution essays are the most challenging essay type for many people. The way they are worded can vary hugely which can make it difficult to understand how you should answer the question.

Generally, you’ll be asked to write about both the problem, or cause, and the solution to a specific issue. Sometimes, however, you will only be required to write about possible solutions.

The 3 essay types:

• Problem and solution
• Cause and solution
• Just the solution

Hence, it’s essential that you analyse the question carefully, which I’ll show you how to do in this lesson. I’m also going to demonstrate step-by-step how to plan and write IELTS problem solution essays.

Here’s what we’ll be covering:

• Identifying IELTS problem solution essays 
• 6 Common mistakes
• Essay structure
• How to plan
• How to write an introduction
• How to write main body paragraphs
• How to write a conclusion

Want  to watch and listen to this lesson?

Click on this video.

Click the links to see lessons on each of these Task 2 essay writing topics. 

Once you understand the process, practice on past questions. Take your time at first and gradually speed up until you can plan and write an essay of at least 250 words in the 40 minutes allowed in the exam.

The Question

Here are two typical IELTS problem solution essay questions. They consist of a statement followed by the question or instruction.

1. One problem faced by almost every large city is traffic congestion.

What do you think the causes are? What solutions can you suggest?

2. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the number of endangered species has increased significantly and we have witnessed more mass extinctions in this period than in any other period of time.

State some reasons for this and provide possible solutions.

These are some examples of different ways in which questions can be phrased. The first half of the questions relate to the problem or cause, the second half to the solution.

What issues does this cause and how can they be addressed?

What are some resulting social problems and how can we deal with them?

What problems arise from this and how can they be tackled?

Why is this? How might it be remedied?

What are the reasons for this, and how can the situation be improved?

Why is this happening, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem?

And here are a few questions where you only have to write about the solution.

How can this situation be improved?

What solutions can you suggest to deal with this problem?

How can this problem be solved?

What measures could be taken to prevent this?

It’s important that you are able to recognise the common synonyms, words and phrases used in problem solution questions. Here are the key words and their synonyms used in the questions above.

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

Before we move on to some common mistakes, I want to quickly explain the difference between a problem and a cause. Read the following examples.

Problem – I've missed the last bus home after visiting my friend for the evening.

Cause – I misread the timetable and thought the bus left at 22.45 when it actually left at 22.35.

The ‘cause’ is the reason for the ‘problem’.  We’ll be looking at question analysis in more detail in a minute.

6 Common Mistakes

These six errors are common in IELTS problem solution essays.

• Confusing problem and causes questions.
• Having too many ideas.
• Not developing your ideas.
• Not developing both sides of the argument equally.
• Not linking the problems and solutions.
• Not being specific enough.

It is common for an essay to consist of a list of problems and solutions without any of them being expanded on or linked to each other. Sometimes, a student will focus on just the problem or only the solution which leads to an unbalanced essay. Both these issues will result in a low score for task achievement.

You must choose just one or two problems and pick solutions directly linked to them. Explain them and give examples.

Another serious error is to write generally about the topic. You need to be very specific with your ideas. Analysing the question properly is essential to avoiding this mistake. I’ll show you how to do this.

Essay Structure

Now let’s look at a simple structure you can use to write IELTS problem solution essays. It’s not the only possible structure but it’s the one I recommend because it’s easy to learn and will enable you to quickly plan and write a high-level essay.

1)  Introduction

• Paraphrase the question
• State 1 key problem/cause and related solution

2)  Main body paragraph 1 – Problem or Cause

• Topic sentence – state the problem or cause
• Explanation – give detail explaining the problem or cause
• Example – give an example

3)  Main body paragraph 2 – Solution

• Topic sentence – state the solution
• Explanation – give detail explaining the solution

4)  Conclusion

• Summarise the key points 

This structure will give us a well-balanced essay with 4 paragraphs.

One Problem/Cause & Solution or Two?

Most questions will state problems, causes and solutions in the plural, that is, more than one. However, it is acceptable to write about just one.

This will give you an essay of just over the minimum 250 words. To write about two problems/causes and solutions will require you to write between 350 and 400 words which are a lot to plan and write in the 40 minutes allowed.

It is better to fully develop one problem/cause and solution than ending up with one idea missing an explanation or an example because you run out of time.

The step-by-step essay structure I’m going to show you includes one problem and solution but you can write about two if you feel able to or more comfortable doing so.

How To Plan IELTS Problem Solution Essays

Here’s the question we’re going to be answering in our model essay followed by the 3 steps of the planning process.

One problem faced by almost every large city is traffic congestion.

What do you think the causes are? What solutions can you sugge st?

• Analyse the question
• Generate ideas
• Identify vocabulary

# 1  Analyse the question

This is an essential step in the planning process and will ensure that you answer the question fully. It’s quick and easy to do. You just need to identify 3 different types of words:

1. Topic words

2.  Other keywords

3.  Instruction words

Topics words are the ones that identify the general subject of the question and will be found in the statement part of the question.

One problem faced by almost every large city is traffic congestion .

So, this question is about ‘ traffic congestion’ .

Many people will do this first step of the process and then write about the topic in general. This is a serious mistake and leads to low marks for task achievement.

What we need to do now that we know the general topic, is to understand exactly what aspect of traffic congestion we're being asked to write about.

The  other keywords  in the question tell you the specific topic you must write about. 

By highlighting these words, it’s easy to see that you are being asked to write about the problem of traffic congestion in large cities. Your essay must only include ideas relevant to these ideas.

The instruction words are the question itself. These tell you the type of IELTS problem solution essay you must write. This is a ‘causes and solutions’ question.

# 2  Generate ideas

The next task is to generate some ideas to write about.

There are several different ways to think up ideas. I cover them fully on the  IELTS Essay Planning  page.

We’re going to use the ‘friends technique’. This is the method I prefer as it allows you to take a step back from the stress of the exam situation and think more calmly.

Here’s how it works. Imagine that you are chatting with a friend over a cup of coffee and they ask you this question. What are the first thoughts to come into your head? Plan your essay around these ideas.

Doing this will help you to come up with simple answers in everyday language rather than straining your brain to think of amazing ideas using high-level language, which isn’t necessary.

You might want to try this yourself before reading on for my ideas.

Here are my ideas:

• Too many cars on the roads – increasing numbers of people own cars, more convenient than buses & trains
• Inadequate public transport – crowded, old & dirty
• Poor road layout
• Rush hour traffic – most people travel to & from work at the same times each day
• Car sharing, park-and-ride scheme, congestion charge
• Improve public transport – more frequent and better quality
• Improve infrastructure – bus lanes, cycle lanes will make it safer for people to cycle
• Flexible working hours

For each cause you think of, immediately write down a possible solution. This you will ensure that the problems and solutions you think of are linked.

You don’t need to spend long on this as you only need one or two ideas.

I’ve got more far more ideas here than I need as I spent more time thinking about it that I would in the real exam. I’m going to pick just one cause to develop in the essay and one or two solutions.

My advice on making your selection is to choose ideas you can quickly think of an example to illustrate.

Here are my choices:

Cause  – Too many cars on the roads.  Why? – increasing numbers of people own cars, more convenient than buses & trains

Solution  – Park-and-ride schemes

We’re almost ready to start writing our IELTS problem solution essay but first, we have one more task to do.

# 3  Vocabulary

During the planning stage, quickly jot down some vocabulary that comes to mind as you decide which cause and solution you are going to write about, especially synonyms of key words. This will save you having to stop and think of the right language while you’re writing. For example:

• traffic jam
• heavy traffic
• private transport
• infrastructure

With that done, we can focus on the first paragraph of the essay – the introduction.

How To Write an Introduction

Good  introductions to IELTS problem solution essays have a simple 2 part structure:

• State 1 key problem/cause and related solution/s (outline sentence)
• Have 2-3 sentences
• Be 40-60 words long
• Take 5 minutes to write

1)  Paraphrase the question

Start your introduction by paraphrasing the question.

Question: One problem faced by almost every large city is traffic congestion.

                  What do you think the causes are? What solutions can you suggest?

Paraphrased question:  

O ne of the most serious issues facing the majority of large urban areas is traffic jams.  

Note my use of synonyms to replace key words in the question statement. You don’t have to replace every key word but do so where possible whilst ensuring that your language sounds natural.

2)  Outline statement

Now we need to add an  outline statement  where we outline the two main points that we’ll cover in the rest of the essay, that is, the cause and the solution I chose earlier. Here they are again.

Cause  – Too many cars on the roads.  Why? – increasing numbers of people own cars, more convenient than buses & trains

And, this is one way to develop them into an outline sentence.

Outline statement:

The main reason for this is that there are too many private cars on the roads these days and a viable solution is to introduce more park-and-ride schemes.

So, let’s bring the two elements of our introduction together.

     Introduction

This introduction achieves three important functions:

• It shows the examiner that you understand the question.
• It acts as a guide to the examiner as to what your essay is about.
• It also helps to keep you focused and on track as you write.

The two ideas in your introduction will become your two main body paragraphs.

Main body paragraph 1  –  Too many cars on the roads  

Main body paragraph 2  –  Park-and-ride schemes

How To Write Main Body Paragraphs

Main body paragraphs in IELTS problem solution essays should contain 3 things:

• Topic sentence – outline the main idea
• Explanation – explain it and g ive more detail

Main Body Paragraph 1

The  topic sentence  summarises the main idea of the paragraph. That’s all it needs to do so it doesn’t have to be complicated.

It plays an important role in ensuring that your ideas flow logically from one to another. It does this by acting as a signpost for what is to come next, that is, what the paragraph will be about.

If you maintain a clear development of ideas throughout your essay, you will get high marks for task achievement and cohesion and coherence.

We’ll now take the idea for our first main body paragraph and create our topic sentence.

Obviously, we’re going to write about the cause of the problem first.

Main body paragraph 1  –  Too many cars on the roads 

Topic sentence:  

The number of people owning cars increases year on year, with most families now having more than one car. 

Next, we must write an  explanation sentence  that develops the idea.

Explanation sentence: 

Most people like the convenience of travelling at the time they want to rather than being restricted to public transport timetables, so they prefer to drive themselves around rather than taking the bus or train. This is despite the fact that they frequently have to sit in long traffic queues as they near the city centre.

Finally, we add an  example  to support our main point. If you can’t think of a real example, it’s fine to make one up, as long as it’s believable. The examiner isn’t going to check your facts. Alternative, you could add another piece of information to support your idea.

Example sentence:

Whenever I have to attend a meeting in the city, I always drive because it means that I can leave home when I want to rather than getting stressed about getting to the station in time to catch the train.

That’s the 3 parts of our first main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.

We now follow the same process for our second main body paragraph.

Main Body Paragraph 2

Main idea 2  –   Park-and-ride schemes

First, we write the  topic sentence  to summarise the main idea. 

Topic sentence:

A solution that is proving successful in many areas is park-and-ride schemes.

Now for the  explanation sentence  where we expand on this idea.

Explanation sentence:

This is where you park your car for free in a large car park on the outskirts of the city and take a bus for the final part of your journey. The fee you have to pay for the bus trip is usually very small and this public transport system is generally very regular, running every ten minutes or so.

