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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.

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One of the !rst 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
e!ects?

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

di"erence.

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:

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?

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 !rst 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 a"ects 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
con!rming 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 di#cult 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):

1. How many problems are discussed?

2. What are they?
3. What expressions are used to
introduce the problems?
4. How are the problems illustrated
further?
5. What results are discussed for each
problem?

Show / hide answers

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 e"ect 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: A"ects 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 !rst 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 a"ects 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:

1. How many solutions are given?

2. What are they?
3. What three di"erent groups of people
does the writer say are responsble for
these solutions?
4. How would the solutions be
implemented?
5. What three modal verb structures are
used to make the suggestions?

Show / hide answers

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 speci!cally

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 !lm
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 con!rming that you are an
adult to view a site.

Some speci!c 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 con!rming 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 di"cult by undertaking
thorough reviews of their current
systems for weaknesses.

Here is another example of a problem

solution essay: Overpopulation

< Substitution in Essays

Opinion Essays >

More Task 2 IELTS

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ideas are not expected.

How to Identify the Topic

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

IELTS Music Essay:

Understanding a Complex
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An IELTS essay about music is used to show
you how to answer a more complex IELTS
essay question that does not have a clear
'task' given to you.

Thesis Statement Tips for

IELTS Essays
Your thesis statement in an IELTS essay
should be written quickly and concisely.
Use these tips to do that.

Join IELTS buddy for Free IELTS Tips!

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