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How to Plan & Write IELTS Problem Solution Essays

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

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

The 3 essay types:

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

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

Here’s what we’ll be covering:

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

Want  to watch and listen to this lesson?

Click on this video.

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

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

The Question

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

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

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

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

State some reasons for this and provide possible solutions.

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

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

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

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

Why is this? How might it be remedied?

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

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

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

How can this situation be improved?

What solutions can you suggest to deal with this problem?

How can this problem be solved?

What measures could be taken to prevent this?

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

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

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

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

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

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

6 Common Mistakes

These six errors are common in IELTS problem solution essays.

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

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

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

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

Essay Structure

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

1)  Introduction

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

2)  Main body paragraph 1 – Problem or Cause

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

3)  Main body paragraph 2 – Solution

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

4)  Conclusion

  • Summarise the key points 

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

One Problem/Cause & Solution or Two?

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

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

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

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

How To Plan IELTS Problem Solution Essays

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

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

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

  • Analyse the question
  • Generate ideas
  • Identify vocabulary

# 1  Analyse the question

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

1. Topic words

2.  Other keywords

3.  Instruction words

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

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

So, this question is about ‘ traffic congestion’ .

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

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

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

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

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

# 2  Generate ideas

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here are my ideas:

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

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

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

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

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

Here are my choices:

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

Solution  – Park-and-ride schemes

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

# 3  Vocabulary

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

  • traffic jam
  • heavy traffic
  • private transport
  • infrastructure

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

How To Write an Introduction

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

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

1)  Paraphrase the question

Start your introduction by paraphrasing the question.

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

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

Paraphrased question:  

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

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

2)  Outline statement

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

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

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

Outline statement:

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

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

     Introduction

problems solution essay ielts

This introduction achieves three important functions:

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

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

Main body paragraph 1  –  Too many cars on the roads  

Main body paragraph 2  –  Park-and-ride schemes

How To Write Main Body Paragraphs

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

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

Main Body Paragraph 1

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

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

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

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

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

Main body paragraph 1  –  Too many cars on the roads 

Topic sentence:  

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

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

Explanation sentence: 

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

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

Example sentence:

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

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

problems solution essay ielts

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

Main Body Paragraph 2

Main idea 2  –   Park-and-ride schemes

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

Topic sentence:

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

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

Explanation sentence:

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

Finally, an  example  to support this point.

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

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

problems solution essay ielts

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

How To Write a Conclusion

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

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

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

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

A good conclusion will:

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

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

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

  • In conclusion

        or

  • To conclude

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

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

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

Introduction:

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

problems solution essay ielts

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

Finished IELTS problem solution essay.

problems solution essay ielts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The 5 Task 2 Essay Types:

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

   Opinion Essays

   Discussion Essays

  Problem Solution Essays

  Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

  Double Question Essays

Other Related Pages

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

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IELTS Writing: problem and solution essay

In this lesson you’ll learn how to answer problems/solutions questions in IELTS Writing . This type of questions gives you an issue and asks you to describe some common problems associated with it and propose some possible solutions.

  • See problem-solution question sample
  • Learn how to generate ideas
  • Learn band 9 answering strategies
  • See full band 9 answer

Question sample

This is an example of problem-solution question in IELTS Writing:

Despite a large number of gyms, a sedentary lifestyle is gaining popularity in the contemporary world.

What problems are associated with this?

What solutions can you suggest?

How to answer the question?

Before starting to write your answer, you should think of 1-2 problems and 1-2 solutions, so you know what to write about. In our case:

Problems associated with sedentary lifestyle :

problems solution essay ielts

  • problems with backbone (osteoporosis, scoliosis)

Solutions :

  • promote walking and cycling as safe and attractive alternatives to motorized transport
  • promote visiting gyms and doing exercises

Now, after we’ve generated some ideas for our essay, it’s time to use them in our writing .

Remember : it’s not enough to simply state these facts, you should also extend the ideas in your writing.

Band 9 answer structure

Although there are many possible ways to structure your essay, we’ll use this band 9 answer structure that has been approved by many IELTS examiners:

Band-9 essay structure:

  • Introduction
  • Body paragraph 1 - problems
  • Body paragraph 2 - effects

Let’s take a look at each of these sections in detail:

Introduction Write your introduction in two sentences:

  • Sentence 1 - paraphrase the statement (you can use ‘nowadays/today/these days’ to start):

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

  • Sentence 2 - say what you’ll write about in your essay:

This essay will discuss the main problems associated with this epidemic and propose some possible solutions to avoid them.

Body paragraph 1- problems

  • Sentence 1 - summarise the main problems of inactive lifestyle:

The main problems caused by inactive lifestyle are obesity and various spine disorders.

  • Sentences 2-3 - state and explain the first problem (you can also give an example). It’s very important to expand your opinion! Imagine that your examiner doesn’t know this subject at all and you have to explain everything in detail:

A growing number of body research shows that long periods of physical inactivity raise a risk of becoming overweight. This is because people burn fewer calories and easily gain weight.

  • Sentences 4-5 - describe the second problem (as usual, expand your opinion). You can give an example and use linking words ‘ moreover’ , ’ what’s more’ or ‘ also ’ to start:

What’s more, a lot of studies show that so-called ‘sitting disease’ often results in posture and backbone problems. Due to constant sitting, person loses muscle tissue and curves spine, developing numerous spinal diseases. For example, it has been proven that about 80% of people experience backache at least once a week.

Body paragraph 2 - solutions

  • Sentence 1 - briefly state the main solutions:

In my opinion, the best solution to this problem is promoting active lifestyle.

  • Sentences 2-3 - write the first solution and explain it:

Firstly, millions of people stay less active because they use cars instead of walking. Therefore, an effective way to make people more active is to advertise walking and cycling as safe and attractive alternatives to motorized transport.

Moreover, inactive lifestyle is gaining popularity because nowadays a lot of people prefer passive rest to workouts in the gym. And the best way to avoid the hazards of unhealthy living is to obtain a regular dose of physical activity. Thus, promoting gyms and regular exercising would increase the level of activity.

Write your conclusion in 2 sentences by summing up the problems and solutions you’ve written in your body paragraphs:

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

Band 9 answer sample

These days a sedentary lifestyle is becoming more and more popular despite a big number of sport facilities. This essay will discuss the main problems associated with this epidemic and propose some possible solutions to avoid them.

The main problems caused by inactive lifestyle are obesity and various spine disorders. A growing number of body research shows that long periods of physical inactivity raise a risk of becoming overweight. This is because people burn fewer calories and easily gain weight. What’s more, a lot of studies show that so-called ‘sitting disease’ often results in posture and backbone problems. Due to constant sitting, person loses muscle tissue and curves spine, developing numerous spinal diseases. For example, it has been proven that about 80% of people experience backache at least once a week.

In my opinion, the best solution to these problems is promoting active lifestyle. Firstly, millions of people stay less active because they use cars instead of walking. Therefore, an effective way to make people more active is to advertise walking and cycling as safe and attractive alternatives to motorized transport. Moreover, inactive lifestyle is gaining popularity because nowadays a lot of people prefer passive rest to workouts in the gym. And the best way to avoid the hazards of unhealthy living is to obtain a regular dose of physical activity. Thus, promoting gyms and regular exercising would increase the level of activity.

(268 words)

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IELTS Problem Solution Essays

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

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

You can also watch a video of this lesson:

problems solution essay ielts

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

Here are some examples of this type of question.

Examples of Problem Solution Essay Questions:

Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems.

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

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

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

The internet has transformed the way information is shared and consumed, but it has also created problems that did not exist before.

What are the most serious problems associated with the internet and what solutions can you suggest?

In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing.

What problems will this cause for individuals and society?

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

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

Check these  model essays  to see the difference.

IELTS Problem Solution Essay Example 

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

Model Answer

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

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

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

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

(285 words)

Writing about Problems

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

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

Show / hide answers

1) How many problems are discussed?

2) What are they?

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

3) What expressions are used to introduce the problems?

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

4) How are the problems illustrated further?

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

5) What results are discussed for each problem?

There is no doubt that this affects their thoughts and development, which is a negative impact for the children and for society.
...resulting in sensitive information falling into the hands of criminals.

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

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

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

Here is an example of the brainstorming for this paragraph:

Problem 1:   children can access potentially dangerous sites

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

Problem 2:  growth of online fraud and hacking

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

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

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

Writing about Solutions

Answer the following questions about the solutions paragraph:

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

1) How many solutions are given?

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

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

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

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

should need to must

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

The people involved

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

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

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

Developing your solutions

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

The government should introduce stricter laws.

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

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

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

Modal Verbs

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

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

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

Solution 1:   Governments

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

Solution 2:  Parents

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

Solution 3:   Companies

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

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

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

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problems solution essay ielts

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problems solution essay ielts

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

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

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Your Guide to IELTS Band 7

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

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

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

What Is Your Task?

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

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

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

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

Read this task:

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

What damage does plastic do to the environment? 

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

Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Test 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How To Plan An IELTS Problem Solution Essay

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

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

4 Step Planning Process

Step 1: Understand The Task

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

Think about these three questions:

What is the topic about?

What is the topic NOT about?

How should you respond to the topic?

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

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

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

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

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

Step 2: Decide Your Position

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

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

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

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

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

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

So what is YOUR position? What do YOU think? 

Step 3: Extend Your Ideas

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

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

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

The two best ways of developing your ideas is by:

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

Together, these add more detail to your answer.

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

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

Step 4: Structure Your Essay

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

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

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

Here is an alternative structure:

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

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

ielts-problem-solution-essay

How To Write Your IELTS Problem Solution Essay

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

How To Write The Introduction To An IELTS Problem Solution Essay

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

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

Introduce The Topic

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

How To Paraphrase

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

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

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

Here is one way of paraphrasing this:

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

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

Say What You Are Going To Write About

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

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

So I could write:

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

How To Write The Body Paragraphs

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

There a couple of possible structures:

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

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

Each body paragraph should contain:

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

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

You can read more about  developing your ideas here .

