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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.
Updated : January 2024
A common type of IELTS task 2 essay is a problem solution or causes solution essay. Here you will need to write about the causes of the problem in main body one and recommendations or possible solutions that could solve the issue in main body two. I could have a 3rd body paragraph but I prefer the 2 main body approach.
In this lesson we will look at:
In this type of IELTS essay, you can either write about 2 problems and 2 solutions or just 1 problem and 1 solution as long as you develop and extend your ideas. Both are fine there is no one particular magic structure that will guarantee a high band score.
Example of one problem one solution structure.
This is the first thing that needs to be done before getting ideas or writing anything. Let’s look at the question.
All over the world, societies are facing a growing problem with obesity. This problem affects both children and adults. What are the reasons for this rise in obesity, How could it be tackled?
Keywords: all over the world, societies, a growing problem, obesity, affects children and adults,
(The general topic is about obesity, however, we need to focus on the issues. Keywords such as “all over the world” “societies” ” affects children/adults” “growing problem” It is important to write about the issues by looking at the keywords, not just a general essay on obesity.)
Instruction words: These words show what kind of essay you will need to write, there are 5 essay types and each structure is different. In this case, the instruction words are: “what are the reasons for this? ” and “how could it be tackled?” . I have to write about the reasons for the problem and how can the problem be solved. This is a causes solution essay.
1. listing pros and cons or problems and solutions:.
This idea might work well for a problem solution essay or an advantage disadvantage essay but for the other types of essay, it might not work very well. You just list problems on the left and solutions on the right. (I will use this method in this lesson.) but remember we only choose one or two problems and solutions to write about.
This took me about 2 minutes to list them, so now I need to select just 1 or 2 problems and 1 or 2 solutions and write about those. I do not need all these ideas, be selective here.
Important: do not just write a list of problems in the essay. You have to explain the causes of the problem and give specific examples and a suggestion for what action should be taken in the body paragraphs. You only need to write about 1 or 2 problems and suggest solutions. Don’t waste time brainstorming ideas or going into too much detail because you will not have time.
This technique is very useful for getting ideas quickly, remember that you don’t have much preparation time before writing. So you write a statement and ask yourself questions, like having a conversation with yourself. This works well for an opinion essay or discussion essay.
By the way, you can just use one problem and one solution and still get a Band 7 if the essay is well supported and developed.
You have a little conversation with yourself to get ideas and then write some notes. Imagine you are with a friend and they are having a conversation with you about this topic. Keep it short though because you have to now think of paraphrasing the question and writing a thesis statement.
You do not need to be an expert on the topic, but you need to give an opinion and support it with specific examples. Another thing to bear in mind is the specific examples you give do not have to be accurate. For example, if I say “the consumption of fast food in the UK has risen by 24% since 2002 “ that sounds fine, but if I say “ it has risen by 98% “ then that just doesn’t sound believable.
Click this link on how to give examples in body paragraphs.
Tip: The IELTS test is not a general knowledge test. It is designed to test your English ability and the way you can back up your arguments with examples. Many students are scared and think their facts, opinions or statistics will be cross-checked. The examiner is not going to check online to see if your facts or statistics are correct, they just don’t have time to do that.
Now it is time to paraphrase the question for the introduction and add a thesis statement. Here is the question again.
Nations worldwide are dealing with the increasing issue of obesity. This is a cause for concern for all age groups.
These are the words and phrases that I have paraphrased using synonyms.
Have you noticed that I didn’t paraphrase everything? It is not necessary to change every single word. Also, I changed the phrase “All over the world, societies are….” to a much simpler “ Nations worldwide” . It’s not just about paraphrasing words with synonyms the grammar can be slightly altered too. Now I need to state the causes of the problems and possible solutions in the Thesis statement.
There are two main causes, overconsumption of fast food and a lack of exercise. Possible solutions would be a government tax on fast food and special incentives on gym membership to get people exercising.’
