PROBLEM/SOLUTIONS

ESSAY
WRITING B2
A problem/solution essay is written to explain the
solution(s) for a problem. This essay can describe multiple
solutions or one “ideal” solution to the problem you
describe.
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?
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
The ‘cause’ is the reason for the ‘problem’.
● 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.
ESSAY STRUCTURE
INTRODUCTION

● Paraphrase the question

● State 1 key problem/cause and related solutions
BODY
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

Main body paragraph 2 – Solution

● Topic sentence – state the solution

● Explanation – give detail explaining the solution
● Example – give an example
CONCLUSION

Summarise the key points

PLANNING STAGE
Analyze the question

1. Topic words
2. Other keywords
3. Instruction words
One problem faced by almost every large city is traffic congestion.

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

Other Instruction
Topic words words
keywords
Generate ideas:

Causes Solutions
 Causes
● 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
Solutions
● 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
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.
● traffic jam
● heavy traffic
● queue
● vehicles
● commute
● rush hour
● private transport
● infrastructure
WRITING STAGE
INTRODUCTION

● Paraphrase the ● One of the most serious issues

facing the majority of large
question urban areas is traffic jams.
● State 1 key ● The main reason for this is that
problem/cause and there are too many private cars
on the roads these days and a
related solutions viable solution is to introduce
more park-and-ride schemes.
BODY
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
Main body paragraph
2 – Solution
● Topic sentence –
state the solution
● Explanation – give
detail explaining
the solution
● Example – give an
example
CONCLUSION