IELTS Writing Task 2 is one of the most challenging sections for many candidates, as it demands not only grammatical precision but also logical structure and idea development. One common question type is the problem solution essay. This task requires you to analyze and write about a problem, its causes and propose effective solutions. Generally, the topics cover global and social issues like pollution, unemployment, and health concerns. Mastering this format can help secure a Band 8 or even higher. And how to do that? In this guide, you will learn the exact steps, structure, examples, and tips needed to write a high-scoring problem solution essay easily.
What Is a Problem Solution Essay in IELTS?
Understanding the question type is the first step. Once you know what examiners expect, writing becomes much easier.
A problem solution essay is a type of essay in IELTS Writing Task 2 where you are presented with a specific social issue / problem and asked to explain it and suggest ways to solve the problem. It tests your ability to think logically, organise ideas, and present arguments clearly. Examiners use this essay type to assess whether you can respond to real-world issues using appropriate structure, vocabulary, and grammar.
You are expected to identify the main problem, explain why it exists, and offer practical and realistic solutions. The key is clarity. Your ideas must be relevant, well-developed, and supported with examples or logical reasoning.
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
Here are some common IELTS problem solution prompts:
- With the advent of the internet and most sectors going online, cyber crime is on a rise as well. What are the reasons for this? What can be done to curb the increase in cyber crime?
- Plastic waste has become a major environmental concern. What problems does it create and how can they be solved?
- Young people today face mental health challenges. What are the causes and how can we support them?
- Obesity rates are increasing worldwide. What are the reasons and how can it be reduced?
- Traffic congestion is a severe issue in modern cities. What are the main causes of this problem, and what solutions can governments implement?
IELTS Problem Solution Essay Structure
A clear structure helps your essay stay organised and easy to understand. The simplest and most effective structure includes four paragraphs:
1. Introduction (Paragraph 1):
- Hook: Paraphrase the general topic statement.
- Thesis Statement: Clearly state that the essay will examine the problems/causes and propose solutions.
2. Problem Paragraph (Paragraph 2):
- Topic Sentence: Describe the main problem or the primary cause clearly.
- Support: Detail two key reasons/problems with specific examples or explanations.
3. Solution Paragraph (Paragraph 3):
- Topic Sentence: Suggest the main solution that directly addresses the problems/causes mentioned in Paragraph 2.
- Support: Detail two specific, practical actions (solutions) and explain their expected results.
4. Conclusion (Paragraph 4):
- Summary: Briefly restate the main points (restate the problem and the proposed solution).
- Final Thought: Offer a final, powerful comment about the need for immediate action.
Example Outline:
Topic: Plastic waste
- Problem: Overuse of single-use plastics
- Cause: Convenience, low cost
- Solution: Ban plastic bags, increase awareness, eco-friendly products
- Conclusion: Restate importance
Good structure makes your ideas stronger and easier for examiners to follow. Remember for a high band score, you need to focus on logical flow, clear paragraphs and relevant ideas.
How to Write a Band 8 Problem Solution Essay?
If you want to write an essay that will impress examiners, you need not just have ideas, but know how to present them flawlessly. So, to score Band 8 you need to follow a clear process:
Step 1: Brainstorm
Spend 5 minutes generating 2 key problems/causes and 2 realistic solutions. Ensure the solutions directly address the problems you listed.
Step 2: Plan
Create a quick 5-minute outline (the 4-paragraph structure) before writing full sentences. This will ensure coherence and logical flow and prevent repetition.
Step 3: Write
Dedicate 30 minutes to writing, focusing on sentence variety and accuracy. Ensure every paragraph begins with a clear topic sentence.
Step 4: Check
Spend the final 5 minutes proofreading for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors, especially verb agreement and tense. Make sure sentences are clear and paragraphs connect smoothly.