Keep the thesis statement short and to the point. Another method is to state the causes of the problem and refer to the fact that there are possible solutions to the issue. This means you will have a much more concise thesis statement. Example below.
This is caused by overconsumption of fast food and a lack of exercise, however, some steps can be taken to resolve this.
Remember: Your main body paragraphs will reflect the thesis statement so you must plan your thesis statement well.
Nations worldwide are dealing with the increasing issue of obesity. This is a cause for concern for all age groups. There are two main causes, overconsumption of fast food and lack of exercise. Possible solutions would be a government tax on fast food and special incentives for gym membership to get people exercising.
This introduction is around 54 words. Keep it concise it is not necessary to have a long introduction.
I have chosen 2 key problems which are fast food and lack of exercise so I want to stick with those and not go off onto another topic. Do not suddenly change your ideas in the middle of writing you will lose time. Take a look at the idea below.
One of the reasons people are becoming obese these days is that they eat junk food like hamburgers and chips. The solution is for the government to raise taxes on fast food.
Is there enough detail here? Is there anything missing from this paragraph? How can I improve it? The answer is that I need more detail and a specific example, not just a general example . I need to explain what can be done to solve the problem. I can also write about what the result of the solution could be.
In this case, I will go with 2 causes 2 solutions
Key: Green = main topic sentence, Blue = give an explanation, Purple = give an example, Orange = give a possible solution, Grey = result of the possible solution (you don’t have to use this though)
Now I will use the same technique to write the main body 2 paragraph about lack of exercise.
Examples for introducing problems:
Grammar for showing possible results/outcomes:
Key point on giving examples in body paragraphs: Something that is important for backing up your supporting points is giving specific examples, such as “In the UK sales of these types of food have risen dramatically since 1990” . You can give statistics but they are not really necessary. The examiner is not going to google your information and check. The aim of this is to show how you can use examples to back up your points.
Now let’s take a look at the conclusion. Here you need to briefly summarise the 2 problems and 2 solutions with a recommendation or prediction sentence.
Key: Green = cohesive device, Orange = summarise the 2 problems, Blue = summarise the 2 solutions, Purple = recommendation or prediction sentence
The last sentence is optional (the recommendation prediction sentence) but this is a good idea to include if you think the essay is under 250 words. The conclusion should briefly repeat the main points you were writing about in the main bodies of the essay. Be sure to keep the conclusion short and simple, about 3 sentences is enough.
You must write a conclusion, If you do not write a conclusion you will lose a Band score in task response. One useful method is to paraphrase your introduction in the conclusion.
Examples of cohesive devices to conclude.
Just choose one of these in the conclusion. Some words that should not be used to conclude are ‘ All in all, Finally, Lastly, in the end, In a nutshell, I reckon … ‘ don’t use these, they are informal or are inappropriate.
Nations worldwide are dealing with the increasing issue of obesity. This is a cause for concern for all age groups. There are two main causes, over-consumption of fast food and lack of exercise. Possible solutions would be a government tax on fast food and special incentives for gym membership to get people exercising.
One of the reasons that people are becoming overweight these days is that they are eating more junk food, ready meals and convenience food rather than cooking healthy meals at home. This is because many people tend to lead a busy life after a long day at work it is easier to just buy ready meals in the supermarket or get a takeaway. For instance, In the UK, sales of these types of foods have risen considerably since 1990, this is due to busy people seeing cooking at home as time-consuming. To tackle this issue the government should take steps to increase the tax on high fat, high sugar or unhealthy foods. Therefore, consumers would think twice about the foods they consume, which could lead to them losing weight.
Another problem that needs to be considered is the lack of exercise. As a result of leading a hectic life with pressures at work, many people are just too tired to go to the gym or join a sports club. For example, after a hard day at work, most people prefer to just come home and sit in front of the TV. Furthermore, when people have time off they tend to relax rather than go to a gym. One possible solution is for employers to consider the health and well being of their employees and offer in-house company gyms or special incentives, such as discounts to join a sports or fitness club. If this is implemented it would have a positive effect on peoples health and a reduction in weight gain.
