A Problem Solution Essay in IELTS is a common Writing Task Two essay type where candidates must explain a problem and suggest practical solutions.
Sometimes the task asks about:
- causes and solutions
- problems and solutions
- reasons and measures
- issues and how to solve them
Your job is to analyze the issue clearly and present realistic responses.
Where It Appears
The Problem Solution Essay appears in:
- IELTS Academic Writing Task Two
- IELTS General Training Writing Task Two
Time and Word Count
Recommended time:
- 40 minutes
Minimum word count:
- 250 words
Common Question Phrases
You may see prompts such as:
- What problems does this cause, and how can they be solved?
- What are the causes of this problem, and what solutions can you suggest?
- Why is this happening, and what measures can be taken?
- What issues result from this trend, and how can governments address them?
What You Must Do
You need to:
- Identify the problem clearly
- Explain causes or effects if asked
- Propose realistic solutions
- Develop ideas with explanation
- Organize response logically
Example Prompt
Many cities are experiencing increasing traffic congestion.
What problems does this cause, and what solutions can you suggest?
Strong Essay Structure
Introduction
- Paraphrase the topic
- Mention that problems and solutions will be discussed
Body Paragraph 1
- Explain main problems
- Causes/effects if required
- Examples
Body Paragraph 2
- Present practical solutions
- Explain how they work
- Examples
Conclusion
- Summarize key points briefly
Example Thesis Statement
Growing traffic congestion creates economic delays and environmental damage, but these issues can be reduced through better public transport and urban planning.
What Examiners Assess
Problem Solution essays are marked using:
- Task Response
- Coherence and Cohesion
- Lexical Resource
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Common Problems Candidates Face
Writing Only Problems
Some candidates forget solutions.
Unrealistic Solutions
Ideas should be practical and believable.
Ignoring Question Type
If causes are asked, include causes.
Weak Development
Listing ideas without explanation.
Poor Paragraph Balance
One paragraph too long, the other too short.
High-Scoring Strategies
Read the Prompt Carefully
Know whether it asks for causes, problems, or both.
Use Major Problems Only
Choose 1–2 strong points and develop them.
Match Solutions to Problems
Directly solve the issues discussed.
Be Specific
Explain who acts and how.
Stay Realistic
Government policy, education, technology, regulation, planning.
Useful Language
- One major problem is…
- This leads to…
- Another consequence is…
- A practical solution would be…
- This could be achieved by…
- As a result…
Example Ideas (Traffic Topic)
Problems
- Lost productivity
- Air pollution
- Stress
- Delayed emergency services
Solutions
- Expand public transport
- Congestion pricing
- Remote work policies
- Better road planning
Time Plan
Suggested:
- Analyze question: 5 minutes
- Write essay: 30 minutes
- Check grammar: 5 minutes
Quick Tips
- Answer every part of the prompt.
- Use realistic solutions.
- Explain effects clearly.
- Keep structure simple and logical.
Why Strong Candidates Perform Well
Top scorers connect causes, problems, and solutions logically while giving practical, well-developed responses.
