IELTS problem and solution essay

IELTS writing task 2 problem and solution essay is one of the question types that appeared a few times in the IELTS writing test. The problem solution essay IELTS discusses the problem for the given statement and then provides solutions for that problem. At times, you will be required to provide the cause and solution or just the solution or it may be identified as a reason and solution essay IELTS.

IELTS writing task 2 is one of the parts of the writing test that requires you to write an essay in response to a topic for at least 250 words in 40 minutes. There are 5 different question types involved in writing task 2. Here, we’re going to look at the IELTS writing task 2 problem and solution essay in detail.

Check out the IELTS writing task 2 essay types to know about other questions involved in the IELTS writing task 2.

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Problem Solution Essay Questions

Some students work while studying. This often results in lacking time for education and constantly feeling under pressure. What do you think are the causes of this?

 

We can see more disasters and violence show on TV. What are its causes and what effects will they exert on the individual and society?

 

An increasing number of professionals such as doctors and teachers are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries. What problem does this cause? What can be done to deal with this situation?

 

Art is considered an essential part of all cultures throughout the world. However, these days fewer and fewer people appreciate art and turn their focus to science, technology, and business. Why do you think that is? What could be done to encourage more people to take interest in the arts?

 

The increase in the production of consumer goods results in damage to the natural environment. What are the cause of this? What can be done to solve this problem.?

How to identify the problem and solution question type?

Identify the problem solution essay IELTS question type by focusing on the keywords - problem, cause, and solution in the questions and the synonyms such as issues, the situation for problems, reasons, why for causes and deal with, measures for a solution. Understand the problem and solution question type with the below-given samples:

• Problem and solution

In this question type, you’ll be analyzing the problem, and based on that you need to provide the solution for the given problem. Below is an example of the problem and solution question type of ‘an increasing number of professionals such as doctors and teachers'.

What problem does this cause? What can be done to deal with this situation?

• Cause and solution

A cause and solution essay is a question type that asks you to identify the cause of the problem and then present the solution. Check the below cause and solution essay IELTS sample of ‘some students work while studying’.

What do you think are the causes of this?

• Solution

Some questions in a problem-solution essay require you to give just the solution without diving deep into the cause of the problem. To understand clearly, check the below-given sample question of ‘art is considered an essential part of all cultures’.

What could be done to encourage more people to take interest in the arts?

Problem and solution essay IELTS samples

The below given 5 problem solution essay IELTS samples will help you to understand the structure of the question type even better and to figure out the cause and solution essay.

IELTS problem and solution essay sample 1

Below is the sample cause and solution essay of ‘some students work while studying’. Read the question carefully before starting the answer.

Some students work while studying. This often results in lacking time for education and constantly feeling under pressure. What do you think are the causes of this?

IELTS problem and solution model essay 1

Check the outline of the ‘some students work while studying’ essay to know how to plan and write the answer that will help you to get a high band score in the IELTS test.

Outline

Essay type

Cause and solution

Introduction

• Paraphrase the statement
• Give a brief about the essay

Body

Paragraph 1 - The main cause that students work while studying is to pursue their studies by getting a loan and also because of the expectations of the corporate companies seeking experienced candidates for jobs.

Paragraph 2 - To reduce the educational cost burden they can seek for other options like scholarships and financial aid and to meet the expectations of the companies they can opt for the jobs with flexible hours without compensating the academics.

Conclusion

Summarise both the problem and solution 

Problem and solution sample answer 1

Making money while studying is a great source for students, however, there are many negative impacts that students will face in terms of their mental health and a lack of performance. In this essay, I will give the causes it creates and the solutions to overcome this problem.

The reasons students work while studying is to earn money to resolve their student loan burden and to gain work experience. To manage the cost of studies many students are preferring to get a loan from the banks. There are many banks that offer education loans for students to pursue their studies. As a result, students end-up getting employment while studying. For instance, students who wish to study in the USA get an education loan from the bank to manage their finance and start their work after admission. In addition, many organizations are looking for candidates who have prior experience in a particular field which makes the students enter into the corporate world while doing their education.