In conclusion, being overweight is an increasing issue because of consumption of fast food, convenience foods and not enough exercise due to work commitments. The government needs to look at taxing fast food and companies should set up incentives for gyms, sports or fitness clubs.
Note: The essay doesn’t have to be this long , I did this for example purposes only, aim for around 260 to 290 words as you will not have the time to write a long essay in the exam.
There is no magic structure that can guarantee you a high band score for an IELTS essay. You can have 1 problem 1 solution as long as it is well supported or 2 problems 2 solutions or a 3rd body paragraph.
Just work with whatever you feel comfortable with. The essay must have an introduction and a conclusion though, and no more than 3 body paragraphs.
Any questions? comment below.
Hi, I got a bit confused. you have said the structure for this type of question, at the top of this page in a box, that in main body one, we bring the problems, and in the main body two we bring solutions, but in your Model Answers you have brought one problem and its solution in the main body 1, and the second problem and its solution in the main body two. which structure is valid then?
The one problem one solution is easier to write for many people, so i recommended that… the model answer just shows a longer essay type with 2 problems and 2 solutions but that tends to be a challenge for some people to write about as they run out of time. Both structures are ok to use, whatever you feel comfortable with.
So that means, if I wrote two problems in body 1 and their solutions in body 2, that is still OK?
yes thats fine, but try to keep the essay concise.
I would like to appreciate the way you explained each and everything in a very simple and concise way. Appreciated.
Thanks, glad it was useful.. Ray
There are many issues in the world which require an investigation about the causes, effects, and remedies. In IELTS Writing Task 2, a Problem Solution essay asks examinees to write about such things.
The Problem Solution essay will present you with a matter which is currently happening in the world. The question may ask any of the following things:
Although these are called Problem Solution essay, sometimes the issue presented may not be an actual problem, but may simply be a situation which may have positive or negative implications.
WRITING TASK 2
You should spend around 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
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Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge and experience.
Write at least 250 words.
How many paragraphs to write for a Problem Solution IELTS essay and what to write in them depends on how the question is worded.
As we have seen earlier, the Problem Solution essay question may ask any two or three of the following things:
Paragraphs | Format |
---|---|
1 | Introduction |
2 | Body paragraph 1 |
3 | Body paragraph 2 |
4 | Body paragraph 3 |
5 | Conclusion |
As is customary in any format of essay writing , the first paragraph of a Problem Solution essay is the Introduction , while the last is the Conclusion . Most Problem Solution essay questions ask us about the causes of the problems and their solutions. In such questions, there should be two body paragraphs with a minimum of two ideas each.
In the same manner, sometimes causes, effects, and solutions are asked at once. In that case, we need three body paragraphs with at least two arguments in each.
Be careful about what is asked. The cause of a problem and the effects of a problem are separate things. Likewise, solution is different from prevention. Writing about things which the question has not asked, or omitting some parts of the question results in a lower score.
The following words and phrases can be used to form sentences to express the cause and effect of something. Learn how to use them in order to secure high marks for the criteria of grammar for Problem Solution essay questions.
due to | as a result of | leads to |
caused by | causes | brought about by |
brings about | accounts for | gives rise to |
results in | owing to | on account of |
People do not have time to take care of their pets at home due to their busy work schedule.
On account of trusting news on Facebook, many people have been scammed.
An ageing population may give rise to a shortage of manpower.
Obesity is caused by consuming too much packaged foods and sugary drinks .
Many people migrate to cities from towns and villages owing to lack of job opportunities.
Excessive use of social media brings about a decline in face-to-face interaction between people.
The following are some handy words and phrases which help to create sentences where solutions to a problem can be expressed.
to | so | in order to |
so as to | so that | with the purpose of |
Twitter can employ factcheckers in order to prevent the spread of fake news.
People should allocate time to take their pet animals for walks so that the animals remain healthy and fit.
