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Problem-solution essays are a common essay type, especially for short essays such as subject exams or IELTS . The page gives information on what they are , how to structure this type of essay, and gives an example problem-solution essay on the topic of obesity and fitness levels.
Problem-solution essays consider the problems of a particular situation, and give solutions to those problems. They are in some ways similar to cause and effect essays , especially in terms of structure (see below). Problem-solution essays are actually a sub-type of another type of essay, which has the following four components:
The 'situation' may be included in the essay prompt, in which case it will not be needed in the main body. If it is needed, it can often be included in the introduction, especially for short essays, as with the example essay below . The 'evaluation' may be included as part of the conclusion (also as in the example below), or omitted altogether, especially for short essays. For these reasons, problem-solution essays are more common than situation-problem-solution-evaluation essays (or SPSE essays).
There are two main ways to structure a problem-solution essay. These are similar to the ways to structure cause and effect essays , namely using a block or a chain structure. For the block structure, all of the problems are listed first, and all of the solutions are listed afterwards. For the chain structure, each problem is followed immediately by the solution to that problem. Both types of structure have their merits. The former is generally clearer, especially for shorter essays, while the latter ensures that any solutions you present relate directly to the problems you have given.
The two types of structure, block and chain , are shown in the diagram below. This is for a short essay, which includes the 'situation' in the introduction and 'evaluation' in the conclusion. A longer essay, for example one of around 1,000 words, with citations , would probably have these two sections as separate paragraphs in the main body.
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Below is a problem-solution essay on the topic of obesity and poor fitness . It uses the block structure . Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay, i.e. Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation. This will highlight not simply the paragraphs, but also (for problems and solutions) the thesis statement and summary , as these repeat the problems and solutions contained in the main body.
Consumption of processed and convenience foods and our dependence on the car have led to an increase in obesity and reduction in the fitness level of the adult population. In some countries, especially industrialized ones, the number of obese people can amount to one third of the population. This is significant as obesity and poor fitness lead to a decrease in life expectancy , and it is therefore important for individuals and governments to work together to tackle this issue and improve their citizens' diet and fitness. Obesity and poor fitness decrease life expectancy. Overweight people are more likely to have serious illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease, which can result in premature death. It is well known that regular exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, which means that those with poor fitness levels are at an increased risk of suffering from those problems. Changes by individuals to their diet and their physical activity can increase life expectancy. There is a reliance today on the consumption of processed foods, which have a high fat and sugar content. By preparing their own foods, and consuming more fruit and vegetables, people could ensure that their diets are healthier and more balanced, which could lead to a reduction in obesity levels. In order to improve fitness levels, people could choose to walk or cycle to work or to the shops rather than taking the car. They could also choose to walk up stairs instead of taking the lift. These simple changes could lead to a significant improvement in fitness levels. Governments could also implement initiatives to improve their citizens' eating and exercise habits. This could be done through education, for example by adding classes to the curriculum about healthy diet and lifestyles. Governments could also do more to encourage their citizens to walk or cycle instead of taking the car, for instance by building more cycle lanes or increasing vehicle taxes. While some might argue that increased taxes are a negative way to solve the problem, it is no different from the high taxes imposed on cigarettes to reduce cigarette consumption. In short, obesity and poor fitness are a significant problem in modern life, leading to lower life expectancy . Individuals and governments can work together to tackle this problem and so improve diet and fitness . Of the solutions suggested, those made by individuals themselves are likely to have more impact, though it is clear that a concerted effort with the government is essential for success. With obesity levels in industrialized and industrializing countries continuing to rise, it is essential that we take action now to deal with this problem.
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Below is a checklist for the main body of an essay. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.
The essay is a essay | ||
An appropriate is used, either or | ||
The essay has a clear | ||
Each paragraph has a clear | ||
The essay has strong support (facts, reasons, examples, etc.) | ||
The conclusion includes a of the main points |
Find out about writing definitions and definition essays in the next section.
Go back to the previous section about cause & effect essays .
Author: Sheldon Smith ‖ Last modified: 22 January 2022.
Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .
Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.
Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).
Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.
Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).
Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.
Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
These six errors are common in IELTS problem solution essays.
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.
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
2) Main body paragraph 1 – Problem or Cause
3) Main body paragraph 2 – Solution
4) Conclusion
This structure will give us a well-balanced essay with 4 paragraphs.
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.
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?
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.
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:
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.
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:
With that done, we can focus on the first paragraph of the essay – the introduction.
Good introductions to IELTS problem solution essays have a simple 2 part structure:
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.
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:
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
Main body paragraphs in IELTS problem solution essays should contain 3 things:
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 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.
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:
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:
or
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.
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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
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Unfortunately or fortunately, the world we live in is not perfect. Problems of a different nature that we face daily require solutions. And there is no doubt the issues must be solved. That is why in the course of academic writing students are often asked to write problem solution essays, allowing young people to express their points of view. This type of research paper allows you not only to show your creativity but also to find multiple solutions to real problems.
In this article, we will look at the basic principles and requirements for writing a problem solution essay. We will also explain to you the structure of such work and the secrets that will help you become the author of a strong problem solution paper. Keep reading, and you will learn working strategies to help you with your research.
Let’s start with an interpretation of the basic concepts, namely problem solution paper definition.
It is a form of argumentative essay. In it, the author’s task is to outline the problem that needs to be solved. And also to convince the reader that this issue is worthy of attention and that its solution is a necessity and not a subjective desire.