How To Write The Conclusion

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

  • summarise your main points

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

Common Mistakes in an IELTS Problem Solution Essay

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

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

Sample IELTS Problem Solution Essay Questions

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

(Cambridge IELTS 16 General Training Test 1)

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

(Cambridge IELTS 15 General Training Test 2)

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

( Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Test 4 )

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

(Cambridge IELTS 13 General Training Test 2)

Model IELTS Problem Solution Essays

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

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

Cambridge IELTS 8 Test 4 (Academic)

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

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

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

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

(321 words)

Read my full plan and comments for this essay.

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IELTS Solution Essay Sample Questions

Below is a list of IELTS solution essay sample questions for writing task 2. These types of essays usually ask you to either give solutions or causes and solutions to a particular world issue. Most world issues are common issues that many countries and people face today.

IELTS Solution Essay Tips

  • do you need to give only solutions?
  • do you need to give both causes and solutions?
  • does the question involve causes or problems?
  • Analyse the topic / issue in the essay question.
  • do not start writing until you have all points prepared. You are being marked on your ideas.
  • Put the causes in one body paragraph and the solutions in another.
  • Use flexible language of cause and consequences.
  • Use a safe solution essay model to follow. There are some model essays linked below for you.

Solution Essay Practice Questions

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?
Many offenders commit more crimes after serving their first punishment. Why is this happening, and what measures can be taken to tackle this problem? CLICK HERE: MODEL ESSAY
With the development of social media, more and more youngsters are being allowed unsupervised access to the internet in order to meet and chat with friends which can lead to potentially dangerous situations. What solutions can you suggest to deal with this problem?
Overpopulation in many major urban centers around the world is a major problem. What are the causes of this? How can this problem be solved?
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 this problem?
Many small, local shops are closing as they are unable to compete with large supermarkets in the area. How does this effect local communities? How could this situation be improved?
An increasing number of professionals, such as doctors and teachers, are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries. What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest to deal with this situation? CLICK HERE: MODEL ESSAY

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

  • This pages contains 100 essays listed by topic and also essays listed by type: Opinion, Discussion etc.
  • Advantages / Disadvantages Model Essay
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  • ALL MODEL ESSAYS & TIPS FOR WRITING TASK 2
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Problem Solution Essay IELTS: Topics & Sample Questions

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

8/18/2023 2 min read

problems solution essay ielts

Introduction

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

Understanding the Problem-Solution Essay

What is a problem-solution essay.

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

The Structure of a Problem-Solution Essay

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

Problem Description : Clearly defining the issue and its implications.

Challenges Analysis : Examining the underlying causes and hurdles.

Solutions Proposal : Presenting feasible solutions with detailed explanations.

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

Conclusion : Summarizing the discussed problem and solutions.

Selecting the Right Problem

Identifying a suitable problem.

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

Balancing Complexity and Feasibility

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

Crafting Effective Solutions

Brainstorming for solutions.

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

Incorporating Realism

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

Providing Detailed Explanations

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

Sample Questions and Topics

Sample questions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Structure a ‘Problem and Solution’ Essay

by Dave | Structuring your essay | 21 Comments

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Structure a ‘Problem and Solution’ Essay

A lot of my IELTS students struggle with how many ideas they need and how to structure their essay.

This article with explain clearly what you need to do and why. read some examples of actual ielts essays here ., let’s look at an example of this kind of question:.

The price of rail travel in some countries increases annually while average incomes remain relatively stable. This causes a problem for many people who rely on trains for travelling to work. What do you think are the causes of this problem and what measures could be taken to solve them?

Don’t miss out on my new Patreon exclusive essays here if you want to really improve on IELTS!

How many causes and solutions, you’re being asked to discuss causes and solutions (measures) but in fact it’s better if you can think of just one or a maximum of two main causes and solutions., this means you can spend more time developing those ideas which will then improve your task achievement score., possible essay structures, 1. separately – you discuss the main cause first then discuss the main solution., you need one or two main causes  and one or two main solutions..

2. Together – you discuss the causes one at a time together with its solution.

Again, you need at two main causes and two main solutions., do not write an opinion essay, a lot of ielts students are very good at writing agree or disagree essays, so they misunderstand problem/solution questions., instead of discussing causes and solutions, they discuss the benefits and drawbacks of  expensive tickets., this would mean a 4 for task achievement., make sure you read and understand the question carefully., other similar types of questions than you can answer in the same way include:, – what do you think are the causes / what are the solutions, – explain some possible reasons for this problem and suggest some solutions., now it’s your turn put your answers in the comments., is travelling by train in your country more expensive than in the past why, how could train companies save money, recommended for you.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Buildings

by Dave | Sample Answers | 10 Comments

    This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer from March 10th on the topic of whether or not buildings should be built according ...

problems solution essay ielts

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Foreign Languages (Cambridge 13)

by Dave | Cambridge 13 | 47 Comments

  This IELTS Writing Task 2 sample answer is from a past paper and was published in Cambridge 13. The topic is foreign languages and it ...

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21 Comments

Pooja

Could you please give some ideas about this topic as it is not getting clear which problem needs to be considered for giving causes and solutions

Dave

Do you mean this question: Is travelling by train in your country more expensive than in the past? Why? How could train companies save money?

If so, the problem is that travelling by train is more expensive. What are some possible causes of that? Is it because of new trains? Or is it related to a growing middle class? Are they used less frequently?

Does that make it clearer for you?

I need the reply to this question

I haven’t written a sample answer on that particular question. I can give you a brief answer, which is that the maintanence and improvement of railway lines causes countries to raise rates on an annual basis, regardless of the status of the economy. That is why salaries may remain stable or even fall in bad economic times while fares continue to rise.

Does that answer your question?

Thanks Sir .. really appreciate your efforts ..

It would be really nice of you if you can give me some idea on the solutions of it

I can, but why don’t you try to think of some ideas yourself and comment them below? Then I’ll give you some feedback. This post may help you think of ideas: https://howtodoielts.com/how-to-brainstorm-ideas-10-amazing-ways/

Okk.. lemme try. Government should provide pass facility for daily commuters which means they would be able to travel on less fare..

Another government should allocate more budget on rail in the year where average income is less so that it can be developed without increasing the fare.

Kindly comment on these and do provide some more

Thanks in advance

Those are good! We call those ‘free passes’ and you can say that governments should allocate more of the budget particularly in times of economic stagnation.

But remember the question is about causes and solutions – so you need a main idea for the causes as well which could related to the reluctance of governments to lower prices especially if they aren’t getting as much money from taxes or the need to maintain/update existing lines.

Another solution would be for governments to make the fares cheaper when people are commuting to work and more expensive at other hours, when people may be using the rails for leisure purposes.

Is that helpful?

Thanks for giving detailed answer.. ☺

You’re welcome!

Nice to meet you! 🙂

Mani

examples of actual IELTS essays here Above hyper link takes user to the task 1. I think it is a technical problem.

Thank you for pointing that out – I will fix it!

shivam Bajaj

The rail travel is widely recognized the convenient, punctually reliable, and cheaper source to travel. But every end of the year an increase in fare is failed to gain its acceptance by its low-income commuters especially. The shift in prices are due to its expensive labor and maintenance. This surge can be overcome by both hunting skilled-workers and by producing high-quality material within country for its long life.

Undoubtedly, the labor of skilled-workers is very expensive nowadays owing to its deficiency in the country. Such an infinitesimal number cause to demand recruitment from other countries. For instance, every year Canada seeks overseas for technical workers which can become helping-hand for its rapidly flourishing economy. Another reason is, the sustainability of rail lines requires upper-cost material for care such as high-quality iron rods, grease for its flexibility, continue supervising facilities, security alarm system etc. For instance, if the rail lines would be poor, the passenger’s safety of life would be at risk all-time. This has happened every day in under-developed countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc, where people are killed by rail accidents each day, even though numbers are soaring.

In order to curb this problem, it becomes the utmost responsibility of the Governments to look for highly demand technicians within the country resultant capital will be circulated within the country and there would be no extra need to pay high-wages, extra incentives and discounts on amenities to ensure their existence. For example, in quest for technical advanced people, governments should render its residents full resources and required aid to ascertain the quality education is being provided and attaining or not. Furthermore, government should supervise whether raw materials for rail sustenance are decisively creating in the country or importing by which the spread of extra money could be undertaken which is ultimately causes high in ticket prices. These possible solutions will definitely help lower the ticket prices and keep the travelers always happy, kind and grateful.

To conclude, I firmly believe that the on-going quarrels in commuters for ticket prices would come to halt, If these ideas are successfully implemented. However, the unnoticed capital which is flying overseas could bring to an under control and rather be spent on other good purposes like wildlife conservation.

Good effort!

It is a little wordy – especially with your topic sentences – write a little more simply.

Good range with vocabulary and grammar but you should work more on your accuracy.

thanks to rectify me bro

Surendra

The trend in most countries nowadays is the rising train fare annually and a matter of fact, as the wages won’t follow the same trend, this places a lot of pressure on those who use trains for commuting to work. While there can be many reasons for the fare hikes, in this essay we will touch upon a few of them and remedies too.

First, the reason for the train fare hikes is that the rail companies have been till now selling the train tickets on discount only. This is to draw more people to rail transport. But, this cannot continue forever and hence the rail has slowly demanded a fair price. If you take the case of Indian Railways, they charge only 60% of the actual cost to its passengers, and the remaining is borne by the Government of India itself. To remedy this, I suggest the companies pay for the remaining price so that the employees are not burdened by the prices on a regular basis.