With the purpose of encouraging people to have more children, the government should provide child benefits.
Like any other Introduction paragraph in IELTS Writing Task 2 , we should include the following things:
Introduction: |
---|
Inaccurate and bogus information appear on Facebook and Twitter all the time. This is occurring as a result of the ease of uploading any content on the internet without verification, leading unwary people to being manipulated or even defrauded. As far as I am concerned, adopting caution while reading and acting upon such news is the only solution. |
This paragraph fulfils all the requirement for a solid introduction. The topic of the essay has been stated at the beginning. Then, as the question asks, the cause of the problem, the effects, and the solutions have been suggested.
The arguments which have been mentioned in the Introduction paragraph have to be developed in the body paragraphs .
It is advisable to form separate paragraphs for problems and solutions. It is best to include at least two distinct points for each part of the question.
Each of the body paragraph should begin with the main argument. The main argument then has to be explained. If you can think of relevant examples, then include them to elucidate the point.
Remember to use discourse markers when adding more points.
Example: |
---|
Inaccurate and bogus information appear on Facebook and Twitter all the time. This is occurring as a result of the ease of uploading any content on the internet without verification, leading unwary people to being manipulated or even defrauded. As far as I am concerned, adopting caution while reading and acting upon such news is the only solution. The main culprit for the dissemination of fake news in social media is its universal accessibility. What I mean by this is that anyone anywhere in the world can create accounts on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Due to the lack of barrier to entry, provocateurs, pranksters, or even fraudsters spread misinformation. While some may take such information in jest, others may be negatively affected by relying on such news. On top of that, information does not need to be verifiably correct to appear on social sites. A real news from BBC looks the same as any fake news published by unscrupulous agents. There are several dire consequences which arise from the presence of misleading facts. If people are not cautious, they may be believing and acting upon false information. For example, in my hometown, the adverse effects of taking the vaccine against Covid-19 were blown out of proportion by some people on Facebook. As a result, many individuals were reluctant to get the immunization against the disease. In more benign instances, common people may be manipulated by organizations or politicians so as to garner support from them on various issues. I have seen a multitude of posts with false accusations against politicians or celebrities to garner fervor and hysteria against them. How can we curb these problems? People should cultivate a habit of fact-checking from multiple sources to corroborate the veracity of news. Unless claims made in one social media post are substantiated, we should refrain from reacting to them, sharing them, or be influenced by them. Furthermore, Facebook and Twitter now have added the function of hiding or reporting fake information. |
The basic format of the Conclusion paragraph is same for all IELTS essays.
The points which were outlined in the Introduction paragraph and explained in the body paragraphs should be recapitulated in the final paragraph of the Problem Solution essay.
Example: |
---|
Inaccurate and bogus information appear on Facebook and Twitter all the time. This is occurring as a result of the ease of uploading any content on the internet without verification, leading unwary people to being manipulated or even defrauded. As far as I am concerned, adopting caution while reading and acting upon such news is the only solution. The main culprit for the dissemination of fake news in social media is its universal accessibility. What I mean by this is that anyone anywhere in the world can create accounts on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Due to the lack of barrier to entry, provocateurs, pranksters, or even fraudsters spread misinformation. While some may take such information in jest, others may be negatively affected by relying on such news. On top of that, information does not need to be verifiably correct to appear on social sites. A real news from BBC looks the same as any fake news published by unscrupulous agents. There are several dire consequences which arise from the presence of misleading facts. If people are not cautious, they may be believing and acting upon false information. For example, in my hometown, the adverse effects of taking the vaccine against Covid-19 were blown out of proportion by some people on Facebook. As a result, many individuals were reluctant to get the immunization against the disease. In more benign instances, common people may be manipulated by organizations or politicians so as to garner support from them on various issues. I have seen a multitude of posts with false accusations against politicians or celebrities to garner fervor and hysteria against them. How can we curb these problems? People should cultivate a habit of fact-checking from multiple sources to corroborate the veracity of news. Unless claims made in one social media post are substantiated, we should refrain from reacting to them, sharing them, or being influenced by them. Furthermore, Facebook and Twitter now have added the function of hiding or reporting fake information. To summarize, social media has become the home of fake news on account of its availability in the hands of virtually everyone on the planet. This gives rise to the propagation of scams and propaganda by fraudulent actors. Hence, we should never let our guards down when it comes to believing information on the internet. |
Next lesson:
How to write “Discuss both views and give your opinion” essay: IELTS Writing Task 2 Best format
The government should control the amount of violence on television in order to decrease the violent crimes in society. to what extent do you agree or disagree, nowadays technology is increasingly being used to monitor what people are saying and doing (for example through cellphone tracing and security cameras). in many cases the people being monitored are unaware that this is happening. do you think the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages, ielts essay format: solving writing task 2 easily, a 3-step process for powerful ielts essay introduction paragraph.