Then the most difficult task lies ahead – to propose one or more ways to solve the crisis. The tone of the paper must be persuasive, as the author must inspire confidence and respect to draw attention to the problem. Moreover, you will not only explain the importance of solving this problem but also call the audience to action.
Don’t forget that your problem solution essay should be scientifically based. So, to write your essay , you should possess a certain level of expertise. For this reason, you need to choose problem solution essay topics that are in the field of your interest and knowledge.
Remember that you can opt for one of two key schemes. In terms of the first, you choose one, in your opinion, the best solution to the problem, and present it to the audience. The second direction is to suggest a list of possible solutions. In this way, you allow the reader to independently choose the most attractive option.
Like any other academic essay, this type requires three main sections. Namely, the introduction, the body part, and the conclusion. The size of each of the parts is rather limited. Therefore, you have to briefly and meaningfully state the necessary explanation. Let’s take a look at the content of each of the parts as well as see some tips to write a good problem solution essay.
The introduction opens your solution essay and should be impressive. A book is judged by its cover, and an essay by its introduction. Your task is to interest the reader for further reading. Try to fit in the first paragraph shocking statistics regarding the chosen research problem. Or start with a personal question to the reader. You can even provoke readers into emotion. Perhaps it will be a sense of shame to ignore an important issue that needs a solution. Or a feeling of fear of the possible consequences.
Since the first paragraph of the problem solving essay introduces the reader to the subject, you should keep it concise but informative. The thesis statement will help you with this. It should be coherent and describe the topic and objectives of your work. Place it at the very beginning of the first paragraph.
The main part is the development of your ideas. It is in this section that you have to present the problem, explain its importance, and talk about its peculiarities. And, of course, you need to provide your expert opinion on how to solve the chosen problem.
There are two kinds of formats down to the main part. We will consider each of them in more detail below. However, in short, the block structure assumes that you present all the problems in one paragraph of the paper. And in the second part, all other solutions. While the chain structure of a paper implies gradual disclosure. One problem, one solution.
Both schemes are suitable for a problem solving essay format. We can independently choose the most suitable option. However, do not mix these two structures with each other. Stick to just one format.
The conclusion is a paragraph for evaluation of findings you have received in the course of writing the research paper. You have to identify your results and express them in the last paragraph. You can also indicate what exactly you would like the reader to remember from your essay.
As a final phrase of your paper, you should call the audience to a specific action. Remind people that solving this problem is absolutely necessary, and explain why it cannot be ignored. Be persuasive, and your opinion deserves to be heard.
Outlining your essay will help you plan your thoughts and fit the right message into your solution paper. This will also save you time, as the frame of the essay will be ready. Let’s look at the two main directions to write a body part and how exactly you can use them.
The introduction is the same for both types of paper formatting. In it, you must describe the selected situation. State the main idea and objectives of your essay. Finally, your goal is to interest the reader. You do not provide any solution yet, only set the scene for future research development.
The block structure for the outline means that you divide the body part of your essay into two sections. In the first section, you look at problems, explaining their importance and the need to find solutions. While in the second section of the essay is the solution paragraph, where you offer all the ways you know how to solve this problem.
Let’s see the second option you can use for your problem solution paper.
The chain structure for the essay outline means that you divide your body part into several sections depending on how many problems you will consider. Each section should represent one problem and propose a solution for that issue. Accordingly, this is a sequential paper structure format.
The conclusions also have a single format, in this section, you need to include an evaluation of your work. Process the data you have obtained while you write a problem solution research and describe it to the reader. Also, this section of essays often includes a call to action which means you should create a plan of what exactly people are supposed to do to solve the issue.
Such a responsible type of work often causes anxiety among students. It is necessary to show not only ingenuity and creativity but also to conduct a deep analysis regarding the particular problem. To make it easier for you, our custom essay company has compiled a list of the tips that will lead you to write a decent problem solution essay. Follow these steps, and you will get a high score.
Every written work begins with an understanding of the basic requirements. Therefore, the first step to writing a quality problem solution essay is to become familiar with the key components of the work.
In addition to the basic elements, namely the introduction, main body, and conclusion, there are also other equally important components. Consider creating an outline for your research to facilitate structuring your ideas and make your problem solution essay match the requirements. Frame a strong thesis statement that will present the topic of your writing. Come up with compelling arguments and evidence to be more persuasive.
From the very first paragraph, you need to immerse readers in the context of the problem. Your task is to reach out to people and prove to them the significance of the issue you have chosen. Provide evidence that your problem cannot be ignored. The reasons should be shocking so that they draw public attention.
Speak out, let the world know your perspective. That is exactly what the problem solution essay is about. You are supposed to reveal your awareness regarding the topic, so there is no room for doubt that your voice should be heard.
Do not ignore preliminary studies on the subject you’ve chosen. This step is an integral part of building a logical argument plan. You need to be an expert in the field, to support your assumptions with real evidence. Consider all the required questions before starting your problem solution paper.
Visit the library for help. Study books, publications in paper, and electronic newspapers. This will help you understand the context and background of your chosen crisis. It is the understanding of the origins of the problem that leads to clarity in the questions of its solution.
Discuss the issue with a profile specialist. Deep research will bring the best result. It’s not just about a good grade. It’s more about being knowledgeable in the area you study.
The thesis statement summarizes the general theme of your research in a few words. If you had to describe your work in a few words, that would be your research proposal covering the topic. Also, such a phrase helps the reader to determine from the first words whether he is interested in the topic of your work. That is why it is your responsibility to describe your work as concisely and intriguingly as possible.
