IELTS Problem-Solution Essay: Structure and Examples

Identifying a problem-solution question

These questions describe an issue, such as traffic congestion or rising obesity, and ask you to discuss problems and possible solutions. Sometimes only one is asked for, so read the question carefully.

If the task asks for “problems and solutions”, you need both. If it only asks for solutions, spend less time describing the problem itself and more on your proposed fixes.

Linking solutions to causes

A solution only makes sense if it responds to a specific cause of the problem you have described. Stating a problem and then offering an unrelated solution weakens the logical connection the examiner is looking for.

Before writing, briefly note the cause behind each problem you plan to mention. This makes it much easier to propose a solution that genuinely addresses it rather than a vague, generic suggestion.

• Name the specific cause, not just the symptom
• Propose a solution that targets that exact cause
• Briefly explain how the solution would reduce the problem

A simple paragraph plan

One workable structure is: introduction, one paragraph on problems, one paragraph on solutions, and a conclusion summarising your view. Alternatively, you can pair each problem with its solution within the same paragraph.

Either structure is acceptable, but the second often makes the cause-and-solution link clearer to the examiner, since there is no gap between describing the issue and proposing a fix.

A sample body paragraph

Here is a short example pairing a problem with a targeted solution on the topic of urban traffic.

Sample paragraph

One major cause of urban congestion is the heavy reliance on private cars for short journeys. A practical solution would be for city authorities to invest in cheaper, more frequent public transport, which would give commuters a genuine alternative and reduce the number of cars on the road during peak hours.

Avoiding generic solutions

Phrases like “the government should raise awareness” or “people should be more responsible” are overused and rarely explained in any depth. Examiners notice when a solution is not developed beyond a single vague sentence.

Instead, describe who would act, what they would do, and how it would help. Practising with varied prompts helps you build a wider range of specific, well-explained solutions.