Updated On Nov 08, 2023
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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:
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:
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).
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?
Once you have a good understanding of the problem and its possible solutions, it is time to organize your ideas into a logical structure.
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.
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.
|
Dumping of industrial wastes into the nearby water bodies. | They must be treated, purified and recycled. |
Dumping of non-biodegradable wastes in the environment. | Stop using plastics. |
You should paraphrase the question and outline the problem and solution in your introduction as mentioned below:
Rise in sea water level is one of the serious threats posed on the environment due to global warming. The main reason for this is the letting out of industrial wastes in nearby water bodies and a reliable solution is waste water treatment. |
The body paragraph 1 must be organised as follows:
The completed main body paragraph 1 will look like this :
Industries are increasing in number. 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. 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 body paragraph 2 must be organised as follows:
The completed main body paragraph 2 will look like this :
Installing Industrial waste water treatment plants could be beneficial to the environment and help in reducing global warming effects. 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. There are proven records for reducing water pollution after wastewater treatment. |
The final conclusion will look like this:
In summary, every industry should have a wastewater treatment plant installed to treat their waste water which will reduce water pollution and thereby benefit the environment. This will help reduce global warming and ultimately prevent rise in sea water levels. |
Therefore, the finished essay will have the following structure:
Rise in sea water level is one of the serious threats posed to the environment due to global warming. The main reason for this is the letting out of industrial wastes in nearby water bodies and a reliable solution is wastewater treatment.
Industries are increasing in number. 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 leads to more serious issues. As installing a wastewater treatment plant is an additional burden and is costly, it is easier to let the wastewater into the nearby water bodies as nobody questions this.
Installing Industrial wastewater treatment plants could be beneficial to the environment and help in reducing global warming effects. 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. There are proven records for reducing water pollution after wastewater treatment.
In summary, every industry should have a wastewater treatment plant installed to treat their wastewater which will reduce water pollution and thereby benefit the environment. This will help reduce global warming and ultimately prevent rise in seawater levels. |
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Following are some of the Common mistakes that should be avoided in IELTS problem solution essays
Read: All Useful IELTS Writing Lessons & Websites
Here are some of the tips to follow while practicing or writing an IELTS Problem Solution Essays:
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:
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Also check :
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?
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Janice Thompson
Soon after graduating with a Master’s in Literature from Southern Arkansas University, she joined an institute as an English language trainer. She has had innumerous student interactions and has produced a couple of research papers on English language teaching. She soon found that non-native speakers struggled to meet the English language requirements set by foreign universities. It was when she decided to jump ship into IELTS training. From then on, she has been mentoring IELTS aspirants. She joined IELTSMaterial about a year ago, and her contributions have been exceptional. Her essay ideas and vocabulary have taken many students to a band 9.
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IELTS problem-solution tasks are the easiest of the IELTS essay types as you are required to explain the given problem(s) and provide some relevant suggestions/solutions. In this IELTS Task 2 Writing guide, we will take a look at how to produce a well-written essay for an IELTS writing task 2 problem and solution task.