The thesis proposal is at the very beginning of your introduction. This is literally the first thing the readers encounter when they meet your problem solution essay. As the famous proverb says, a bad beginning makes a bad ending. So make sure it is not the case of your thesis proposal.
Since you have already thoroughly studied the issues, it is time for you to move on to finding ways to solve problems. This is the most important part of writing problem solution essays. Since you need not only to study existing strategies for dealing with the crisis but also to offer your innovative ideas. This requires deep knowledge of the origins of the problem, as well as some creativity.
However, be realistic in your suggestions. Your solution must be tenacious. It should be able to improve the situation now. Very creative, but unrealizable strategies will not be very productive. Your task is to focus on finding real ways to solve real problems and not fantasize about the distant future of science and technology.
When you manage to develop an optimal solution, you will have to explain it to the public. Support your ways out with proper reasons. Why exactly is your idea trustworthy? There might be some objections from the side of the readers, so make sure to avoid misconceptions.
Based on the data you discuss, you are supposed to develop examples confirming what you said. To explain to the readers that your plan is effective, you need to provide visual evidence.
You will have to study experiments on problem solving similar to your own one. Have comparable solutions worked in the same situations? Discuss the solution with experts on your topic, and cite scientific research that you relied on. Process the data you received and make up a diagram to reinforce your argument.
It doesn’t matter whether you have one or more solutions. They all are supposed to be well elaborated. Problem solution papers need strong testimony.
Having covered your problem solution topic, it’s time to focus on the results obtained. To write a compelling conclusion, you can predict exactly how the situation will change if your solution is implemented. Propose to the reader a detailed alternative reality where your plan of problem solution is accomplished. This forces the reader to think about the necessary action to improve the situation. The audience will have no questions nor objections seeing your expert, science-based assumptions.
You can also do the opposite for your problem solution essay. Offer the reality in which your solution to the problem has not been brought to life. How exactly can the situation worsen? What happens if the situation is ignored and not solved? Include this strategy in the problem solution essay, and we guarantee it will work out.
It doesn’t matter how good your problem solution essay is in terms of content as long as your text is full of typos and another formatting is incorrect. All types of essays have a certain format that should be followed. You need to study in detail the requirements for the design of your paper.
Literacy is also very important in writing essays. Proofread your work several times before handing it into the teacher. It is best to check not immediately after writing but the following day. Thus, with a fresh look, it will be easier for you to notice existing errors. Check your work for typos, punctuation, spelling, and stylistic errors.
Give your paper to a friend or parent to check. You can also ask them if your essay is interesting. You will still have a chance to add or reduce some information.
Tackling the Challenge of Food Waste in the Foodservice Industry
The foodservice industry is plagued by a significant issue that has been persistent for years: food waste. Recent reports by the National Restaurant Association show that nearly 84% of restaurants throw away excess food every day. This not only has a significant environmental impact but also places a financial burden on restaurant owners. To combat this problem, innovative solutions need to be implemented to reduce food waste.
One solution is to optimize serving sizes. Often, restaurants serve portions that are too large for customers to finish, leading to excessive food waste. Offering smaller portion sizes would help minimize waste while giving customers the option to order more if needed.
Another solution is to donate surplus food to local food banks or charitable organizations. Some restaurants have already started doing this, creating a win-win situation. By reducing their food waste, restaurants can also help feed people in need. Additionally, partnering with local farmers and food rescue organizations can facilitate the donation of unused food to community members.
Additionally, composting programs can be implemented by restaurants to transform food waste into nutrient-rich soil for farming. This can be achieved by collaborating with composting facilities or setting up on-site composting systems. By embracing this approach, restaurants can significantly reduce their environmental impact while creating a sustainable food system.
In summary, the foodservice industry must tackle the issue of food waste by adopting innovative solutions. This can be done by optimizing portion sizes, donating excess food to those in need, and implementing composting programs. As a conscious consumer, I appreciate restaurants that prioritize sustainable practices and make an effort to reduce their environmental footprint. By taking these steps, restaurants can not only benefit themselves but also contribute to a positive impact on the planet and their community.
Problem solution essay is not the easiest task to perform. However, keeping in mind all the basic requirements for the job, you will be able to complete the task. This is also a chance for you to show your wit and creativity and earn a good reputation in the eyes of the teacher. Finding creative solutions to complex problems is one of the requirements for candidates for the best positions in cutting-edge companies. So who knows, maybe today you are writing an essay, and tomorrow you are at the forefront due to your skills. We hope this article has dispelled your doubts and added confidence and motivation to writing a problem solution essay.
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Picking a topic.
Think about what problem would you like to see solved. You should pick something that will be motivating to you, something that you are passionate about. Why? For one, it will make it easier for you to research and to keep yourself motivated to do the research. For another, it will make it easier for you to write on and make your paper more engaging for others to read. Your paper and the research it documents should be impactful to those who read it.
Important: make sure that you pick a problem that really has possible solutions. The same considerations apply to picking a topic for this paper as for any other -- the topic can't be too broad or too narrow, and it has to be something that can actually be researched. For more information on choosing a topic, check out this webpage on finding problem topics and useful ways to approach finding solutions to those problems .