Finally, an  example  to support this point.

A survey carried out in the city of Exeter showed that the rush hour congestion decreased by 10% when the council set up a park-and-ride scheme to the north of the city. There was an additional drop of another 10% in traffic volume when a second scheme began operating to the south.

That’s the 3 parts of our second main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.

Now we need a conclusion and our IELTS problem solution essay is done.

How To Write a Conclusion

The conclusion is a summary of the main points in your essay and can generally be done in a single sentence. It should never introduce new ideas.

If you're below the minimum 250 words after you’ve written your conclusion, you can add a prediction or recommendation statement.

Our essay is already over the minimum word limit so we don’t need this extra sentence  but you can learn more about how to write a prediction or recommendation statement for IELTS problem solution essays on the Task 2 Conclusions page.

The conclusion is the easiest sentence in the essay to write but one of the most important.

A good conclusion will:

• Neatly end the essay
• Link all your ideas together
• Sum up your argument or opinion
• Answer the question

If you achieve this, you’ll improve your score for both task achievement and cohesion and coherence which together make up 50% of the overall marks. Without a conclusion, you’ll score below band 6 for task achievement.

You can start almost any final paragraph of an IELTS problem solution essay with the words:

• In conclusion

        or

• To conclude

Now all you need to do is briefly summarise the main ideas into one sentence.

Here’s a top tip . Go back and read the introduction to the essay because this is also a summary of the essay. It outlines what you are going to write about.

To create a good conclusion, you simply have to paraphrase the introduction. 

Introduction:

Here is the same information formed into a conclusion.  I’ve also added a personal statement at the end to link back to one of my example sentences. You don’t have to do this but in this case, I think that it rounds the essay off better.

That’s it. We’ve completed our essay. Here it is with the 4 paragraphs put together.

Finished IELTS problem solution essay.

Go through this lesson as many times as you need to in order to fully understand it and put in lots of practice writing IELTS problem solution essays from past exam questions. Practice is the only way to improve your skills.

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

• Click on the HTML link code below.
• Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Like this page?

More help with ielts problem solution essays & other task 2 essays.

IELTS Writing Task 2  – T he format, the 5 question types, the 5 step essay writing strategy & sample questions. All the key information you need to know.

The 5 Types of Task 2 Essay   – How to recognise the 5 different types of Task 2 essays. 15 sample questions to study and a simple planning structure for each essay type.

Understanding Task 2 Questions  – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.

How To Plan a Task 2 Essay  – Discover why essay planning is essential & learn a simple 4 step strategy, the 4 part essay structure & 4 methods of generating ideas.

How To Write a Task 2 Introduction  – Find out why a good introduction is essential. Learn how to write one using a simple 3 part strategy & discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

How To Write Task 2 Main Body Paragraphs  – Learn the simple 3 part structure for writing great main body paragraphs and also, 3 common mistakes to avoid. 

How To Write Task 2 Conclusions  – Learn the easy way to write the perfect conclusion for a Task 2 essay. Also discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

Task 2 Marking Criteria  – Find out how to meet the marking criteria in Task 2. See examples of good and poor answers & learn some common mistakes to avoid.

The 5 Task 2 Essay Types:

Step-by-step instructions on how to plan & write high-level essays. Model answers & common mistakes to avoid.

   Opinion Essays

   Discussion Essays

  Problem Solution Essays

  Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

  Double Question Essays

Other Related Pages

IELTS Writing Test  – Understand the format & marking criteria, know what skills are assessed & learn the difference between the Academic & General writing tests.

• IELTS Writing
• Problem Solution Essays
• Back To Top

 * New * Grammar For IELTS Ebooks

$9.99 each       Full Set   Just   $ 23.97

Find Out More >>

IELTS Courses

Full details...

IELTS Writing Ebook

Discount Offer

$7 each       Full Set Just   $ 21

Find out more >>

Testimonials

“I am very excited to have found such fabulous and detailed content. I commend your good work.”  Jose M.

“Thanks for the amazing videos. These are ‘to the point’, short videos, beautifully explained with practical examples."  Adari J.

"Hi Jacky, I bought a listening book from you this morning. You know what? I’m 100% satisfied. It’s super helpful. If I’d had the chance to read this book 7 years ago, my job would be very different now."  Loi H.

"Hi Jacky, I recently got my IELTS results and I was pleased to discover that I got an 8.5 score. I'm firmly convinced your website and your videos played a strategic role in my preparation. I was able to improve my writing skills thanks to the effective method you provide. I also only relied on your tips regarding the reading section and I was able to get a 9! Thank you very much." Giano

“After listening to your videos, I knew I had to ditch every other IELTS tutor I'd been listening to. Your explanations are clear and easy to understand. Anyways, I took the test a few weeks ago and my result came back: Speaking 7, listening 9, Reading 8.5 and Writing 7 with an average band score of 8. Thanks, IELTS Jacky." Laide Z.

      Contact

      About Me

      Site Map

      Privacy Policy

      Disclaimer

IELTS changes lives.

Let's work together so it changes yours too.

Copyright  © 2024     IELT Jacky     

All Right Reserved

IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.

An Ultimate Guide to Writing IELTS Problem Solution Essays

Updated On Nov 08, 2023

Share on Whatsapp

Share on Email

Share on Linkedin

Table of Contents

Introduction, identifying ielts problem solution essays, how to write a problem solution essay ielts, structure of problem solution essay, common mistakes to avoid in ielts problem solution essays, tips for ielts problem solution essays, problem solution essay ielts topics:.

Limited-Time Offer : Access a FREE 10-Day IELTS Study Plan!

The IELTS problem solution essays are a type of IELTS writing task 2 essay that asks you to discuss a problem and propose possible solutions. These problem solution essays are designed to assess your ability to identify, analyze, and evaluate problems, as well as your ability to develop and articulate effective solutions.

The IELTS problem solution essay topics can be drawn from a variety of sources and are based on real-world situations and issues. Therefore, to do well in writing task 2, it is important to be familiar with the range of IELTS problem solution essay topics.

Each essay type has a unique structure, so it’s important to identify the type of essay you’re writing before you start. Problem solution essays in IELTS are often worded as follows:

It is important to be able to identify the common synonyms, words, and phrases used in problem solution questions. Here are the key words 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.

To plan and write a problem solution essay IELTS, 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.

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.

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 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:

Therefore, the finished essay will have the following structure:

Looking for IELTS Writing Task 2 preparation books? Get your copy Now!

Following are some of the Common mistakes that should be avoided in IELTS problem solution essays

• 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.

Read:  All Useful IELTS Writing Lessons & Websites

Here are some of the 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 of the  Recent Writing Task 2 Essay Topics for IELTS 2023

Here are some sample IELTS problem solution essay topics:

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 tips
• IELTS Writing recent actual test
• IELTS Writing Answer sheet
• Free IELTS Writing Essay Evaluation and Correction Service
• IELTS Writing Practice Tests 2023

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

Start Preparing for IELTS: Get Your 10-Day Study Plan Today!

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

Post your Comments

Recent articles.

Raajdeep Saha

Kasturika Samanta

Akanksha Tripathi

IELTSMaterial Master Program

1:1 Live Training with Band 9 Teachers

4.9 ( 3452 Reviews )

Our Offices

Gurgaon city scape, gurgaon bptp.

Step 1 of 3

Great going .

Get a free session from trainer

Have you taken test before?

Please select any option

Email test -->

Please enter Email ID

Mobile Band 9 trainer -->

Please enter phone number

Application

Please select any one

Already Registered?

Select a date

Please select a date

Select a time (IST Time Zone)

Please select a time

Mark Your Calendar: Free Session with Expert on

Which exam are you preparing?

Great Going!

• IELTS Scores
• Life Skills Test
• Find a Test Centre
• Alternatives to IELTS
• All Lessons
• General Training
• IELTS Tests
• Academic Word List
• Topic Vocabulary
• Collocation
• Phrasal Verbs
• Writing eBooks
• Reading eBook
• All eBooks & Courses
• IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Problem Solution Essays

Problem solution essays are a type of essay question sometimes given to you in the test. 

In this type of essay you need to discuss the problems with regards to a particular topic and then suggest possible solutions to these problems.

You can also watch a video of this lesson:

One of the first things you want to make sure that you are able to do is identfy one of these questions when it arises. 

Here are some examples of this type of question.

Examples of Problem Solution Essay Questions:

Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems.

Identify one or two serious ones and suggest ways that governments and individuals can tackle these problems.

Nowadays many people have access to computers on a wide basis and a large number of children play computer games.

What are the negative impacts of playing computer games and what can be done to minimize the bad effects?

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?

In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing.

What problems will this cause for individuals and society?

Suggest some measures that could be taken to reduce the impact of ageing populations.

An important note. Some essays ask for  reasons  and solutions, not problems and solutions. Writing about a reason (or cause) is not the same as writing about a problem.

Check these  model essays  to see the difference.

IELTS Problem Solution Essay Example 

In order to understand these types of problem solution essays further and how to organize your writing, we'll look at a problem solution example essay:

Model Answer

The enormous growth in the use of the internet over the last decade has led to radical changes to the way that people consume and share information. Although serious problems have arisen as a result of this, there are solutions.

One of the first problems of the internet is the ease with which children can access potentially dangerous sites. For example, pornography sites are easily accessible to them because they can register with a site and claim to be an adult. There is no doubt that this affects their thoughts and development, which is a negative impact for the children and for society. Another major problem is the growth of online fraud and hacking. These days, there are constant news stories about government and company websites that have been hacked, resulting in sensitive information falling into the hands of criminals.

It is important that action is taken to combat these problems. Governments should ensure that adequate legislation and controls are in place that will prevent young people from accessing dangerous sites, such as requiring more than simply confirming that you are an adult to view a site. Parents also have a part to play. They need to closely monitor the activities of their children and restrict their access to certain sites, which can now be done through various computer programs. Companies must also improve their onsite IT security systems to make fraud and hacking much more difficult by undertaking thorough reviews of their current systems for weaknesses.

To conclude, the internet is an amazing technological innovation that has transformed people’s lives, but not without negative impacts. However, with the right action by individuals, governments and businesses, it can be made a safe place for everyone.

(285 words)

Writing about Problems

From the problem solution essay, look at the problems paragraph, and answer the following questions (then click on the link below to see the answers):

• How many problems are discussed?
• What are they?
• What expressions are used to introduce the problems?
• How are the problems illustrated further?
• What results are discussed for each problem?

Show / hide answers

1) How many problems are discussed?

2) What are they?

children can access potentially dangerous sites growth of online fraud and hacking

3) What expressions are used to introduce the problems?

One of the first problems of the internet is... Another major problem is...

4) How are the problems illustrated further?

For example, pornography sites are easily accessible to them because they can register with a site and claim to be an adult. These days, there are constant news stories about government and company websites that have been hacked.

5) What results are discussed for each problem?

There is no doubt that this affects their thoughts and development, which is a negative impact for the children and for society.

...resulting in sensitive information falling into the hands of criminals.

Your answers to these questions should tell you a lot about how to plan and organize a problem paragraph.

You only need two or three problems as remember you do not have much time and you need to explain the problems.

