task 2 problem solution questions

IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem and Solution Topics/Questions 2023

The list of Task 2 Problem and Solution topics that were added by IELTS student in 2023 . These Problem and Solution questions could be repeated from previous months. Keep in mind that the provided Problem and Solution questions are not predictions. The collection of Problem and Solution questions is updated every hour. Choose one of the topics and start practicing answering this type of question to prepare for the IELTS exam and to get a good grade.

Unlimited Essay Checks: Practice and perfect your skills.
Detailed Error Analysis: Spot every mistake.
In-Built Grammar Checker: Say no to grammatical errors.
Personalized Suggestions: Know how to boost your score.
Progress Tracking: View your checked essay history.
Still thinking? We have a 14-day money-back guarantee. Take a leap of faith!

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

Problem Solution Essay IELTS: Topics & Sample Questions

Read Time 12 mins
Updated On August 7, 2023
Published In IELTS Preparation 💻

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

Table of Contents

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

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

Problem Solution Essay Question: Evaluation Factors

Ready to master the ielts writing exam.

Unlock your writing potential and ace the IELTS exam – Enroll in our writing course today!

Problem Solution Essay IELTS: Topics & Sample Questions

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

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

Tips to Create an IELTS Problem Solution Essay Structure

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

Analyze the question thoroughly

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

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

Think of Ideas

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

Follow the structure & write down the essay

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

Also Read: Latest 50+ IELTS Essay Topics in 2022

Problem Solution IELTS Essay Pattern

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

Paragraph 1 – Introduction

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

Paragraph 2 – Problems

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

Paragraph 3 – Solutions

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

Paragraph 4 – Conclusion

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

Problem Solution Essay IELTS: Key Points to Remember

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

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

Also Read: Updated List Vocabulary for IELTS 2022

Common Mistakes

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

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

Problem Solution Essay IELTS Sample Questions

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

Theme 1 – Cities

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

Theme 2 – Technology & the internet

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

Theme 3 – Environment or Climate Change

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

IELTS Advantages & Disadvantage Essay Topics

Foreign Language IELTS Sample Essay

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

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

IELTS Problem Solution Essay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

How can I identify a problem solution essay type?

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

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

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

How can I write a solution paragraph?

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

Kanika Singh

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

Canadian Exams 2024: Guide To Exams Required To Study In The Country

Study in Canada Without IELTS 2024: Alternative Exams & Top Universities

IELTS One Skill Retake 2023: Now Available for Indian Students

Trending now

Free resources to help you reach bands 7, 8 and 9 in IELTS

Writing Task 2: How To Answer Problem/ Cause & Solution Questions To Reach Band 9

Updated: Oct 12

Problem/ Cause & Solution Writing Task 2

When answering an IELTS Writing Task 2 problem/ cause and solution question you need to think of one or more problems (often two is good), and then give one or two solutions. You can group the problems in one paragraph and the solutions in one paragraph, or you can combine them, with a problem and solution together in each paragraph. It works really well if you have a main general idea for each paragraph which you can divide into two sub-ideas. In my plans below I’ll describe the problems in one paragraph and the solutions in another.

To begin with, think about your main ideas for the essay. The main idea is the general idea, and the sub-ideas go into more detail. In this kind of essay, your main idea 1 is about the problem, while main idea 2 is about the solution.

Basic Problem/Cause & Solution Task Plan:

Main idea 1: problem/ cause:.

Sub-idea A: Problem/ Cause 1

Sub-idea B : Problem/ Cause 2

Main Idea 2: Solution:

Sub-idea A: Solution 1

Sub-idea B : Solution 2

Next, I’ll show you a detailed plan on how to structure the problem/ solution essay with links to articles which have more information.

Detailed Task Plan:

Introduction:.

Paraphrase question

Summarise main ideas 1 & 2

For more information on writing introductions click here

Body Paragraph 1 (Problem):

Topic Sentence: Summarise main idea 1. You may want to use “owing to ”/ “as a result of”/ “due to ” to give the reason for the problem. (see Giving Reasons/ Causes vocabulary below).

Introduce Sub-idea A: Describe the problem in one or two sentences.

Expand Sub-idea A: Write one or two sentences that explain/ support sub-idea A - say why or how it happens and/ or give an example. (see Giving Examples vocabulary below)

Result Statement: Explain the results of the problem. (see Results vocabulary below)

Introduce Sub-idea B: Use “Furthermore”, “In addition”, or “Moreover” and then describe the problem.

Expand Sub-idea B (as above)

Result Statement (as above)

For more information on writing essay body paragraphs click here

Body Paragraph 2 (Solution):

Topic Sentence: Summarise main idea 2 clearly. Use phrases such as “One solution is”/ “In order to address this problem”, etc. (see Proposing Solutions vocabulary below)

Introduce Sub-idea A: Describe the solution in one or two sentences.

Expand Sub-idea A: Write one or two sentences that explain/ support sub-idea A - say why or how it solves the problem and/ or give an example.

Result Statement: Explain the expected results of the solution. You can use the 2nd conditional here e.g. “This would lead to” . For more information on 2nd conditionals click here

Introduce Sub-idea B: Use “Furthermore”, “In addition”, or “Moreover”, and then describe the solution.

Conclusion:

Summarise main ideas 1 & 2: Begin with “In conclusion”/ “To conclude”/ “To summarise”/ “In summary”. Avoid repeating vocabulary. Use synonyms and parallel expressions.

Useful Vocabulary:

Below you’ll find the useful vocabulary that will help you when you write your problem/ cause and solution IELTS essay.