1.1 understanding the question, 1.2 example problem/solution questions.
3.3 identify vocabulary, 4.1 introduction, 4.2 main body paragraphs, 4.3 conclusion.
1. problem/solution overview.
A problem and solution essay is a common type of IELTS writing task 2 essay question .
Remember, there are five main types of writing task 2 questions:
You will have 40 minutes to write at least 250 words which you use to explain one or more of the following
There are a few different ways that a problem/solution question may be worded and it is important to understand exactly what you are being asked to do.
Here are the three main types of problem/solution question aims:
And here are some ways the question may be worded for each aim:
Identifying common synonyms in the instruction words will also help you to identify the aim:
Problem : Situation; resulting in…; issue
Cause : Reason; why
The only solution : address; present; solve; improve; tackle; remedy; deal with
Take the time to read the question carefully! It is a common mistake to answer the wrong question.
Here are some example problem/solution questions. Try to work out what the aim is for each question:
The internet has transformed the way information is shared and consumed, but it has also created problems that did not exist before. What are the most serious problems associated with the internet and what solutions can you suggest?
Also, read the following IELTS Essay Writing Guides
Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems. Identify two serious ones and suggest ways that governments and individuals can tackle these problems.
One problem faced by almost every large city is traffic congestion What do you think the causes are? What solutions can you suggest?
More and more wild animals are on the verge of extinction and others are on the endangered list. What are the reasons for this? What can be done to solve the problem?
In many developing countries, there is a problem with declining quality of air and water from both industry and construction. What measures could be taken to prevent this?
You will see more than one way to structure a problem/solution IELTS essay. We’ve given you two options to choose from that are nice and easy to follow and enable you to produce a clear and cohesive essay everytime:
Essay structure 1
Essay structure 2
Note that essay structure 2 suggests that it is an option to write about more than one problem and solution . In fact, the essay question will usually ask for problems and solutions in the plural.
However, it is acceptable to write about one problem and solution so that you fully develop your ideas rather than rushing through your essay and missing any important examples or explanations.
Why not time yourself writing an essay in test conditions and see what option works for you!
Taking the time to plan your essay will really make a big difference. Read on for some useful tips to help your planning.
It’s a good idea to start your planning by confirming the topic of your essay by locating the topic words .
Here’s the question for our model 9 band writing task 2 answer at the end of this guide:
Some people think that children nowadays are spending an excessive amount of time watching TV or using a computer or mobile phone.
Describe some of the problems that too much screen time can have for children , and what can be done to tackle them .
The topic of this essay is about the amount of time children spend using screens (TV, computer, mobile phones).
By looking at the instruction words , we can see this question also asks for problems and solutions in the plural form (although remember it is ok to focus on a single problem and solution in the exam).
A list is a great way to organise your ideas before you start writing your IELTS essay about problem and solution. Your ideas do not have to be elaborate or in-depth, just put pen to paper and start to jot down some ideas for an IELTS essay. You could choose to only write down ideas you will use in your essay, or you might end up with more than you need (we suggest ticking off the ideas you use to avoid repetition)
We have used a simple bullet point list to note down ideas for our model essay:
Solutions :
Writing down any useful vocabulary for IELTS that comes to mind during the planning process could improve your score in Lexical resources . Ask yourself if you know any idioms, collocations or other unusual IELTS essay vocabulary linked to your essay topic.
There are three key things to include in your problem/solution introduction:
To successfully paraphrase the statement, you can use synonyms, change the word order or change the word class (e.g from a noun to an adjective). The tricky part is making sure you keep the meaning of the statement the same. Look what we’ve done for our model answer:
Some people think that children nowadays are spending an excessive amount of time watching TV or using a computer or mobile phone. Describe some of the problems that too much screen time can have for children, and what can be done to tackle them. | Nowadays, governments and health experts around the world have become increasingly concerned about the general health of children. They are particularly worried about problems caused by too much time spent in front of a TV, computer or mobile . |
You can also briefly state what your essay will do using an outline statement . Here’s an example sentence:
This essay will look at these problems in more detail and propose some solutions.