The other reason is the ongoing disinvestment of the Railways. In many of these countries, the Railways has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Government. As you can see, many countries have gone for disinvestment for economic reasons or to avoid focus on transportation alone. Once these rail companies are transferred to private companies, the prices are going to be increasing. To encounter this, the governments should still regulate the fares continuously and make sure it does not affect hard-working labor.

In conclusion, while the prices are going to hurt the commuting employees, the governments and employers should step up and bear the burden.

tsewang

Now a days, more people are choosing to socialize online rather than face to face. It is a positive or negative development.

These days, many people are communicating online rather than meeting in person. From my perspective, using online to stay connected is a negative development and it will create lots of problems.

Technology had helped people to stay connected but it has also lead to unhealthy disorder. For example, 90% of younger generation had undergone depression and suicidal attempt due to loneliness. As they started to isolate themselves from others and had been interacting with people only through internet. Which is very unhealthy and cause these disorder. Moreover, it is very difficult for parent to monitor their kids and protect them through social network.

Another negative aspect of this will harm individual life. To illustrate, people especially younger generation tend to make a relationship  through different social website like facebook without even knowing him/her. Besides this, people used fake identities to make business and some even make their living through it.  Which is very risky and will create lots of obstacle in people life. Non the less people will lost their trust in humanity. Lastly, choosing social network to socialse will make them distance  between family and friends. It will also cause jealousy and lost in fait in one another. For example, my sister does not stay with us and we rarely meet. We used to interact like once in a blue moon through video calling and it did create a lots of distance between us as we work in different country.

To conclude, socializing through social network have way more negative development. As it create lots of problems and it is very unhealthy. Therefore, it is much better to meet rather then connecting through online.

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IELTS Problem and Solution Essay

Problem-solution is one of the essay types that you may be asked to write during the IELTS test writing task 2 . In this article, we will take an in-depth look into problem and solution essays, how to recognize and answer them.

Always keep in mind, you won’t be able to write well-structured IELTS essays if you don’t know how to structure all 5 types of IELTS essays. So, now, let’s start learning about problem and solution essays.

How to Recognize Problem and Solution Essays

Obviously, the first thing you want to do when writing an IELTS essay is to determine the essay type.

Problem and solutions essays consist of two parts. The first part of the topic question describes an existing problem. The second part of the topic question asks what possible solutions you can propose to the problem.

At this point, you should have a basic idea about problem and solution questions and the way they look. Now, let’s take a question from an official IELTS Cambridge book and see it with a real example.

The question we will use is from Cambridge IELTS Book 10, Test 4:

Overpopulation in many urban centres around the world is a major problem. What are the causes of this and how can this problem be solved?

As you can see, the topic asks you to discuss a problem, which is overpopulation in urban centers. And then you have to think of some possible solutions to deal with this problem. This is a problem and solution essay. Whenever you see an essay question that describes a problem and asks you to give possible solutions to the problem, that is a problem and solution essay. No need to hesitate about the essay type!

Now, let’s move forward and understand how you should structure problem and solution essays.

Step 1. Plan your answer.

Understand the question..

Before beginning to write, make sure to understand what the question is asking for. Once you fully understand the question, it will be easier to give a relevant answer. For example, this question asks you to find the reasons why urban centres are becoming overpopulated and propose solutions to deal with this situation.

Additionally, since the question has “ you ” in it, it is, thus, asking for your opinion. IELTS essays always ask for your opinion, so writing in the first person is okay. You may use phrases like “ I believe ”, “ in my opinion. ”, “I have to state” and etc.

Plan the structure.

We recommend that you write 4 paragraphs for problem and solution essays – introduction, two main body paragraphs, and conclusion.

1. Introduction: topic and answer.

In the introduction, you need to write two sentences: The first should paraphrase the topic question and the second one should give some ideas on how the problem can be solved.

2. Body paragraph.

In the first body paragraph, you should discuss what causes the given problem. Try to give 2-3 ideas in this body paragraph with supporting examples. Write 5-7 sentences for this body paragraph.

3. Body paragraph.

In the second body paragraph, you should write your solutions to the problem. Again, try to write 5-7 sentences for this body paragraph.

4. Conclusion: repeat the answer.

In the conclusion paragraph, you should repeat the answer you stated in the introduction while summarizing the problems and steps you have written in the two body paragraphs. This should be easy to do. In a moment, we’ll show the way you can do it.

Plan ideas for two body paragraphs before writing

For the first body paragraph, you will write the causes. Some causes of this problem could be:

1. More jobs in urban centers and people move there to get a job

2. In urban centers education is better, that’s why people prefer staying there.

This body paragraph will need to include 5-6 sentences. The first sentence should introduce what the paragraph is about. You may write, “ There are several reasons why in urban centers the population is increasing rapidly. ” Then, you can follow the paragraph and add your points with supporting examples.

For the second body paragraph, propose solutions to the causes you stated in the first body paragraph. For this example, the solutions may be as follows:

1. The government can create jobs in rural areas so that people can work there.

2. Creating good schools in the countryside so that children can get a decent education outside of major cities.

This body paragraph will need to include five to six sentences, like the previous paragraph. The first sentence should introduce what the paragraph is about. You may write, “ There are solutions to decrease the population in urban centers. ” In the second through fifth sentences, you should list the solutions you have suggested. Try to divide two to three sentences for each idea while staying within five to six total sentences in the paragraph.

Understanding the question and planning the ideas should take you overall 7 minutes. Try to achieve this.

Once you understand the question and have planned your answer, it’s time to start writing the answer. 

Introduction Paragraph – IELTS Problem and Solution Essay

The introduction paragraph needs two sentences. The first sentence should be introducing the topic. In this example, the topic sentence can be similar to the following:

 “ It is undoubtedly true that overcrowding is a serious problem in many cities. There are a variety of reasons for this, but steps can definitely be taken to tackle this problem. ”

Beginning with the phrase “ It is undoubtedly true ” confirms that you agree that the problem mentioned in the question exists.

With the second sentence, we say that to solve this problem we should take some steps. And, we are going to write these steps in the second body paragraph.

You have not revealed any causes or solutions yet. You will present these in the body paragraphs. For now, you are introducing what you will talk about in the essay.

Body paragraph 1 – IELTS Problem and Solution Essay

Write the first body paragraph according to the plan. We should mention what are the reasons that cities are overpopulated. So, it could be:

“ On the one hand, there are a lot of reasons why in urban centers the population is increasing rapidly. First of all, in cities, there are more job opportunities and therefore people move to cities to seek employment. For example, many people struggle to find a job in their villages for a long time, but once they move to major cities, they land a job easily. Moreover, the lack of good schools in rural areas forces people to leave their homes and move to towns because their children will get a decent education. Hence, these people do not have another option except living in the cities where the standard of education is far better than in rural areas. ”

Here, we finish the first main body paragraph. We gave two reasons why urban centers becoming overpopulated place.

Now, we need to write the second body paragraph and propose solutions to the existing problem.

Body paragraph 2 – IELTS Problem and Solution Essay

Let’s start writing the second body paragraph. We will start it with the phrase “on the other hand ” because the first paragraph we started with the phrase “on the one hand”. Also, we will propose our solution to the existing problem.

“On the other hand, there are several actions which governments can take to improve the situation. The first and most obvious step is to create more job opportunities with competitive salaries in rural areas so that people will not move to the cities to find work. For example, in the countryside, governments can establish a tax-free system. Hence, people will be eager to start a business there and create jobs. Additionally, if governments create better schools near villages people will not need to move to the major cities to get a first-class education.

We gave two solutions which were relevant to the issues which cause the problem of overpopulation in urban centers.

Now, it’s time to write the conclusion and finish this essay.

Conclusion paragraph – IELTS Problem and Solution Essay

In the conclusion paragraph, you will need to summarize the problem and the solution. We already know the problem as we introduced it in the first body paragraph. We also know the solutions that we suggested, and we will summarize those, too. Your summary may be as follows:

“In conclusion, people tend to live in urban areas because of several benefits but governments can take certain actions to make these people happy in rural areas as well so that urban centres will not become overpopulated.”

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.

IELTS Academic

IELTS Writing Task 2: Problem Solution Essay with Sample Answer

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

IELTS Writing Problem Solution Essay

IELTS Writing Task 2: Question

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

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

IELTS Writing Task 2: Model Answer

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

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

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

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

(298 words, IELTS 8.5)

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

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

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

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

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

Teacher’s Note

IELTS Teacher

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Template for Problem and Solution Essay

In this post, we will discuss the template we can use for the Problem and Solution IELTS Essay. Please note that only the template is not enough to score higher bands in IELTS. This is just a structure so it’s only 50% of the essay part. One has to focus on generating ideas that fulfill the cohesion and coherence condition of IELTS Band Descriptors as well. Practice makes one perfect. So, you need to practice regularly to think of unique ideas.

Problem and Solution IELTS Essay Template

1. Write an introduction to the topic. 2. Think of three causes of the problem and explain them, giving examples where possible. 3. Describe three solutions to deal with these problems. 4. Write a short conclusion which gives your view about the topic.

Plan / Structure:

1. Paragraph 1: Introduction 2. Paragraph 2: Cause 1 + Solution 1 3. Paragraph 3: Cause 2 + Solution 2 4. Paragraph 4: Cause 3 + Solution 3 5. Paragraph 5: Conclusion

Template for Problem and Solution Essay

A generation ago, (Write a general sentence about the topic) . However, (Reword or rephrase the problem in the essay topic in your own words) . This essay will look at the core reasons for this and propose some solid solutions.

One of the main causes of the problem is that (Write the first cause of the problem here) . By this, I mean (explain the problem in 2 or 3 sentences) . For example, (give a relevant example to support the cause of the problem) . The solution is for the (write about the solution of this problem) .

Another problem is that (write the second cause of the problem here) . That is to say, (explain the problem in 2 or 3 sentences) . To tackle this issue, (write about the solution of this problem) .