Giving Reasons/ Causes:

As a result of

…is a major cause of

....is a source of

...can contribute greatly to

…is the underlying cause of

The main cause of ………… is

….is due to

...are (important/ major) factors in

Giving Examples:

To give an example,

Suppose, for instance, that

As an example,

Good examples include

For instance,

For example,

This would lead to/ This leads to

This would mean that/ This means that

As a result

Consequently

As a consequence

By doing this

This will provide

In this way

A consequence of this is

This will create a situation where

This makes it

Proposing Solutions:

One solution to this problem is

In order to address this problem

In order to do this

It would be a good idea if

…should be encouraged to

Steps should be taken to

...should take measures to

The problem can be fixed by

So what does this essay look like in full? Keep reading below:

Problem/ Cause and Solution Task Example:

It is generally agreed that family relationships are not as close as they were in the past.

Explain why you think this has happened and suggest how family relationships could be made closer.

Essay Plan:

Main Idea 1: Changes in society make it harder to maintain close relationships

Sub-idea A: People are more likely to move to another area or city

Sub-idea B: People have very busy lives so have less time for family

Main Idea 2: People should make more effort to foster family relationships

Sub-idea A: People should meet up with family members more often

Sub-idea B: We can take advantage of modern communication technology

Now we have the main and sub-ideas for the essay, we are ready to write it.

Paraphrase question:

It is commonly thought that families are not as close-knit as they were previously.

Summarise main ideas 1 & 2: In my opinion this could be the result of changes in society that have made it harder for people to spend quality time with family members. In order to address this problem, it’s important that people make more effort to stay in touch with family, and they can leverage modern communication devices and applications to do this.

Topic Sentence:

As a result of various changes in society it is much harder for people to maintain close ties with their families than previously.

Introduce Sub-idea A:

For one, in the past, people tended to live very near relatives during their whole lives, whereas in today’s world this is not the case.

Expand Sub-idea A:

These days, people are more mobile and regularly move to different cities or even countries in order to find a better job, take advantage of better education or for some other opportunity.

Result Statement:

This makes it more difficult to socialise with relatives and therefore more difficult to maintain close relationships.

Introduce Sub-idea B:

Furthermore, people’s lives are busier today than they were in the past.

Expand Sub-idea B:

We have a plethora of work and personal responsibilities, not to mention all of the recreational and personal development opportunities now available.

This means that it is even harder to find time for family. People are often only able to focus on providing for their nuclear family, at the expense of bonds with siblings, cousins and other family members.

One solution to the problems causing weakening family relationships is for people to prioritise their family members and make more effort to foster family relationships.

People should get together with relatives more frequently and spend more quality time together.

For example, they could organise a weekly meal together, or a regular family day out.

As a consequence of these activities, family members would become closer.

Moreover, even if a person lives far away from their relatives, in the modern world we have a myriad of technologies which enable us to stay in touch with them.

Be it on Skype, Messenger, or any similar application, people can message and speak to their siblings, parents or others quickly and cheaply.

By doing this, people who live far apart from their family members would still be able to remain close with them.

In conclusion, changes in society have made it harder for people to maintain strong family bonds. However, if we make a little more effort, and take advantage of the communication technologies now available, there’s no reason why we can’t maintain close relationships with our families.

Finally, if we put it all together, we get a model essay for a problem/ cause and solution IELTS writing task 2.

Model Answer:

It is commonly thought that families are not as close-knit as they were previously. In my opinion this could be the result of changes in society that have made it harder for people to spend quality time with family members. In order to address this problem, it’s important that people make more effort to stay in touch with family, and they can leverage modern communication devices and applications to do this.

As a result of various changes in society it is much harder for people to maintain close ties with their families than previously. For one, in the past, people tended to live very near relatives during their whole lives, whereas in today’s world this is not the case. These days, people are more mobile and regularly move to different cities or even countries in order to find a better job, take advantage of better education or for some other opportunity. This makes it more difficult to socialise with relatives and therefore more difficult to maintain close relationships. Furthermore, people’s lives are busier today than they were in the past. We have a plethora of work and personal responsibilities, not to mention all of the recreational and personal development opportunities now available. This means that it is even harder to find time for family. People are often only able to focus on providing for their nuclear family, at the expense of bonds with siblings, cousins and other family members.

One solution to the problems causing weakening family relationships is for people to prioritise their family members and make more effort to foster family relationships. People should get together with relatives more frequently and spend more quality time together. For example, they could organise a weekly meal together, or a regular family day out. As a consequence of these activities, family members would become closer. Moreover, even if a person lives far away from their relatives, in the modern world we have a myriad of technologies which enable us to stay in touch with them. Be it on Skype, Messenger, or any similar application, people can message and speak to their siblings, parents or others quickly and cheaply. By doing this, people who live far apart from their family members would still be able to remain close with them.

Thanks for reading and I hope you found that helpful!

IELTS Writing

Get Free Ebook

Enroll for Free Last Day Strategies

How to write double question essay in IELTS writing task 2

IELTS writing task 2 - To Do Checklist

IELTS Task Response: A Quick Guide to IELTS Writing Marking Criteria Part 1

Grammar Range and Accuracy Marking Criteria in IELTS Writing Section (Writing Task 2)

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Improve Lexical Resource Score in IELTS Writing

Essays: The Mighty Five

UnlockIelts- Designed for Your Success

Unlock your inner potential – How ‘Unlockielts’ makes it happen for you.

'Crushing The Curve': A Study Plan For Spectacular Results In Unlickielts Courses

'UnlockIELTS' Partner Program - Helping Others Meet Their English Language Goals!

Top 10 Myths About Preparing for the ILETS Exam Debunked

'Unlock' Your Score Today - Access Latest Tools and Techniques for Aceing IELTS Exam!

of , how would you rate this course overall, write a public review.

- Richa Raj

IELTS Writing Task 2: Causes/Solutions Sample Essay

Woman pointing pencil at head to indicate causes and solutions essay

The “cause and solution” style of IELTS Writing Task 2 question presents a common social problem; your job is to identify the causes of the problem and propose ways the problem could be solved. For more information on this type of Writing Task 2 question, including tips and tricks, you can go to Magoosh’s guide to the different kinds of IELTS Writing Task 2 questions . And here in this post, we’ll go through a full causes and solutions model question and sample response.