When you brainstorm your ideas for problem solution essays, think about  (a)   what the problem is   (b)   how you will explain it   (c)   and what the effect is . Your paragraph will then follow this pattern.

Here is an example of the brainstorming for this paragraph:

Problem 1:   children can access potentially dangerous sites

• Explanation / Example:   Pornography sites
• Result:  Affects thought & development - negative for children & society

Problem 2:  growth of online fraud and hacking

• Explanation / Example:   Evident from the constant news stories
• Result:  Criminals get sensitive information

Here they are illustrated in the paragraph, with the introductory expressions underlined:

One of the first problems of the internet is the ease with which children can access potentially dangerous sites . For example, pornography sites are easily accessible to them because they can register with a site and claim to be an adult . There is no doubt that this affects their thoughts and development, which is a negative impact for the children and for society . Another major problem is the growth of online fraud and hacking . These days, there are constant news stories about government and company websites that have been hacked , resulting in sensitive information falling into the hands of criminals.

Writing about Solutions

Answer the following questions about the solutions paragraph:

• How many solutions are given?
• What three different groups of people does the writer say are responsble for these solutions?
• How would the solutions be implemented?
• What three modal verb structures are used to make the suggestions?

1) How many solutions are given?

adequate legislation and controls monitor the activities of children / restrict access improve company IT security systems

3) What three different groups of people does the writer say are responsble for these solutions?

Governments Parents Companies

Stricter criteria for accessing sites Using computer programs Reviewing current IT systems for weaknesses

5) What three modal verb structures are used to make the suggestions?

should need to must

Your answers to these questions provide you with some key tips on writing a solutions paragraph. Some of these points are now explained further.

The people involved

When you come to brainstorm your solutions, think of the key 'actors' who are involved. It is usually governments and individuals in some way or another.

There may be another group specifically realted to the topic. For example, in this case it is companies and parents. If you are discussing crime it could be the police. If it is violence on TV it could be TV and film producers.

You can then brainstorm your ideas under each 'group' and organize them in the same way.

Developing your solutions

Also, try to make sure your solutions are not too simplistic. It's all too easy to make sweeping generalizations about what people can do. For example, look at this idea:

The government should introduce stricter laws.

It it common to see such statements in IELTS problem solution essays with no further explantion. Give more detail about how or why this would work. For example:

Governments should ensure that adequate legislation and controls are in place that will prevent young people from accessing dangerous sites, such as requiring more than simply confirming that you are an adult to view a site.

Some specific detail has now been given on how this solution could work.

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs can be used to make suggestions in problem solution essays. These are usually found in solutions paragraphs.

Check out this grammar lesson if you are unsure how to use modal verbs .

Here again is a plan for the problem solution essay for the solutions paragraph:

Solution 1:   Governments

• Idea:   Adequate legislation and controls  for young people
• How:  More complex website access criteria

Solution 2:  Parents

• Idea:   Monitor children and restrict access
• How:  Use a computer program

Solution 3:   Companies

• Idea:   Improve IT security systems
• How:  Review current systems in place

Here is the paragraph again. Note how it follows the plan and the clear topic sentence that tells the reader the essay is moving on to discuss solutions (modals verbs are underlined):

It is important that action is taken to combat these problems. Governments should ensure that adequate legislation and controls are in place that will prevent young people from accessing dangerous sites , such as requiring more than simply confirming that you are an adult to view a site . Parents also have a part to play. They need to closely monitor the activities of their children and restrict their access to certain sites , which can now be done through various computer programs. Companies must also improve their onsite IT security systems to make fraud and hacking much more difficult by undertaking thorough reviews of their current systems for weaknesses.

More Task 2 IELTS Lessons:

Improving Writing Coherence for IELTS essays

25% of the writing grade is on how you organise your essay so this lesson shows you how to improve your writing coherence.

How to use brainstorming and planning to generate essay ideas.

Brainstorming and planning is a key step in developing your IELTS essay. This lesson has tips on how to coming up with ideas and organising them.

Using Substitution in IELTS to Improve Writing Coherency

You can use substitution in your IELTS essays in order to improve coherency and coherence.

IELTS Music Essay: Understanding a Complex Question

An IELTS essay about music is used to show you how to answer a more complex IELTS essay question that does not have a clear 'task' given to you.

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2

Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2 can be difficult but complex ideas are not expected.

The 3 Types of IELTS Opinion Essays in IELTS

IELTS opinion essays in IELTS can be placed into three types. This lesson explains the different types and how to analyse these essay questions.

Writing an IELTS Essay Conclusion

The IELTS essay conclusion is the final part of your IELTS essay. This lesson guides you on how to write a conclusion quickly but effectively.

Writing an IELTS Essay Introduction

Tips on how to write an introduction for an IELTS essay introduction in a quick and easy way.

IELTS Task Response - 25% of your essay grade

The IELTS Task Response criteria in the scoring makes up 25% of your band score for your essay.

Transitional Phrases for Essays

Learn transitional phrases for essays to get a band 7 or higher in your IELTS writing for coherence and cohesion.

Using Pronouns to Improve IELTS Essay Coherency

Find out how to use pronouns to improve your coherency for IELTS task 2 essays.

How to Identify the Topic of an IELTS Essay Question

In IELTS you must identify the topic of your essay as this is a key to making sure your essay is on topic.

How to Identify the Task in an IELTS Essay

Learn how to identify the task in an IELTS task 2 essay question. This is one of the most important steps in responding to an essay question.

Thesis Statement Tips for IELTS Essays

Your thesis statement in an IELTS essay should be written quickly and concisely. Use these tips to do that.

Requirements for IELTS Band 7 in Writing

Getting to an IELTS Band 7 is a struggle for many candidates. This lesson explains exactly what you have to do to reach this band score.

Paragraph Writing for IELTS: Building strong arguments

This paragraph writing lesson provides tips on constructing the best paragraphs for your IELTS essay.

Can you use Personal Pronouns in Essays for IELTS?

Learn how to use personal pronouns in essays for IELTS correctly. Can you use "I", "we" and "you"?

Tips on How to Score IELTS Band 8 in Writing and Speaking

To score IELTS Band 8 you need to understand exactly what is in the IELTS Band Descriptors for an 8 for writing and speaking first.

IELTS Advantage Disadvantage Essay Tips and Strategies

An advantage disadvantage essay is one type of essay that you may get in the test. This lesson shows how to write a pros cons essay.

How to Write an IELTS Essay: The key steps

Learn key steps on how to write an IELTS Essay. This guides you on how to write a great essay plus other lessons to improve your writing skills.

Any comments or questions about this page or about IELTS? Post them here. Your email will not be published or shared.

Band 7+ eBooks

"I think these eBooks are FANTASTIC!!! I know that's not academic language, but it's the truth!"

Linda, from Italy, Scored Band 7.5

Bargain eBook Deal! 30% Discount

All 4 Writing eBooks for just  $25.86 Find out more >>

IELTS Modules:

Other resources:.

• Band Score Calculator
• Writing Feedback
• Speaking Feedback
• Teacher Resources
• Free Downloads
• Recent Essay Exam Questions
• Books for IELTS Prep
• Useful Links

Recent Articles

Tips and Technique for IELTS Speaking Part 1

Sep 14, 24 02:41 AM

IELTS Essay: Living with Climate Change

Aug 23, 24 02:37 AM

Grammar in IELTS Listening

Aug 22, 24 02:54 PM

Important pages

IELTS Writing IELTS Speaking IELTS Listening   IELTS Reading All Lessons Vocabulary Academic Task 1 Academic Task 2 Practice Tests

Connect with us

Before you go...

30% discount - just $25.86 for all 4 writing ebooks.

Copyright © 2022- IELTSbuddy All Rights Reserved

IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia. This site and its owners are not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.

IELTS Writing Task 2: A Guide for a Problem Solution Essay

Problem solution essay is not just listing the problems and solutions. You need to explain you ideas. If you just give some points without expanding ideas, you will not get a good band score. 

Example Question: Problem Solution Essay

Let's take a look at the question below:

"Excessive computer gaming is one of the biggest threats to children's physical and mental health in the 21st century. 

Discuss the problems and associated solutions for this issue."

Let's answer this question step by step applying our magic strategy:

Pick the Key Points

Look at the question stated above. You might have several points to talk about. But you cannot write all of them.  Examiners didn't ask for a list of features, rather they want you to explain only one or two major points.

Computer gaming might increase the risk of childhood obesity.

Going for outdoor family times on a regular basis.

Enrolling children at different physical activity lessons.

We've just chosen a couple of major problem/solution features that we are going to explain in the essay. Now it's time to plan for the essay.

Previously we discussed in detail how important it is to have a plan before starting the essay. If you haven't gone through that article on  planning strategy for a band 9 essay , we recommend you check it now. It will give a big boost to the quality of your essay.

Before starting to write the essay, let's take a quick look at our magic structure:

Magic Structure: Problem Solution Essay

If you can write just 14 sentences spread over 4 paragraphs, your IELTS Task 2 essay is complete. It is that simple. This is our 4/14 essay technique. It's very easy to remember and execute in exam:

Introduction

Body Paragraph 1

Body Paragraph 2

On this page, we are going to show you step by step how to form this four paragraph essay.

However, we've developed a simple paragraphing style that will make your life easiest ever. We call it  3443 Approach . Remember it, practice it, apply it. It will make your IELTS Task 2 writing so easy that you can't even imagine.

What we mean by 3443:

3 Sentences for Introduction Paragraph

4 Sentences for Body Paragraph 1

4 Sentences for Body Paragraph 2

3 Sentences for Conclusion Paragraph

These are the 3+4+4+3 = 14 sentences. Quite simple. Now let's distribute these sentences among the 4 paragraphs for a Problem Solution Essay:

Introduction 

Sentence 1 : Paraphrase the question sentence.

Sentence 2 : Write a thesis statement.

Sentence 3 : Write an outline sentence.

Body Paragraph 1(Problems)

Sentence 1 : Topic Sentence 1(problem)

Sentence 2 : Explain the Topic Sentence 1.

Sentence 3 : Explain further the Topic Sentence 1.

Sentence 4 : Give a supportive example for the discussion above.

Body Paragraph 2(Solutions)

Sentence 1 : Topic Sentence 2(solutions)

Sentence 2 : Explain the Topic Sentence 2.

Sentence 3 : Explain further the Topic Sentence 2.

Sentence 1 : Summarize the body paragraph 1.

Sentence 2 : Summarize the body paragraph 2.

Sentence 3 : Give a final remark summarizing the both body paragraphs.

This is pretty simple to remember. Addressing the question stated above, we are going to demonstrate you the beauty of this secret formula. 

Before jumping to the essay, we need to clarify one more thing. Looking at our  structure above, you might be wondering what is Topic Sentence . Let's clarify it: 

Topic Sentence

Topic Sentence is pretty simple. Just state the major points that you want to discuss about. These statements are the topic sentences. Take a look at the sentences below:  

Currently, most of the children are less likely to do physical activities, rather they prefer computer gaming  which might lead to develop childhood obesity.

Being the closest contact to children, family members can play the most important role to keep their children away from too much computer gaming.