For each problem or cause you write about, you should create a topic sentence which introduces each main idea.
Here are some possible ways you could structure your topic sentences:
You could also use the structure that + a clause. Here are some examples:
One major problem connected to childrens’ health is lack of exercise .
Another issue is that there are a large amount of junk food advertisements on television aimed at children .
As well as language for problems, you will also need to introduce solutions to these problems. Even though the topic of your essay will be different, you can learn language chunks/sentence starters to do this. Take a look at these examples:
When you provide a solution, it is a good idea to keep the actor of the sentence more general, for example:
You can also learn lexical chunks related to solutions to common problems. Here are just a few suggestions for our model answer:
We’ve used the tips above to create the following body paragraphs:
connected to childrens’ health lack of exercise: in recent years , the amount of time children spend being sedentary in front of a screen has increased drastically, and as a result, childrens’ fitness levels have plummeted. in the USA, for example, where children spend an increasing amount of time watching a TV screen. , governments should implement incentives for children that spend more time being active, such as giving vouchers for sport equipment or free tickets to sporting events. | |
there are a large amount of junk food advertisements on television aimed at children. children are being targeted to buy unhealthy junk food and processed meals which can lead to weight and other health problems due to the high amounts of fat and sugar in the food. the government to ban these adverts at certain times of the day. If they did this, children would not be subjected to these unhealthy marketing tactics. |
Your conclusion for any IELTS writing task 2 essay is very important as without it, you will not score above a band score 6.0 in Task achievement .
Always make your conclusion easy to identify for the examiner by starting with:
Now you will need to paraphrase (again) what you have written for your introduction in your own words. Compare out model answer introduction and conclusion:
Nowadays, governments and health experts around the world have become increasingly concerned about the general health of children. They are particularly worried about problems caused by too much time spent in front of a TV, computer or mobile . This essay will look at these problems in more detail and propose some solutions. | To sum up, there is no doubt that the problem of too much screen time is becoming increasingly serious for the youth of today. Unless action is taken urgently, these problems will only intensify. My opinion is that responsibility for reducing the amount of time in front of a screen lies mainly with the government, but also with the parents. |
You can also include the following points in your conclusion (it is not necessary to include all the points):
Below you will find the complete problem/ solution essay that we have been using throughout this guide, except we have removed some of the keywords.
Your task is to select the missing words and complete the sample answer. Good luck!
Describe some of the problems that too much screen time can have for children, and what can be done to tackle them.
, governments and health experts around the world have become concerned about the general health of children. They are worried about problems caused by too much time spent in front of a TV, computer or mobile . This essay look at these problems in more detail and propose some solutions. One problem connected to childrens’ health is lack of exercise: in years , the amount of time children spend being in front of a screen has increased , and as a result, childrens’ fitness levels have . This is a significant problem in the USA, for example, where children spend an increasing amount of time watching a TV screen. To try and solve this problem, governments should implement for children that spend time being active. Another issue is that there are a large amount of food advertisements on television aimed at children. This means that children are being to buy unhealthy junk food and meals which can lead to weight and other health problems due to the high amounts of fat and sugar in the food. The answer could be for the government to these adverts at certain times of the day. If they did this, children would not be to these unhealthy marketing tactics. To up, there is no doubt that the problem of too much time is becoming increasingly serious for the youth of today. action is taken urgently, these problems will only intensify. My opinion is that responsibility for reducing the amount of time in front of a screen lies mainly with the , but also with the parents. / 19 |
Nowadays, governments and health experts around the world have become increasingly concerned about the general health of children. They are particularly worried about problems caused by too much time spent in front of a TV, computer or mobile. This essay will look at these problems in more detail and propose some solutions.