The response itself is written at the band 9 level. After you read the essay, there is more explanation as to why this essay gets top marks. And to write a similarly high scored essay, check out our IELTS Writing Task 2 template .

Causes/Solutions Model Essay

This essay is a response to the sample prompt immediately below.

Get a higher IELTS score? Start your online IELTS prep today with Magoosh.

Sample Task

Many large cities around the world lack affordable housing. What problems does a lack of affordable housing cause? How can these problems be overcome? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Sample Essay (Band 9)

In almost every part of the world, expensive housing is closely associated with urban life. This is the underlying cause of many different problems, and civic planners are struggling to find solutions. I believe that the biggest, most important problem caused by high housing prices is homelessness. In my opinion, this problem can be addressed through rent control and welfare payments to low-income people.

Expensive urban housing leads to homelessness both directly and indirectly. The housing costs themselves cause some people to lose their homes, but such costs also drive up general prices, which can indirectly cause homelessness. For example, if a grocery store itself pays high rent, it must charge everyone more for food. This in turn forces landlords to charge more for rent in order to feed themselves. Once that happens, their tenants may have trouble paying the higher rent while also paying for more expensive food.

To reduce homelessness and make it easier for people to afford housing, I propose a twofold solution: limits on rent prices and increased welfare payments to the poor. Legally limiting rent fees will make housing much more affordable, while welfare payments can help people deal with the high costs of other goods. To give an example, if the government provides low-income people extra money for food, those people, in turn, have more room in their budget to pay rent. By employing both approaches, rent costs are directly reduced, and costs that compete with rent also go down.

In short, while expensive housing and homelessness are serious problems in cities, regulations and public assistance can help. The right kind of regulations will not only reduce the price of housing but also reduce general cost of living. This kind of government action is a win-win for everyone, whether they are homeless or not.

Word count: 300

Explanation of the Score

This essay meets all of the requirements for Band 9 in Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy; these are the categories seen in the official IELTS Writing Task 2 band descriptors . To understand this essay’s strengths, carefully read the level 9 descriptors in that document. And to further understand why an essay might receive a band 9, see the detailed score report at the bottom of Magoosh’s sample band 9 discussion essay for IELTS Writing Task 2 .

Additional Model Essays for Task 2

Would you like to see sample essays for all of the most common Writing Task 2 question types on the IELTS? At the links below, Magoosh has you covered!

Advantage/Disadvantage Essay
Two-Part Question Essay
Discussion Essay
Agree/Disagree Essay

David is a Test Prep Expert for Magoosh TOEFL and IELTS. Additionally, he’s helped students with TOEIC, PET, FCE, BULATS, Eiken, SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT. David has a BS from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and an MA from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. His work at Magoosh has been cited in many scholarly articles , his Master’s Thesis is featured on the Reading with Pictures website, and he’s presented at the WITESOL (link to PDF) and NAFSA conferences. David has taught K-12 ESL in South Korea as well as undergraduate English and MBA-level business English at American universities. He has also trained English teachers in America, Italy, and Peru. Come join David and the Magoosh team on Youtube , Facebook , and Instagram , or connect with him via LinkedIn !

View all posts

More from Magoosh

2 responses to “IELTS Writing Task 2: Causes/Solutions Sample Essay”

Before reading this, i was not able to understand that how do i write advantage and disadvantage essay. After reading this, i came to know, this is a piece of cake.

So glad to hear that the article helped! 😀

Thanks for letting us know, and good luck to you!

Writing Task 2: How to answer Problem/Solution style questions

We look how to answer problem / solution style questions for IELTS writing task 2. We use recent "Problem and Solutions" IELTS task 2 questions seen in the IELTS exam by our online students.

In this tutorial we will:

write a model answer to a recent task 2 exam question
structure the essay clearly into two complementary parts as well as show you how to link those parts.

The prewriting phase – analyse the question

Not all problem solution essays ask you to write about the problems, but the reasons behind the problems. Compare the below questions:

Some companies claim that new employees who recently graduated from college or university lack the interpersonal skills needed to work effectively with their colleagues. What problems does this create? What solutions can help address this problem?

Some companies claim that new employees who recently graduated from college or university lack the interpersonal skills needed to work effectively with their colleagues. What could be the reasons for this? What solutions can help address this problem?

In the second example, if you talk just about the problems but not the reasons for those problems, this will reduce your Task Response score. We are going to look at the second task.

Underline the key words: companies, recently graduated, interpersonal skills, colleagues

Brainstorming

What are some interpersonal skills needed at work?

Communication

Main ideas and support

Why might recent grads be lacking these?

Examples: Teamwork – recent graduates may be unaccustomed to working in teams because much of their university work was individual.

Motivation – university provides flexibility, variety and the ability to pursue one’s interests. In contrast, much of entry level work may be mundane, causing low motivation.

Communication - fresh graduates may have no professional work experience and may not be able to communicate with people of different ages, rank, or may not know what appropriate professional behavior is.

Respect – some young people may have the arrogance of youth so they might not show proper respect to colleagues.

We can’t use all of these ideas, so we have to pick the strongest two.

Of the four we brainstormed, which TWO are most problematic when dealing with colleagues ? This is important because the question asks about interpersonal skills , not just soft skills that employees need.

I have decided to focus on communication and teamwork.

But we also need to come up with solutions for these problems.

How can companies solve these issues of communication and teamwork?

Communication – new graduates can be assigned mentors who guide them through the first year with a focus on helping the young people gain communication skills.

Teamwork – employers can give new hires opportunities to work on teams in low-risk positions.

The biggest problem in problem/ solution essays is that students neglect to support their solutions. The result is a paragraph that reads like a list.