Not sure what to research for your topic? Take the topic you have selected and turn it into a research question. For instance, if your topic is "obesity in America," you could frame that into research questions like "What are measures that prevent weight gain?" or "What are the most sustainable diets for weight loss?" (Tip: Avoid search terms like "best" or "worst" because they are very vague and subjective. Choose terms that are more specific and quantifiable in meaning.)
Still stuck on how to create a research question? Check out this video for more help:
Now that you have a research question, do some preliminary research to give you direction on breaking your problem down in to feasible solutions. Choose more specific Browse the library's databases, skim through a book, or search the web for possible information.
Keep these questions in mind as you search:
Using the research you gathered from your research question(s), create a claim indicating what solutions you plan to propose in your paper. What three solutions are you proposing to the problem? The topic you submit in your proposal cannot be changed, but the research process is still ongoing, so your solutions may change if you find better ones in your ongoing research. This is a tentative thesis; you can make some changes to it later if you need to.
Now that you have taken some time to seriously think about and research your topic, you are ready to present your trajectory/proposal (intentions) for the research project. The proposal must contain your final subject/topic for the research project.
Not sure how to put together a thesis? Watch this helpful video that breaks it down for you:
A problem-solution paper is exactly what it sounds like. First, an issue or obstacle is posed, then a solution or series of solutions is suggested to resolve that issue or obstacle.
Problem-solution essays can be structured differently depending on the nature of the topic. (For instance, if there is important historical information to your problem that is a bit too long for your intro, then you might want to spend a paragraph between your intro and your solution body paragraphs to give your audience that history.) Most essays, however, follow this basic formula:
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This lesson on how to write a problem solution essay will:
Problem/solution questions are one of the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions on the academic paper. Despite being very common, many students fail to do well in these questions. This post will look at some of the most common mistakes and then take you through how to answer these questions step-by-step.
This is one of the most crucial parts of answering any IELTS writing question. If you don’t take the time to think properly about what the examiner is asking you to do, then it is very difficult to answer the question correctly.
We analyse the question by thinking about three things:
Keywords are the words that tell us what the general topic is.
Micro-keywords identify which part of the general topic the examiner wants you to discuss. They often give an opinion, qualify the statement or talk about a sub-category of the bigger general topic.
Action words tell us what the examiner wants us to do.
Global warming is one of the biggest threats humans face in the 21st Century, and sea levels continue to rise at alarming rates.
What problems are associated with this, and what are some possible solutions?
If we look at this question, we can see that the keywords are ‘ global warming ‘. This is our general topic. We will write about this, but we cannot write about any problems associated with global warming. If we do this, we have not answered the question properly. We, therefore, need to look at the micro-keywords.
The micro-keywords are ‘ humans ‘ and ‘ sea level rise ‘. So instead of writing just about the huge topic of global warming and any problems associated with that (such as increased storms, extinction of certain animals, erosion of soil), we have to talk about how particularly sea level rises will affect humans . If we talked about the problems affecting the ‘planet’ or ‘animals’ or the ‘atmosphere’, we would not be answering the question.
The action words are problems and solutions . Our task is, therefore, to write about that and only that. It does not ask our opinion about the disadvantages, advantages, or causes, just the problems and solutions. If we discussed the causes of sea level rise, we would not be answering the question.
For more information, go to effectively analyse an IELTS question .
Now that we know exactly what the question is asking us to do, we need to think of specific and relevant ideas. There are many strategies for thinking of ideas for IELTS task 2 questions TO THINK OF IDEAS FOR IELTS WRITING TASK 2 but for problem-solving questions; I like to use something called the ‘coffee shop method’.
Instead of brainstorming or mind-mapping- which take too much time and lead to irrelevant ideas in my opinion- you should pretend you are in a coffee shop with a friend and they have just asked you a simple question. In this case, it would be “What are the problems and solutions associated with sea level rise on humans?”
If you were talking to a friend about this, I’m sure you would have no problem thinking of at least 2 or 3 problems and solutions. This method takes you out of an exam situation and puts your mind into a more relaxed environment. Try it and see. If you don’t like it, try one of my other methods.
There are several problems and solutions, including:
Problem : flooding of people’s homes and businesses
Solution : build flood barriers or move to higher areas
Problem : loss of agricultural land and starvation
Solution : switch to more suitable crops
Problem : displacement of millions of people
Solution : move people in a planned and orderly way before the floods
Problem : groundwater undrinkable
Solution : build desalination plants
As you can see, I didn’t think of lots of problems and then lots of solutions. For each problem, you should think of a solution that directly solves this problem.
You now have lots of ideas, but now you must decide which ones to use. I always tell my students to pick the ones they know most about, i.e. that they can explain and give relevant examples.
I advise my students to use a basic four-paragraph structure with all problem solution IELTS essays. Your four paragraphs should look something like this:
Paragraph 1- Introduction
Paragraph 2- Problems
Paragraph 3- Solutions
Paragraph 4- Conclusion
At a sentence level, your structure should look like this:
1- Paraphrase question
2- Outline sentence
3- State problems
4- Explain first problem
5- Explain second problem
6- Example of second problem
7- State solutions
8- Explain solution to first problem
9- Explain solution to second problem
10- Example of solution to second problem
Sentence 11- Summary of main points in paragraphs 2 and 3
For more structures, check out our IELTS task 2 structures guide .
Now let’s look at each paragraph in more detail.
The introduction will have two sentences: a paraphrase of the question and an outline statement.
Paraphrasing is simply saying the sentence again with different words but with the same meaning. We can do this by using synonyms and/or changing the order of the words.