For high band scores, strategically use linking words to connect ideas smoothly. Instead of simple ‘and’ or ‘but,’ use sophisticated connectors: Moreover, Consequently, In contrast, Nonetheless, Furthermore, In addition, As a result, It is imperative that etc.
- Sample Band 8 Sentence 1 (Problem): “The core challenge, consequently, is the chronic failure of municipal authorities to anticipate rapid urban migration.” (Using consequence + academic vocabulary)
- Sample Band 8 Sentence 2 (Solution): “It is imperative that governments allocate resources to subsidise public transportation, thereby incentivising commuters to abandon private vehicles.” (Using formal structure + result connectors)
Common IELTS Problem Solution Essay Topics
IELTS problem-solution essay questions can cover a wide range of topics, such as environmental issues, social problems, healthcare, education, and more. Familiarity with common topics significantly speeds up the brainstorming process during the exam. Practice structuring your arguments around these trending themes:
- Environmental Issues: Air and water pollution, deforestation, climate change.
- Social Issues: Poverty and Unemployment, bullying and cyberbullying, crime rates
- Education: Lack of funding, early school leaving, the role of technology in learning.
- Technology & Communication: Social media addiction, data privacy concerns, Fake news and disinformation.
- Urbanization & Infrastructure: Traffic congestion, housing shortages, noise pollution.
- Health & Lifestyle: Rising obesity rates, sedentary lifestyles, access to affordable healthcare.
- Global Issues: Peace and conflict resolution, Global economic inequality, Terrorism and its prevention
Practising multiple topics will help you write faster and more confidently in the exam.
Topic Example: The Problem of Plastics: You could structure this by identifying the problem as Consumer reliance on cheap, disposable packaging, and the solution as Government-enforced bans on single-use plastics and investment in biodegradable alternatives.
How Are Problem Solution Essays Marked in IELTS?
Your essay is assessed equally on four criteria, each contributing 25% to your final Writing band score. To achieve a high score, you must meet all four standards:
| Criterion | Meaning | Tips for High Band Score |
| Task Response | Address all parts of the prompt fully. | Develop clear problems and solutions with well-supported ideas. Stay relevant and answer both parts. |
| Coherence & Cohesion | Organisation and logical flow | Use the clear 4-paragraph structure and linking words and referencing (e.g., ‘this issue,’ ‘the former’) effectively. |
| Lexical Resource | Vocabulary range | Demonstrate control over less common vocabulary (e.g., mitigate, ubiquitous, detrimental). Use synonyms and topic words. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | Grammar variety and accuracy | Use a variety of complex sentence structures (conditionals, relative clauses) accurately, making very few grammatical errors. |
To score well, your ideas must be connected, paragraphing must be clear, and grammar should support meaning.
Common Mistakes in Problem Solution Essays
Now that we know almost everything you need to do for a good score in Problem Solution Essays, let’s see some of the things not to do. Here are mistakes to avoid:
- Repeating the same ideas / vocabulary
- Suggesting unrealistic solutions or solutions that doesn’t match the problem
- Writing long sentences with grammar mistakes
- Using informal language
- Not addressing both the parts i.e. “problem” and “solution”
- Confusing problem and causes questions.
- Not Writing Enough or not being specific enough.
Fixing these mistakes can significantly improve your writing band.
Vocabulary for IELTS Problem Solution Essay
Using appropriate, formal vocabulary instantly elevates your essay score. Integrate these words into your essay strategically:
- For Problems (Nouns/Adjectives): Issue, challenge, concern, dilemma, crisis, impact, cause, prevalent, detrimental, hazardous, acute, profound.
- For Solutions (Verbs): Implement, adopt, enforce, mitigate, alleviate, curb, prevent, encourage, subsidise, mandate, establish, necessitate, address.
- For Results/Linking: Consequently, as a result, subsequently, therefore, thereby, reduces, improves, leading to, ultimately, in conclusion.
Remember to use synonyms to avoid repetition. Using varied vocabulary keeps writing interesting and professional.
