PROBLEM - SOLUTION

OBJECTIVES
In this lesson, you will learn:

 The format and language of a problem-solution essay.

 Useful lexical items related to the topic of education.

IN CL SS PR CTICE

LE D IN
Match the words in the table with the correct words in the box. One example has been done for
you.

Undergraduate (n) Major (n) Obligatory Mandatory Qualification

Peers School leavers Graduate (n) Diploma Syllabus

Essential Program Certificate Know-how Classmate

Course of study Core Discipline Grasp Proficiency

Pupil Capability Field of study Literacy

WORDS P R PHR SES

Curriculum

Learner undergraduate,

Subject rea

Skill and

Knowledge

Degree

Compulsory

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PROMPTS
MODEL PROMPT:

Many students leave high schools without learning how to manage their money. What are the reasons
and the solutions for this issue?

M IN PROMPT:

Many young people who leave school hold a negative attitude towards learning. Why does this happen
and what are the solutions?

PROMPT N LYSIS
Model Prompt:

1. Identify the topic. For problem-solution essays, the topic is usually a social phenomenon that
can be viewed as problematic. It is usually stated in the first few sentences of the prompt.

Example:
Many students leave high schools without learning how to manage their money. What are the
reasons and the solutions for this issue?
 Topic: Many high school graduates don’t know how to manage their money.

2. Identify the task. For problem-solution essays, there can be many types of tasks:
a. Describe the problem caused by a certain phenomenon.
Ex: What problems will this cause for individuals and society?
b. List the reasons for and solutions to a certain phenomenon.
Ex: What could be the possible causes of this? Suggest some solutions to the problem.
c. Describe the problems caused by a certain phenomenon and suggest solutions to
solve such problems.
Ex: Identify one or two serious problems caused by this and suggest ways that the
governments and individuals can tackle these problems.
d. Suggest solutions to a problem.
Ex: What measures can be taken to prevent this?
e. Suggest solutions to a problem and discuss the implications of those solutions.
Ex: What actions can be taken to maintain biodiversity? What effects might these
actions have?

Example:
Many students leave high school without learning how to manage their money. What are the
reasons and the solutions for this issue?
 Tasks: List out the reasons for the poor financial skills of many school leavers and suggest
solutions.

Identify the topic and the task in the main prompt above.

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 Topic:
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Task:
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THE INTRODUCTION

N LYSING MODEL INTRODUCTION

In pairs, read the introduction for the model prompt below and discuss the following questions

1. Which sentence paraphrases the topic of the prompt?

2. Which sentence summarizes the main ideas of the essay?
3. Based on the context of the model introduction, can you guess the meanings of the bolded
words?

MODEL INTRODUCTION

It has been observed that many students aren’t equipped with even basic financial management skills
by the time they graduate from high schools. I think there are many possible reasons for this but I
believe that steps can be taken to address this issue.

TIPS FOR THE INTRODUCTION

Suggested introduction structure

 Topic Paraphrase: 1-2 sentences that paraphrase the topic of the prompt.
 Thesis statement: 1 sentence that addresses the tasks (i.e. outline what you will write
about in the body paragraphs: causes? solutions? problems?)

Useful language

Topic paraphrase
 It has been observed/said that ……[PROBLEM]….
 It is true/undeniable that……[PROBLEM]….
 There is no doubt that …[PROBLEM]…

Thesis statement
 There are a variety of possible reasons for … [PROBLEM]..., but steps can definitely be
taken to tackle the problem.
 This essay will discuss the issues caused by/the reasons for…[PROBLEM]…. and suggest
some possible solutions.

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WRITING PR CTICE
Write the introduction to the M IN PROMPT.

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THE BOD Y P R GR PHS

N LYSING BODY P R GR PHS

In pairs, read the body paragraphs of the response to the MODEL prompt below. The, discuss the
questions that follow.

BODY 1

In my opinion, two main factors are to blame for students’ poor financial skill. Firstly, most of these
youngsters live with their parents and don’t have to pay for any of their bills. Thus, they have neither
the need nor the opportunities to learn and practice managing their finances. Secondly, most students
don’t receive any formal training on financial literacy at school. It is assumed by educators that
personal finance skills are best taught outside the schools and hence this particular skill set is given
much less emphasis in the curricula compared to traditional academic subjects like math, literature
and science. s a result, it is unsurprising that many young adults struggle to manage their money
despite their high level of education.

BODY 2

To tackle this problem, parents and educators should take a more active role in imparting key financial
know-hows to high scholars. To equip students with solid understanding of core financial concepts,
schools can either include Personal Finance Management as one of their elective subjects or run
workshops on various topics like budget management, financial planning or even basic investment
methods. s for parents, they should take advantage of any real- life situations that can be used to
teach their kids practical money skills. These skills may range from bargaining at the local markets,
allocating their monthly allowances to budgeting for family trips. nother solution is for parents to
grant teenagers more autonomy over important financial decisions that affect their lives. For example,
they should be allowed to share some household expenses and partake in the planning for their
university funding etc. This way, they will develop the sense of ownership over their money and be
motivated to actively acquire this important life skill.