Question- Global warming is one of the biggest threats humans face in the 21st Century, and sea levels continue to rise at alarming rates.
Paraphrased- Climate change is among the principal dangers facing people this century, and ocean levels are increasing dramatically.
As you can see above, I have used synonyms to change the words of the questions, but it still has the same meaning. The examiner will look for your ability to do this in the exam, so practising this skill is a good idea.
Our outline sentence is next, which tells the examiner what they will read in the rest of the essay. This makes it very clear to the examiner and makes the rest of the essay much easier to understand. You will, therefore, gain marks for coherence and cohesion.
Our outline sentence should look something like this:
This essay will first suggest that the biggest problems caused by this phenomenon are the loss of land and the flooding of homes and then argue that pollution reduction and building flood protection are the most viable solutions.
Our introduction will, therefore, look like this:
Climate change is among the principal dangers facing people this century, and ocean levels are increasing dramatically. This essay will first suggest that the biggest problems caused by this phenomenon are the loss of land and the flooding of homes and then argue that pollution reduction and building flood protection are the most viable solutions.
It should be noted that this introduction does not contain a thesis statement. This is because this particular question does not ask us for our opinion. However, IELTS problem solution questions sometimes do ask you for your opinion, and you should then include a thesis statement.
Our problems paragraph will have this structure:
Sentence 1- State problems
Sentence 2- Explain first problem
Sentence 3- Explain second problem
Sentence 4- Example of second problem
State problems : The foremost problems caused by climbing sea levels are that land is being lost and peoples’ residences are often flooded.
Now that we have stated the problems, we must explain these. You should always consider your audience to be someone with no specialist knowledge in this area, and you, therefore, need to explain what everything means. Don’t assume that the IELTS examiner is educated and knows what you are talking about. These assumptions will stop you from writing what you need.
Explain first problem : As water levels rise, low-lying land is submerged, and many countries become smaller.
Explain second problem : Furthermore, millions of people worldwide live in coastal areas, and if the sea rises by even a few feet, they are inundated with water and lose their property.
Now we must give an example of what we are talking about. When we give an example, it should be as specific as possible.
An example of a very general example would be:
Lots of people in the world have experienced floods recently.
This is far too general to be considered a good example.
Example : The devastation brought about by this was clear for all to see during the 2011 Tsunami in Japan, in which millions of people were displaced.
This example is much more specific. Stating a place and/or date can help you make your examples more specific.
Our second paragraph will look like this:
The foremost problems caused by climbing sea levels are that land is being lost and people’s residences are often flooded. As water levels rise, low-lying land is submerged, and many countries become smaller. Furthermore, millions of people worldwide live in coastal areas, and if the sea rises by even a few feet, they are inundated with water and lose their property. This devastation was clear for all to see during the 2011 Tsunami in Japan, in which millions of people were displaced.
Now we must move on to our solutions.
Our solutions paragraph will have this structure:
Sentence 1- State solutions
Sentence 2- Explain solution to first problem
Sentence 3- Explain solution to second problem
Sentence 4- Example of solution to second problem
State solutions : Possible solutions to these problems would be to reduce the amount of pollution created and build flood barriers.
We now need to explain how our solution will help solve the problem. Again, do not assume that the examiner has any specialist knowledge of this topic, so you need to explain what you mean.
Explain first solution: If each person reduces their carbon footprint, the negative effects on the environment will be reduced, which will mean that the water level will stop rising.
Explain second solution : Furthermore, flood defences, such as dikes, dams, and floodgates, could be built along coasts and waterways, thereby stopping the water from reaching populated areas.
Example : The Netherlands is one of the most populated areas in the world and one of the most vulnerable to flooding. They have successfully employed various flood defence systems.
Our whole solutions paragraph will look like this:
Possible solutions to these problems would be to reduce the amount of pollution being created and to build flood barriers. If each person reduces their carbon footprint, the negative effects on the environment will be reduced, which will mean that the water level will stop rising. Furthermore, flood defences, such as dikes, dams, and floodgates, could be built along coasts and waterways, thereby stopping the water from reaching populated areas. The Netherlands is one of the most populated areas in the world and also one of the most vulnerable to flooding, and they have successfully employed various flood defence systems.
We have now answered the question and need to sum up what we have said in the conclusion.
The conclusion should have no new ideas but instead should list the main points from the previous two paragraphs. You can also use synonyms in this paragraph to avoid repetition.
Conclusion : To conclude, stemming the rising tides caused by increasing global temperatures is one of the foremost challenges we face, and it will ultimately lead to some countries losing landmass and many of the world’s cities being left underwater, but possible solutions could be to protect our environment and to utilise the flood prevention techniques already used by countries like Holland.
Our whole conclusion for this problem solution essay will look like this:
To conclude, stemming the rising tides caused by increasing global temperatures is one of the foremost challenges we face, and it will ultimately lead to some countries losing landmass and many of the world’s cities being left underwater, but possible solutions could be to protect our environment and to utilise the flood prevention techniques already used by countries like Holland.
