C1 WritingC1 Advanced

A problem solution essay – C1 English Writing

Exercise 1

Exercises:1 2 3 4

Read each problem-solution essay question carefully and determine what the question is asking the student to do. Choose the correct option that best describes the task.

The spread of fake news online is more common every day. What are the consequences of this and how can it be addressed?

Deforestation continues to be a major environmental concern around the world. What are the causes of deforestation, and what can be done to address this issue?

What are the primary reasons for the rising obesity rates worldwide, and how can we tackle this issue effectively?

Plastic pollution is a growing problem worldwide, harming wildlife and ecosystems. What solutions can be implemented to tackle this issue?

What are the risks associated with the lack of data privacy in the digital age, and what measures can be taken to protect individuals' information?

What factors contribute to the rise of cyberbullying among students, and what strategies can schools and parents adopt to combat this?

Many people struggle to balance work and personal life. What steps can be taken to help individuals achieve a better work-life balance?

What are the challenges of rising urban traffic, and how can these challenges be addressed?

Next Exercise

A problem solution essay

A problem-solution essay is a common task in IELTS Writing Task 2, where you must discuss a problem and propose solutions. However, not all problem-solution essays are exactly the same. Depending on the type, the task might require you to:

Suggest solutions to a problem.
Identify problems that arise from a particular situation and propose solutions.
Identify the causes of a problem and then suggest solutions to resolve it.

Understanding these variations is key to writing a clear and effective response. In this lesson, we will explore these different types of tasks and focus on one specific approach: identifying problems and proposing solutions.

Example questions

Let’s see some example questions for each type of essay.

Suggesting solutions

✍ Example 1: Many people around the world are now unable to afford basic necessities like food and healthcare. What solutions can help reduce poverty?

✍ Example 2: Plastic pollution has become a major environmental issue. What can be done to tackle this problem?

Identifying problems and proposing solutions

✍ Example 1: The number of people who work remotely has significantly increased in recent years. What problems can arise from this trend, and how can these problems be solved?

✍ Example 2: Tourism has grown rapidly in many countries, often creating challenges for local communities. What issues does this cause, and how can they be addressed?

Identifying the causes of a problem and suggesting solutions

✍ Example 1: Obesity rates are rising in many countries around the world. What are the main causes of this problem, and what solutions can be offered to tackle it?

✍ Example 2: Air pollution in urban areas is becoming worse year by year. State some reasons for this and provide possible solutions.

As you can see, there are different ways to ask for problems, solutions, and causes in a problem-solution essay. Understanding these variations will help you approach this task. Here are some words that can be used to ask for:

Solutions: solutions, what can be done to …, how can … be addressed.

Problems: problems, issues, difficulties, challenges, consequences.

Causes: causes, reasons, factors, root of, why … happens.

Essay structure

In this section, we will focus on the structure of a problem-solution essay where you are tasked with identifying problems that arise from a situation and proposing solutions. However, regardless of the type of problem-solution essay, the structure always follows the same basic pattern:

‣ Introduction:
Describe the situation briefly, paraphrasing the question, and outline the problems or causes and the solutions you will discuss.

‣ Body Paragraph 1:
Depending on the type of essay, explain the problem in detail, identify the main problems arising from the situation, or identify the main causes of the problem. Provide examples or explanations of these problems or causes.

‣ Body Paragraph 2:
Suggest specific and practical solutions for the problems and explain how these solutions address the issues identified, providing examples.

‣ Conclusion:
Summarise the problems or causes and solutions, and give a final thought, highlighting the importance of addressing the issues effectively.

The structure for this type of essay is visualised clearly in the diagram below:

Diagram showing the structure of a problem-solution essay with four sections: introduction, body paragraph I, body paragraph II, and conclusion.

Understand the task

Let’s focus on one of the questions:

✍ Tourism has grown rapidly in many countries, often creating challenges for local communities. What issues does this cause, and how can they be addressed?

The first step in writing a problem-solution essay is to understand the task and what we need to do. To get a good mark, it’s essential to stick to the point and avoid discussing unrelated issues that are not mentioned in the question.

In the example above:

You need to identify problems (issues) that arise from the situation (the rapid growth of tourism affecting local communities).
Then, you need to find solutions to address these issues (how can they be addressed?).