A third cause of the problem is the (write the third cause of the problem here) . To be more precise, (explain the problem in 2 or 3 sentences) . As a result, (write the result or effect of the cause here) . The way forward could be (write about the solution of this problem) .

To sum up, (rephrase the topic using different words) , due to the reasons such as (write the summary of three causes of the problem which you discussed in 2nd , 3rd and 4th paragraph) . This is a serious problem, and unless (write the summary of three solutions of the problem which you discussed in 2nd , 3rd and 4th paragraph) . My view is that the main responsibility for solving the problem lies with (talk about the people or elements that are responsible to solve this problem) .

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Model Essay – Problems and Solutions

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:

These days in many countries, fewer and fewer people want to become teachers, particularly in secondary schools. What are the reasons for this, and how could the problem be solved?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words.

A generation ago, teaching in a high school was considered an extremely well-respected and popular job, and in some countries, this is still true. However, in many parts of the world, there has been a sharp drop in the number of young people who want to become high school teachers. This essay will look at the reasons for this and propose some solutions.

One of the main causes of the problem is that teachers’ salaries are lower than many other jobs. Teachers’ pay has not kept pace with that of other professions, such as law or medicine. In the UK, for example, a doctor with five years’ experience will earn far more than a teacher with the same experience. The solution is for the government to raise teachers’ pay significantly, which would attract more people into the profession.

Another problem is that many children do not behave well in class. That is to say, teachers often have to deal with pupils who disobey them, which often causes them to give up teaching. This tends to put off potential teachers as well. To tackle this issue, parents must give their children a sense of respect for teachers, in order to make children behave better in class.

The third cause of the problem is that teaches often have too much work to do. Most teachers are snowed under with marking and paperwork, which means that they have to stay late at school and work at home in the evening. As a result, many teachers are tired and stressed, and their job has a negative effect on their family life. The way forward could be to cut teachers’ hours and to take on more teaching assistants, which would make teaching an easier job.

To sum up, teaching has become a much less popular job in many countries, due to reasons such as the salary, the working hours and pupils’ behavior. This is a serious problem, and unless we can get more talented young people to become teachers, the education of our children will suffer. My view is that the main responsibility for solving the problem lies with parents and the government.

Also Check:   Template for Advantages and Disadvantages Essay

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Problem-solution Essay with Tips, Structure, Sample answer and Vocabulary

This post deals with IELTS Writing Task 2, essay writing. In this post, I’m discussing how to handle a problem-solution a topic where candidates are asked to present the effects or results of unlimited use of cars. They are also asked to decide whether discouraging people to use cars might be a good solution or not. The special tips, structuring, and  sample answer,  provided here is an excellent one that you can follow to achieve a higher band score. Also, take a look at the use of different vocabularies which I’ve explained at the end of the post with explanations. You should write some of the words and try to make sentences for your English language improvement.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Problematic Essay with tips, structure, sample answer and vocabularies

Title or rubric of the essay:

People around the world now use more cars than ever. the unlimited use of cars may cause many problems. what kind of problems do you think cars may cause in order to minimize the problems, should we discourage people to use cars, special tips:.

For problem-solution topics, firstly, you must plan on the answer you will write.

Think about some common effects of the over-use of cars such as environmental problems, traffic jams, and accidents.

For the solution part, you must propose at least 2/3 solutions. You must also support or refute the solution proposed in the question and show reasons.

Your essay structure will look somewhat like the one below:

Introduce the topic and state or give a hint on what you are going to write in the next paragraphs in two or three lines.
State the problems that overuse of cars can cause. Remember to use examples or explanations to support your logical points.
State why you support or don’t support the idea of discouraging people to use cars. Also, mention if there are any other solutions to solve this problem. Use logical examples.
Conclude by briefly discussing what you have stated in the previous paragraphs. However, there is always something special that you can write from your brain to express your creativity.

Sample answer:

There is no denying that having a car has become an essential part of many people’s lives in this modern world. Such a transport offers flexibility to human life and work. It also provides ready access to an array of services and leisure options. However, unlimited use of cars also causes a variety of problems that need to be addressed.

Most of the problems associated with frequent car use are becoming increasingly familiar to mass people. The extensive use of cars has real environmental costs. Vehicles are prime sources of urban air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental experts suggest that road traffic is the source of one-third of all harmful air pollution in the world. Car exhaust seriously contributes to acid rain, carbon dioxide, and lead, which are accountable for global warming and health hazards. Another problem is the number of traffic jams spotted almost every day during rush hour. This is because using cars is becoming more popular than walking, cycling or using public transport. The most alarming matter, however, is that cars are less safe compared to all other transport. It causes deadly accidents with huge numbers of casualties every year.

It is suggested by many that the use of cars should be discouraged which I cannot support much. I think such decisions would lead to shrinking mobility for people and a decline in the car industry. In my opinion, a much better solution would be for car manufacturers to devise more eco-friendly cars, which can run on hydrogen or solar power. Moreover, traffic jams can be alleviated by constructing more underground tunnels, ring roads, one-way systems, and parking garages. Besides, safety issues can be avoided by educating drivers as well as pedestrians to be more cautious on the road.

Therefore, to sum up, I believe that discouraging car use might seem a quick solution to many problems currently facing society, but it is most unlikely to be a permanent solution.

Word count: 315

Vocabulary practice:

Deny: to refuse, to reject

I’m not denying that it was her fault.

Essential: important, necessary, crucial, vital

Education is an essential part of our life.

Flexibility: Easiness, litheness, suppleness

Cars offer flexibility in our life.

Array: Range, group

There is an array of colors in the shop.

Address: to tackle, to deal with

We must address this problem as soon as possible.

Associated: Linked, connected, related

There are a few problems associated with it.

Frequent: Common, regular

This is a frequent matter for us.

Extensive: Widespread, wide-ranging

The extensive use of those drugs can cause harm to your body.

Prime: Major, main, chief, key

Computers are the prime source of knowledge for the young generation nowadays.

Exhaust: Waste gases

Car exhaust is responsible for air pollution.

Accountable: Responsible, liable

Your bad attitude is accountable for your failure.

Hazard: Danger, risk

This food has some health hazards .

Rush hour: a period of heavy traffic

Traffic jam occurs mostly during rush hours .

Alarming: Disturbing, shocking, upsetting, frightening

It has become an alarming issue .

Casualty: victim, dead person, injured person, wounded person

There were some casualties in this accident.

Discourage: Dispirit, dampen, dishearten

She was discouraged by her mother to go there.

Shrinking: reduced, lessened

This would lead to a shrinking support for the community.

Mobility: the ability to move about

Cars offer personal mobility to a wide range of areas.

Manufacturer: Maker, producer

The manufacturer of the product is Nestle.

Devise: Plan, work out, prepare, make

We must devise some new designs for the roads.

Eco-friendly: Ecological, environment-friendly

This product is eco – friendly .

Alleviate: Lessen, diminish, reduce

Poverty must be alleviated .

Issue: Problem

Pedestrian: Walker, hiker

This road is for pedestrians only.

Cautious: Careful, watchful, vigilant, alert

We need to be cautious about this experiment.

Unlikely: Improbable, doubtful

It is unlikely that government will go for such a decision.

Permanent: Enduring, lasting, durable, long-lasting

This is not a permanent solution.

Here is the end of the post.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Agree disagree topic on using forensics to solve old cases; with 3 model answers

IELTS Writing Task 2: Agree disagree topic on using forensics to solve old cases; with 3 model answers

This IELTS Writing Task 2 post offers some sample answers to an agree-disagree topic. This agree-disagree topic asks the candidates to provide arguments as to whether new science related to criminal forensics should be used to look at old cases or not. In this post, you will find three great model answers which may help […]

IELTS Writing Task 2: an advantage-disadvantage essay on taking a gap year before starting university education; with plans and model answer

IELTS Writing Task 2: an advantage-disadvantage essay on taking a gap year before starting university education; with plans and model answer

This IELTS Writing Task 2 post offers the insights of writing a great answer to an advantage-disadvantage essay. This task 2 question asks the candidates to provide their personal opinions on taking a gap year before starting university education. In this post, you will find a plan that can help you to write this answer […]

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IELTS Task 2 Sample Answer- Health and Fitness

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?

A template is something that can be used over and over again to produce something. Template IELTS answers are normally very bad and I tell people never to use them because they don’t answer the question properly, but there is one exception.

In problem and solution Task 2 answers or causes and solutions Task 2 answers, you will normally use the following 4 paragraph structure :

Problem Solution :

1. Introduction

2. Problems

3. Solutions

4. Conclusion

Causes Solution:

For the third paragraph for both essays we can use a template answer. Let’s look at a sample essay first.

In some nations, people are getting heavier and standards of health and well-being are falling. This essay will suggest that the principal cause of these issues is the type of nourishment they are eating and submit a government education program as a viable solution, followed by a reasoned conclusion.

The main cause of the health crisis currently affecting so many individuals is over-consumption of poor quality sustenance. Convenience food and junk food, such as microwave dinners, chocolate bars, McDonald’s and pizza, have become a ubiquitous part of modern life. Eating too much of these high-fat meals causes many to gain weight and this has knock-on effects on someone’s general wellness. For example, the movie ‘Super Size Me’ demonstrated that a person who eats this kind of food all the time will not only get fat but also suffer from such things as raised blood pressure and even fatty liver disease.

The most practical solution to this problem is a government-sponsored awareness campaign. An effective advertising campaign could warn of the dangers of a poor diet and hopefully, raise awareness amongst the public.  This raised awareness of the problem would lead many people starting a healthier regime. For example, the U.K. recently lobbied their citizens to eat 5 pieces of fruit and vegetables a day and this resulted in a dramatic decrease in obesity-related illnesses such as stroke and heart disease.

In summary, the current health crisis has been caused by an over-reliance on unhealthy food and states should curtail this by educating men and women on how to make healthier choices.