The “solution” for your solutions paragraph is to ask yourself 2 questions: Why? How? WHY is this a solution? HOW is it a solution? Whatever the answer is should go in your support.

Problem: Communication

Solution: Workplace mentors

Why? With mentors, new graduates would have a safe space to discuss any uncertainties or missteps and then get appropriate advice from someone with more professional experience.

Problem: Teamwork

Solution: team-based assignments at university

How? Universities need to provide more opportunity to students for teamwork in their studies and less individual work.

Introduction

So, now that we have our ideas, we can write our introduction. A good introduction for a problem and solution essay should include a rephrasing of the prompt.

Many college and university graduates complete their studies armed with knowledge, energy and a thirst to begin their career. However, there are those who say that these new professionals are weak in interpersonal skills, creating issues in the workplace.

This should be followed by a statement like, “While there are numerous reasons behind this issue, solutions to combat these problems exist.”

Don’t forget the importance of a clear topic sentence .

Problems

The reasons behind graduates’ lack of interpersonal skills can be found in the flaws in the education system.

Despite the problems created by poor interpersonal skills, employers can help alleviate this situation by implementing a number of measures.

Coherence and Cohesion

Don’t forget to use words like such, this, these to create cohesion instead of front-position linkers (words like firstly, furthermore, moreover).

The reasons behind graduates’ lack of interpersonal skills can be found in the flaws in the education system. While many workplaces value teamwork, this is clearly missing from many university programs. Instead, these programs focus on individual assignments and tests, resulting in students who enter the workforce lacking such skills.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

As always, the ability to use a number of advanced grammatical structures correctly will help your GRA score.

Reduced relative clauses

Instead, these programs focus on individual assignments and tests, resulting in students who enter the workforce lacking such skills.

Resulting in= which results in

However, there are those who say that these new professionals are weak in interpersonal skills, creating issues in the workplace.

Creating= which creates

Let’s look at body paragraph one, completed:

The reasons behind graduates’ lack of interpersonal skills can be found predominantly in the flaws in the education system. While most workplaces value teamwork, this is clearly missing from many university programs. Instead, these programs often focus on individual assignments and tests, resulting in students who enter the workforce lacking such skills. In fact, a recent article on university education in the UK cited that 90% of all coursework at universities is individual, underlining how little exposure students get to participate in group projects and as a result, develop teamwork skills. Another area where recent graduates frequently lack is in communication. The reason behind this is twofold. Firstly, most students have little opportunity to have gain professional experience while at university, often resulting in new professionals who have little understanding of the nuances of professional communication. Secondly, simply by virtue of age, some recent graduates may display a degree of immaturity that carries over to their interactions in the workplace.

Lexical Resource

You want to avoid writing in absolute terms. One way to avoid this is by using qualifiers. These are words that soften statements so that they appear as claims and not as if you are stating proven facts. They can be found in bold below.

Without the words in bold, the paragraph reads much more absolute and too direct.

If you need expert feedback, take a look at our IELTS Online course to help you improve!

Audio Tutorial

Free Essay Band Score Evaluation
Sign up to claim your free IELTS materials
Jump to Band 7 or it’s Free
IELTS Writing Evaluation
IELTS Band Score Calculator
Book Your Online IELTS Test
Sample Topic Answers
Useful Sentences
Sample Task 2 Questions 2022
Introduction to Paraphrasing
Model Band 9 Essay
Five Band 9 Words
Model Band 7 Essay
Differences Band 9 vs Band 7 Essay
Band 6.5 Essay
Academic Collocations
Topic Sentences
Discuss Both Views
Tutorial: To What Extent Essays
Paraphrasing Introductions
Essay Structures
Essay Plans
Describe a Pie Chart
Using Percentages
Map Vocabulary
Describe Flow Charts
Describe a Bar Chart
How to get Band 9
AT 1 Sample Questions 2022
Describe a Graphic
GT Task 1 Questions 2022
IELTS Vocabulary
Google Play / Podcasts
Apple Podcast
Android App
Task 2 Sample Questions
AT 1 Questions

Company addresses: HK Office: BW ENGLISH SERVICES HK Ltd, Unit 2512, 25/F, Langham Place Office Tower, 8 Argyle Street, Mongkok, Hong Kong UK Office: BW ENGLISH SERVICES, 120 High Road, East Finchley, N29ED, London, England, United Kingdom +44 20 3951 8271 ($1/min).

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

IELTS Advantage

IELTS Preparation Courses

IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem and Solution Essay Lesson

Problem Solution Essay

This lesson on how to write a problem solution essay will:

discuss common mistakes;
show you how to analyse the question;
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. 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.

Common Mistakes

The most common mistake for problem solution essays is not expanding on your ideas and instead simply listing lots of problems and solutions. The examiner does not want a list of all the problems and solutions you can think of, and please don’t do this in the exam. Instead, if you look at how the exam is marked , the examiner wants you to pick one or two problems and solutions and then expand on them with explanations and examples. More on how to do this below.
Another common mistake is writing about problems and solutions that are not directly linked to the question. You should be like a sniper when answering the question and only give very specific ideas rather than ideas that generally talk about the overall issue. This has a lot to do with how you identify keywords and micro-keywords in the questions which we will look at below.
Lots of people think of good ideas for problems and then fail to link their solutions to these problems. Each problem should have a solution directly linked to it, or in other words, it should solve the actual problem.
Finally, some candidates think of really good problems and solutions that answer the question properly and then expand their answers with explanations and examples, but they talk too generally. Instead, you should be thinking of specific examples and explanations. We will look at how to avoid this below.

Analysing the Question

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:

micro-keywords
action words

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.

Problem Solution Sample Essay

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 .

How to Think of Ideas

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.

Image: IELTS-Writing-Task-2-Structures-300x300

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:

Introduction

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

Conclusion

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.

Problems Paragraph

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.

Solutions Paragraph

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.

Problem and Solution Sample Essay

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 .