The sentence 1 will be the Topic Sentence of Body Paragraph 1, and the sentence 2 will be the To pic Sentence of Body Paragraph 2. 

This paragraph bears an overall picture of the essay, and conveys an impression to the examiner. Therefore, we suggest you write this paragraph such a way that examiners can get a clear preview of the essay. Take a look how we construct this paragraph:

Sentence 1: Paraphrase the question sentence.

Sentence 2: Write a thesis statement.

(However, we have a complete guide on how to write a great introduction . We also have a full article regarding how to write a thesis statement.  We suggest you check them now, if you haven't already.)

The 1st sentence is the paraphrase of the question statement. By reading this sentence, the examiner will get a perception whether you have properly understood the question or not.

Thesis statement is the 2nd sentence . This is the most important sentence in the whole essay. This sentence will demonstrate your reaction regarding the question statement, and it will also provide a concise summary of the essay.

Outlining sentence is the 3rd sentence of your introduction paragraph. This sentence will give a hint how the discussion is going to proceed, and how the following paragraphs are organized.

Responding to the question stated above on this page, l et's apply our strategy for the introduction paragraph:

Paraphrasing the Question Sentence

" In this modern age, excessive computer gaming has become one of the major  reasons behind the damage of children's physical and mental health. "

Thesis Statement

" This essay points out that if families and institutions can play key roles, problems like childhood obesity that might arise from video gaming can be addressed effectively. " 

Outline Sentence

"The major problems that might arise from too much computer gaming and the best possible solutions are described in the following paragraphs."

The Complete Introduction

"In this modern age, excessive computer gaming has become one of the major  reasons behind the damage of children's physical and mental health. This essay points out that if families and institutions can play key roles, problems like childhood obesity that might arise from video gaming can be addressed effectively. The major problems that might arise from too much computer gaming and the best possible solutions are described in the following paragraphs."

Body Paragraph 1 (Problem)

Remember, you are asked to write the essay with at least 250 words. Yes you can  

write a few more like 270 - 300, but you should never exceed 300. 

However, you might have a number of points to focus on. This is why you need to make a choice what to discuss, and what not to. Considering the word limit, we suggest you choose only 2 major points, one for a problem and another one for a solution point, and then discuss the points in Body Paragraph 1 and 2 respectively. 

(We have a full article on our special strategy for IELTS Writing Task 2 body paragraphs . We suggest you check it now, if you haven't already.)

Addressing the  Problem/Solution Question stated above ,   let's apply our magic strategy to form the first body paragraph:

Sentence 1 : Topic Sentence 1(State the problem)

Sentence 1 ( Topic Sentence 1 (State the problem) )

"Currently, most of the children are less likely to do physical activities, rather they prefer computer gaming  which might lead to develop childhood obesity."

Sentence 2 ( Explain the Topic Sentence 1 )

"Obese children are well above the normal and healthy weight for their age and height."

Sentence 3 ( Explain further the Topic Sentence 1 )

" These children are at increased risk of breathing problems and high blood pressure. "

Sentence 4 ( Give a supportive example for the discussion above )

"Studies suggest that obese children are more likely to become obese adults as well, which is associated with a number of serious health conditions including heart disease, types 2 diabetes, and cancer etc."

The Complete Body Paragraph 1 (Problem Paragraph)

"Currently, most of the children are less likely to do physical activities, rather they prefer computer gaming which might lead to develop childhood obesity. Obese children are well above the normal and healthy weight for their age and height. These children are at increased risk of breathing problems and high blood pressure. Studies suggest that the obese children are more likely to become adults obese as well, which is associated with a number of serious health conditions including heart disease, types 2 diabetes, and cancer etc."  ​

Body Paragraph 2 (Solutions)

We use this paragraph for discussing the solution part. Let's apply our magic structure to form this paragraph:

Sentence 1 : Topic Sentence 2 (State the solutions)

Sentence 1( Topic Sentence 2 (State the solutions) )

"Being the closest  contact to children, family members can play the most important role to keep their children away from too much computer gaming. "

Sentence 2( Explain the Topic Sentence 2 )

" They can explain to their children how there are  much more rewards in real life than that of gaming. "

Sentence 3( Explain further the Topic Sentence 2 )

" They can also take their children  to outdoor sports and entertainment that involve physical activities, and also can enroll  them at art/cultural schools for extracurricular activities, these  engagements can divert the children's attention from addictive computer gaming. "

Sentence 4( Give a supportive example for the discussion above )

"Recently, California State University has found in their study that getting children involved in outdoor physical activities is the most effective measure to keep them away from computer gaming addiction."

The Complete Body Paragraph 2 (Solution Paragraph)

"Being the closest contact to children, family members can play the most important role to keep their children away from too much computer gaming. They can explain to their children how there are much more rewards in real life than that of gaming. They can also take their children  for outdoor sports and entertainments that involve physical activities, and also can enroll  them at art/cultural schools for extracurricular activities, these engagements can divert the children's attention from addictive computer gaming. Recently, California State University has found in their study that getting children involved in outdoor physical activities is the most effective measure to keep them away from computer gaming addiction."

You must let the examiner know your final say. Though we don't recommend writing a conclusion paragraph for an IELTS Task 1 essay, we strongly suggest you add a conclusion paragraph for a Task 2 essay. Remember, even if you fear running out of time, still you need to write at least one sentence as a conclusion paragraph. A conclusion paragraph is that much important for an IELTS Task 2 essay.

Write the conclusion paragraph in such a way that it answers the question clearly. And remember, the answer has to be completely based on the discussion above. That means never bring any new idea in a conclusion paragraph. Moreover, you should also try to avoid the vocabulary that you have already used in the essay. These are the basic requirements for your conclusion paragraph. 

Remember, you will lose marks if you fail to write a conclusion in an IELTS Task 2 essay. To put it simply, it resembles you worked all day together as a team, but at the end of the day, you just left workplace without saying 'bye' to anyone.

(We have a detailed guide on how to write a smart conclusion . We suggest you check this article now, if you haven't already.)

Let's focus on our simple secret of constructing a conclusion paragraph:

Sentence 1 : Summarize the body paragraph 1.

Sentence 2 : Summariz e the body paragraph 2.

Sentence 3 : Give a final remark summarizing the both body paragraphs .

Sentence 1 ( Summarize the body paragraph 1 )

" In conclusion, because of too much computer gaming, children are developing different physical and mental diseases. "

Sentence 2  ( Summarize the body paragraph 2 )

" However, parents and institutions can play the key roles to keep them away from the addiction. "

Sentence 3 ( Give a final remark summarizing the both body paragraphs )

" They can get the children engaged at outdoor physical activities which could be the most effective measure to address this issue."

The Complete Conclusion

"In conclusion, because of too much computer gaming, children are developing different physical and mental diseases. However, parents and institutions can play the key roles to keep them away from the addiction. They can get the children engaged at outdoor physical activities which could be the most effective measure to address this issue."

A Complete Response to the IELTS Task 2 Problem Solution Question

"In this modern age, excessive computer gaming has become one of the major reasons behind the damage of children's physical and mental health. This essay points out that if families and institutions can play the key roles, problems like childhood obesity that might arise from video gaming can be addressed.  The major problems from addictive computer gaming and the best possible solutions are described in the following paragraphs.  

Currently, most of the children are less likely to do physical activities, rather they prefer computer gaming which might lead to develop childhood obesity. Obese children are well above the normal and healthy weight for their age and height. These children are at increased risk of breathing problems and high blood pressure. Studies suggest that the obese children are more likely to become adults obese as well, which is associated with a number of serious health conditions including heart disease, types 2 diabetes, and cancer etc.  ​

Being the closest contact to children, family members can play the most important role to keep their children away from too much computer gaming. They can explain to their children how there are much more rewards in real life than that of gaming. They can also take their children  for outdoor sports and entertainments that involve physical activities, and also can enroll  them at art/cultural schools for extracurricular activities, these  engagements can divert the children's attention from addictive computer gaming. Recently, California State University has found in their study that getting children involved in outdoor physical activities is the most effective measure to keep them away from computer gaming addiction.

In conclusion, because of too much computer gaming, children are developing different physical and mental diseases. However, parents and institutions can play the key roles to keep them away from the addiction. They can get the children engaged at outdoor physical activities which could be the most effective measure to address this issue."

Check our IELTS Essay Correction Service

Review the detailed discussion on all the types of IELTS Task 2 essays:

IELTS Task 2 Opinion Essays

IELTS Task 2 Discussion Essays

IELTS Task 2 Advantage Disadvantage Essays

IELTS Task 2 Problem Solution Essays

Don't forget to check the following resources as well:

A complete guide on IELTS Writing

A complete guide on IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic

A complete guide on IELTS Writing Task 1 General Training

A complete guide on IELTS Writing Task 2 (GT + Academic)

IELTS Important Grammar and Vocabulary Guide

IELTS Writing Task 2: Problem Solution Essay with Sample Answer

• Post author By IELTSAcademic
• Post date July 26, 2012
• 8 Comments on IELTS Writing Task 2: Problem Solution Essay with Sample Answer

IELTS Writing Task 2: Question

Try this problem solution essay about the internet. I’m sure you can think of many problems but I suggest you write about only two. You have only 40 minutes in which to write your answer.

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?

IELTS Writing Task 2: Model Answer

There is no doubt that the internet has revolutionised communication and information-sharing in the same way that the telegraph and the television did before it. However, societies have had to cope with unanticipated new problems, including crimes which traditional laws are powerless to prevent. This essay will address some of the illegal acts enabled by the internet and propose solutions.

To begin with, the global scale of the internet means that national laws are no longer adequate to control what happens online. Take restrictions on legal reporting, for example. In some countries, the media is prohibited from revealing details of a defendant’s past in case this prejudices a fair trial. However, such restrictions are no longer enforceable now that information may be freely published in other countries and accessed by all. The only solution here, it seems, is to adopt global standards. Since the internet traverses national borders, the flow of information can only be controlled if all nations agree on what can and cannot be shared.

Another problem concerns anonymity, as internet users can easily conceal their identity and even impersonate others. Many crimes such as identity theft and child abuse result from the ease with which criminals can operate anonymously online. Some have proposed a system of online identification, similar to a passport, which would allow all internet users to be verified and traced. I believe this idea should be explored further, though there are clearly concerns about the security of those who use the internet to protest against oppressive regimes.

In conclusion, the only long-term solution to the problem of internet crime is greater international cooperation. Since the problem is global is scale, the solution must also be global. A new agency of the United Nations should be created to tackle the problems described here.

(298 words, IELTS 8.5)

Why does this Task 2 answer get an IELTS Band 8 score?

Task response: The model answer fully answers the question by stating two distinct problems caused by the internet together with relevant solutions to each problem. Each problem is illustrated with examples. The style is appropriate to academic writing and the answer is at least 250 words in length.

Coherence and cohesion: The introduction to this problem solution essay ends with a clear thesis statement. Each body paragraph deals with a different problem and its solution. Examples are signalled with logical connectives like  for example and such as . The conclusion contains a clear recommendation which follows from the body.