However, there are some things that students who are studying with employment can consider: Factors such as scholarships, and flexible hours. There are many scholarship opportunities, grants, and financial aid available for students to pursue their education. Extensive research is needed to find out the eligible scholarships before applying for admissions. For example, the government is offering many scholarships for different types of programs. Further, there are many organizations offering flexible working hours to manage both their studies and finance.

In conclusion, it might seem difficult to handle both academics and employment for students, however, it can be handled by utilizing the available resources to cover the entire expenses or just tuition fees to avoid debt along with working.

(287 words)

Download the task 2 topic ‘some students work while studying’ pdf here

IELTS problem and solution essay sample 2

Check the below given ‘we can see more disasters and violence shown on tv’ question and identify the key term and the question type.

We can see more disasters and violence show on TV. What are its causes and what effects will they exert on the individual and the society?

IELTS problem and solution model essay 2

We’ve given the problem and solution essay examples with the outline to give you a clear understanding about the question type. Check the sample of ‘we can see more disasters and violence shown on tv’.

Outline

Essay type

Cause and solution

Introduction

• Rephrase the topic
• Explain what you’re going to talk about in the essay

Body

Paragraph 1 - Television broadcasters telecast the violence and disaster shows to get a higher television rating point than other channels. The spice element involved in these TV shows attract huge audiences and creates a negative impact on their mindset.

Paragraph 2 - People tend to grab negative things more than positive ones. Thus, children and adults get influenced and imitate the behavior in real life which leads to juvenile delinquency.

Conclusion

Conclude the essay with the key points

Problem and solution sample answer 2

Television is one of the entertainment sources for viewers which plays an important role in everyday life. Other than entertainment, it shares worldwide information and knowledge. But still, the telecast of disaster and violence shows exists which are ignorable. In this essay, I will discuss the consequences that it creates among people.

Nowadays, to attract the audience's attention, TV channels broadcast movies and news. The majority of the news they cover involves murder cases, kidnapping, and others related to violence. The motive of the TV channels is to get the highest television rating point than other channels. Thus, most of the channels are putting violence and disastrous news. In fact, people are more attracted to those TV shows. Moreover, people find more interest in these kinds of TV shows which adds more spice to binge-watching. For instance, there are some channels that display fake news with vulgarity, and negative behaviour of people which are not in the norms of the discipline. Therefore, these instances negatively impact people's mindsets.

The primary impact that is associated with the human mindset will grab the negative aspects more easily than the positive things. Actually, most people are more likely to attract to crime shows, robbery, suicidal news, etc. These TV shows make people imitate the behaviour in real life. Children are more prone to copy the characteristics and misbehave by following violent rules. As a result, they are involved in crime and other practices which lead to juvenile delinquency. For instance, as per the survey conducted in India, adults and children are highly influenced by TV shows.

To conclude, TV shows provide both positive and negative impacts to the viewers. It’s totally up to the individual’s perception to consume it only for entertainment purposes and not do any violent practices.

(301 words)

Download the task 2 topic ‘we can see more disasters and violence shown on tv’ pdf here

IELTS problem and solution essay sample 3

Use the problem and solution essay IELTS sample of ‘an increasing number of professionals such as doctors and teachers’ to start practicing your writing task 2.

An increasing number of professionals such as doctors and teachers are leaving their own poorer countries to work in developed countries. What problem does this cause? What can be done to deal with this situation?

IELTS problem and solution model essay 3

We’ve given the problem solution writing task 2 with answers to make you understand the structure and practice better to achieve the expected band score. Check the below essay of ‘an increasing number of professionals such as doctors and teachers’.

Outline

Essay type

Problem and solution

Introduction

• Paraphrase the question
• Give an outline of 1 particular problem and solution

Body

Paragraph 1 - The problem with the migration of professionals like doctors and teachers to other countries is making the native country economically unstable and the people will struggle to get the proper facilities of education and medicine.

Paragraph 2 - To resolve the problem, the government can take a step to offer an expected pay rise for the skilled professions and other employment benefits and perks.