Do you need me to correct your essays and give you feedback on them? Check out our essay correction service .

The best way to keep up to date with posts like this is to like us on Facebook. There are also lots of practice activities for you to do on the Facebook page.

About Christopher Pell

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

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

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

IELTS TASK 2 Problem and Solution essays

by Alistair Brown
May 3, 2021 September 18, 2021

There are various task 2 Ielts types which ask you to do different things. The following bullet points summarise what ‘functions’ you are asked to perform in your writing. You can use it as a checklist to find out how comfortable you are with dealing with these different types of writing function and to brainstorm the kinds of language and grammar you will need for each one. I will go over this in future blogs.

• discuss the problems associated with an issue and suggest possible solutions

• discuss and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of something

• discuss one or two opinions on a topic and give your own opinion

• discuss the possible causes of a problem and the effect it has

In my previous blogs where I looked at two recent IELTS topics on obesity and recycling I covered ideas used in problem and solution essays and ‘ the mindset ‘ of thinking about the government’s role in the topic.

Try and and complete the following prompt with your own ideas –

‘ the best way to improve my country is …. ‘ and see what kind of language you come up with.

Useful verbs here could be – ‘introduce, improve, attract, implement, expand, reduce, persuade, invest, develop’

Useful nouns are – ‘way, approach, solution, means, measure’. Try the exercises from the University of Bristol for practice of the nouns which will help you in this type of question.

In my book I cover a huge range of topics for task two and a large chapter on problem and solution essays.

Here are some topics below and try to answer one or two 🙂 I have put them into categories for you

Task two problem – Solution essay questions

Cities

What are the key problems facing the world’s cities in the 21 st century, and what can be done about them?

Many cities have become less pleasant places to live in recent years. What do you think are the cause of this? What solutions can you suggest?

Nowadays overpopulation is a major problem in many parts of the world. What are some of these problems? Suggest some solutions.

Cars

A large number of deaths are caused by road accidents. Why do so many accidents occur? Make recommendations that would help to reduce the number of road accidents.

The amount of traffic in our cities is increasing day by day. What are the problems caused by this increase in traffic? What are the solutions?

Environment

Nowadays the environment is increasingly under threat. What are the main dangers to the environment? What are the solutions to these problems?

Resources

In the future natural resources such as coal and oil will be used up. How can we save on resources? What alternative forms of energy are there?

Young people

Young people in the modern world seem to have more power and influence than any other generation. Why is this the case? What impact does this have on the relationship between young and old people?

In many countries schools have problems with student behaviour. What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?

Many crimes are committed by young people. Why do you think this is? What can be done to solve the problems of juvenile delinquency?

In many countries schools have severe problems with student behaviour. What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?

Drugs

People in all modern societies use drugs but today’s youth are experimenting with both legal(cigarettes and tobacco) and illegal drugs and at an increasingly early age.

What are the causes and effects of widespread drug use by young people in modern society? Make some recommendations you feel are necessary to help fight youth drug abuse.

Work

In some countries it can be very difficult for people over 50 to get good jobs, despite their experience

What do you think are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it?

Health

In recent years life has become more stressful than it has ever been and many people are suffering from stress related problems. What has caused this increase in stress and what can be done to overcome the problems?

Despite health warnings, a large number of people continue to smoke all over the world. Should we be concerned about this? What solutions would you suggest?

Social problems

Many people believe that the high levels in violence in films today are causing serious social problems.

What are these problems and how could they be reduced?

Task 2 problem and solution language

Here is some language that you might find useful 🙂 Enjoy!!!

ALISTAIR BROWN: As a writing and speaking examiner for more than 10 years, I bring a lot of experience. I have seen the frustrations that students have with IELTS from a career where I have actively guided and corrected students’ studies. I am looking for the most effective ways to teach IELTS as I understand students’ needs.

TOEFL Writing Correction Topics
Writing Correction
Speaking Mock Test
Reading Course
Listening Practice Tests
FREE Practice Tests
OET Writing Correction
OET Reading Course
OET Speaking Mock Test
TOEFL Writing Correction
PTE Writing Correction
OET Listening Practice Tests
OET (Occupational English Test)
PTE (Pearson Test of English)
Essay Task 2

How to Write Problem Solution Essay in IELTS

Essay Types
Double Question
Advantage Disadvantage
Problem Solution
Essay Length

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

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

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

3.2 Organise your ideas

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

5.1 Complete the sample problem/solution essay

5.2 Problem Solution Sample Essay

1. problem/solution overview.

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

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

Advantage/disadvantage
Double question
Problem/solution

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Problem : Situation; resulting in…; issue

Cause : Reason; why

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

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

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

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

Also, read the following IELTS Essay Writing Guides

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

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

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

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

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

2. Essay Structure for Problem/Solution Essays

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

Essay structure 1

Essay structure 2

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

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

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

3. Planning your Problem/Solution Essay

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

3.1 Identify keywords and phrases

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Childhood obesity
Mental health issues
Targeted junk food adverts

Solutions :

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

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

4. Writing your Problem/Solution Essay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The government

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5. Example Problem/Solution Essay and Exercise

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

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

5.1 Complete the Sample Problem/Solution Essay

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

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

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

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

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

Exam Updates & Tips!

Signup for preparation and special offers!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

SIGN UP - STUDY - SUCCEED

TASK TWO QUESTIONS: CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS

This list contains questions that use some form of the prompt:

Use these questions to practise this type of essay. If you want to submit an essay for marking, remember to use the question code (e.g. T20503).

QUESTION LIST (updated)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

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

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

Give reasons for your answers and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

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?

In many countries schools have severe problems with student behaviour.

What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions do you suggest?

People often have no interaction with their neighbours and this is harming communities.

What are the reasons for this and what can be done to solve this problem?

More lessons

TOTAL-IELTS Preparation : Free information, lessons, strategies, tips and sample answers.

