How to Write an IELTS Problem-Solution Essay
Problem-solution questions require direct cause-and-effect thinking. Learn how to identify, explain, and match problems to practical solutions.
Question format: What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest?
What is a Problem-Solution Essay?
A problem-solution essay identifies the negative consequences of a given situation and proposes realistic ways to address them. The key requirement is that your solutions must directly respond to the problems you describe. If you write about three problems but only solve one, you will lose marks for Task Achievement.
Essay Structure
The four-paragraph structure
Introduction
40–60 wordsParaphrase the issue described in the question. State that there are significant problems and that solutions exist — without listing them yet.
Body Paragraph 1 — Problems
90–110 wordsDescribe two related problems caused by the issue. Explain each with a reason or consequence, and give a brief example. Do not list more than two — development matters more than quantity.
Body Paragraph 2 — Solutions
90–110 wordsPropose solutions that directly address the problems you identified. Each solution should clearly link back to a problem. Explain how each solution works and why it is effective.
Conclusion
40–55 wordsBriefly restate the core problems and the solutions proposed. You may end with a recommendation or prediction, but keep it concise.
Real Examples
Sample introductions compared
Sample question
In many cities, the number of vehicles on the roads is increasing rapidly. What problems does this cause and what solutions can you suggest?
✗ Band 5–6
“Today, traffic is a very big problem in cities around the world. There are many cars on the road and this causes many problems. In this essay I will talk about the problems and solutions.”
Weak: extremely vague paraphrase, 'many problems' repeated twice, the final sentence just announces the essay structure instead of setting up an argument.
✓ Band 7+
“Rapidly rising vehicle numbers are placing cities under considerable strain. The consequences — from chronic congestion to dangerous levels of air pollution — are serious and worsening. Fortunately, targeted policy interventions can significantly reduce the scale of these problems.”
Strong: specific paraphrase, two problems briefly previewed, solution angle introduced without listing specifics — leaving room for proper development in the body.
Vocabulary
Key phrases for problem-solution essays
Describing problems
- One significant consequence of this is
- A major issue arising from this is
- This leads to
- As a result,
- This has resulted in
Introducing solutions
- To address this problem,
- One effective solution would be to
- A practical measure that governments could take is
- This could be tackled by
Linking solutions to problems
- This would directly address the issue of
- By doing so,
- This measure would therefore reduce
- If implemented, this would alleviate
Evaluating effectiveness
- This approach is particularly effective because
- While this solution is not without challenges,
- In the long term, this would
Mistakes to avoid
Common problem-solution essay errors
Solutions do not match the problems identified
Before writing Body 2, re-read your problems. Each solution must explicitly address one of those problems. A mismatched essay fails Task Achievement.
Listing too many problems without developing any
Two well-developed problems are better than five bullet points. Each problem needs an explanation and ideally an example.
Writing about causes instead of problems
The question asks for problems (effects/consequences of the issue), not causes. If the question is about social media overuse, the problems are things like reduced attention spans and mental health issues — not 'because people are addicted'.
Vague solutions like 'the government should do more'
Be specific: 'Governments could introduce subsidised public transport passes to reduce car dependency.' Vague solutions score no higher than Band 5 for Task Achievement.
Examiner tip
Underline the problems you identify in Body 1, then check that every solution in Body 2 has a visible link back to one of them. If the link is not obvious, add a sentence: 'This would directly address the congestion problem identified above.'
FAQ
Common questions about problem-solution essays
Should problems and solutions be in separate paragraphs?
Yes, always. Mixing problems and solutions in the same paragraph confuses the structure and makes it harder for the examiner to follow your argument. One paragraph for problems, one for solutions.
What if the question only asks for solutions, not problems?
Some questions skip the problem stage entirely: 'What can be done to solve this problem?' In that case, go straight to solutions — one per body paragraph, each fully developed.
Can I include my personal opinion in a problem-solution essay?
Only if the question asks for it. Most problem-solution questions do not ask for your opinion, so avoid phrases like 'I think this is a terrible situation'. Stay objective and analytical.
How specific should my solutions be?
Specific enough to be realistic. 'The government should raise taxes on petrol' is specific. 'Something should be done about cars' is not. You do not need to cite exact policies, but your solution must be concrete enough that someone could actually implement it.
Band 7.5 Model Answer
See a full annotated problem-solution essay with paragraph-by-paragraph examiner notes.
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