Conclusion

End with the discussed problem and solution

Problem and solution sample answer 3

In recent days, there are more professionals and job seekers leaving their hometowns in developing and underdeveloped countries and moving to work in developing countries. Henceforth, there will be a lack of skilled workers and economic stagnation will take place in their native countries. Some ways to retain professionals are by increasing their salary package and making them build a better standard of living.

Due to the shortage of skilled professionals, poor countries struggle to make economic progress and develop the standard of living of low-income people. Due to the migration of professionals such as doctors and teachers, the native country people struggle to fulfill their medicinal and educational needs. For instance, a survey conducted by WHO reveals that underdeveloped countries have high mortality rates due to the lack of doctors. In addition to this, the migration of professionals impacts the poorer countries to depend on foreign countries for equipment and other infrastructure needs which costs them billions of dollars and leads to economic instability. To illustrate, the Venezuelan economy declined due to the huge spending on foreign technical aid. 

However, there are ways that underdeveloped countries can do to solve these problems like offering reasonable pay for skilled workers and better living. One main reason that skilled doctors or teachers leave their native countries is to make the betterment of their life on the salary package and employee benefits that are offered by the developed countries. So, to reduce this, the government needs to consider the concern of the employees and offer valuable pay with incentives and benefits to make them stay in the country itself. Also, for the betterment of the people living, the government can allocate a budget to improve the living standards by lending from the banks. For example, countries like Bangladesh bought a long-term loan from the World Bank to develop their medical facilities and educational level. 

In conclusion, skilled professionals such as doctors, teachers, and others are leaving their native (poorer) countries because of the lack of opportunities. The impact of this migration makes the countries even more economically unstable and to reduce this government needs to take action to give better employment opportunities, salary pay, incentives, and other perks for proficient employees.

(379 words)

Download the task 2 topic ‘an increasing number of professionals such as doctors and teachers’ pdf here.

IELTS problem and solution essay sample 4

What keyword do you identify in the question of ‘art is considered an essential part of all cultures’? Check the question carefully and draft your answer.

Art is considered an essential part of all cultures throughout the world. However, these days fewer and fewer people appreciate art and turn their focus to science, technology and business. Why do you think that is? What could be done to encourage more people to take interest in arts?

IELTS problem and solution model essay 4

Below is the problem and solution essay example ‘art is considered an essential part of all cultures’ which you need to check while practicing.

Outline

Essay type

Cause and solution

Introduction

• Understand the statement and rephrase it in your words
• Briefly explain what problem and solution you’re about to discuss

Body

Paragraph 1 - Even though art took a great part in terms of cultural activities, still there are many people who are not showing interest in choosing the arts field as their career. 

Paragraph 2 - To make people get involved in art careers, the government needs to take a step by creating brand awareness and improving the job market by creating more job opportunities.

Conclusion

Summarise it shortly

Problem and solution sample answer 4

Art is turned into a cultural identity of every nation across the world. However, many people pay more attention to the development of science, technology, and business-related streams than the arts. In this essay, I will discuss the reason for the change in preference and the ways to convert them to get an interest in the arts.

The first and foremost reason for this change in trend is because of the lack of job opportunities for the people choosing arts as their career. In brief, throughout the generations, artistry is considered a hobby instead of a professional job which has many employment opportunities to make an income out of it. For example, fine art cultures such as painting, dancing, and music are treated as a hobby that individuals perform by learning for fun after office hours or on weekends to relax and relieve their stress. Thus, this makes artistic skills have less demand in the job market.

The only solution to increase people's interest in the arts is by increasing the awareness of the arts among youth by the government. Creating stage shows about the various types of art forms and attracting people will be a great way to persuade people. Also, the government can pay the artists higher pay and job opportunities which in turn elevates the job market and attracts more people. For instance, there is an exhibition held in Paris to elevate the artist, which makes one of my friends participate in it and as a result, he got an award. This recognition made him start an online coaching class and thus he gained income for survival. 