Here is the whole essay:
Climate change is among the principal dangers facing people this century, and ocean levels are increasing dramatically. This essay will first suggest that the biggest problems caused by this phenomenon are the loss of land and the flooding of homes and then argue that pollution reduction and building flood protection are the most viable solutions. The foremost problems caused by climbing sea levels are that land is being lost and peoples’ residences are often flooded. As water levels rise, low-lying land is submerged and many countries become smaller. Furthermore, millions of people all over the world live in coastal areas, and if the sea rises by even a few feet, they are inundated with water and lose their property. The devastation brought about by this was clear for all to see during the 2011 Tsunami in Japan, in which millions of people were displaced. Possible solutions to these problems would be to reduce the amount of pollution being created and to build flood barriers. If each person reduces their carbon footprint, the negative effects on the environment will be reduced and this will mean that the water level will stop rising. Furthermore, flood defences, such as dikes, dams, and floodgates, could be built along coasts and waterways, thereby stopping the water reaching populated areas. The Netherlands is one of the most populated areas in the world and also one of the most vulnerable to flooding and they have successfully employed various flood defence systems. To conclude, stemming the rising tides caused by increasing global temperatures is one of the foremost challenges we face and it will ultimately lead to some countries losing landmass and many of the worlds’ cities being left underwater, but possible solutions could be to protect our environment and to utilise the flood prevention techniques already used by countries like Holland.
I hope this post helps you with IELTS problem solution essays, and if you have any questions, please comment below.
Next Steps
If you found this lesson useful and it has helped you write a problem solution essay, you should also check out our lessons on task 2 opinions essays , discussion essays and advantages and disadvantages essays .
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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.
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.
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:
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)
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):
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
Problem 2: growth of online fraud and hacking
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.
Answer the following questions about the solutions paragraph:
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.
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.
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 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
Solution 2: Parents
Solution 3: Companies
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This paragraph writing lesson provides tips on constructing the best paragraphs for your IELTS essay.
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Generating ideas for IELTS essays for writing task 2 can be difficult but complex ideas are not expected.
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.
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.
Learn transitional phrases for essays to get a band 7 or higher in your IELTS writing for coherence and cohesion.
25% of the writing grade is on how you organise your essay so this lesson shows you how to improve your writing coherence.
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.
Find out how to use pronouns to improve your coherency for IELTS task 2 essays.
The IELTS Task Response criteria in the scoring makes up 25% of your band score for your essay.
Your thesis statement in an IELTS essay should be written quickly and concisely. Use these tips to do that.
You can use substitution in your IELTS essays in order to improve coherency and coherence.
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In IELTS you must identify the topic of your essay as this is a key to making sure your essay is on topic.
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IELTS Charlie
Your Guide to IELTS Band 7
In this lesson we are going to look at how to answer an IELTS Problem Solution essay.
You will learn about this IELTS Writing Task 2 essay, using authentic IELTS essay questions , plus the most common mistakes. And I will finish with an IELTS model essay written by me in response to a sample IELTS essay question . So let’s get started!
In this IELTS question type, you are usually presented with a statement about a common problem that many people or societies face. Usually you will be asked to discuss 2 things:
Sometimes you may be asked to discuss the effects of the problem.
So it’s really important to read the question carefully, so you know exactly what you should discuss!
Read this task:
Plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are bad for the environment.
What damage does plastic do to the environment?
What can be done by governments and individuals to solve this problem?
Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Test 1
So in the task above, you are presented with a statement about a problem: “ Plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are bad for the environment. “
Next, you are asked a question related to the problem: “ What damage does plastic do to the environment?” . In this task the question is asking you about the effect of the problem.
Then, you are asked a question related to the solution: “ What can be done by governments and individuals to solve this problem?” In other words, you need to suggest some solutions.
These types of question can be worded in a variety of ways. Here are some common examples:
What do you think are the causes of these problems and what measures could be taken to solve them?
As you can see, it’s really important to read the question carefully because the wording can vary a lot.
If you are aiming for a high band score (band 7 and above) it is absolutely vital that you plan your essay. A good plan will help you to see if you have answered the question, developed your ideas and organised them BEFORE you start writing.
We’re going to plan an essay using my 4 Step Planning Process .
First, you need to make sure you understand exactly what you need to write about. So you need to read the question carefully, not quickly!
Think about these three questions:
What is the topic about?
What is the topic NOT about?
How should you respond to the topic?
Let’s go back to this essay question, and answer those 3 questions:
The topic is presented in the first sentence in the task, “plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are bad for the environment.” So the topic is about the negative effects that plastic items (specifically bags, bottles and packaging) have on the natural world.
Note that the first sentence is a factual statement, not an opinion. It states that plastic IS bad for the environment, not “ some people think plastic is bad for the environment)
The two questions tell you how to respond to the topic. So make sure you answer these questions. Don’t discuss the advantages of plastic, or why you think plastic is NOT bad for the environment!
Next, you need to decide your position. In other words, you need to decide what you think.
In a problems solutions IELTS essay, your position is simply your answers to the two questions .
So in our example task, your position is your answers to these 2 questions:
There aren’t questions with a factual answer, so they are really asking you for your opinion, ideally an opinion based on your own knowledge or experience.
Personally, I think that plastic damages the environment by harming wildlife, and because the plastic gets into the water supply system. What can governments and individuals do? I think governments need to tax plastic more heavily. And individuals can stop using plastic bags.
So what is YOUR position? What do YOU think?
When you decided your position, you may have started thinking about the reasons for your position, the reasons for your answer. In other words, WHY are you taking this view?
Giving reasons for your view is essential in an IELTS essay. In fact, all IELTS questions tell you to “give reasons for your answer”. So in Step 3, you need to think about your reasons a little more.
However, just presenting your reasons is not enough. You need to develop them.
