IELTS Problem Solution Essay: Structure & Band 8 Sample
Complete guide to the IELTS problem/solution essay - correct structure, Band 8 annotated model answer with examiner annotations, and the 3 most common mistakes.
Part of the IELTS Writing series. See all five Task 2 question types in the IELTS Writing Task Types guide.
Key Takeaways
- Prompt trigger: "What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest?" - or "causes and solutions".
- Structure: Introduction → Body 1 (Problems) → Body 2 (Solutions) → Conclusion.
- Each solution must directly address a named problem from Body Paragraph 1.
- Avoid generic solutions ("raise awareness", "educate people") - be specific about who, how, and with what evidence.
- Two well-developed problems + two matched solutions beats six listed points with no development.
- Most common mistake: vague solutions that don't match the problems raised.
How do you structure an IELTS problem/solution essay?
An IELTS problem/solution essay uses the structure: Introduction → Body Paragraph 1 (problems) → Body Paragraph 2 (solutions) → Conclusion. Each solution must directly address a specific problem named in Body 1. Two well-developed problem-solution pairs with specific examples score higher than a long list of undeveloped points.
- Prompt trigger: "What problems does this cause? What solutions can you suggest?"
- Link each solution explicitly to its corresponding problem for maximum coherence
- Avoid vague solutions like "raise awareness" - specify who, how, and with what evidence
- Target 260-300 words; depth matters more than listing many points
AI-ready answer · mockde.com
What Is an IELTS Problem/Solution Essay?
Verified: IELTS.org Writing Band DescriptorsDefinition
An IELTS problem/solution essay is a Task 2 essay type triggered by prompts such as "What problems does this cause? What solutions can be suggested?" or "Describe some of the problems and suggest some solutions." It requires identifying the harms caused by a named trend and proposing specific, feasible measures to address them.
This essay type is one of five IELTS Writing Task 2 question types. It differs from the discuss both views essay (which presents two contrasting opinions) and from a cause/effect essay (which analyses why something happened and what its consequences are). In a problem/solution essay, the problems are given - the trend is usually described in the prompt - and your job is to analyse their impact and propose matched remedies.
The four marking criteria - Task Achievement (TA), Coherence and Cohesion (CC), Lexical Resource (LR), and Grammatical Range and Accuracy (GRA) - are each worth 25% of your Writing band. For problem/solution essays, Task Achievement is most often lost through vague solutions that do not specifically address the problems identified.
Not sure which Task 2 type you're facing?
See all five IELTS Writing Task 2 question types with identification cues and structures.
How Do You Structure a Problem/Solution Essay?
The four-paragraph structure with a dedicated problems paragraph and a dedicated solutions paragraph is the clearest and most examiner-friendly approach.
| Paragraph | Function | Target words | Key element |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase topic + signal structure | 40-55 words | Identify that problems and solutions will be addressed |
| Body 1 | 2 main problems - with development | 90-110 words | Explain mechanism, not just name the problem |
| Body 2 | 2 matched solutions - with evidence | 90-110 words | Each solution directly addresses a Body 1 problem |
| Conclusion | Summarise problems & solutions + outlook | 40-55 words | Forward-looking: "if adopted, these measures would…" |
| Total | Complete essay | 260-330 words | 250-word minimum mandatory |
Key principle: Matched parallel structure
Body 1 Problem 1 → Body 2 Solution 1
Body 1 Problem 2 → Body 2 Solution 2
This parallel structure is what examiners call "logical progression" in Coherence & Cohesion. When solutions directly and explicitly address named problems, your CC score rises significantly.
How Do You Write the Introduction?
The introduction paraphrases the topic and signals that the essay will identify the problems and propose solutions. It should be 40-55 words.
Introduction formula
- 1
Context sentence
Paraphrase the topic described in the prompt. Do not copy the question verbatim.
- 2
Structure signal
"This essay will outline the two principal challenges this creates and propose practical measures to address each." This tells the examiner exactly what is coming.
Example - Band 7+ introduction
"Urban road congestion has emerged as one of the defining infrastructure challenges of the twenty-first century, creating significant economic losses and environmental harm in cities across the globe. This essay outlines the two principal causes of this crisis and proposes targeted, practical solutions for each."
How Do You Write the Body Paragraphs?
Body Paragraph 1 - Problems
Body Paragraph 2 - Solutions
Specificity checklist for solutions
- WHO implements the solution? (Government, businesses, schools, individuals…)
- HOW specifically? (Law, tax, subsidy, infrastructure investment, curriculum change…)
- EVIDENCE: Name a city/country/study where this has worked.