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 1. What is the focus of this paragraph?
a. reasons
b. solutions
Body 2. What are the key ideas mentioned in the paragraph?
paragraph 1 3. How are the key ideas supported?
a. with explanations
b. with examples
c. With both explanations and examples
4. Which phrases are used to introduce the two key ideas?

1. What is the focus of this paragraph?

a. reasons
Body b. solutions
paragraph 2 2. What are the key ideas mentioned in the paragraph?
3. Based on the context of the paragraph, can you guess the meanings of the bolded
words?

TIP BOX
1/ Each body paragraph should focus on ONE part of the tasks. (reasons, solutions or solutions)
2/ When you write about reasons for a problem, answer the question: how does this reason lead to
the problem?
Example:
In my opinion, two main factors are to blame for students’ poor financial skill [PROBLEM]. Firstly, most
of these youngsters live with their parents and don’t have to pay for any of their bills [RE SON]. Thus,
they have neither the need nor the opportunities to learn and practice managing their finances. [how
does this reason lead to the problem?]
3/ When you write about solutions to a problem, answer the questions: a-who will implement the
solution? b-how does this solution address the problem?
Example:
To equip students with solid understanding of core financial concepts [how does this solution address
the problem?], schools [who will implement the solution?] can either include Personal Finance
Management as one of their elective subjects or run workshops on various topics like budget
management, financial planning or even basic investment methods. [SOLUTION]
*Note: the solutions chosen should correspond with the reasons/problems mentioned in the previous
paragraph.
4/ When you describe a problem, answer the questions:
a - how the social phenomenon will cause the problem?
b - what are the negative impacts caused by the problem?

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TIP BOX: USEFUL L NGU GE

WRITING BOUT RE SONS

Two main factors are to blame for… [PROBLEM]…
One reason/explanation for … [PROBLEM]… is …
WRITING BOUT SOLUTIONS
Steps should be taken to alleviate/mitigate... [PROBLEM]…
Measures must be taken to solve/combat/overcome/deal with/address.... [PROBLEM]...
Serious attempts to halt/prevent ...[PROBLEM]... must be made
One way to solve ... [PROBLEM]... is to…[SOLUTION]… / n alternative is to ... …[SOLUTION]…
By V-ing …[SOLUTION]…, we/the government can ensure that ……...
To tackle this problem, society/individuals/governments need to …[SOLUTION]…
The ... [PROBLEM]... could be improved if ... [SOLUTION]...
It would be a good idea to …[SOLUTION]…
WRITING BOUT PROBLEMS
Several problems can be anticipated when … [SOCI L PHENOMENON] …
nother issue arising from … [SOCI L PHENOMENON] … is. ... [PROBLEM]...

EXP NDING IDE S

Below are ideas for the M IN PROMPT. In pairs, pick TWO ideas from each column and use the tips
provided above to expand them. Write only short notes for your expansion.

RE SONS SOLUTIONS
 The curriculum is too heavy.  Design shorter periods and school days.
 The curriculum is not practical/relevant to  Reduce the number of subjects/amount of
students’ life. homework.
 There are too many tests.  Teachers should use more visual
 Students have to stay focused for long aids/games in their teaching.
periods of time.  Teachers should make lessons more
 Lectures are boring. relevant to students’ life.
 Learning takes too much brain energy.  Reduce the number of tests/Get rid of
tests.
 dd more practical
subjects/exercises/projects.

Example

The curriculum is too heavy: too much homework/too many subjects  Students are overwhelmed
 hate studying.

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 RE SON 1:
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EXP NSION:
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RE SON 2:
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EXP NSION:
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BODY 2
SOLUTION 1:
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EXP NSION:
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SOLUTION 2:
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EXP NSION:
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WRITING PR CTICE
In pairs, use the ideas above to write the body paragraphs for the M IN PROMPT. One student
should write ONE paragraph only.

BODY P R GR PH 1

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BODY P R GR PH 2

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THE CONCLUSION

N LYSING MODEL CONCLUSION

Compare the model conclusion with the model introduction. Underline phrases in the conclusion that
match the underlined phrases in the introduction.

MODEL CONCLUSION

In short, while poor money management skill is a common problem among high school graduates, this
skill gap can easily be bridged if appropriate actions are taken by parents and educators.

MODEL INTRODUCTION

It has been observed that many students aren’t equipped with even basic financial management skills
by the time they graduate from high schools. I think there are many possible reasons for this but I
believe that steps can be taken to address this issue.

TIP BOX
 Start the conclusion with a signal (Ex: In short, /To conclude etc.)
 Paraphrase the introduction

WRITING PR CTICE
Write your conclusion to the M IN PROMPT.

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