IELTS Writing Task 2 Lesson 1 Problem and Solution Essays

In this lesson, we will explore the Problem and Solution essay type of the IELTS Academic Writing Task 2.

First, we will go over the four steps to approaching this essay type. Then we will look at how to plan each paragraph and analyze two example questions with model essays.

After this lesson, you will be well-prepared to master this portion of the exam. Let’s get started!

Let’s first look at how to approach the IELTS Writing Task 2. In general, there are 4 key steps:

Now, let’s look at how to choose the right outline for your Problem and Solution essay.

There are three main outline types used for this essay. Outlines A and C work best for questions involving multiple problems and solutions, while B is best for one problem with multiple solutions.

The difference between Outline A and Outline C lies in the focus. Choose Outline C if the question emphasizes solutions, since it allows you to develop one paragraph for each solution.

Example Question Types:

Question 1: What problems do children face in the age of social media? What should be done to solve these concerns?

Question 2: Traffic congestion is becoming a major problem for global cities. What measures could be taken to reduce traffic?

Question 3: Explain some of the ways humans are damaging the environment. What can governments and individuals do to address these issues?

In summary, it’s rare for an IELTS question to ask for many problems but only one solution. Typically, aim for two problems and two solutions — this balance provides sufficient depth and coherence for a high band score.

We will use Outline C from the previous section, as it is the most complex and also the most common format for Problem and Solution essays. Below, we’ll look closely at how each paragraph should be written. As a reminder, Outline C includes the following structure:

1. Introduction
2. Problems (1 & 2)
3. Solution 1
4. Solution 2
5. Conclusion

In short, here’s what your final paragraph planner looks like for Outline C:

Now, let’s analyse the question and do some planning before we start writing the essay.

1. Read and Understand

Now, let’s answer our two questions:

1. What type of essay will I need to write? This is a problem–solution essay. You will often see “measures” used as a synonym for “solutions” in these questions.
   
   
2. How familiar am I with this topic? This depends on the test taker, but key words will help you assess your knowledge. For example, if a test taker is familiar with life expectancy in developing countries, it would not make much difference here since the question asks about the developed world. Spending a minute reading and understanding the key words can make a major difference.

2. Plan Your Outline / 3. Make Outline Notes

We’ve combined these steps since we have already decided to use Outline C. The notes are based on the key words in the question and our ideas.

I. Introduction –
- Life expectancy, increasing, developed society.
- Negative effects, but also potential solutions

II. Problems (1 & 2)
- Topic sentence
- Tax burden
- EX: Increasing pension costs
- Rising healthcare costs
- EX: Ageing populations have more health needs; more money for healthcare

III. Solution 1
- Topic sentence
- Increase retirement age
- EX: People retire later; state pension age rises; older individuals contribute
knowledge to society

IV. Solution 2
- Topic sentence
- Promote health programmes / medical advances
- EX: With medical advances, elderly people can work longer and stay healthier; advances will pave the way for future generations and societies.

V. Conclusion
- Increasing pension and healthcare costs can be addressed by → increasing the retirement age and investing in medical advances
- Stress the importance to society

As you’ll notice, the two problems are: tax burdens (e.g., rising pension costs) and rising healthcare costs (e.g., an ageing population with greater medical needs).

The two potential solutions are increasing the retirement age (raising the state pension age and enabling older workers to contribute their expertise) and promoting medical advances (helping older people remain healthy and productive while benefiting future generations).

Now let’s look at an example essay.

Model Essay

Topic sentences are in bold.
Explanations and details are in red.
Examples are in blue.

Introduction:

People in industrialised nations can expect to live longer than ever before. Although there will be some negative consequences associated with this shift, societies can take steps to diminish these effects. (31 words)

Paragraph 1:

The ageing population will bring about rising costs to society. As citizens age and grow weaker, society’s tax burden increases. If a large proportion of the population is elderly and retired, pension costs and taxes will increase, creating a burden for younger tax-paying individuals. Additionally, older members of society will require more specialised care as their health worsens, which will bring about higher medical costs due to increased demand. (70 words)

Paragraph 2:

However, there are steps that both the government and individuals can take to mitigate these problems. Firstly, an increase in the retirement age would offset rising costs from older generations. If people retire later, the age for receiving a government-funded state pension would rise. Additionally, this extra time would allow the ageing population to pass on knowledge and help train younger workers in their respective fields. (70 words)

Paragraph 3:

Promoting programmes and initiatives in the healthcare industry could also alleviate risks from the aforementioned problems. If the healthcare sector prepares for the increase in the ageing population, the potential problem of higher taxes could be reduced. For example, by promoting advances in medical programmes, elderly people may be able to live with better health standards and contribute to society for a longer period of time. These medical advances would also help future generations as they get older. (81 words)

Conclusion:

Various measures can be taken to offset potential problems from the ageing population. It is crucial that both individuals and governments work together in this venture. (28 words)

Total Word Count: 280 words

Write your essay on paper. To see the model essay, move on to the next section.

Model Essay

Unhealthy lifestyles resulting from a lack of physical activity have negatively affected many parts of the developed world. Although the problem is widespread, there are feasible solutions that could mitigate the associated risks.

A major cause of declining health is the rapid growth of technological conveniences. The widespread use of advanced computers and vehicles has allowed society to become increasingly sedentary. For instance, many people now work remotely, eliminating the need for physical movement during the day. These unhealthy habits also affect children and teenagers due to the lack of educational programmes that emphasise the importance of regular exercise.

Despite these pressing issues, there are several steps that could address the problem effectively. Firstly, governments could launch nationwide initiatives to raise awareness about the benefits of an active lifestyle. This could include television campaigns and online advertisements that target key demographics, helping people recognise the importance of regular exercise.

In addition, schools should promote the value of fitness from an early age to build lasting healthy habits. Educational institutions could include physical education programmes that encourage students to set and achieve personal fitness goals. For example, children could participate in weekly sports activities designed to strengthen their bodies and discipline. Establishing these positive habits early can help redirect society towards a healthier future.

Although various factors have contributed to the problem of poor fitness, targeted health campaigns and school-based initiatives can play a crucial role in reversing these trends. With consistent effort, societies can foster a culture of activity that significantly reduces health risks in the developed world.

Total Word Count: 286 words