(250 words)

You will notice in the third paragraph I suggest that a government advertising campaign is the best solution. Luckily, for most problems- and I say most because there are always exceptions- a government campaign that educates people about the issue is always a good solution.

We can, therefore, use the following template:

The most practical solution to this problem is a government-sponsored awareness campaign. An effective advertising campaign could warn of the dangers of [X] and hopefully, raise awareness amongst the public.  For example, the U.K. recently lobbied their citizens to [Y] and this resulted in [Z].

All you have to do is think about your particular question and then replace X, Y and Z.

Let’s try this with another question.

Question-  In many countries schools have severe problems with student behaviour.

What do you think are the causes of this?

What solutions can you suggest?

The most practical solution to this problem is a government-sponsored awareness campaign. An effective advertising campaign could warn of the dangers of student misbehaviour and hopefully, raise awareness amongst the public.  For example, the U.K. recently lobbied their citizens to teach their children about the importance of respecting teachers and this resulted in a dramatic improvement.

As you can see, I have used the same template paragraph but changed X, Y and Z to meet the requirements of my particular question.

I hope you found this post useful. I also have a complete lesson on IELTS problem solution essays that you might find useful.

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IELTS Problem and Solution Writing Samples Band 8

Some cities create housing areas by providing taller buildings. others create housing by building houses on a wider area of land. what solution is better, in many countries, people are now living longer than ever before, some people say an ageing population creates problems for governments, other people think there are benefits if society has more elderly people. to what extent do the advantages ofhaving an ageing population outweigh the disadvantages, in many large cities, people waste hours of their time every day because of traffic congestion on the road. what are the causes of this, what solution can you suggest, in some parts of the world, traditional festivals and celebrations have disappeared or are disappearing. why is this happening what measures could be taken to ensure they do not disappear., people in the current generation are not fit and active. what are the problems with this issue what can be done to encourage people to participate in sports activities, global warming is one of the most serious issues that the world is facing today. what are the causes of global warming and what measures can governments and individuals take to tackle the issue, nowadaysn teenagers are suffering from a lot of pressure.write an esay of about 250 words to list the causes of teen pressure and give solutions to overcome, nowadays, more and more children are being brought up in single parent families. what are the causes of this what effects can be seen as a result of this, many people in poor countries die from diseases that are curable because they cannot afford the medication required. do you believe that drug companies should make their products available at reduced prices in these countries, some people think the increasing business and cultural contact between countries brings many positive effects . others say it causes the loss of national identities.discuss both of these views and give your own opnion., in many countries, people are now living longer than ever before. some people say an ageing population creates problems for governments. other people think there are benefits if society has more elderly people. to what extent do the advantages of having an ageing population outweigh the disadvantages, modern children are suffering from the diseases that were once considered to only be meant for adults. obesity is a major disease prevalent among children. what are its causes, and what solutions can be offered, an increasing number of professionals such as doctor and teacher are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries. what problem does this cause what can be done to deal with this situation, the increase in the production of consumer goods results in damage to the natural environment. why is this the case what can be done to solve this problem, the world is experiencing a dramatic increase in population. this is causing problems not only for poor, undeveloped countries, but also for industrialized and developing nations. describe some of the problems that overpopulation causes, and suggestion least one possible solution., research shows that global warming is caused by human activity. what are the possible effects of climate change and what can governments and individuals do to reduce these, poaching is a persistent problem in many countries. what are the causes of the rise in poaching what are the effects of this practice, in some countries, younger people are neglecting their right to vote. what problems does this cause and what are some of the possible solutions, many historical sites and museums are mainly visited by tourists instead of locals, what are the causes of this and give solutions.

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How to Ace the IELTS Speaking Task: Describing a Challenging Problem-Solving Experience

As an experienced IELTS Speaking examiner, I’ve seen countless candidates tackle the task of describing a time when they had to work through a difficult problem. This topic is not only common in IELTS Speaking tests but also highly relevant to real-life situations. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to excel in this speaking task, providing you with valuable insights, sample answers, and expert tips to help you achieve a high band score.

Table of Contents

  • 1 Understanding the Task
  • 2 Part 1: Introduction and Interview
  • 3.1 Follow-up Questions
  • 4 Part 3: Two-way Discussion
  • 5 Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
  • 6 Tips from an IELTS Speaking Examiner

Understanding the Task

Before we dive into the specifics, it’s crucial to understand what this task entails. When asked to describe a time you had to work through a difficult problem, the examiner is looking for your ability to:

  • Recount a specific experience
  • Explain the problem clearly
  • Describe your problem-solving process
  • Reflect on the outcome and lessons learned

This task typically appears in Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking test, but related questions may also come up in Parts 1 and 3.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In Part 1, you might encounter questions that indirectly relate to problem-solving. Here are some examples:

  • Do you enjoy solving puzzles or brain teasers?
  • How do you usually deal with challenges in your daily life?
  • Are you good at finding solutions to problems?

Let’s look at a sample answer for the first question:

Examiner: Do you enjoy solving puzzles or brain teasers?

Candidate: Absolutely, I’m quite fond of puzzles and brain teasers. They provide a great mental workout and I find them incredibly stimulating . Sudoku puzzles, in particular, are my go-to when I want to challenge myself. I appreciate how they require logical thinking and help sharpen my problem-solving skills . Plus, there’s a real sense of accomplishment when you finally crack a difficult puzzle.

IELTS candidate solving puzzle

Part 2: Long Turn (Cue Card)

Now, let’s move on to the main task. Here’s a sample cue card you might encounter:

Describe A Time When You Had To Work Through A Difficult Problem

You should say:

  • What the problem was
  • When and where it happened
  • How you solved it
  • And explain how you felt about the experience

Here’s a sample answer that would likely score in the Band 7-8 range:

I’d like to talk about a challenging situation I faced during my final year at university. The problem arose when I was working on my thesis project, which involved developing a mobile app for local small businesses.

About halfway through the semester , I encountered a major setback . The database I had been using to store user information suddenly crashed , and I lost a significant amount of data . This happened in the university computer lab, just two weeks before the project deadline.

To tackle this issue , I first took a step back and assessed the situation calmly . I realized that panicking wouldn’t help, so I decided to approach the problem methodically . First, I consulted with my project supervisor , who suggested some potential recovery methods. Then, I reached out to a friend who was studying computer science and had experience with database management.

Together, we devised a plan to recover as much data as possible using specialized software. We worked tirelessly for several days , often staying in the lab until late at night. While we couldn’t recover everything , we managed to salvage about 80% of the lost data.

For the remaining data , I had to think creatively . I decided to reach out to the small business owners who had participated in my initial research and asked if they would be willing to provide their information again . Fortunately, most of them were very understanding and agreed to help.

Looking back on this experience , I feel a mixture of emotions. Initially, I was frustrated and stressed , but as I worked through the problem, I felt a growing sense of determination . Successfully overcoming this challenge gave me a tremendous sense of accomplishment . It taught me valuable lessons about the importance of backing up data , thinking creatively under pressure , and the power of collaboration in solving complex problems.

This experience not only saved my project but also boosted my confidence in my problem-solving abilities. It’s a situation I often reflect on when facing new challenges, reminding me that with perseverance and the right approach, most problems can be overcome.

Follow-up Questions

After your long turn, the examiner might ask you some follow-up questions. Here are a few examples with sample answers:

  • How did this experience change your approach to problem-solving?

This experience was truly transformative for my problem-solving approach. It taught me the value of staying calm under pressure and taking a systematic approach to challenges . Now, whenever I face a difficult situation, I make a conscious effort to break the problem down into manageable parts and tackle them one by one . I’ve also become more proactive about anticipating potential issues and putting preventive measures in place .

  • Do you think teamwork is always beneficial in solving problems?

While teamwork can be incredibly valuable in many problem-solving scenarios, I don’t believe it’s always the best approach . In my experience, the effectiveness of teamwork depends on the nature of the problem and the skills of the individuals involved . For complex issues that require diverse expertise , teamwork is often crucial for finding comprehensive solutions . However, for more straightforward problems or those requiring deep, focused thought, individual work might be more efficient . The key is to assess each situation and determine the most appropriate approach .

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

In Part 3, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic. Here are some examples:

Examiner: How do you think technology has changed the way we solve problems?

Candidate: Technology has revolutionized problem-solving in numerous ways . Firstly, it has given us access to an unprecedented amount of information at our fingertips, allowing us to quickly research and learn about various issues . This wealth of knowledge can often lead to more informed and effective solutions .

Secondly, technology has enabled us to collaborate more easily with people around the world. This global connectivity means we can tap into a diverse range of perspectives and expertise , potentially leading to more innovative solutions.

However, it’s worth noting that technology isn’t always beneficial . The ease of finding information online can sometimes lead to over-reliance on quick fixes rather than developing deep problem-solving skills. Additionally, the constant connectivity can sometimes be a distraction , making it harder to focus on complex problems that require sustained attention.

On balance, though, I believe technology has greatly enhanced our problem-solving capabilities . The key is to use it judiciously , combining technological tools with critical thinking and creativity to address challenges effectively.

Examiner: Do you think schools should put more emphasis on teaching problem-solving skills?

Candidate: Absolutely, I believe schools should place a much greater emphasis on teaching problem-solving skills . In today’s rapidly changing world , the ability to tackle complex, unfamiliar challenges is becoming increasingly valuable .

Traditional education often focuses on memorization and standardized testing , which, while important, don’t necessarily prepare students for real-world problem-solving . By incorporating more problem-solving exercises into the curriculum , schools can help students develop critical thinking skills , creativity , and resilience – all crucial attributes in both personal and professional life.

Moreover, problem-solving skills are highly transferable . Whether a student pursues a career in science, business, or the arts , the ability to approach challenges systematically and think outside the box will be invaluable.