The two best ways of developing your ideas is by:
Together, these add more detail to your answer.
You MUST do this to get Band 7. If you fail to develop your ideas in detail, your band score for Task Response may be limited to Band 6.
Read more about how to develop your ideas in an IELTS essay.
The final step in the planning process is to structure your essay. This simply means deciding which main ideas to put in which paragraphs.
Here’s a simple structure for a problem / solution essay:
Here is an alternative structure:
However, this structure is not always appropriate, so use it carefully! If your ideas are not closely related to the problem, it can cause problems with coherence. For example, one problem caused by global warming is melting icecaps; however, there is no direct solution to melting icecaps – the solution often lies a long way from the polar ice caps .
Let’s go through how to write the different parts of the essay.
In the introduction to an IELTS Problems Solutions essay, you need to do two things:
You should begin with a background sentence which introduces your reader to the topic of the essay. The best way to do this is to paraphrase the topic statement.
How To Paraphrase
Think about the meaning of the topic statement, and briefly rewrite it using your own words. Try not to use the same grammatical structures as in the essay question, and try to move language around. In other words, be flexible. This is important if you are aiming for a Band 7 or higher.
In the example essay question above, the topic statement said:
“Plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are bad for the environment.”
Here is one way of paraphrasing this:
“People are becoming increasingly concerned about the damaging effects of plastic on the environment.”
This sentence has the same general meaning as the original sentence, but uses different vocabulary and different grammatical structures.
In an IELTS Problems Solutions essay, it’s a good idea to briefly say what you are going to write about – in other words, say that you are going to answer the two questions.
In our example essay above, we need to answer two questions:
So I could write:
This essay will examine the damage done to the environment by plastic, along with some possible solutions.
In an IELTS Problems Solutions essay, you need to present the problem (or the causes of the problem) and possible solutions in the body paragraphs.
There a couple of possible structures:
However, this second structure is not always appropriate. I would recommend only using the first structure.
Each body paragraph should contain:
This structure is what is meant by developing your ideas, and it is essential for a Band 7.
You can read more about developing your ideas here .
In the conclusion to an IELTS Problem Solution essay, you need to do one thing:
Do NOT write any new ideas in your conclusion. If you think of new ideas while writing your conclusion, forget them! It’s too late.
These are the most common mistakes made by Test Takers when writing an IELTS Problem Solution essay:
Plastic bags, plastic bottles and plastic packaging are bad for the environment. What damage does plastic do to the environment? What can be done by governments and individuals to solve this problem?
(Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Test 1)
Nowadays many people complain that they have difficulties getting enough sleep. What problems can lack of sleep cause? What can be done about lack of sleep?
(Cambridge IELTS 15 General Training Test 2)
In spite of the advances made in agriculture, many people around the world still go hungry. Why is this the case? What can be done about this problem?
( Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Test 4 )
Many working people get little or no exercise either during the working day or in their free time, and have health problems as a result. Why do many working people not get enough exercise? What can be done about this problem?
(Cambridge IELTS 13 General Training Test 2)
Here is an IELTS Problem Solution Essay that I wrote in response to this task:
In some countries the average weight of people is increasing and their levels of health and fitness are decreasing.
Cambridge IELTS 8 Test 4 (Academic)
Over the last few decades, rising obesity and a drop in people’s overall health and fitness have become a major concern in many countries, especially those in the developed world.
One of the main causes of increasing weight amongst the population is because so much food and drink contains large amounts of carbohydrates. Junk food, for example, tends to contain high quantities of cheap pasta and rice, while soft drinks often contain large amounts of sugar. If these carbohydrates are not burned up through exercise, they will simply be converted by the body into fat, leading to weight gain.
However, people are getting less exercise, which means that not only will they gain weight, they will also experience lower levels of health and fitness. One of the main reasons for this lack of exercise is our increasingly sedentary lifestyle. Whereas in the past, many people used to be engaged in manual labour such as factory work or farming, today they are more likely to be sat in an office hunched over a computer. Add to that the fact that people are more likely to commute to work by car, rather than walk or cycle, and we can see why people are getting fatter and less healthy.
There are some solutions to this problem that governments could provide, such as a sugar tax. In countries where this has been introduced, such as the U.K., this has led to drinks’ manufacturers reducing the amount of sugar in their products. I also feel that higher levels of tax on petrol might make car drivers think twice about whether they should really take the car out on the road. Ultimately, however, it is up to individuals to take more responsibility for their own health and fitness. They could make the effort to walk more and take the car less, and make better choices regarding their diet using information that is widely available on the Internet.
(321 words)
Read my full plan and comments for this essay.
About the author
Charlie is a former IELTS Examiner with 25 years' teaching experience all over the world. His courses, for both English language learners and teachers, have been taken by over 100,000 students in over 160 countries around the world.
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Discover the 7 STEPS to BAND 7 in IELTS Writing Task 2
Problem-solution essays are a common type of academic writing that requires you to identify a problem and propose potential solutions. These essays are often used to analyze complex issues, evaluate different perspectives, and develop critical thinking skills. In this article, you'll find tips on picking the perfect topic, plus a hefty list of ideas to get you started.
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When selecting a topic for your problem-solution essay, consider the following tips:
Here are some additional questions to consider when selecting a topic:
By carefully considering these factors, you can choose a problem-solving essay topic that is both interesting and challenging.