Lexical resource:  There are many instances of higher-level vocabulary such as prohibited , verified and oppressive . Examples of good collocation include prejudices a fair trial and tackle the problems . There are no spelling errors and correct word forms are used throughout.

Grammatical range and accuracy: The candidate uses a wide range of conjunctions to link ideas into more complex sentences. Where necessary, the candidate uses a shorter sentence to emphasise a point more strongly. Verb tenses, including modals, are always accurate. Punctuation is handled skillfully throughout.

Teacher’s Note

Comments are closed.

IELTS Problem Solution Essay: Overview, Structure And Tips

1. ielts problem solution essay overview.

As its name, IELTS problem solution essay asks you to write about the problem, cause, effect, or solution to an issue stated. The requirement varies depending on each IELTS problem solution essay question. 

There are a variety of ways to word the IELTS problem solution essay questions such as:

• What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?
• What should schools do to prepare students for the world of work?
• Why do you think this is and what can be done about it?
• What could be the reasons behind this? What measures can be taken to resolve this problem?
• State some reasons for this and provide possible solutions.

An IELTS problem solution essay question includes typically 3 parts:

• 1st part: a specific issue (e.g. Despite a large number of gyms, a sedentary lifestyle is gaining popularity in the contemporary world.)
• 2nd part: requirement to state a problem, cause, effect or solution to the issue given (e.g. What problems are associated with this? What solutions can you suggest?)
• 3rd part: requirement for the time and word limit (e.g. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.)

>>> Practice now: IELTS Writing Practice Test

2. IELTS Problem Solution Essay Structure

The three-part structure is also applied for IELTS problem solution essay. In specific, there should be 3 parts with 4 distinctive paragraphs: 

2.1. Introduction

– Paraphrase the question: 

(e.g. These days a sedentary lifestyle is becoming more and more popular despite a big number of sport facilities.)

– Thesis statement / Outline sentence: (e.g. This essay will discuss the main problems associated with this epidemic and propose some possible solutions to avoid them.)

– Body paragraph 1: Problem

• Topic sentence: state the main problems (e.g. The main problems caused by inactive lifestyle are obesity and various spine disorders.)
• State and explain the first problem: give the first problem of the issue and elaborate the first problem (e.g. A growing number of body research shows that long periods of physical inactivity raise a risk of becoming overweight. This is because people burn fewer calories and easily gain weight.)
• Example: support the first problem with an example (optional)
• State and explain the second problem: give the second problem of the issue and elaborate the second problem (e.g. What’s more, a lot of studies show that so-called ‘sitting disease’ often results in posture and backbone problems. Due to constant sitting, person loses muscle tissue and curves spine, developing numerous spinal diseases.)
• Example: support the second problem with an example (optional) (e.g. For example, it has been proven that about 80% of people experience backache at least once a week.)

– Body paragraph 2: Solution

• Topic sentence: state the main solutions (e.g. In my opinion, the best solution to this problem is promoting active lifestyle.)
• State and explain the first solution: give the first solution of the issue and elaborate the first solution (e.g. Firstly, millions of people stay less active because they use cars instead of walking. Therefore, an effective way to make people more active is to advertise walking and cycling as safe and attractive alternatives to motorized transport.)
• Example: support the first solution with an example (optional)
• State and explain the second solution: give the second solution of the issue and elaborate the second solution (e.g. Moreover, inactive lifestyle is gaining popularity because nowadays a lot of people prefer passive rest to workouts in the gym. And the best way to avoid the hazards of unhealthy living is to obtain a regular dose of physical activity. Thus, promoting gyms and regular exercising would increase the level of activity.)
• Example: support the second solution with an example (optional)

*** Note: The number of paragraphs in the body part of IELTS problem and solution essay depends on the requirement of the question. e.g. If the question asks you to give causes and solutions, there will be two paragraphs including the Causes and Solutions. In some cases, you are required to give the solutions only, then you can separate each solution into different paragraphs for the Body part.

2.3. Conclusion

– Summarize problems and solutions:

(e.g. In conclusion, leading a sedentary lifestyle causes a lot of health problems, including obesity and spinal diseases. The most effective solution is to increase the level of fitness among the society by advertising physical activity.)

– Give recommendations (optional)

>>> Read more: IELTS Double Question Essay

3. IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem Solution Essay Strategy

3.1.  analyse ielts problem solution essay questions.

This step seems to be unnecessary at first but it significantly counts your final result because it mentions all the requirements for a task. You had better take these criteria into consideration and highlight or underline keywords:

• Main topic (e.g. Despite a large number of gyms, a sedentary lifestyle is gaining popularity in the contemporary world. What problems are associated with this? What solutions can you suggest?)
• Instructions (e.g. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. 

Write at least 250 words.)

3.2. Make an outline

You should organize your IELTS Problem Solution essay coherently and cohesively at the same time. In order to do so, prepare an outline in advance should be prioritized. You can create your own outline in the form of a table, a mindmap or simply a list of bullet points for easier tracking during the writing process. 

3.3. Write a complete IELTS problem solution essay

Once you’ve had your own outline and know well how to organize your writing, it’s time to write your IELTS problem solution essay using your grammar and vocabulary range related to the topic given.

3.4. Double-check your IELTS problem solution essay

You need to check your writing at least once after finishing so as to ascertain that all the grammatical or spelling mistakes will not be occurred. 

4. IELTS Writing Task 2  Problem Solution Essay Tips

• Follow the world limit you have to write since it may affect your time of writing. You should write about 250-290 words for your IELTS Problem Solution essay within approximately 40 minutes.
• Make use of the outline to best organize your IELTS Problem Solution essay.
• Enhance your vocabulary range in different topics and try to practice with different IELTS Problem Solution essays in order to improve your critical thinking towards any issue.
• Try to elaborate each of your problem, cause, effect, or solution with detailed explanations and examples.
• Use linking words in your IELTS Problem Solution essay to make the grade.

IELTS Problem Solution Essay is one of the most common question types in IELTS Writing Task 2, so it is essential for you to have a deep insight into this type of question. Don’t forget to practice with us on IELTS Test Online website or mobile application.

Free IELTS lessons signup

• Academic practice
• General practice
• Task 1 Academic
• Task 1 General
• Task 2 (essay)

IELTS causes and solutions essay - band 9 guide

In this lesson you will learn how to write a high-scoring causes & solutions essay in IELTS Writing . As an example, the model essay will be about loss of bio-diversity . Basically, causes & solutions essay is one of the most common question types in IELTS writing task 2. This question asks you to describe causes and propose solutions for a given problem .

In this lesson you will see:

• question sample + model answer
• band 9 answer structure for causes & solutions essay
• effective strategies to produce ideas for your answer

IELTS problems & solutions question sample

For example, this is the question you’ve got for IELTS writing task 2:

Influence of human beings on the world's ecosystem is leading to the extinction of species and loss of bio-diversity.

What are the primary causes of loss of bio-diversity?

What solutions can you suggest?

Of course, the topics for causes & solutions essay may vary, but the answering strategy is pretty much the same for all essays of causes/solutions type.

Producing ideas

As you know, it’s recommended to spend about 40 minutes on IELTS Writing task 2. But before starting to write your essay, it’s a good idea to dedicate 2-4 minutes to producing some ideas for your essay. This way you’ll know what to write about and your essay will be more structured.

To produce ideas for causes and solutions essay, you have to determine 3 things :

• Causes of this problem
• Solutions to this problem

The problem is already given: loss of bio-diversity (in other words, some animals and plants are dying out).

Now let’s think about its causes and solutions. Don’t be afraid of simple ideas! Remember: getting a high score means writing simple things well. Here are some ideas that may come to your mind:

When humans artificially transform the environment (build roads, houses etc.), they destroy animals’ natural habitat.

Pollution negatively changes the flow of energy, the chemical constitution of the environment and the climate in general, so a lot of species cannot live under such conditions and die out.

When the activities connected with capturing and harvesting a natural resource are too intense in a particular area, the resource becomes exhausted. Example: too intense farming exhausts the soil; too frequent fishing, which doesn’t leave enough time for fish to reproduce, makes fish disappear.

After you’ve though of the possible causes, you can use them in your writing. You can invent more reasons of this problem, but usually, it’s enough to give 1-2 causes in your writing .

Possible solutions :

• protect areas

Protecting areas where human activity is limited and avoiding overexploitation of resources are the best ways to save the environment and prevent species from dying out.

Informing the general population about the disadvantages of loss of biodiversity will encourage people to be more conscious of the environment.

1-2 solutions are enough for a good essay. Now, after we’ve collected some ideas, it’s time to structure our thoughts into an essay.

Band 9 answer structure for causes & solutions essay

There may be many possible answering strategies, but we’ll use this good and time-tested essay structure:

Introduction

• Body paragraph 1 – causes
• Body paragraph 2 – solutions

Write the introduction in 2 sentences:

Despite knowing about biodiversity’s importance for a long time, human activity has been causing massive extinctions of different species.

This essay will examine the main causes of loss of biodiversity and possible solutions of this problem.

Body paragraph 1 - causes

The two main causes of species extinction are change of their habitats and overexploitation of natural resources.

When humans artificially transform the environment, they destroy vegetation and animals’ natural habitat. For instance, to build new roads people are cutting down the trees and cementing the soil, altering the environment. Because of that, a lot of species are dying out.

Also, when the activities connected with capturing and harvesting a natural resource are too intense in a particular area, the resource becomes exhausted. For example, too frequent fishing doesn’t leave enough time for fish to reproduce and makes them disappear.

In other words, human activities often deplete local flora and fauna and cause loss of bio-diversity.

Body paragraph 2 - solutions

Some possible solutions to this problem are protecting natural areas and promoting awareness among people.

By protecting areas where human activity is limited and avoiding overexploitation of its resources, we can save the untouched environment and prevent species from dying out. Moreover, the next step in fighting bio-diversity loss is informing the general population about the dangers of this problem. This way, people will be more conscious of the environment and won’t overuse or destroy its resources.

To conclude, people’s activities that change the environment have negative impact on the world's ecosystem.

However, we can significantly lessen the extinction of species by protecting natural areas and enlightening people as to this problem.

Model essay for IELTS Writing causes/solutions question

The model band-9 essay for this question will look as follows :

Despite knowing about biodiversity’s importance for a long time, human activity has been causing massive extinctions of different species. This essay will examine the main causes of loss of biodiversity and possible solutions of this problem.

The two main causes of species extinction are change of their habitats and overexploitation of natural resources. When humans artificially transform the environment, they destroy vegetation and animals’ natural habitat. For instance, to build new roads people are cutting down the trees and cementing the soil, altering the environment. Because of that, a lot of species are dying out. Also, when the activities connected with capturing and harvesting a natural resource are too intense in a particular area, the resource becomes exhausted. For example, too frequent fishing doesn’t leave enough time for fish to reproduce and makes them disappear. In other words, human activities often deplete local flora and fauna and cause loss of bio-diversity.

Some possible solutions to this problem are protecting natural areas and promoting awareness among people. By protecting areas where human activity is limited and avoiding overexploitation of its resources, we can save the untouched environment and prevent species from dying out. Moreover, the next step in fighting bio-diversity loss is informing the general population about the dangers of this problem. This way, people will be more conscious of the environment and won’t overuse or destroy its resources.