One major problem connected to childrens’ health is lack of exercise: in recent years , the amount of time children spend being sedentary in front of a screen has increased drastically, and as a result, childrens’ fitness levels have plummeted. This is a significant problem in the USA, for example , where children spend an increasing amount of time watching a TV screen. To try and solve this problem, governments should implement incentives for children that spend more time being active, such as giving vouchers for sport equipment or free tickets to sporting events.
Another issue is that there are a large amount of junk food advertisements on television aimed at children. This means that children are being targeted to buy unhealthy junk food and processed meals which can lead to weight and other health problems due to the high amounts of fat and sugar in the food. The answer could be for the government to ban these adverts at certain times of the day. If they did this, children would not be subjected to these unhealthy marketing tactics.
To sum up, there is no doubt that the problem of too much screen time is becoming increasingly serious for the youth of today. Unless action is taken urgently, these problems will only intensify. My opinion is that responsibility for reducing the amount of time in front of a screen lies mainly with the government, but also with the parents.
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In this lesson you’ll learn how to answer problems/solutions questions in IELTS Writing . This type of questions gives you an issue and asks you to describe some common problems associated with it and propose some possible solutions.
This is an example of problem-solution question in IELTS Writing:
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?
How to answer the question?
Before starting to write your answer, you should think of 1-2 problems and 1-2 solutions, so you know what to write about. In our case:
Problems associated with sedentary lifestyle :
Solutions :
Now, after we’ve generated some ideas for our essay, it’s time to use them in our writing .
Remember : it’s not enough to simply state these facts, you should also extend the ideas in your writing.
Although there are many possible ways to structure your essay, we’ll use this band 9 answer structure that has been approved by many IELTS examiners:
Band-9 essay structure:
Let’s take a look at each of these sections in detail:
Introduction Write your introduction in two sentences:
These days a sedentary lifestyle is becoming more and more popular despite a big number of sport facilities.
This essay will discuss the main problems associated with this epidemic and propose some possible solutions to avoid them.
Body paragraph 1- problems
The main problems caused by inactive lifestyle are obesity and various spine disorders.
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.
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. For example, it has been proven that about 80% of people experience backache at least once a week.
Body paragraph 2 - solutions
In my opinion, the best solution to this problem is promoting active lifestyle.
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.
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.
Write your conclusion in 2 sentences by summing up the problems and solutions you’ve written in your body paragraphs:
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.
These days a sedentary lifestyle is becoming more and more popular despite a big number of sport facilities. This essay will discuss the main problems associated with this epidemic and propose some possible solutions to avoid them.
The main problems caused by inactive lifestyle are obesity and various spine disorders. 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. 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. For example, it has been proven that about 80% of people experience backache at least once a week.
In my opinion, the best solution to these problems is promoting active lifestyle. 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. 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.
(268 words)
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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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VIDEO
COMMENTS
Learn how to write IELTS Problem Solution Essays. Step-by-step instructions to plan & write a high-level essay. Model answer & 6 common mistakes to avoid.
• give students a copy of Worksheet 1 and draw attention to the essay question. • elicit keywords from the question to identify what they have to write about, i.e. describe causes of overfishing and outline 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: Body Paragraph 1: discuss the problems
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.
A common type of IELTS task 2 essay is a problem solution or causes solution essay. Here you will need to write about the causes of the problem in main body one and recommendations or possible solutions that could solve the issue in main body two.
WRITING TASK 2. You should spend around 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic: A lot of fake news and erroneous information circulate on social media sites. Why is this the case? What problems does this cause and what can be done to solve them?
Introduction. 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.
Learn how to write problem solution essay type in IELTS with Benchmark IELTS. Get an overview of the problem & solution with examples.
Learn how to write a BAND 9 problem-solution essay for IELTS Writing. You will see a problem/solution question sample, band 9 writing srategies, model essay etc.
show you how to think of ideas; give you a structure that can be used again and again on all problem solution IELTS essays; describe how to write an introduction, main body paragraphs and conclusion; and. give you a full band 9 sample answer. Problem/solution questions are one of the most common IELTS Writing Task 2 questions on the academic paper.