How To Write Problem Solution IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay?

Aug 18, 2022

IELTS Writing section contains two tasks for both Academic and General Training. IELTS Writing task contains various types of essays. Problem-solution-type essays are often asked in the IELTS writing section. To score well in this section you need to be well informed on how to write this specific type of essay properly. Thus, framing an appropriate introduction is necessary, as it will allow candidates to score good bands in IELTS Exam. Here are some of the general tips you need to follow to understand and write the problem solution essay.

IELTS writing task 2 evaluates candidates based on the knowledge and views they have expressed. The areas that candidates are assessed on are grammar, vocabulary, and style. IELTS writing score is marked based on band scores. The band scores range from 0 to 9. Since the topics are very diverse, candidates must go through IELTS Writing practice papers to become familiar with a lot of topics.

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How To Identify A Problem Solution IELTS Essay?

The first thing one needs to do while approaching the writing part is to identify which type of IELTS writing task 2 essay is assigned. It is easy to identify a problem solution essay as you have to focus on the wording of the problem. The structure of the problem goes as follows: a problem will be mentioned and you will be asked to give some reasons and solutions to that specific problem. Observe the following example:

‘Many species of exotic animals are in decline in many parts of the world. Suggest some reasons for this problem and what can be done by an individual to resolve this crisis.’

Structure Of Problem Solution Essay

A good essay is always well organized and structured so that the flow of ideas is smooth and easy to comprehend. The flow of information is very significant in any writing piece and is also an important IELTS writing preparation tip. The essay will consist of a total of four paragraphs. Here is the basic structure of a problem-solution essay:

Introduction: It should consist of a summary of the question, the problem, and the solution.
2nd Paragraph: It should cover the main problems and the causes of the problem or any other related examples and ideas regarding the problem.
3rd Paragraph: In this paragraph, you will write the solution to the problem, explaining its detail.
Conclusion: In this paragraph, you will convey a small summary of the whole essay, mentioning the important points in short and you add an extra recommendation as well.

Let us look at an example to understand this better.

Topic: Global warming is one of the biggest threats to human species in the 21st century and sea levels are continuing to rise at an alarming rate. What problems are associated with this and what are some possible solutions?

Answer:

The increasing global temperature of the earth is one of the most concerning dangers of the 21st century. This essay will first pertain to the main issues caused by the events - the rise of the incidence of floods and loss of land. Then argue that reduction of pollution and protection from floods are some of the most effective solutions to grapple with this problem.

The most evident and widespread problem caused by the rising sea level is the loss of residences due to floods. Many islands and other low-lying places are being submerged in the water. This phenomenon especially impacts the people of coastal areas, who are prone to flood. They may lose their property and be shoved into poverty. One can see an example of such a situation during the 2011 Tsunami in Japan as many people faced the loss of home, lives, and property.

Possible solutions to the above problems include reducing pollution, primarily those created by automobiles and factories, and building barriers preventing floods. Every individual should put some effort in their daily lives to reduce their total carbon footprint and the negative impact they have on the environment because of their lifestyle. Damps, dikes, flood gates, and other flood defences should be built across waterways and costs to stop unwanted flooding. An example of a successful flood defenses system is the one built by the Netherlands. The country was once incredibly vulnerable to floods but is presently protected.

To conclude, preventing the rise of water levels due to global warming is one of the greatest challenges of humanity. Many countries will lose their land to sea if they do not take any effective measures to control the problem. Environmental protection and flood prevention techniques are the most promising strategies that can be used to prevent the further rise of global temperatures and the issues caused by it.

Explanation: As you can observe, in the first paragraph, the questions have been paraphrased and outlined the contents of the essay. In the second paragraph, the problem has been stated, followed by explanations of it. Lastly, the paragraph has been concluded by giving an example. In the third paragraph, two solutions have been stated and explained in relation to the problem along with an example. The concluding paragraph includes the summary of the essay as a whole.

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