Feb 2023: ielts writing task 2. problems & solutions.

Updated: Aug 11

Band 8 Sample Answer. IELTS Writing Task 2. Problems & Solutions

IELTS Writing Task 2

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Essays

Updated On Oct 03, 2023

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

1.1 Agree and Disagree Type Questions
1.2 Discuss Type Questions
1.3 Cause Type Questions
1.4 Problem and Solution Type Questions
1.5 Advantage and Disadvantage Type Questions
1.6 Other Type Questions
2.1 Academic Writing
2.2 General Training Writing
3 Bonus Essay Topics

The Essay Writing section of the IELTS Writing Module can be a difficult task for many IELTS aspirants. Thus, it is vital that you polish your essay writing skills before attempting the IELTS by practising various model essay topics.

A well-organized essay will help in scoring a desirable band in the writing test. A lot of the candidates who take the writing test will need at least 5-10 minutes to prepare for the essay once they get the topic. If you consider certain points while writing the essay, it’ll get a bit easier to get a high IELTS band score . Few points are listed below:

Answer the question asked: Before answering, carefully read the question that is asked and try to answer the question to the point, do not divert from the topic. Whatever the topic is, try to explain as much as possible. Do not speak out of the topic, if you do so you may end up losing the marks.
Plan your work: After you get the topic for writing, plan your work based on the format. Think about what has to be written in the introduction, two paragraphs, and a conclusion. Once you plan the work, you will get an idea automatically on how to write the essay and score high marks accordingly.
Write, Review and Re-write: Before actually taking the IELTS Writing test, it is important to take a practice test. While taking the practice test, take a particular topic and start writing the essay. Once you are done writing the essay, go through it and review your mistakes. When you take the second practice test, try to improve or overcome the mistakes that happened before.
Skills you need to have: To score a good band in the IELTS examination, there should be some relevant skills, there are two kinds of skills; exam skills as well as language skills. You need to find out which skills you are good at and should improve the skills in which you are not that good. In order to find this out, you need to take a lot of IELTS practice tests .

IELTS sample essays are given in different types of questions. And each type wants you to give a response in different ways. The IELTS model essay types are given below.

Agree and Disagree Type Questions

In this category, one opinion of the particular thing is given and you’ll be asked to discuss whether you agree or disagree with that particular opinion.

IELTS Opinion Essay topics

Discuss Type Questions

In this type of question, there will be two opinions given, you are asked to understand both the opinions and give your point of view based on that.

IELTS Discussion Essay Topics

Cause Type Questions

In this type of question, you need to give the reason or cause why something has happened and you are also asked to discuss the different aspects of it such as the effect, solutions, and positive and negative points. Given below are links to sample IELTS essays:

IELTS Writing Actual Test In July 2016 & Band 8.0 Sample Cause/Solution Essay
IELTS Writing Task 2 Cause/Solution Essay Of Band 8.5 – Topic: Tourism
IELTS Writing Task 2 Cause/Solution Essay Of Band 8.0 – Topic: Health
IELTS Writing Task 2 Cause/Solution Essay Of Band 8.0 – Juvenile Delinquency
IELTS Writing Task 2 Cause/Solution Essay Of Band 8.0 – Topic: People & Society
IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 8.5 Cause & Effect Essay
IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 9.0 Sample Cause/Solution Essay
IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 8.0+ Sample Cause/Solution Essay
IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 9.0 Cause/Solution Essay
IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 8.0 Cause/Solution Essays
Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 – Cause And Solution

Problem and Solution Type Questions

In this type of question, you have to discuss the problems related to society and plan accordingly to create a solution for these particular issues. Given below are links of sample IELTS essays:

IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem/Solution Essay Of Band 8.0 – Topic: Energy Resources
IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem/Solution Essay Of Band 8.5 – Health And Fitness
IELTS Speaking Part 2 Sample: Describe A Time When You Solved A Problem Via The Internet
IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 8.0 Problem/Solution Essay

Advantage and Disadvantage Type Questions

In this type of question, you have to give opinions relating to the positive and negative sides of a particular topic. Given below are links of sample IELTS essays:

Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic & Band 8.5 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay
IELTS Writing Task 2 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay Of Band 8.0– Topic: Youth & Community
Advantage/Disadvantage Essay – Topic: Students
IELTS Writing Actual Test & Band 8.0 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay – Topic: Travel
IELTS Writing Actual Test & Band 9.0 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay – Topic: Gap Year
IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 8.5 Advantage/Disadvantage Essay
IELTS Advantage/Disadvantage Essay Of Band 8.5 – Topic: Traffic & Accommodation
IELTS Writing Actual Test – Band 8.0 Advantage & Disadvantage Samples
IELTS Writing Actual Test- Band 8.0 Sample Advantage/Disadvantage Essays

Academic Writing

The Academic Writing test will take 60 minutes to complete the test. You are asked to write 2 tasks, task 1 of at least 150 words, and task 2 of at least 250 words. In task 1 you’ll be given a table, chart, process diagram, or graph and you’ll have to describe it in around 150 words for which you can take 20 minutes. In task 2, a topic will be given and you should write a 250-word essay.

Given below are links to some of the IELTS writing material for academic:

Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic (In September 2015) & Band 9.0 Essay
Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic ( In January 2016) & Band 9 Model Essay.
Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic (In July 2015) & Band 9.0 Argumentative Essay
Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Architecture & History – Sample Essay
Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Environment & Sample Essay
Academic IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic: Economic Growth With Model Essay

General Training Writing

In the General Training test , you will have only 60 minutes to complete the test. There are 2 tasks, where you’ll have to write a 150 words essay for Task 1 and 250 words essay for task 2.

In task 1 you’ll have to write a letter, for example, a request letter. In task 2, it’ll be the same as Academic Writing where you’ll have to write a 250-word response according to the question given.