That said, it’s important to strike a balance . Problem-solving skills should complement, not replace, the acquisition of fundamental knowledge . The ideal approach would be to integrate problem-solving into various subjects , allowing students to apply their knowledge in practical, challenging scenarios .

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

To achieve a high band score, it’s crucial to use a range of sophisticated vocabulary and complex sentence structures. Here are some key terms and phrases that can elevate your responses:

Encounter a setback /ɪnˈkaʊntər ə ˈsetbæk/ (phrase): To experience a problem or difficulty that delays or prevents progress. Example: “During the project, we encountered several setbacks that threatened our deadline.”

Devise a plan /dɪˈvaɪz ə plæn/ (phrase): To create or invent a way of doing something. Example: “After analyzing the situation, we devised a plan to address the issue systematically.”

Think creatively /θɪŋk kriˈeɪtɪvli/ (phrase): To use imagination or original ideas to create something or solve a problem. Example: “When traditional methods failed, we had to think creatively to find a solution.”

Boost confidence /buːst ˈkɒnfɪdəns/ (phrase): To increase one’s self-assurance or belief in one’s abilities. Example: “Successfully resolving the issue really boosted my confidence in my problem-solving skills.”

Methodical approach /məˈθɒdɪkəl əˈprəʊtʃ/ (noun phrase): A systematic and orderly way of doing something. Example: “I find that taking a methodical approach to problem-solving often leads to better outcomes.”

Perseverance /ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪərəns/ (noun): Continued effort and determination, despite difficulties or delays in achieving success. Example: “It was our perseverance that ultimately led to a breakthrough in solving the problem.”

Mitigate risks /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt rɪsks/ (phrase): To make a situation or its consequences less severe or serious. Example: “We implemented several strategies to mitigate the risks associated with the project.”

Adaptive strategy /əˈdæptɪv ˈstrætədʒi/ (noun phrase): A flexible approach that can be modified in response to changing circumstances. Example: “In such a dynamic environment, we needed to develop an adaptive strategy to address emerging challenges.”

Tips from an IELTS Speaking Examiner

As an experienced IELTS Speaking examiner, here are my top tips for excelling in this task:

Practice storytelling : Develop the ability to recount experiences in a clear, engaging manner.

Use a variety of tenses : Demonstrate your grammar skills by accurately using past, present, and future tenses as appropriate.

Incorporate idioms and phrasal verbs : This shows a high level of English proficiency. For example, “We were up against the wall” or “The solution came out of the blue.”

Show reflection : Don’t just describe what happened; explain how you felt and what you learned from the experience.

Be specific : Use concrete details to make your story more vivid and believable.

Practice with a timer : Ensure you can comfortably speak for 2 minutes without running out of things to say or exceeding the time limit.

Record yourself : This allows you to identify areas for improvement in your fluency, pronunciation, and content.

Remember, the key to success in the IELTS Speaking test is practice. The more you prepare and rehearse, the more confident and articulate you’ll be on test day. Good luck!

For more tips on acing the IELTS Speaking test, check out our articles on describing a time when you had to manage a difficult conversation and working on a project with a tight deadline .

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50+ Recent IELTS Writing Topics with Answers: Essays & Letters

Kasturika Samanta

14 min read

Updated On Aug 22, 2024

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This article lists recent IELTS Writing topics for Academic and General Training exams, covering Task 1 visual data and essays on themes like health, education, environment, and more. It also offers sample questions to aid in effective exam preparation.

IELTS Writing Topics

Table of Contents

Ielts writing topics for academic writing task 1, ielts writing topics for general writing task 1, common ielts writing topics for writing task 2.

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IELTS Writing topics are one of the most essential study resources for IELTS exam preparation. There are two reasons for this: firstly, topics are often repeated in the IELTS exam and secondly, practising these IELTS Writing questions will help test-takers familiarise themselves with the format and requirements of the exam.

While the first task for the IELTS Writing exam has different versions of IELTS Academic and IELTS General , the second task is essay-writing for both. Even with differences in format or difficulty levels, both these tasks revolve around common IELTS writing topics like health, environment, education, travel, family and children, etc.

In this blog, we have compiled a list of the most popular and recent IELTS Writing topics based on the different tasks in this section and recurrent themes. Also, get hold of the IELTS writing questions and answers PDF that will help you practice at your own pace.

In the IELTS Writing Task 1 of the Academic exam, candidates have to summarize important visual information presented in graphs, charts, tables, maps, or diagrams in at least 150 words within 20 minutes.

Below are some IELTS Writing Task 1 topics with answers for each type of graphs and diagrams in IELTS Academic.

Line Graphs

Check out the list of IELTS Writing Task 1 - Line graph with IELTS writing questions and answers. Make sure to use appropriate IELTS Writing Task 1 Line Graph Vocabulary to write effective answers.

  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Shops that Closed
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic: Different sources of air pollutants - Line Graph
  • IELTS Writing Task 1 - The Graph Below Shows Different Sources of Air Pollutants in the UK Sample Answers
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : Price changes for fresh fruits and vegetables - Line Graph
  • The Percentage Of The Population In Four Asian Countries - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • The Changes In Ownership Of Electrical Appliances And Amount Of Time Spent Doing Housework In Households - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 38: Paris Metro station passengers - Line Graph
  • Projected Population Growth of China and India- Line Graph
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : Percentage of Car Ownership in Great Britain - Line Graph
  • Waste Recycling Rates in the US From 1960 to 2011- Line Graph
  • Weekday Volume of Passenger Activity on the Toronto Metro system- Line Graph
  • US Consumers' Average Annual Expenditures on Cell Phone- Line Graph
  • Consumption of Fish and Different kinds of Meat in a European Country- Line Graph
  • Demographic Trends in Scotland- Line Graph

Here is a list of IELTS Writing topics with answers on the IELTS bar chart .

  • People Who Ate Five Portions of Fruits and Vegetables Per Day in the UK - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : People affected by four types of noise pollution - Bar graph
  • How Families in One Country Spent their Weekly Income - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Division of Household Tasks by Gender in Great Britain- Bar Graph
  • Annual Pay for Doctors and Other Workers - IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Bar Chart
  • Estimated World Illiteracy Rates by Region and by Gender - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Southland’s Main Exports in 2000 and Future Projections For 2025 - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Carbon Emissions in Different Countries - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 22: Railway system in six cities in Europe – Bar Chart
  • IELTS Writing Task 1 Test On 28th July With Band 8.0-9.0 Sample
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic: Percentage of people living alone in 5 different age groups in the US - Bar Chart
  • Amount of Leisure Time Enjoyed by Men and Women of Different Employment Statuses – Bar Chart
  • USA Marriage and Divorce Rates Between 1970 and 2000 and the Marital Status of Adult Americans- Bar Graph
  • Top Ten Rice-Producing Countries in the World in 2015- Bar Graph
  • Rural Households that Had Internet Access Between 1999 and 2004- Bar Graph
  • Information About Underground Railway Systems in Six Cities - IELTS Writing Task 1

Explore the list of IELTS writing topics related to pie charts and solve them with the help of pie chart vocabulary for IELTS preparation.

  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : Survey conducted by a university library - Pie chart
  • Methods of Transportation for People Traveling to a University - Pie Chart
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 13: Percentage of housing owned and rented in the UK – Pie Chart
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : The percentage of water used by different sectors - Pie chart
  • Online shopping sales for retail sectors in Canada - IELTS Writing Task 1 Pie chart
  • Percentage of Water Used for Different Purposes in Six Areas of the World- Pie Chart
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 18: Average Consumption of food in the world – Pie Chart
  • Main Reasons Why Students Chose to Study at a Particular UK University - IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic Pie Chart
  • Composition Of Household Rubbish In The United Kingdom - IELTS Writing Task 1

Here is a list of IELTS Writing topics with answers on the IELTS table chart .

  • Fishing Industry in a European Country - IELTS Writing Task 1 Academic
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Social and economic indicators for four countries - Table
  • The Situation of Marriage and Age from 1960 to 2000 in Australia - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Past And Projected Population Figures In Various Countries - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 35: Number of travelers using three major German airports - Table
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 05: Size of US households over a number of years
  • Changes in Modes of Travel in England Between 1985 and 2000- IELTS Writing Task 1 (Table)
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 12: Internet use in six categories by age group – Table
  • Cinema Viewing Figures for Films by Country, in Millions- Table
  • Number of Medals Won by the Top Ten Countries in the London 2012 Olympic Games- Table
  • Sales at a Small Restaurant in a Downtown Business District- Table

Here is a list of IELTS Writing topics 2024 with answers on the IELTS Map Diagram .

  • Paradise Island Map – IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Answers
  • Floor Plan of a Public Library 20 years ago and now - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • A School in 1985 and the School Now - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Village of Stokeford in 1930 and 2010 - IELTS Writing Task 1 Map
  • Map of the Centre of a Small Town Before and After - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Plan A & B shows a Health Centre in 2005 and in Present Day - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Example 9 : Chorleywood is a village near London whose population has increased steadily - Map
  • Two possible sites for the supermarket Sample Answers
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : Cross-sections of two tunnels
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Local industrial village in England called Stamdorf - Map
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 : Hawaiian island chain in the centre of the Pacific Ocean - Map

Process Diagrams

Here is a list of IELTS Writing topics with answers on the IELTS Process diagram .

  • Process of Making Soft Cheese - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Growing and Preparing Pineapples and Pineapple Products – IELTS Writing Task 1 Diagram
  • Ceramic Pots Process - IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Diagram
  • How Orange Juice is Produced - IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 09 : Consequence of deforestation
  • The Diagram Shows the Manufacturing Process of Sugar- IELTS Writing Task 1
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic 10: How apple is canned - Diagram
  • Life Cycle of the Salmon - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Academic IELTS Writing Task 1 Recycling process of wasted glass bottles Sample Answers
  • Production of Potato Chips - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • The Process of Milk Production - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Process of Making Pulp and Paper - IELTS Writing Task 1 Diagram
  • Stages of Processing Cocoa Beans - IELTS Writing Task 1

Mixed/Combination Diagrams

The following is a list of IELTS Writing topics 2024 with answers on IELTS mixed or combination diagrams, practising which will aid in mastering these visual presentations for a top IELTS band score .