- OUTCOME: What measurable change would result?
How Do You Write the Conclusion?
The conclusion briefly restates the problems and solutions and ends with a conditional forward-looking statement about the impact of the proposed measures. Target 40-55 words.
Example - Band 7+ conclusion
"In conclusion, traffic congestion results primarily from over-reliance on private cars and poor spatial planning. Congestion pricing and transit-oriented development represent evidence-based solutions that have delivered measurable results in comparable cities. Their adoption, combined with sustained investment in public transport, offers a realistic path towards less congested, more liveable cities."
Band 8 Model Answer (With Examiner Annotations)
In many cities around the world, traffic congestion has become a serious problem. What are the main causes of this problem, and what solutions can be suggested?
Urban road congestion has emerged as one of the defining infrastructure challenges of the twenty-first century, creating significant economic losses and environmental harm in cities across the globe. This essay outlines the two principal causes of this crisis and proposes targeted, practical solutions for each.
The primary driver of urban congestion is the continued dominance of private car ownership, fuelled by inadequate public transport infrastructure. In cities where bus and rail networks are unreliable or incomplete, residents have little choice but to drive, even for short journeys. This dependence on private vehicles concentrates traffic on arterial roads, particularly during morning and evening peak hours. A secondary cause is poor urban planning, specifically the separation of residential zones from business and commercial districts, which forces large numbers of workers to commute long distances daily by car.
Effective solutions exist for both problems. To reduce dependence on private vehicles, city governments could introduce a congestion charge - a fee levied on drivers entering high-traffic zones during peak hours. This approach, successfully implemented in London and Stockholm, has been shown to reduce central-zone traffic by up to 30% while generating revenue for public transport improvements. To address car-dependent planning, new residential developments should be required to locate within 500 metres of a public transport hub, a policy already adopted in Singapore's urban development masterplan.
In conclusion, traffic congestion results primarily from over-reliance on private cars and poor spatial planning. Congestion pricing and transit-oriented development represent evidence-based solutions that have delivered measurable results in comparable cities. Their adoption, combined with sustained investment in public transport, offers a realistic path towards less congested, more liveable cities.
Word count: ~295 · Task 2 · Problem/Solution
"Urban road congestion has emerged as one of the defining infrastructure challenges" - paraphrases without copying. Clearly signals structure ("two principal causes… targeted, practical solutions for each"). This upfront signposting directly helps Coherence & Cohesion.
Two problems identified: (1) car ownership + poor public transport, (2) urban planning failure. Each problem is developed with an explanation of mechanism, not just named. "Arterial roads", "peak hours", "residential zones" show domain-specific vocabulary.
Parallel structure: Solution 1 addresses Problem 1, Solution 2 addresses Problem 2. London/Stockholm example with a quantified outcome (30% reduction) is high-quality evidence. Singapore example is a secondary real-world case. The solutions are specific, feasible, and attributed.
Restates both problems and their solutions concisely. Ends with a forward-looking statement about "measurable results" - this is sophisticated but doesn't introduce new ideas. 62 words - slightly above target but acceptable given content quality.
| Criterion | Band | Examiner note |
|---|---|---|
| Task Achievement | 8 | Two clear problems identified and developed. Two specific, matched solutions with real-world evidence. Response is fully relevant. |
| Coherence & Cohesion | 8 | Clear problem/solution parallel structure. Transitions accurate ("A secondary cause", "To reduce", "To address"). Each paragraph has one central idea. |
| Lexical Resource | 8 | "Transit-oriented development", "congestion charge", "arterial roads", "spatial planning" - precise, domain-specific vocabulary used correctly. |
| Grammatical Range & Accuracy | 8 | Conditional structures ("if implemented"), passive voice, relative clauses, and gerund phrases used accurately throughout. |
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3 Most Common Mistakes
Useful Vocabulary and Phrases
Stating problems
- One of the most pressing problems is…
- This has given rise to…
- A significant consequence of this is…
- This creates a serious challenge because…
Proposing solutions
- One effective solution would be to…
- Governments/authorities could address this by…
- A more sustainable approach would involve…
- This issue could be mitigated through…
Linking problem to solution
- To address this, it is proposed that…
- In response to [problem], [solution] could…
- This directly counters the problem of…
- By [solution], the problem of [X] would be reduced because…
Causal language
- This leads to / results in…
- As a consequence of…
- This stems from…
- One root cause is…
Conclusion phrases
- In conclusion, if these measures were adopted…
- The problems outlined above can be effectively addressed…
- Concerted action from both individuals and governments…
- These solutions, if implemented consistently…
Frequently Asked Questions
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