Bonus Essay Topics

Many people believe that social networking sites have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society. To what extent do you agree?
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?
In many places new homes are needed, but the only space available for building them is in the countryside. Some people believe it is more important to protect the countryside and not build new homes there. What is your opinion about this?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is writing task 2 same for Academic and general module of IELTS?

What is the marking criteria for essay writing?

I’m confused about opinion essays. Eg.1: Even in agree/disagree essays they ask for your opinion like “To what extent you agree”. Eg.2: Even in advantage/disadvantage essays they ask for your opinion like “Do you think the advantages outweigh disadvantages”. Eg.3: There are essays which specifically ask for your opinion.

Can I write an essay which is more than 250 words? Will it improve my scores?

I have memorised some standard phrases to begin and end my essay? Will it improve my scores?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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

Janet had been an IELTS Trainer before she dived into the field of Content Writing. During her days of being a Trainer, Janet had written essays and sample answers which got her students an 8+ band in the IELTS Test. Her contributions to our articles have been engaging and simple to help the students understand and grasp the information with ease. Janet, born and brought up in California, had no idea about the IELTS until she moved to study in Canada. Her peers leaned to her for help as her first language was English.

Explore other Writing Articles

Ruben Smith

Connectors / Linking Words for Writing – Functions and Tips

Post your Comments

Our Offices

Gurgaon city scape, gurgaon bptp.

Which exam are you preparing?

Have you taken test before?

Get free eBook to excel in test

Get support from an Band 9 trainer

Already Registered?

Great Going!

Get a free session from trainer

Select a date

Select a time (IST Time Zone)

Mark Your Calendar: Free Session with Expert on

IMAGES

IELTS Writing Task 2 Types of questions and
IELTS problem solution essay structure, Writing task 2, academic IELTS
TASK TWO IELTS QUESTIONS: CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
IELTS WRITING TASK 2
IELTS WRITING TASK 2 PART 5 SCORE 9 Problem Solution Essay
IELTS Academic Writing Task 2: The Complete Guide

VIDEO

Which of the following problems can be studied with help of case study method?
IELTS Task 2
Thinking Skills Paper 1 Problems solving. 9694/11 October/November 2020 Question 1
chapter 3 problem 4
Don't solve every question in competitive exams
LAT Test 2023 Updates

COMMENTS

IELTS Task 2 Problem and Solution Topics 2023 2023
IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem and Solution Topics/Questions 2023 Get a band score and detailed report instantly. Check your IELTS essays right now! Read more » The list of Task 2 Problem and Solution topics that were added by IELTS student in 2023. These Problem and Solution questions could be repeated from previous months.
IELTS Task 2 Question Types: Causes and Solutions
IELTS Task 2 Question Types: Causes and Solutions Fewer young people play sports these days. Why is this? What can be done to encourage more young people to do sports? Get the full EBook on Patreon. Today, many people do not know their neighbors. Why is this? What can be done about this? Read my essay here.
IELTS Task 2 Question Types: Problems and Solutions
IELTS Task 2 Question Types: Problems and Solutions In some parts of the world traditional festivals and celebrations have disappeared or are disappearing. What problems is this causing? What measures could be taken to counter this situation? Read my essay here.
Problem Solution Essay IELTS: Topics & Sample Questions
Problem and solution essay IELTS or cause and solution essay IELTS is a common type of essay question asked in IELTS Writing Task 2 Exam. Herein, a problem is presented to the candidate and you are asked to suggest relevant, specific, and possible solutions regarding the same. Table of Contents Table of Contents
IELTS Problem Solution Essay Model Answer
Below is an IELTS model answer for the IELTS problem solution essay in writing task 2. There are five types of essays in IELTS writing task 2 and the "solution" type essay is a common one. However, make sure you follow the instructions. You need to know the difference between "what are the causes?" and "what problems does this cause?".
Writing Task 2: How To Answer Problem/ Cause & Solution Questions To
How to plan and stucture an answer to an IELTS Writing Task 2 problem/ cause and solution question. Advice on how to write the introduction and conclusion and how to structure the body paragraphs to reach band 9. Includes useful vocabulary and phrases.
PDF Problems and Solutions essays
Procedure: introduce the focus of the lesson: Academic Writing Task 2 - Problems and Solutions essays. elicit environmental problems in general or show the class some pictures related to overfishing and elicit the topic. give students a copy of Worksheet 1 and draw attention to the essay question.
How to answer problem/solution essay questions in writing task 2
Problem/solution essay question is a part of the writing task two in almost every IELTS exam. The questions are based on a contemporary statement, that is going to be followed by two questions. You will be required to identify the problem, the cause of the problem and suggest a desirable solution to the same problem.
How to Write a "Problem and Solution" Essay for IELTS Task 2
Explain why it needs to be solved. A brief summary of the proposed solution. A strong statement that sets out the purpose of the essay. Body paragraphs Body paragraphs are where you develop the solution to your problem. In a problem and solution essay, your body paragraphs will need to discuss The feasibility of your solution
Problem / Solution Essay: IELTS Writing Task 2
· What do you think the causes are? · What solutions can you suggest? Before you begin to write your IELTS Problem / Solution Essay, make a brief plan. You should make a note of the main causes and possible solutions. Two problems and two solutions are usually sufficient.
More than 250+ IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions
In this article, we outline over 250 recent IELTS Writing Task 2 topics and sample questions. The IELTS Writing Task 2 is an essay writing task that assesses your ability to express and develop an argument in response to a given prompt.
IELTS Writing Task 2: Causes/Solutions Sample Essay
April 21, 2021 in IELTS Writing Task 2: Academic & General Training The "cause and solution" style of IELTS Writing Task 2 question presents a common social problem; your job is to identify the causes of the problem and propose ways the problem could be solved.
Writing Task 2: How to answer Problem/Solution style questions
We look how to answer problem / solution style questions for IELTS writing task 2. We use recent "Problem and Solutions" IELTS task 2 questions seen in the IELTS exam by our online students. In this tutorial we will: write a model answer to a recent task 2 exam question. structure the essay clearly into two complementary parts as well as show ...
How to Identify & Answer Problem and Solution Question ...
This section presents a list of common IELTS Writing Task 2 - Problem & Solution questions. If you want to prepare for the IELTS Writing Test, these questions are a must study. Question 1: An increasing number of professionals, such as doctors and teachers, are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries.
Problem Solution Essay- IELTS Writing Task 2 Lesson
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. Common Mistakes
IELTS TASK 2 Problem and Solution essays
May 3, 2021 There are various task 2 Ielts types which ask you to do different things. The following bullet points summarise what 'functions' you are asked to perform in your writing.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem Solution Essay Topic
1. Problem/Solution Overview A problem and solution essay is a common type of IELTS writing task 2 essay question. Remember, there are five main types of writing task 2 questions: Advantage/disadvantage Discussion Double question Problem/solution
TASK TWO QUESTIONS: CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
T20502. You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. 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? Give reasons for your answers and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or. experience. Write at least 250 words.
IELTS problem and solution essay
The problem solution essay IELTS discusses the problem for the given statement and then provides solutions for that problem. At times, you will be required to provide the cause and solution or just the solution or it may be identified as a reason and solution essay IELTS. IELTS writing task 2 is one of the parts of the writing test that ...
IELTS Writing Task 2. Problems & Solutions
Feb 2023: IELTS Writing Task 2. Problems & Solutions. Updated: Aug 11. Rated 5 out of 5 stars. 5.0 | 7 Ratings. Band 8 Sample Answer. Band 8 Sample Answer. ... Feb 2023: IELTS Writing Task 2. Mixed Questions. 250. 7. 10 likes. Post not marked as liked 10. Contact Total-IELTS. Share your IELTS experience and feel free to comment or ask any ...
Writing Task 2: problem and solution questions
In this video lesson Simon shows you step by step how to describe comparison diagrams in IELTS Acedemic Writing Task 1.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Essays
Answer the question asked: Before answering, carefully read the question that is asked and try to answer the question to the point, do not divert from the topic. Whatever the topic is, try to explain as much as possible. Do not speak out of the topic, if you do so you may end up losing the marks.
Problem solving task 2 questions T2 2019
SIT 191 2016 exam paper solutions; SIT191 Problem Solving Task 2; Problem solving task 3 questions; Exam-2014-questions - good; Exam 2011; ... SIT191 Problem Solving Task 2 questions 2020; Sample/practice exam 2019, questions; Preview text. Warning: TT: undefined function: 32 Warning: TT: undefined function: 32. SIT191 Problem solving task 2 ...

IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem and Solution Topics/Questions 2023

Problem Solution Essay IELTS: Topics & Sample Questions

Problem Solution Essay Question: Evaluation Factors

Tips to Create an IELTS Problem Solution Essay Structure

Analyze the question thoroughly

Think of Ideas

Follow the structure & write down the essay

Problem Solution IELTS Essay Pattern

Paragraph 1 – Introduction

Paragraph 2 – Problems

Paragraph 3 – Solutions

Paragraph 4 – Conclusion

Problem Solution Essay IELTS: Key Points to Remember

Common Mistakes

Problem Solution Essay IELTS Sample Questions

Theme 1 – Cities

Theme 2 – Technology & the internet

Theme 3 – Environment or Climate Change

Foreign Language IELTS Sample Essay

IELTS Problem Solution Essay

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I identify a problem solution essay type?

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

How can I write a solution paragraph?

Kanika Singh

Related Posts

Canadian Exams 2024: Guide To Exams Required To Study In The Country

Study in Canada Without IELTS 2024: Alternative Exams & Top Universities

IELTS One Skill Retake 2023: Now Available for Indian Students

Trending now

Writing Task 2: How To Answer Problem/ Cause & Solution Questions To Reach Band 9

Problem/ Cause & Solution Writing Task 2

Basic Problem/Cause & Solution Task Plan:

Main Idea 2: Solution:

Detailed Task Plan:

Body Paragraph 1 (Problem):

Body Paragraph 2 (Solution):

Conclusion:

Useful Vocabulary:

Giving Reasons/ Causes:

Giving Examples:

Proposing Solutions:

Problem/ Cause and Solution Task Example:

Essay Plan:

Model Answer:

Recent Posts

Get Free Ebook

Related Posts

How to write double question essay in IELTS writing task 2

IELTS writing task 2 - To Do Checklist

IELTS Task Response: A Quick Guide to IELTS Writing Marking Criteria Part 1

Grammar Range and Accuracy Marking Criteria in IELTS Writing Section (Writing Task 2)

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Improve Lexical Resource Score in IELTS Writing

Essays: The Mighty Five

UnlockIelts- Designed for Your Success

Unlock your inner potential – How ‘Unlockielts’ makes it happen for you.

'Crushing The Curve': A Study Plan For Spectacular Results In Unlickielts Courses

'UnlockIELTS' Partner Program - Helping Others Meet Their English Language Goals!

Top 10 Myths About Preparing for the ILETS Exam Debunked

'Unlock' Your Score Today - Access Latest Tools and Techniques for Aceing IELTS Exam!

IELTS Writing Task 2: Causes/Solutions Sample Essay

Causes/Solutions Model Essay

Sample Task

Sample Essay (Band 9)

Explanation of the Score

Additional Model Essays for Task 2

More from Magoosh

2 responses to “IELTS Writing Task 2: Causes/Solutions Sample Essay”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Writing Task 2: How to answer Problem/Solution style questions

The prewriting phase – analyse the question

Brainstorming

Main ideas and support

Introduction

Coherence and Cohesion

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

Lexical Resource

Audio Tutorial

IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem and Solution Essay Lesson

Problem Solution Essay