  • Anthropology Graduates From One University - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Water use Worldwide and Water Consumption- Line Graph and Table
  • Transport and Car Use in Edmonton- Pie Chart + Table
  • Demand for Electricity in England- Line Graph and Pie Chart
  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 Topic : Newly graduated students in the UK and their proportions - Multiple Graphs
  • The table and charts below give information on the police budget - IELTS Writing Task 1

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In the IELTS General Writing Task 1 , test-takers are required to write a letter in response to a given situation. The letters are of three types depending on the context, namely formal, semi-formal and informal.

Below are some common IELTS Letter Writing topics that cover all the 3 ielts writing questions types of letters.

Formal Letters

Have a look at the list of IELTS General Writing Task 1 Sample Formal Letters that will help IELTS candidates prepare for the IELTS Writing questions for the actual exam.

  • An Article in an International Travel Magazine - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • A Magazine Wants to Include Contributions from its Readers - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Recently Booked a Part-Time Course at a College Now Need to Cancel Your Booking - IELTS Writing Task 1 General Formal Letter
  • Advertisement From a Couple Who Live in Australia - IELTS Writing Task 1 General Formal Letter
  • You Found You had Left Some Important Papers at the Hotel – IELTS General Writing Task 1
  • Advertisement for a Training Course which will be Useful – IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Write a Letter to Your Manager about a Party that You Want to Organize at the Office – IELTS General Writing Task 1
  • A Feedback for a Short Cookery Course – IELTS General Writing Task 1
  • Letter to the Local Authority about Construction of an Airport - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • You Are Soon Going to Spend Three Months Doing Work Experience in an Organisation - IELTS Writing Task 1

Semi - formal Letters

The following is a list of IELTS General Writing Task 1 Sample Semi-Formal Letters with answers.

  • A Friend Of Yours Is Thinking About Applying For The Same Course - IELTS Writing Task 1 General Semi-Formal Letter
  • Letter to Neighbour About Barking Dog - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • A Letter to Your Friend Who Lives in Another Town and Invite - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Letter to a Singer about His/Her Performance – IELTS General Writing Task 1
  • You Have a Full-time Job and Doing a Part-time Evening Course - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Letter to Neighbor About the Damaged Car While Parking - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • You Work for an International Company- Semi-formal letter
  • You and Your Family are Living in Rented Accommodation- Semiformal Letter

Informal Letters

Here is a list of IELTS Writing topics with answers on the IELTS General Writing Task 1 Informal Letters that will help you to learn how to write an IELTS informal letter and brush up your writing skills.

  • A Friend is Thinking of Going on a Camping Holiday - IELTS Writing Task 1
  • Advice about Learning a New Sport – IELTS Writing Task 1 (Informal Letter)
  • Help with a College Project - IELTS Writing Task 1 from Cambridge IELTS General 18
  • Write a Letter to Your Friend Planning a Weekend Trip - IELTS General Writing Task 1
  • Your Parents will be Celebrating their 50th Anniversary Next Month- Informal letter
  • You are Studying English at a Private Language School- Informal Letter
  • You Have a Friend Who has always Liked the Car you Currently Drive- Informal Letter
  • You Have Recently Started Work in a New Company- Informal letter
  • A friend Asking for Advice About a Problem at Work- Informal letter
  • A Friend has Agreed to Look After your House- Informal Letter

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IELTS Writing Task 2 is similar for both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training with minor differences in the difficulty level. Therefore, let us have a look at the compilation of IELTS writing topics with answers for different IELTS Writing Task 2 sample essays based on the common common IELTS Writing topics 2024.

Business, Work & Talent

Work-related topics often cover issues such as work-life balance, the gig economy, and the impact of automation on employment. Also, business topics may include discussions on corporate responsibility, entrepreneurship, and the impact of globalization on local businesses.

  • Some people are born with certain talents - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Women Should be Allowed to Join the Army, the Navy and the Air Force just like Men - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Until What Age Do You Think People Should be Encouraged to Remain in Paid Employment?
  • IELTS Writing Task 2 - Top Level Authorities Should Take Suggestions From Employees
  • How Realistic is the Expectation of Job Satisfaction for all Workers - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Men and Women Can Be Equally Suited to Do Any Type of Work - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • People Work Long Hours Leaving Little Time for Leisure - IELTS Writing task 2
  • Some People Say that it is Better to Work for a Larger Company than a Small One - IELTS Writing Task 2

Education topics often focus on the role of technology in education, the importance of higher education, and the debate over traditional vs. modern teaching methods.

  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Nowadays it is More Difficult for Children to Concentrate to Pay Attention in School
  • Placing Advertisements in Schools is a Great Resource for Public Schools - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Giving Homework Daily to School Children Works Well
  • Very Few School Children Learn About the Value of Money: IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Traditional Examination Are Not Often True to Students Ability - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Secondary School Children Should Study International News - IELTS Writing Task 2

Environment

Environmental issues are increasingly prominent in IELTS Writing, with topics covering pollution, climate change, and the conservation of natural resources.

  • IELTS Writing Task 2 - Some people say domestic animals, like cats, should not be reared in cities
  • We No Longer Need to have Animals Kept in Zoos - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • The Importance of Biodiversity is Being More Widely Recognised - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • People Should Use Public Transport to Support Pollution Control Initiatives - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • International Community Must Act Immediately to Reduce Consumption of Fossil Fuels - IELTS Writing Task 2

Family and Children

IELTS Writing questions related to family and children often explore the changing dynamics of family life, parenting styles, and the impact of technology on children.

  • IELTS Writing Task 2 - Young Single People No Longer Stay With Their Parents Until They Are Married
  • Is it Better to Rear Children in Joint Family or in Nuclear Family - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Majority of Children are Raised by their Grandparents Due to the Fact that their Parents are Busy
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: In Some Countries Children Have Very Strict Rules of Behaviour
  • Some People Spend Their Lives Living Close to Where They Were Born - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Should Parents Read or Tell Stories to Their Children - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Women Make Better Parents than Men - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • The Older Generations Tend to Have very Traditional Ideas - IELTS Writing Task 2

Food, Lifestyle and Entertainment

Food and entertainment related IELTS writing topics often discuss issues related to diet, the global food industry, and cultural food practices.

  • Explain Why the Movies are As Popular As a Means of Entertainment - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Popular Hobbies and Interests Change Over Time
  • IELTS Writing Task 2 - Which Do You Prefer Planning or Not Planning For Leisure Time?
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: People Always Throw the Old Things Away When they Buy New Things
  • Food Can Be Produced Much More Cheaply Today | IELTS Writing Task 2
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: The Era of the Silver Screen is Coming to an End
  • Why is Music Important for Many People - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: Why is the Circus Still a Popular Form of Entertainment
  • Crime Novels and TV Crime Dramas are Becoming Popular - IELTS Writing Task 2

Health-related topics are a staple in the IELTS Writing section, focusing on public health issues, diet, and the impact of modern lifestyles on health.

  • Discuss the cause and effects of widespread drug abuse by young people - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Obesity is a Major Disease Prevalent among Children - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Exercise is the Key to Health while Others Feel that Having a Balanced Diet is More Important - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Government Providing Free Healthcare - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Tobacco and Alcohol are Drugs that Cause Addiction and Health Problems - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Many People Complain that They Have Difficulties Getting Enough Sleep - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • and More People are Hiring a Personal Fitness Trainer - IELTS Writing Task 2

Language and Culture

Topics related to language and literature often explore the importance of preserving cultural heritage, language learning, and the impact of globalization on languages.

  • Many Old Cities Around the World are Going Through a Major Process of Modernization - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Reading for Pleasure Develops Imagination and Better Language Skills - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • IELTS Writing Task 2 - Traditional Festivals and Celebrations Have Disappeared
  • Globalization will Inevitably Lead to the Total Loss of Cultural Identity - IELTS Writing Task 2

Societal issues such as violence, social inequality, and media influence are common in IELTS Writing topics.

  • Individual Greed and Selfishness Have Been the Basis of Modern Society - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • IELTS Writing Task 2 - Individuals Should Not Be Allowed To Carry Guns
  • Nowadays We are Living in a Throwaway Society - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Different People Have Different Approaches to Life - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Violence and Conflict were more Evident under Male Leadership than under Female Leadership - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • What Changes Do You Think this New Century Will Bring - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • People Remember Special Gifts or Presents they Receive - IELTS Writing Task 2

Sports topics in IELTS Writing often cover the role of sports in education, the impact of professional sports on society, and issues related to sportsmanship.

  • Many People Think Olympic Games and World Cup are an Enormous Waste of Money- IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Cricket has Become More Popular than the National Sports - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Sports Today is Turning into a Business - IELTS Writing Task 2

Technology & Science

Technology is a rapidly evolving field, and its impact on society, work, and communication is a common topic in IELTS Writing. Media-related topics also come under this section and often focus on the influence of mass media, the ethics of journalism, and the role of the internet in modern communication.

  • Internet and Computers Will Ever Replace the Book or the Written Word - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: More and More People are Choosing to Read Ebooks Rather than Paper Books
  • Some People Think That Mobile Phones Should Be Banned in Public Places - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Persuade More People to Embrace Electric Cars – IELTS Writing
  • The most important aim of science should be to improve people's lives - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • People May No Longer Be Able to Pay for Things Using Cash - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Mobile Phones and the Internet could have Many Benefits for Old People - IELTS Writing Task 2

Tourism and Travel

Tourism and travel topics may include discussions on the impact of tourism on local cultures, the environment, and the global economy.