In conclusion, despite making art as a cultural symbol, many people prefer choosing their career in the streams of science, technology, and other not arts. The major reason for this scenario is because of the lack of expected job opportunities in the market. Hence, to resolve this, the government needs to take action and provide awareness among the people and boost their interest in the arts.

(344 words)

Download the task 2 topics ‘art is considered an essential part of all cultures’ pdf here

IELTS problem and solution essay sample 5

Understand the below given ‘an increase in the production of consumer goods’ question and discuss the cause and solution relevantly.

The increase in the production of consumer goods results in damage to the natural environment. What are the cause of this ? What can be done to solve this problem.?

IELTS problem and solution model essay 5

Check the below-given problem solution essay example to solve the writing task easily.

Outline 

Essay type

Cause and solution

Introduction

• Rephrase the statement
• Explain the cause and solution you plan to discuss in a sentence

Body

Paragraph 1 - The main cause of the huge mass of production and the effect on natural resources is because of people’s increase in shopping behaviour for non-essential things. 

Paragraph 2 - This can be addressed by the government and the brands by increasing the green products, eco-friendly packaging, and contribution to the environment's well-being.

Conclusion

Conclude the essay with the explained problem and solution.

Problem and solution sample answer 5

Online shopping behavior has widely increased in recent days all over the country after the pandemic. Due to this, every product is available easier at the consumer's doorstep. This causes the companies to increase their production more than expected and creates huge damage to the environment. In this essay, I’m going to elaborate on the cause and provide a solution for it.

To begin with, nowadays people do impulsive purchases of products, they buy most of the products to handle their boredom factor rather than buying for essential needs. Due to this increase in product purchases, many new companies have come into the market. This establishment will lead to improvising their production by all means which in turn leads to deforestation, global warming, air pollution, and water pollution. Also, there are still many industries using plastic as a packaging material, which will also result in damaging natural resources.

The primary solution to solve this problem is by educating the individual about the impact of their frequent consumption of products on the environment. This can be done by the government by advertising the concept of minimalism which is widely followed by the majority of people. Also, nowadays people are much interested in organic products, recycling packaging, and other eco-friendly products and initiatives by the brands. Government should also consider this and support these businesses and also suggest companies participate in societal improvements by planting trees and others.

In conclusion, the damage caused to natural resources is because of people's luxury behavior and also companies' huge production. This can be reduced only if companies shift to green products and the government lends a hand towards it. And, also people are aware of the causes they produce to the environment and reduce their behavior.

(291 words)

Download the task 2 topic ‘an increase in the production of consumer goods’ pdf here

You can download the complete IELTS writing task 2 problem solution essay topics pdf to practice.

Check the IELTS writing task 2 sample to improve your writing skills to crack the IELTS test.

Summary

Know the criteria involved in evaluating the writing test, follow the commonly used structure of the IELTS writing task 2 problem and solution essay, and write the answer with the aim of scoring band 9.

FAQ

1. Can I write the problem and solution both in one paragraph?

No, you cannot write the problem and solution both in one paragraph as it will not give a clear understanding to the examiner. The recommended structure is to write the problem and solution in separate paragraphs of the body.

2. What is the difference between a cause solution essay and a problem solution essay?  

The difference between a cause solution essay and a problem solution essay is the problem solution question concentrates on the problem of the topic and the cause solution asks about the cause of the particular problem. 

3. What is problem-solution essay structure?

The problem solution essay structure involves 4 paragraphs which contain an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction will be the outline of what you’re going to discuss. The two body paragraphs involve the explanation and example of a problem and solution and then summarise it with the conclusion.

4. How many paragraphs are in a problem-solution essay?

The problem solution essay contains 4 paragraphs.

5. What is the usual purpose of a problem and solution essay?

The purpose of the problem-solution essay is to analyze your understanding of the statement, critical thinking, and proficiency in the language.

6. What are some good problem and solution IELTS essay topics?

Below are some of the problem and solution IELTS essay topics that you need to consider practicing:

• some students work while studying
• we can see more disasters and violence shown on tv
• an increasing number of professionals such as doctors and teachers
• art is considered an essential part of all cultures
• an increase in the production of consumer goods