UNIT 8: CAUSE/EFFECT/SOLUTION ESSAY

I/ IDENTIFY CAUSE – EFFECT – SOLUTION ESSAYS

Ex 1: Organize the following questions into the correct types
1. What are the causes? 7. Why does this happen? 13. What can be done?
2. Discuss the effects? 8. Why is it the case? 14. Suggest some solutions.
3. What effects may it have? 9. What are the (potential) effects? 15. Why is it happening?
4. How can prevent this? 10. What measures can be taken? 16. Identify the main impacts.
5. How can solve this? 11. Explain the reasons.
6. What problems does it cause? 12. How can be influenced?

Causes Effects Solutions

II/ VOCABULARY AND EXPRESSIONS

1/ Discuss the Cause
Ex 2: Choose the correct PREPOSITION to complete the COLLOCATIONS/ EXPRESSIONS below
for – behind – in – to – of – from
✓ Contributor ………….. ✓ A make a contribution .............. B
✓ Justification …………. ✓ A is the root ........... B
✓ Contributing factor ………….. ✓ B is rooted ................. A
✓ A cause B ✓ B has roots ...............A
✓ A result ............. B ✓ B is caused ............... A
✓ A lead ................. B ✓ B stem ................. A
✓ A is a reason............. B ✓ B is attributed ............. A
✓ A is a cause ..............B ✓ B is attributable .............. A
✓ A contribute ............. B
2/ Discuss the Effect
Ex 3: Complete the table with suitable words to make correct COLLOCATIONS / EXPRESSIONS
Discuss the Benefits Discuss the Drawbacks
➢ Nouns / Noun phrases ➢ Nouns / Noun phrases
✓ benefit ✓ drawback
✓ advantage ✓ disadvantage
✓ plus point ✓ minus point
✓ upside ✓ downside
✓ positive/ b…………. / d ....................impact ✓ negative/ d………………./ a ..................impact
✓ impact/ influence/ effect ✓ impact/ influence/ effect
➢ Collocations / Expressions ➢ Collocations / Expressions
✓ to .......................... a positive impact on + N ✓ to have/ exert a ......................... impact on + N
✓ to benefit ........................ + N ✓ the drawback(s) ........................... with + N

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 ✓ to be ...................... benefit to + N ✓ to be a detriment ........................ + N
✓ to bring benefit ...........................+ N ✓ to be ...................... detriment to + N
✓ to be of positive impact ..................+ N ✓ to be of negative impact..................... + N
✓ to give an advantage ..................... + N ✓ to experience / face / ……… from a
✓ to have an advantage .................. + V-ing disadvantage
✓ to advantage + N ✓ to have an disadvantage .................+ V-ing
3/ Discuss the Solution
Ex 4: Choose ALL correct options to complete the following COLLOCATIONS:
1/ to way to do something
A. Develop
B. Find
C. Devise
2/ to method for + V-ing
A. Adopt
B. Apply
C. Implement
D. Adapt
3/ to measure for + N/ V-ing
A. Employ
B. Take
C. Implement
D. Adapt
4/ to adopt solution +N
A. To
B. For
C. with
III/ ESSAY FORM AND STRUCTURES
1/ ANALYSE SAMPLE ESSAY
People today do not feel safe either at home or when they are out. What are the causes? What are the
solutions?
SAMPLE INTRODUCTION
A large number of people currently feel unsafe either when they stay at home or go out on the streets. This
problem is caused by some factors, and it should be dealt with by some effective solutions.
Question 1: What are the functions of the two sentences in the INTRODUCTION above?
A. 1/Give a background
2/Thesis statement: Answer the questions
B. 1/Mention the trend
2/Thesis statement: Answer the questions

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 C. 1/ Give a background
2/ Mention the trend
SAMPLE FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH
The perception that society is unsafe and people are at risk even at home stems from at least two important
causes. Firstly, the widening gap between the rich and the poor is one of the factors behind the rising crime
rate in many countries. In Vietnam, for example, burglary and robbery have become increasingly common,
because some criminals turn to crime simply as a way to survive. Secondly, everyone who uses the roads is
aware of the dangers resulting from the dramatic increase in traffic. In the past, parents allowed their children
to play freely in the street, but this is unthinkable nowadays.
Question 2: Which reasons are mentioned in the above BODY PARAGRAPH?
A. Increase in crime rate
B. Growth in traffic flow
C. Risky behavior
D. People's aggressive manners
SAMPLE SECOND BODY PARAGRAPH
Some simple measures should be implemented to deal with these root causes of insecurity. It is necessary to
provide more job training programs to help people out of poverty and into employment. With increasing
prosperity and opportunities, the need to steal from others would be reduced and everyone would feel safer. In
terms of greater security on the roads, more surveillance cameras should be installed. These could be placed on
trains and buses and also sited along major roads, which would help to ensure that motorists obeyed speed
limits and drive safely. The public would feel much safer knowing that such cameras were in place.
Question 3: Which solution is suggested to deal with the 1st cause in the 1st BODY PARAGRAPH?
A. Install security cameras
B. Impose stricter punishment
C. Provide job training programs
Question 4: In which order are the solutions given?
A. Solution 1 is suggested to solve cause 1
Solution 2 is suggested to solve cause 2
B. Solution 1 is suggested to solve cause 2
Solution 2 is suggested to solve cause 1
SAMPLE CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the increasing crime rate and growing traffic flow are the reasons why people today usually do
not have the feeling of safety either at home or when they are out. However, by offering vocational training
courses and installing more security cameras, these problems can be addressed.
Question 5: What is the function of the Conclusion above?
A. Summarize the main ideas
B. Paraphrase thesis statement
C. Analyze new ideas

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 2/ STRUCTURE FOR WRITING INTRODUCTION/ CONCLUSION
Sentence structure for writing thesis statement (Answer the questions)
➢ This phenomenon certainly can lead to various consequences; however, there could be a number of
approaches to tackle those problems. <Problem – Solution>
➢ There are several reasons explaining this phenomenon and it certainly can bring about both benefits and
drawbacks to individuals and society. <Reason – Both positive and negative effect>
➢ There can be numerous factors leading to this phenomenon and certain solutions need to be adopted to
minimize the negative impacts. <Reason – Solution>
Sentence structure for writing thesis statement (Introduce the focus of the essay)
➢ This piece of writing aims at analyzing the causes of the tendency, as well as its influences.<Reason –
Effect>
➢ The aim of this essay is to present the reasons for this phenomenon and approaches to tackle the associated
problems. <Reason – Solution>
3/ STRUCTURE FOR BODY PARAGRAPHS

REASON PARAGRAPH EFFECT PARAGRAPH SOLUTION PARAGRAPH

✓ Topic sentence ✓ Topic sentence ✓ Topic sentence
There are some causes of … This development/ trend is causing There are several / a number of
There are many reasons why … problems/ bringing effects/ actions that … could take to solve
✓ The first reason is that ... influences / impacts on the society. the problems described above.
✓ Explanation/ Evidence/ ✓ The first benefit/ drawback ✓ The first measure is that ...
Example is... ✓ Explanation/ Evidence/
✓ Another reason would be that ✓ Explanation/ Evidence/ Example
… Example ✓ Another method would be that
✓ Explanation/ Example/ ✓ Another advantage/ issue …
Evidence would be that … ✓ Explanation/ Example/
✓ Explanation/ Example/ Evidence
Evidence

IV/ PRACTICE
A serious problem affecting countries right across the globe is the lack of water for drinking, washing, and
other household uses.
Why do many countries face water shortage, and what could be done to alleviate the problem?
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