To conclude, people’s activities that change the environment have negative impact on the world's ecosystem. However, we can significantly lessen the extinction of species by protecting natural areas and enlightening people as to this problem.

(263 words)

• Phone: +91 8466016171
• Whatsapp: +91 8208375580
• Email: contact@leapscholar.com

Problem Solution Essay IELTS: Topics & Sample Questions

• Last Updated On July 29, 2024
• Published In IELTS Preparation 💻

Problem and solution essay IELTS or cause and solution essay IELTS is a common type of essay question asked in the IELTS Writing Task 2 Exam. Herein, a problem is presented to the candidate and you are asked to suggest relevant, specific, and possible solutions regarding the same.

Table of Content

Table of Contents

You can either write about 2 problems with both their solutions or discuss one major problem and one solution. As long as you extend and explain your ideas, you will be able to communicate your thoughts to the examiner. Maintain a formal tone throughout your essay. In a problem solution essay IELTS, examiner might ask the candidate to discuss any of the following:

• Cause of the problem
• Effect of a problem
• Methods to prevent the problem
• Possible and effective solutions to the problem

Problem Solution Essay IELTS Question: Evaluation Factors

IELTS writing tests are evaluated across 4 main factors or areas when your IELTS band scores are calculated. These areas are:

• Achievement of the task – The examiner notices here to what extent you have addressed all the parts of the task with explained and well-developed ideas.
• Cohesion and Coherence – The logical flow and organisation of your ideas and information are examined here. The examiner notices whether the essay has a logical progression of thoughts.
• Lexical Resource – The vocabulary used in the essay and its accuracy are examined here. You should use lexical items with sophistication.
• Grammatical accuracy and range – Lastly, the examiner evaluates whether the candidate has used the grammatical structures accurately. Sentences with sophisticated clauses and a clear flow should be used.

Tips to Create a Problem Solution Essay IELTS Structure

While structuring the essay in your head, make sure to use a proper approach to these questions. The steps to structure the essays are:

Excel in IELTS with India’s Top Online Coaching

Leap has helped more than 1 Lakh students achieve 7+ IELTS band.

Analyse the question thoroughly

Analysing the question is a crucial part of answering any IELTS writing essay questions. You can analyse the question in the best way through three main things:

• Keywords : These are the specific words that inform you about the general topic.
• Micro Keywords : These keywords identify the parts of the general topic that the examiner wants you to focus on. They generally give an opinion by emphasising a sub-category of the topic.
• Action Words : Instruction words or action words make it clear for the candidates what the examiner wants them to do.

Think of Ideas

Now that the purpose of the question is clear to you, form a specific idea for the essay in your head. For each problem you think of, identify a direct solution for the same.

Explore all countries

Follow the structure & write down the essay.

Write down the essay by ensuring to follow a proper structure, including an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The essay should include examples and discuss possible solutions.

Also Read: Latest 50+ IELTS Essay Topics in 2022

Problem Solution Essay IELTS Pattern

A basic four-paragraph structure should be used to structure the problem solution essay IELTS. The structure is as follows:

Paragraph 1 – Introduction

In the introduction paragraph, you can first paraphrase the statement part of the question and outline the ideas to be discussed in the essay further. Paraphrasing the questions means rephrasing the sentence without changing its meaning using synonyms. The outline sentence helps the examiner to understand what they can expect from the essay and thus ensure clarity. Cohesion and clarity play an important role in the scoring of the essay.

Paragraph 2 – Problems

In the second paragraph, state the problems you thought of and then explain the first problem and the second problem in the second half of the essay thoroughly.

Paragraph 3 – Solutions

In the third paragraph, list down the solutions to the problems listed above, the first solution with its examples, and then the second solution, along with relevant examples that support the solution.

Paragraph 4 – Conclusion

In the conclusion paragraph, cover all the important points discussed in the above 3 paragraphs and end your essay.

Problem Solution Essay IELTS: Key Points to Remember

Some of the main points to remember while attempting the problem solution essay task 2 questions in IELTS are:

• You have only 40 minutes to complete the essay writing task, and you have to write a minimum of 250 words.
• Use linking words, collocations, and phrases to ensure a flow in the essay.
• If you are using any facts or statistical data, make sure it is accurate and reliable.
• Make sure that the introduction is clear and engaging. It helps the examiner to get a sense of what will be discussed in the essay further.
• Use refined and accurate grammar and vocabulary, which will help the examiner understand your proficiency in the language.
• Provide relevant examples to explain your content. An explanation of your opinions is the best way to ensure a higher IELTS score.
• Identify the keywords and secondary keywords. Relate them with the problems and the solutions, and make sure to include the keywords in the content. 
• Plan the problems you are going to discuss in your head and the possible solutions before writing them down.
• The paragraphs should be ideally balanced by discussing the problems in one body paragraph and solutions in the second body paragraph.

Also Read: Updated List Vocabulary for IELTS 2022

Common Mistakes

Though problem and solution essay in IELTS are highly asked in the exam, there are some common mistakes that are made by the candidates. Some of these mistakes that a candidate can avoid while attempting these types of questions are:

• Candidates often do not expand on their ideas and often list down a lot of problems and solutions. The examiners mark the essays on the basis of the explanation of the problems and solutions listed. It is usually advised to pick a problem or two along with their solutions and then explain them with relevant examples.
• Another common mistake by the candidates is writing indirectly about solutions that are not directly related to the questions. You should opt for concrete ideas rather than writing a generalised answer. Identify the keywords and the micro-keywords from the question and try to include those in the topic.
• Many people often list down good problems but fail to link them with the solutions. Each problem should have a directly linked solution that actually solves the problem.
• Learn to identify the problem and solution and causes and solution questions as both of them might look similar but have a certain difference in how they are to be structured.
• Avoid writing in absolute terms by using qualifiers which ensure that your sentences look like claims rather than proven facts.

Problem Solution Essay IELTS Sample Questions

There are many themes for the problem solution essay topics IELTS related to various problems. Some of the problem solution essay IELTS topics questions for your practice are as given below:

Theme 1 – Cities

• Nowadays, it is getting difficult for people to enjoy their lives in cities. Why do you think this is? What can the government do to make life in cities more enjoyable?
• In large cities, the issue of overpopulation has been a significant cause of concern which leads to a lack of jobs and traffic congestion. What is the cause of this? How can government help in solving this problem?
• In many cities and urban areas around the world, crime is increasing. What is the cause of this? How can governments help to prevent the crimes?

Theme 2 – Technology & the Internet

• People from older generations face difficulty in using new technology. What is the cause behind this? What are some possible solutions to this problem?
• A lot of children spend time on social media surfing the internet and playing video games, which hurts their studies and grades and makes them experience loneliness and health problems such as obesity. What is the reason behind this? What can the parents do to prevent it?
• The internet has changed the way information is consumed and shared among people. What are some serious issues a person can face associated with the internet, and what solutions can be implemented?

Theme 3 – Environment or Climate Change

• Sea levels have steadily risen in recent years. What do you think is the reason behind this? How can it be fixed?
• Many countries around the world are suffering from poor water and air quality, which is harmful to all of us, especially older people. What is the cause of this? How can it be solved?
• Climate change and global warming is a serious threat the world is facing, which is reducing the average life expectancy. What are some causes of this? How can governments and healthcare sectors solve this problem?

IELTS Advantages & Disadvantage Essay Topics   

Foreign Language IELTS Sample Essay

A sample of the Problem Solution Essay Example Question IELTS for Writing Test 2 is given below for your reference:

As social media continue to develop, more and more youngsters have unsupervised access to all the contents available over the internet in order to meet and chat with friends and even strangers, which can lead to some potentially dangerous situations. What solutions can you suggest to deal with this problem?

Problem Solution Essay IELTS

In the modern era, a large number of young people use the internet to meet and talk with friends via social media. Due to social media and the growth of the internet in the 21st century, many children are facing issues related to their health and the expression of their feelings as a result of the lack of face-to-face interaction. This issue can be solved by opting for some measures.

To begin with, there are many people all over the world who use the internet for their work or education purposes. As a result, everyone uses it until late at night, which can lead to a variety of health issues, such as vision problems from constantly staring at computers or mobile phones and spinal curvatures from excessive sitting in front of computers and laptops. Secondly, due to the nature of online meetings and conversations, there is a lack of face-to-face interaction among people due to which youngsters are unable to express their feelings due to the loss of peer interaction.

Parents can help in resolving these issues by blocking the access of children to websites that are not children-friendly. In addition to that, parents can encourage children to go out and play instead of being on the internet all day in exchange for a surprise or more quality time. Social media companies can also contribute to the solution by restricting the access of children to the platforms on the basis of their age, which can protect them from content that is not suitable for them. For example, the social media platform Facebook recently updated its privacy policies to restrict access to children under the age of ten.

To summarise, young people use the internet to interact with various types of people online without any supervision, which gives them a sense of freedom and confidence in sending unethical messages to others. To stay out of it, parents should monitor their communication and provide suitable guidance and advice to their children.

Problem Solution Essay IELTS is a type of question that includes problems for which you have to find solutions through a logical flow of thought. 40 minutes are given to complete the 250-word essay writing task. The structure of the essay for a problem-solving question includes an introduction, a discussion of problems, possible solutions with examples, and a conclusion. 

The introduction has an overview of the essay. The main body paragraphs discuss the problems along with their direct solutions and examples. The conclusion paragraph summarises your opinion on the task. You need to discuss the problems caused by the issues and the measures to reduce or eliminate the problem altogether.

You do not just need to state problems and solutions but also need to explain the thought process to reach that solution. Make sure the essay is readable and has a logical flow and cohesion.

You can practice for the Problem Solution Essay IELTS by writing on various topics or themes available on the internet ranging from the internet, cities, poverty, problems of rural areas or developing countries, lifestyle in developed countries, success, news, etc.

Related Articles:

• Guide on How to Score 8+ Band in IELTS Speaking
• Covid-19 IELTS Essay
• IELTS Band Requirement for different Countries

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i write the problem and solution both in one paragraph.

Ans. No, you can not write the problem and solution both in the same paragraph, as this will affect the flow and understanding of the essay. The cause and the solution or the problems and the solution will both be discussed in two different paragraphs of the main body.

How can I identify a problem solution essay type?

Ans. In the problem solution essay questions, a topic is given, and you will have to discuss the issues or problems faced in regard to that particular topic. Often, these questions can also ask for your opinion on a particular issue.

What is the difference between a cause solution essay and a problem solution essay IELTS?  

Ans. Problem solution essays and cause solution essays are highly similar. However, there is a subtle difference between the two. A problem solution essay question asks about the problem with regard to a particular topic, whereas the cause solution essay asks about the causes behind an issue. The problem is to be mentioned in both essays. However, in the cause solution essay, you should focus more on the cause of that particular statement.

How can I write a solution paragraph? 

Ans. First of all, for a solution paragraph, you need to develop ideas related to the given problem in your mind to check whether or not your ideas are directly relevant to the problem. After that, you have to decide how you will explain the solution to all the problems in a precise manner. After then, develop your solution with the help of a detailed explanation.