Brainstorm and plan

Our topic is the negative impact of tourism on local communities. But what kind of impact? Is it economic, political, cultural, or environmental? You will only have time to write about two problems in your essay, so focus on aspects you can discuss clearly and support with examples.

For instance:

Tourism can have an economic impact on local communities because rising demand for tourist accommodations often pushes property prices up, making housing unaffordable for locals.
It can also have an environmental impact, as tourists sometimes destroy the beauty spots they visit by leaving trash, wearing down paths, or causing other damage.
A third issue might be cultural—locals may change or abandon their traditional ways of life to cater to the preferences of visitors.

Here’s an example of a brainstorming diagram you can use to map out your ideas:

Mind map showing the impact of tourism on local communities, including economic, cultural, and environmental effects with examples.

By brainstorming and organising your ideas like this, you’ll ensure your essay is focused, well-structured, and easy to follow.

Organise your ideas

After brainstorming, focus on two key problems and organise your ideas clearly. Since this essay asks for problems and solutions, structuring your ideas is straightforward. You can use a table like this one:

Problems	Solutions
Property prices rise: Homes become unaffordable for local people.	Affordable housing programs; financial help.
Environmental damage: Tourists leave trash, wear down paths, etc.	Limit visitor numbers; introduce local wardens to police beauty spots.

Write

Once you have brainstormed your ideas and organised them clearly, it’s time to start writing your essay.

Introduction

In the introduction (30-50 words), you aim to introduce the topic or situation, paraphrasing the question, and outline the problems and solutions you will discuss.

Tourism can have detrimental effects on local communities, including economic and environmental challenges. This essay will discuss how tourism drives up housing costs and damages natural areas. It will also explore solutions such as housing programs supported by the government and policies to regulate tourist activity.

➪ Introduce the situation paraphrasing the question

➪ Outline the problems and solutions you will discuss

Body paragraph I

In the first body paragraph (100-120 words), you need to identify the problems caused by the situation, explain them in detail, and support your ideas with examples.

One significant problem is the rising cost of housing. As tourism grows, developers build hotels and villas, and homeowners prioritise holiday rentals. This drives up property prices, making it difficult for locals to afford homes. For instance, in Mallorca, Spain, the surge in tourism caused housing prices to skyrocket, leaving many locals unable to stay in their hometowns. Moreover, tourism often leads to environmental degradation. Overdevelopment, overcrowding on trails, and littering are common issues. For example, the Marangu Route on Mount Kilimanjaro, nicknamed the “Coca-Cola Trail,” is notorious for the waste left by tourists.

➪ Identify a problem

➪ Give details about the problem

➪ Introduce an example

Body paragraph II

In the second body paragraph (100–120 words), focus on practical solutions to the problems discussed earlier. Explain these solutions in detail and support your ideas with relevant examples.

These challenges can be mitigated through targeted actions. To address housing issues, governments can implement housing programs for locals or provide financial help for rent. For instance, in Mall, Oman, homes were built in nearby areas to accommodate locals displaced by tourism. Environmental damage can be addressed through education, promoting sustainable policies, and limiting tourists visiting fragile ecosystems. In Barcelona, for example, the mayor restricted cruise ships and promoted less-developed destinations like Girona to reduce overtourism. Additionally, local authorities can implement stricter waste management and hire staff to monitor and keep tourist sites clean.

➪ Suggest a practical solution and give details

➪ Introduce an example

Conclusion

The conclusion (30–50 words) should summarise the problems and solutions discussed in the essay. End with a final thought that emphasises the importance of addressing these challenges effectively.

In conclusion, tourism can cause significant challenges for local communities, such as rising housing costs and environmental degradation. However, these issues can be addressed through affordable housing programs, sustainable tourism policies, and stricter waste management. Addressing these problems is essential to ensure that tourism benefits both visitors and local residents.

➪ Summarise the problems and solutions discussed in the essay

➪ Final thought that emphasizes the importance of addressing these challenges

Transition words and useful language

Using appropriate connectors and expressions is essential for writing a clear, coherent, and well-structured essay. Connectors help link your ideas logically, while the right vocabulary allows you to describe problems, explain causes, discuss consequences, and propose solutions effectively. The chart below provides a variety of expressions to improve your writing.

Chart of connectors and useful language for writing problem-solution essays, including phrases for describing problems, causes, consequences, and solutions.

Ready to practice?

Put your knowledge to the test with interactive exercises (4 exercises available).