Sample Problem Solution Essay — Band 8
Topic: Traffic congestion is a severe issue in modern cities. What are the main causes of this problem, and what solutions can governments implement?
The escalating problem of traffic congestion has become a hallmark of contemporary urban environments globally, severely impacting both productivity and air quality. This essay will examine the primary factors contributing to this detrimental trend before proposing several effective policy solutions that can be employed by city authorities.
The fundamental cause of persistent gridlock is rooted in inadequate urban planning combined with an excessive reliance on private vehicles. Municipal infrastructure frequently fails to keep pace with rapid population growth, resulting in bottlenecks and outdated road networks. Moreover, citizens are often disincentivised from using public transport due to its poor coverage and lack of reliability, meaning that even short commutes are undertaken using personal cars. This situation is particularly acute during peak hours, creating chronic travel delays across major arteries.
It is therefore imperative that local governments implement sophisticated strategies to mitigate this crisis. Firstly, they must allocate substantial investment toward expanding and modernising light rail systems and metro networks, ensuring that public transport is a genuinely efficient alternative. Secondly, authorities should enforce urban congestion charges in central business districts during peak times. The revenue generated from these charges could subsequently be used to subsidise bus and train fares, thereby encouraging a permanent shift away from private car usage and reducing the environmental impact.
In conclusion, although traffic congestion is largely attributable to flawed infrastructure and private vehicle dependence, its solution lies in simultaneous intervention. By mandating financial incentives and investing heavily in high-quality, reliable public transportation, city officials can successfully alleviate gridlock and secure a more sustainable urban future.
Tips to Practise IELTS Problem Solution Essays Effectively
Consistent and strategic practice is the only way to perfect this essay type. Here are some practical tips for you:
- Timed Writing Practice: The 40-minute limit is strict. Practice writing a full essay under timed conditions at least twice a week to build speed and stamina while maintaining accuracy.
- Peer Feedback or Teacher Review: Self-correction is useful, but objective feedback is invaluable. If possible, have your essays reviewed by a native English speaker or an IELTS expert. They can pinpoint weaknesses in Coherence and Lexical Resources that you might miss.
- Using Official IELTS Materials: Always refer back to the official Cambridge practice tests for topic ideas and model answers. Deconstruct Band 8 and 9 samples to understand how they flawlessly integrate vocabulary and complex grammar.
If you are struggling to achieve the required band score on your own, remember that specialized guidance is available. Enrolling in a targeted IELTS course, such as those offered by La Forêt Education, can provide you with the expert feedback and high-level structural strategies, helping you gain confidence and improve writing scores.
Problem solution essays are a key part of the IELTS Writing test, and with the right strategy, they become easy and predictable. Focus on structure, clarity, and relevant ideas while practising regularly. With planning and guided effort, achieving Band 8+ is completely possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many words should I write in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Ans: You must write at least 250 words in Task 2. There’s no upper limit, but 260–290 words is ideal. Writing too much increases mistakes, so aim for quality over quantity. Focus on clear ideas, organised structure, and accurate grammar instead of word length.
Q2. Can I write both causes and solutions together?
Ans: You can mention both in one paragraph, but separating them is clearer and more organised. Band 8 essays usually discuss causes in one paragraph and solutions in another. This improves structure, coherence, and readability, helping examiners follow your ideas easily.
Q3. What’s the ideal number of solutions to mention?
Ans: Two strong, well-explained solutions are better than many short points. Each solution should be realistic and supported with reasoning or examples. Clear explanation matters more than quantity. Well-developed ideas score higher than brief lists.
Q4. How do I manage time during the exam?
Ans: Spend around 5 minutes planning, 30 minutes writing, and 5 minutes reviewing. Planning helps organise ideas and prevents repetition. Reviewing at the end allows you to correct grammar and spelling. With practice, this timing becomes natural and stress-free.