Know More about IELTS

Ielts practice test material.

Know more about IELTS

Get free speaking practice samples.

• Describe a Skill That you can teach other people
• Describe a Place you Visited Where the Air was Polluted
• Describe a Famous Person that you are Interested in
• Describe a Course That You Want to Learn
• Describe a Person who Solved a Problem in Smart Way
• Describe a Prize That You Received
• Describe a Volunteering Experience You Have Had
• Describe a Piece of Good News
• Describe Something you Taught to Your Friend
• Talk About an Interesting Old Person you Met Recently
• Describe a Dinner you Really Enjoyed
• Describe a Story or Novel That Was Interesting to You
• Describe a Time When you Shared Something with Others
• Describe a Toy you Liked in Childhood
• Describe an Interesting Neighbour
• Describe a Competition You Would Like to Take Part In
• Describe an interesting activity that you remember enjoying most in your Primary School
• Describe Your Childhood Friend
• Describe an Object You Find Particularly Beautiful
• Describe a Place Where you are Able to Relax
• Describe a person you know who likes to talk a lot
• Describe a place where you would like to go to relax
• Describe a period when you were busy
• Describe a long-term goal you would like to achieve
• Describe a situation when you helped someone
• Describe a job you would not like to do in the future
• Describe a time when you used a map
• Describe a skill that you learned in your childhood
• Describe an unusual holiday you had
• Describe an exciting activity that you experienced with someone else
• Describe a person who is good at making people feel welcome in his/her home
• Describe A Time You Successfully Did Something Difficult
• Describe Something in Your Country That You Are Interested In
• Describe a Beautiful City
• Describe something you do regularly that helps you work and study better
• Describe a photo that you took and are proud of
• Describe a party that you enjoyed
• Describe a useful object in your home that you can’t live without
• Describe a good advertisement that you think is useful
• Describe an occasion when someone or something made noise
• Describe a sportsperson that you admire
• Describe something that you picked up that was thrown by someone else
• Describe a time that something changed your life in good ways
• Describe a successful person who you once studied or worked with

Get Free Reading Practice Samples

• William henry perkin reading answers
• Why zoos are good reading answers
• Bioluminescence reading answers
• Classifying societies reading answers
• Artificial artists reading answers
• Jargon reading answers
• The Origins of Laughter Reading Answers
• The Innovation of Grocery Stores Reading Answers
• All About the Otter Reading Answers
• The Triune Brain Reading Answers
• Saving the Soil Reading Answers
• Trans Fatty Acids Reading Answers
• A Disaster of Titanic Proportions Reading Answers
• Why Companies Should Welcome Disorder Reading Answers
• Book Review Reading Answers
• Tea Times Reading Answers
• Why are Finland's Schools Successful Reading Answers
• Intelligence and Giftedness Reading Answers
• Animal Minds Parrot Alex Reading Answers
• Crop Growing Skyscrapers Reading Answers
• Secrets of the Swarm Reading Answers
• Walking with Dinosaurs Reading Answers
• The Development of Travel Under the Ocean Reading Answers
• What's so Funny Reading Answers
• The Culture of Chimpanzee Reading Answers
• Clutter Bugs Beware Reading Answer
• Stepwells Reading Answers
• Glaciers Reading Answers

Get Free Writing Practice Samples

• Advantages and Disadvantages Essay with Sample Answers
• Agree and Disagree Essay with Sample Answers
• Problem Solution Essay Topic with Sample Answers
• Every year several languages die out
• Positive or Negative Development Essay with Sample Answers
• Honesty is the best policy essay
• Online shopping essay
• Environment essay topics
• Prevention is better than cure essay

Get Free Listening Practice Samples

• Family excursions listening answers
• Public library listening answers
• Hiring a public room listening answers
• Notes on social programme listening answers
• Accommodation request form listening answers
• Transport survey listening answers
• Mic house agency repairs listening answers
• Holiday rentals listening answer
• Job enquiry listening answers
• Homestay application listening answers
• Library information listening answers
• Free activities in the burnham area listening answers

IELTS Important Information

• IELTS Exam Date
• IELTS Exam Fee
• IELTS Modules
• IELTS Speaking Practice Test
• IELTS Writing Practice Test
• IELTS Reading Practice Test
• IELTS Listening Practice Test
• IELTS Test Centres
• IELTS Results
• Types of IELTS
• IELTS Pattern
• IELTS Exam Eligibilty
• IELTS Slot Booking
• IELTS Band Score
• IELTS Registration
• IELTS Books
• IELTS Preparation
• IELTS Practice Test
• IELTS Speaking Cue Card
• IELTS Speaking Part 1
• IELTS Writing Task 1
• IELTS Writing Task 2
• Task 1 Pie Chart
• Task 1 Table Chart
• Task 1 Bar Graph
• Task 1 Line Graph
• Task 1 Diagram
• IELTS Computer Based Test
• IELTS Paper Based Test
• IELTS One Skill Retake
• IELTS for UKVI
• IELTS Vocabulary

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in India

• IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Hyderabad
• IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Bangalore
• IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Chennai
• IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Amritsar
• IELTS Centre and Dates in Ludhiana
• IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Mumbai
• IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Ahmedabad
• IELTS Centre and Dates in Delhi
• IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Chandigarh
• IELTS Center and Dates in Pune

IELTS Coaching

• IELTS coaching in Chandigarh
• IELTS coaching in Chennai
• IELTS coaching in Hyderabad
• IELTS coaching in Ahmedabad
• IELTS coaching in Dehradun
• IELTS coaching in Bangalore
• IELTS coaching in Jaipur
• IELTS coaching in Laxmi Nagar
• IELTS coaching in Coimbatore
• IELTS coaching in Trivandrum
• IELTS coaching in Gurgaon

Kanika Singh

Kanika took a detour from academics for the corporate world. Now she works as a senior editor specialising in content creation, marketing, and strategy.

Personality Vocabulary IELTS: About People & Personalities

IELTS Academic or General: Which is the Easiest Test?

IELTS Connectors and Linking Words for 2024

CEFR Levels In IELTS: 2024 Guide to CEFR Levels For Language Proficiency Tests

Love this blog share the love.

Learn how to prepare for IELTS

• 2L+ Leap students sent abroad
• 2L+ students scored 7+ bands

Have Questions? Get Guidance to reach your Dream University

Connect with India's finest counsellors and biggest study abroad community.

Related Blogs

Universities in Canada with High Acceptance Rate in 2024: All you Need to Know!

• September 13, 2024
• 12 min read

Best Public Universities in Spain for International Students: Full List!

• 13 min read

From IT to ML: Why Masters in Germany Changed My Life

• September 12, 2024

Study Loan for Australia for International Students: Complete Details!

• 14 min read

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) in Australia: Process & Requirements

Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships 2025 | Scholarships to Study in the UK | Fully Funded Scholarships

Popular blogs.

• 12 Min Read
• 13 Min Read
• 14 Min Read

IELTS Score for Canada 2024: Minimum IELTS Band Requirement for Canada

• December 29, 2023
• 15 Min Read

Part-Time Jobs in Germany for International Students in 2025

• September 10, 2024
• 11 Min Read

Crack IELTS with

7+ bands in 4 weeks.

Get Guidance to reach your

Dream university.

Problem Solution Essay IELTS: Topics & Sample Questions

Searching for Problem Solution Essay IELTS Check out these problem solution essay tips sample questions to increase your IELTS score

8/18/2023 2 min read

Introduction

In the realm of IELTS writing tasks, the problem-solution essay stands out as a distinctive format that requires a strategic approach. This essay type necessitates students to identify a problem and propose effective solutions. It is an opportunity to showcase not only language skills but also critical thinking abilities. This article delves into the intricacies of problem-solution essays for IELTS, providing valuable insights, topics, and sample questions.

Understanding the Problem-Solution Essay

What is a problem-solution essay.

A problem-solution essay is an academic composition that addresses a specific issue by presenting well-structured solutions. This format is designed to assess a candidate's capacity to analyze complex problems, offer plausible remedies, and communicate ideas effectively.

The Structure of a Problem-Solution Essay

Introduction : Setting the stage by introducing the problem and its significance.

Problem Description : Clearly defining the issue and its implications.

Challenges Analysis : Examining the underlying causes and hurdles.

Solutions Proposal : Presenting feasible solutions with detailed explanations.

Evaluation of Solutions : Weighing the pros and cons of each proposed solution.

Conclusion : Summarizing the discussed problem and solutions.

Selecting the Right Problem

Identifying a suitable problem.

Before delving into crafting solutions, it's essential to choose a relevant problem. Opt for a topic that resonates with contemporary issues, ensuring there is ample information available to support your arguments.

Balancing Complexity and Feasibility

While selecting a problem, strike a balance between complexity and feasibility. An excessively intricate issue might lead to convoluted solutions, whereas an overly simple problem could limit your analysis.

Crafting Effective Solutions

Brainstorming for solutions.

Dedicate time to brainstorming potential solutions. Consider both conventional and innovative ideas to address the problem comprehensively.

Incorporating Realism

When proposing solutions, ensure they are realistic and practical. Far-fetched ideas might undermine the credibility of your essay.

Providing Detailed Explanations

Each solution presented should be accompanied by a thorough explanation of its implementation and expected outcomes. This showcases your ability to reason and articulate ideas effectively.

Sample Questions and Topics

Sample questions.

Question : In many countries, plastic waste is causing environmental harm. What are the solutions to this issue?

Question : With the rise of obesity, what measures can be taken to promote healthier lifestyles?

Environmental Pollution : Addressing air, water, and soil pollution through policy changes and public awareness.

Youth Unemployment : Strategies to create more job opportunities for the younger generation.

Access to Education : Ensuring quality education for underprivileged communities through innovative approaches.

The problem-solution essay in IELTS writing assesses your ability to dissect complex issues and offer practical solutions. Mastering this format requires a combination of critical thinking, language proficiency, and creativity. By selecting pertinent problems, formulating realistic solutions, and providing comprehensive explanations, you can excel in crafting impressive problem-solution essays.

Subscribe newsletter

IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem and Solution Topics/Questions 2024

The list of Task 2 Problem and Solution topics that were added by IELTS student in 2024 . These Problem and Solution questions could be repeated from previous months. Keep in mind that the provided Problem and Solution questions are not predictions. The collection of Problem and Solution questions is updated every hour. Choose one of the topics and start practicing answering this type of question to prepare for the IELTS exam and to get a good grade.

• Unlimited Task 1 checks Get all the feedback you need to keep improving your charts and letters.
• Unlimited Task 2 checks Practice and perfect your skills with essays.
• Personalized suggestions Know how to boost your score.
• Detailed mistakes analysis Get instant feedback. Spot every mistake.
• Topic ideas generator Get topic-specific ideas to enhance your writing.
• Vocabulary helper Get the right words for any topic.
• Progress tracking Track your writing improvements.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

IELTS Advantage

IELTS Preparation Courses

A Problem Solution Essay

Below is a problem solution essay that achieved a band score of 9. I have also included an examiner’s report to help you understand how this candidate achieved the top band score.

Problem Solution Essay

It is becoming increasingly popular for people to travel to tourist destinations during public holidays. What problems does this cause? What solutions are there to these problems?