  • Foreign Visitors Should Pay More Than Local Visitors for Cultural and Historical Attractions - IELTS Writing Task 2
  • IELTS Writing Task 2: What Do You Think are the Benefits of Going Away on Holidays?
  • In the Future More People Will Go On Holiday in Their Own Country - IELTS Writing Task 2

Download the IELTS writing topics PDF that contain all the IELTS writing topics with answers to fasttrack your IELTS preparation!

Being familiar with these IELTS Writing topics and practicing your writing skills within these themes can help you prepare more effectively for the IELTS Writing test. Moreover, understanding the issues and arguments related to each topic will enable you to write well-rounded essays that meet the IELTS criteria. So, if you need further guidance through a free demo session or sign up for free IELTS webinars .

Additional Reads

  • IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Useful Tips and Vocabulary to Describe a Graph or Chart
  • Recent Writing Task 2 Essay Topics for IELTS 2024
  • IELTS Band 9 Essay Samples: Writing Task 2 Insights for IELTS Learners
  • Visuals: Writing About Graphs, Tables and Diagrams for IELTS Writing Task 1 (Ebook)
  • How to Plan an IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay (Best Strategy)
  • IELTS Writing Task 2 Preparation Tips/Tricks

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A black-and-white close-up photo Chris Murphy.

Opinion Guest Essay

The Senator Warning Democrats of a Crisis Unfolding Beneath Their Noses

Credit... Allison Minto for The New York Times

Supported by

By James Pogue

Mr. Pogue, a writer, started talking to Senator Chris Murphy two years ago.

  • Aug. 19, 2024

In December 2022, early into what he now describes as his political journey, Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut gave a speech warning his fellow Democrats that they were ignoring a crisis staring them in the face.

For over a year, President Biden and his allies had been promoting data showing an economic miracle, as friendly pundits described it — a record-setting stock market, low unemployment and G.D.P. growth outpacing that of almost every other Western nation. But very few voters believed the story those metrics were telling. In poll after poll, they expressed a bleak view of the economy — to the frustration of both Democrats and many economists.

Mr. Murphy thought he knew why. “The challenges America faces aren’t really logistical,” he told the crowd. “They are metaphysical. And the sooner we understand the unspooling of identity and meaning that is happening in America today, the sooner we can come up with practical policies to address this crisis.”

The subject of the speech was what Mr. Murphy called the imminent “fall of American neoliberalism.” This may sound like strange talk from a middle-of-the-road Democratic senator, who up until that point had never seemed to believe that the system that orders our world was on the verge of falling. He campaigned for Hillary Clinton against Bernie Sanders during the 2016 primaries, and his most visible political stance up until then was his work on gun control after the Sandy Hook shooting.

Thoughtful but prone to speaking in talking points, he still comes off more like a polished Connecticut dad than a champion of the disaffected. But Mr. Murphy was then in the full flush of discovering a new way of understanding the state of the nation, and it had set him on a journey that even he has struggled sometimes to describe: to understand how the version of liberalism we’d adopted — defined by its emphasis on free markets, globalization and consumer choice — had begun to feel to many like a dead end and to come up with a new vision for the Democratic Party.

As the Democrats gather for their national convention this week, with Kamala Harris as their candidate for president, the party has a long way to go toward confronting the crisis Mr. Murphy sees.

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COMMENTS

  1. IELTS Problem Solution Essays

    Essay Structure. Now let's look at a simple structure you can use to write IELTS problem solution essays. It's not the only possible structure but it's the one I recommend because it's easy to learn and will enable you to quickly plan and write a high-level essay. 1) Introduction. Paraphrase the question.

  2. 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.

  3. IELTS Task 2 Problem and Solution Topics 2024 2024

    IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem and Solution Topics/Questions 2024. Get a band score and detailed report instantly. Check your IELTS essays right now! The list of Task 2 Problem and Solution topics that were added by IELTS student in 2024. These Problem and Solution questions could be repeated from previous months.

  4. An Ultimate Guide to Writing IELTS Problem Solution Essays

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

  5. 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. elicit keywords from the question to identify ...

  6. Problem/solution essay in IELTS writing

    Body paragraph 2 - solutions. Sentence 1 - briefly state the main solutions: In my opinion, the best solution to this problem is promoting active lifestyle. Sentences 2-3 - write the first solution and explain it: Firstly, millions of people stay less active because they use cars instead of walking.

  7. IELTS Task 2 Question Types: Problems and Solutions

    I have collected here a variety of problems and solutions essays from the real IELTS test. Enjoy and consider signing up for my Patreon Ebooks here. ... If you're interested in real IELTS writing essay questions and topics, you have found the perfect place! Scroll down to see the IELTS ... IELTS Band 7.5 Essays (with Corrections and Comments ...

  8. IELTS Problem Solution Essay Strategies and Tips

    Here again is a plan for the problem solution essay for the solutions paragraph: Solution 1: Governments. Idea: Adequate legislation and controls for young people. How: More complex website access criteria. Solution 2: Parents. Idea: Monitor children and restrict access. How: Use a computer program.

  9. Problem Solution Essay- IELTS Writing Task 2 Lesson

    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.

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

    Step 4: Structure Your Essay. The final step in the planning process is to structure your essay. This simply means deciding which main ideas to put in which paragraphs. Here's a simple structure for a problem / solution essay: Paragraph 1: introduction. Paragraph 2: discuss 2 problems. Paragraph 3: discuss 2 solutions.

  11. IELTS Solution Essay Sample Questions

    IELTS Solution Essay Sample Questions. Below is a list of IELTS solution essay sample questions for writing task 2. These types of essays usually ask you to either give solutions or causes and solutions to a particular world issue. Most world issues are common issues that many countries and people face today.

  12. Problem Solution Essay IELTS: Topics & Sample Questions

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

  13. IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Structure a 'Problem and Solution' Essay

    Explain the possible solution (s) . Give reasons to support your ideas. Paragraph 4 (conclusion) Re-state the problem and summarise your main ideas. 2. Together - you discuss the causes one at a time together with its solution. Again, you need at two main causes and two main solutions. Paragraph 1 (intro)

  14. IELTS Problem and Solution Essay

    Obviously, the first thing you want to do when writing an IELTS essay is to determine the essay type. Problem and solutions essays consist of two parts. The first part of the topic question describes an existing problem. The second part of the topic question asks what possible solutions you can propose to the problem.

  15. IELTS Writing Task 2: Problem Solution Essay with Sample Answer

    An IELTS problem solution essay will usually ask for problems and solutions (note plural), so try to include two of each. This leads logically to an essay with two body paragraphs, like the model answer above. Try to describe each solution together with the problem it solves in order to be as coherent as possible. And remember, your solutions ...

  16. Template for Problem and Solution Essay

    Problem and Solution IELTS Essay Template Formula: 1. Write an introduction to the topic. 2. Think of three causes of the problem and explain them, giving examples where possible. 3. Describe three solutions to deal with these problems. 4. Write a short conclusion which gives your view about the topic.

  17. IELTS Problem and Solution Writing Samples Band 9

    9. band. The population of major cities around the world is increasing very fastly. Why is this the case and what measures could be taken to solve this issue. It is becoming a trend of moving to main cities from rural areas all over the world. This essay will explain the root and the key factors to remedy this situation.

  18. IELTS Writing Task 2

    Join Jay from https://www.e2language.com as he takes you through the PROBLEM / SOLUTION essay for IELTS Writing Task 2. Get out your pen and a piece of paper...

  19. IELTS Problem and Solution Writing Samples Band 7

    This essay will discuss the main reasons for this issue and then describe the possible impacts of the problem. 7. band. The percentage of overweight children in western countries has increased by almost 20% in the last ten years. Discuss the possible causes and effects of this disturbing trend and offer a solution.

  20. IELTS Writing Task 2: Transportation ( Problem

    In order to deal with such problems, there are two solutions that should be taken into consideration. First of all, on roadways that allow both cars and bicycles to travel at the same time, the authorities should strictly limit the maximum speed as low as 50 kph. While running at such a low speed, drivers can better control their vehicle as ...

  21. IELTS Writing Task 2: Problem-solution Essay with Tips, Structure

    This post deals with IELTS Writing Task 2, essay writing. In this post, I'm discussing how to handle a problem-solution a topic where candidates are asked to present the effects or results of unlimited use of cars. They are also asked to decide whether discouraging people to use cars might be a good solution or not.

  22. Task 2 Causes Solutions Sample Essay

    Problem Solution: 1. Introduction. 2. Problems. 3. Solutions. 4. Conclusion. Causes Solution: 1. Introduction. 2. Causes. 3. Solutions. 4. Conclusion. For the third paragraph for both essays we can use a template answer. Let's look at a sample essay first. Answer: In some nations, people are getting heavier and standards of health and well ...

  23. IELTS Problem and Solution Writing Samples Band 8

    This essay will discuss the reasons and preventive approach to mitigate this concern in detail. 8. band. In many countries, people are now living longer than ever before. Some people say an ageing population creates problems for governments. Other people think there are benefits if society has more elderly people.

  24. How To Ace The IELTS Speaking Task: Describing A Challenging Problem

    For complex issues that require diverse expertise, teamwork is often crucial for finding comprehensive solutions. However, for more straightforward problems or those requiring deep, focused thought, individual work might be more efficient. The key is to assess each situation and determine the most appropriate approach. Part 3: Two-way Discussion

  25. 50+ Recent IELTS Writing Topics with Answers: Essays & Letters

    Therefore, let us have a look at the compilation of IELTS writing topics with answers for different IELTS Writing Task 2 sample essays based on the common common IELTS Writing topics 2024. Business, Work & Talent. Work-related topics often cover issues such as work-life balance, the gig economy, and the impact of automation on employment.

  26. Opinion

    Chris Murphy has been trying to understand why our version of liberalism — emphasizing free markets and consumer choice — feels to many like a dead end.