The problem and solution essay topics below cover a wide range of subjects, giving you plenty to choose from. Pick a topic that sparks your interest or aligns with your field of study. Once you've got your topic, dive into researching the problem and crafting your solutions. Be sure to back up your claims with solid evidence and think through the potential impact of each solution you propose.
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
Propose practical and reasonable solutions for the first problem. Support each solution with evidence and rationale. Solution 2: Repeat the process for the second problem's solutions. Ensure a clear connection between each problem and its respective solution. Conclusion.
Step 1: Think about groups that you belong to and the problems that those groups have. Make a list of groups you belong to, such as: Step 2: Make a list of problems you have encountered in some of these groups. Sometimes there is a plan for a solution, but it isn't working, or maybe the plan isn't being enforced.
Main body - contains 2-3 paragraphs, each of them beginning with a topic sentence. Body paragraph. Problem 1. Problem 2. Body paragraph. Solution 1. Solution 2. Conclusion - sums up all main points. Block method allows you to look at multiple problems or solutions using separate paragraphs.
The best guide for a problem solution essay outline is the four components mentioned above. Cover the situation, the problem, the solution, and then evaluate both or all sides of the story. To drill down further into the outline, you should have an introduction that will set out your paper's structure. Then you should present the situation.
1. Confirm the paper follows a clear structure or outline. Review the paper and confirm it covers the four components of a problem solution paper. Make sure it addresses the problem and the solution in detail. Check that your thesis statement appears in the introduction and in the conclusion sections of the paper.
By understanding the key elements of a problem solution essay and following the tips provided in this guide, you can write a powerful and effective essay that addresses real-world problems and inspires change. Conducting Research and Gathering Information. Research is a critical component of writing a problem solution essay.
1) Take a walk. A good problem-solution paper addresses a problem that is worth pursuing and can be solved practically. World peace is out, sorry. So are your personal gripes with security ...
Step Two: Brainstorming and Research. Think about the problem or the issue you have chosen and ask yourself: why it matters, why it's a problem, and how it can be solved. Try to understand and clarify what you know about the problem and what a potential solution could be. To ease your research or writing create questions.
A problem-solution essay is an essay that uses analysis of problems and solutions to argue a point. Here, we will focus on the specific strategies that can be used to develop a problem-solution essay.
When wondering how to write a problem solution essay, it's important to describe a problem, convince the reader to care about the problem, and propose a solution. Read on to learn more! ... Here are some tips that will make persuasive essay writing easy. Once you have a solid topic in hand, a systematic approach will bring readers into your ...
1.Describe the problem and tell why it is important to solve. 2. Explain your solution and why it will work. 3. Refute objections. Problems are easy to see, but finding solutions is not as easy. To write an effective paper, you need to spend some time preparing your ideas. This step-by-step guide leads you through the process of getting your ...
A good problem-solution essay should propose a solution that is easy to implement, reasonable, and solves the problem. Make sure your essay stays focused on the main topic. Below are steps for writing a good and impressive problem-solution essay. 1. Choose the Topic.
20 Tips for Writing a Problem and Solution Essay. A high-standard scholarly essay is a product of enough preparation and focused intellectual engagement. This condition makes it essential for writers to learn to accomplish their tasks flawlessly. The tips for students and anyone writing a problem and solution essay include identifying ...
Problem-solution essays consider the problems of a particular situation, and give solutions to those problems. They are in some ways similar to cause and effect essays, especially in terms of structure (see below). Problem-solution essays are actually a sub-type of another type of essay, which has the following four components: Situation. Problem.
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.
The size of each of the parts is rather limited. Therefore, you have to briefly and meaningfully state the necessary explanation. Let's take a look at the content of each of the parts as well as see some tips to write a good problem solution essay. Introduction. The introduction opens your solution essay and should be impressive.
A problem-solution essay that addresses economic problems is compelling precisely because everyone is eager for answers—especially college graduates. Check out these six problem-solution essay topics about economics for essay ideas. 6. Problem: Student loan debts.
Problem-solution essays can be structured differently depending on the nature of the topic. (For instance, if there is important historical information to your problem that is a bit too long for your intro, then you might want to spend a paragraph between your intro and your solution body paragraphs to give your audience that history.) Most ...
What are the guidelines for a workable solution? Sample criteria may include cost, feasibility, enforcement, etc. Step Four: Propose Solutions . 1. After you have analyzed the problem and suggested criteria for a solution, try to envision possible solutions in tentative, hypothetical terms. You might begin by suggesting a variety of possible ...
Problem: flooding of people's homes and businesses. Solution: build flood barriers or move to higher areas. Problem: loss of agricultural land and starvation. Solution: switch to more suitable crops. Problem: displacement of millions of people. Solution: move people in a planned and orderly way before the floods.
Answer: A recommendation report is another name for a problem/solution essay. The difference is that the recommendation report is generally focused on improving a business or institution. Additionally, the recommendation report carefully examines all of the possible solutions, as well as their pros and cons, before making the final recommendation.
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.
Step 4: Structure Your Essay. The final step in the planning process is to structure your essay. This simply means deciding which main ideas to put in which paragraphs. Here's a simple structure for a problem / solution essay: Paragraph 1: introduction. Paragraph 2: discuss 2 problems. Paragraph 3: discuss 2 solutions.
How to Choose Problem and Solution Essay Topics? When selecting a topic for your problem-solution essay, consider the following tips: Personal Interest: Choose a topic that interests you. This will make the writing process more enjoyable and engaging. Relevance: Select a topic that is relevant to your field of study or your personal life. This ...