More and more of us go to tourist hot spots when there is a national holiday. This essay will suggest that the biggest problem this causes is litter and submit providing extra bins as the best solution, followed by a reasoned conclusion.

The primary drawback of so many people visiting the same place at the same time is the dropping of packaging, plastic bags, bottles and even human waste in public areas. There are simply not enough places to dispose of rubbish properly and this often leads to people dumping it wherever they like. This results in public places becoming unsightly, unhygienic, and smelly and even results in the destruction of public property. For example, Thanh Nien News in Vietnam recently reported that during the week-long holiday in May 2015, the beach resort of Vung Tau was swamped with more tourists than it could cope with and this resulted in the parks and beaches quickly becoming covered in filth.

A viable solution to this issue could be the use of more waste disposal facilities during peak periods. Extra places to dispose of waste could be deployed so that there are always options for people who need them and it could also be made clear where waste should be brought. For instance, at large events such as Glastonbury Festival in the UK, thousands of extra bins are installed in the adjacent town to cope with the extra refuse.

To conclude, the major issue with too many holidaymakers is people leaving waste behind and a possible way to solve this is to deploy extra receptacles.

(260 words)

Examiner’s Report

Task response.

This candidate has satisfied all parts of the question. They have fully answered the question by having a clear problem in paragraph 2 and a clear and relevant solution in paragraph 3.

They have also fully developed their main ideas. In the second paragraph the candidate has not only explained what their main point means but also stated the result of the problem. They have also provided a relevant and specific example to support their main point.

The solution is also fully developed by explaining how extra bins help solve the problem and again given a very relevant example to support this idea.

Finally, their position was made clear in both the introduction and conclusion helping them achieve a very high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion

There is a very clear paragraph structure to this essay with the main body paragraphs being divided into problems and solutions. This leads to the essay being very clear and easy to understand. The outline statement in the second sentence also aids clarity.

Some cohesive devices are used such as ‘To conclude’ and ‘For example’ but these are kept to a minimum and the author does not over rely on them.

The main body paragraphs are also very coherent and cohesive because they make their main point clear in the first sentence and then expand on these points with explanations and examples.

Lexical Resource

The candidate uses a very wide range of vocabulary both accurately and appropriately to convey precise meaning. There are no mistakes in this area.

The question is paraphrased excellently in the first sentence. Paraphrasing is also used too good effect in the conclusion.

There are also a wide range of synonyms for key words like bin (receptacle, disposal facilities) and litter (rubbish, waste, refuse, plastic bags). More uncommon words, such as adjacent, unsightly, unhygienic, swamped and filth are used skilfully to convey meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

All sentences are free from errors.

Although there are some simple sentences, most sentences are complex. A wide range of grammatical structures are used accurately and appropriately.

I hope you found this useful. If you did, please share.

About Christopher Pell

My name is Christopher Pell and I'm the Managing Director of IELTS Advantage.

I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.

If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email using the contact us page.

IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024

• Test Information FAQ
• Band Scores
• IELTS Candidate Success Tips
• Computer IELTS: Pros & Cons
• How to Prepare
• Useful Links & Resources
• Recommended Books
• Speaking Part 1 Topics
• Speaking Part 2 Topics
• Speaking Part 3 Topics
• 100 Essay Questions
• On The Day Tips
• Top Results
• 50% DISCOUNT

Solving Traffic and Pollution Problems: Essay Ideas

Below are some ideas for the following IELTS writing task 2 essay question.

Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree? What other measures do you think might be effective?

There are two questions to answer:

• Do you think increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems?
• What other measures do you think might be effective to solve traffic and pollution problems?

Increasing the price of petrol:

• if the price is increased, less people will be able to afford it
• if less people can afford petrol, less people will drive cars
• if less people drive cars, there will be less congestion on the roads
• if less people drive, there will be less air pollution

Other ways to solve traffic and pollution problems:

• traffic problems can be solved by improving public transport to encourage more people to use it rather than to use their own cars
• public transport can be improved by having more public transport available, making it more punctual and reducing the price of tickets to make it more affordable to the average person
• another measure is to have no traffic zones in city centers which will  reduce both congestion and pollution in urban centers.

Get my free lessons by email

Subscribe for free to get my new IELTS lessons sent to your email inbox.

Email Address

Hi Liz. I have a question, please , if possible, instruct me the best way to do it. So, in some essay has two questions. To be specific, in the agree and disagree essay I don’t know how I should approach. Like this: To what extent do you agree or disagree, and next question in the same essay : ‘What other measures do you think might be effective’. Please, enlight me if I construct the essey: introduction, the first paragraph- the first side(which I don’t agree, the second- which I agree, third paragraph-solution? Or the first-my side, senond-solutions?

You are over thinking. Try to take a very simple, logical approach. IELTS is testing you on logical organisation. One body paragraphs contains your opinion (whatever it is) and the other body paragraph contains the solutions. Simple, clear, logical = high band score for Coherence & Cohesion.

Is it okay to use “this essay will discuss/ this essay discussed?? I’ve seen many teachers teach this . Thank you!

If the instructions ask for your opinion, the words “this essay will” does not express your opinion.

Dear ma’am , How can i improve my sentense formation ………. My teacher said that ” mostly, i make incorrect sentense ” please give the instruction to make correct sentense ………. Thankyou…

You need an English language teacher and an English language website. This website is for IELTS skills. Start developing your English first.

Hi Liz, this topic popped up on 25 Mar IELTS in Australia.

Yes, sometimes the topics and questions can re-appear in the test 🙂

hai liz please suggest what type of essay is the below mentioned one.

Some companies have uniform for their staffs which must be worn at all times

What are the advantages for a company of having a uniform?

Are there any benefits of having a uniform for the staff ? tnq kalaivanan

This is Direct Question Essay. You have two questions to answer.

hi Liz, i’m not clear about what type of question is this?is it opinion essay,cause/solution or direct question essay????

It is a mixed type. It contains an opinion with solutions.

Please have a look at this one. Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree. What other measures do you think might be effective.

Growing traffic is considered to be a major issue to the world. More cars are hitting the road day by day, which lead to serious pollution problems. In order to tackle this ongoing issue, countries decide to increase the price of petrol, as they think it is the most convenient approach and use some alternatives to petrol like wind and solar power that might be effective. I personally feel that increasing petrol price is not necessary to cut down pollution problems.

To begin with, we can classify people into three categories based on their income such as low income, middle income and rich. When the country increases the petrol price, the first two of these categories will be affected. With regards to low paid people, they suffer from paying petrol’s normal price, but when it is increased, they will not be able to afford it. It is likely to be the same with middle-income people, the money they get is only sufficient for their hand and mouth, so they spend their money consciously. Most of their money goes for household appliances, children education, electricity, and petrol. When petrol price increases, they will suffer a lot and think twice before paying for petrol. On the other hand, this will not majorly affect rich people, as they can afford petrol because of their extra allowances.

However, the country should encourage people to reduce the usage of cars by advertising the consequences of the traffic congestion on the society. Having said that, carpooling is another environmentally friendly solution, as it reduces the carbon footprint of each individual by going to work in groups. In addition to that, we as individuals play a major role in this process. We should be aware of keeping our body fit by cycling or walking instead of using cars for short distances. This will help us to be physically active and healthy, as well as reduce the consumption of petrol. Furthermore, Government could also reserve separate lanes for carpoolers, bicyclers and pedestrians so that they can reach their destination faster which will encourage other people to follow them.

To conclude, traffic is one of the main causes of pollution as it produces harmful gasses and we should be aware of this catastrophic problem. The Government should raise awareness among people on limiting the usage of petrol and use public transportation to keep our atmosphere safe and clean. In this regard, I feel that the government should focus on educating the people instead of increasing the price of petrol. Government and people are the two sides of a coin, so not only the Government always plays a role in saving our earth, but also we should work along with the Government in order to restrict the pollution problem due to the large consumption of petrol.

I don’t usually comment. However, I will say that your conclusion should be either one or two sentences long – no more.

It is believed that the most effective solution to rapidly increasing traffic and pollution problems is to make petrol expensive. In my opinion, I agree that, by doing so, it will help to bring down the traffic congestion but there are also other ways to curb the exploding traffic and pollution menace.

Hi Liz How can I write a thesis statement for a cause and effect essay?

The percentage of overweight children in western society has increased by almost 20% in the last ten years.

What are the causes and effects ?

https://ieltsliz.com/liz-notice-2015-2016/

Hi Liz…i am confused with the use of the verb ‘increase’…I thought that it is a passive verb which means that we do not use it in Passive voice as it has a passive meaning..However you used the phrase ‘if the price is increased’or …’need to be increased’…please could you explain me this grammatic phenomenon?…thanks a lot

This verb can be used in all forms. Please check your dictionary. All the best Liz

I noticed that the question states “pollution problem”. Would I be deviating from the topic if I state that increasing fuel cost will not be the optimal solution for mitigating pollution issues since other factors unrelated to car use may pollute the air, such as improper waste disposal?

I am looking forward to your response. thank you very much.

For this essay question, the subject is both traffic and pollution together which means you can separate them. The pollution in the essay question relates to traffic pollution only so it wouldn’t be advisable to start writing about other sources of pollution. Liz

Hi Liz sorry for disturbing.Could you assess my essay and give some advices.

Nowadays,increasing number of cars on roads,one of the big issues for the environment and growthing amount of people.Owing to,vehicles emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere,which able to create greenhouse effect in the atmosphere.Simultaneously,greenhouse gases cause to raise average ambient temperature. In my opinion,increasing the price of petrol isn’t the best way to solve growing traffic and pollution problems.Due to,the people who has afford to drive a car,although increasing price of petrol,ongoing driving,by connecting it with their needing.Meanwhille,increasing price of petrol can influence to the price of other manufactures trade,makes it raise.That is why,I can’t go along this opinion.In addition,the increasing price of petrol also can lead to protest and demonstrations,which aren’t good for goverment policy. I suggest that the solution start mass to make vehicles which use alternative types of fuel instead of petrol and that is can mitigate the pollution of environment.Furthermore,for reducing traffic congestion I reckon that,some rich people need change their opinion about cars psychologically.They should look to cars as transport method don’t as luxurious.Because,many rich families have more cars than they need.To conclude,I’d like to mention about that,todays many entrepreneurs at the world are interesting about mass producing cars which use alternative types of fuel (hybrid,hydrogen e.t.c.)

Please read my notice about posting writing: https://ieltsliz.com/posting-writing/ Thanks Liz

Speak Your Mind Cancel reply

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

50% DISCOUNT OFFER - FINAL DAY, TODAY

Recent New Lessons

50% discount on advanced ielts – ends today, 50% discount: advanced ielts lessons & e-books, ideas in ielts essays & in ielts speaking, test yourself with linking words, ielts speaking part 2 cue card topics – 2024.

Click Below to Learn:

• IELTS Test Information
• Writing Task 1
• Writing Task 2

Copyright Notice

Copyright © Elizabeth Ferguson, 2014 – 2024

All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

• Click here:  Privacy Policy 
• Click here: Disclaimer

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2024 · Prose on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in