IELTS Problem-Solution Essay: Structure, Vocabulary & Band 9 Model Answer

Q: Should I give causes or problems in Body 1?

It depends on the question. If it asks What are the causes?, write causes in Body 1 and solutions in Body 2. If it asks What problems does this cause?, write problems then solutions. Read the exact question and match it.

Problem-Solution essays are one of the 5 IELTS Task 2 types. The question gives you a social problem and asks you to discuss its causes or problems, then propose solutions.

They are popular with examiners because they test your ability to move from analysis to action. Here is the exact structure, the vocabulary that scores, and a Band 9 model answer.

How to Spot a Problem-Solution Essay

Look for these patterns:

"What are the causes of this problem and what solutions can you suggest?"
"What problems does this cause and how can they be solved?"
"Many people are [doing something harmful]. What are the reasons and how can this be addressed?"

Sometimes it asks for causes, sometimes for problems caused. Read the exact wording and match it.

The 4-Paragraph Structure

Paragraph 1 — Introduction (2 sentences): Paraphrase the question + state what you will discuss.

Paragraph 2 — Causes or Problems (5-7 sentences): Present 2-3 causes/problems. Explain each, don't just list them.

Paragraph 3 — Solutions (5-7 sentences): Present 2 solutions. For each: what it is, how it works, why it helps.

Paragraph 4 — Conclusion (2 sentences): Summarize the problem-solution link.

Balance rule: Roughly equal words on problem and solution. Students who describe the problem for 200 words and rush solutions in 50 words fail Task Response.

Problem and Cause Language

Function	Phrases
Introduce a cause	This stems from..., A major cause is..., The rise in X is largely due to...
Explain a cause	This is driven by..., One contributing factor is..., This can be attributed to...
State a consequence	This leads to..., As a result..., This exacerbates...
Describe the problem	A pressing issue is..., This poses a significant challenge...

Solution Language

Function	Phrases
Introduce a solution	This can be tackled by..., A viable solution is..., Governments should intervene by...
Explain mechanism	This works by..., The policy would..., Implementing this would...
Show effectiveness	This has proven effective in..., Where this has been tried, results show...
Suggest responsibility	It is the government's responsibility to..., Individuals also have a role to play...

Band 9 Model Answer

Question: In many countries, the number of people who are overweight is increasing. What are the causes of this problem and what solutions can you suggest?

Rising rates of obesity have become a pressing public health concern in many countries, placing significant strain on healthcare systems. This essay will examine the main causes of this trend before proposing practical measures to address it.

The primary cause of rising obesity is the widespread availability of energy-dense, highly processed food at a lower cost than fresh alternatives. In many urban areas, fast-food outlets outnumber grocery stores, and unhealthy products are aggressively marketed toward children and low-income families. This dietary shift is compounded by increasingly sedentary lifestyles: desk-based work, car-dependent transport, and screen-heavy leisure mean that many people expend far less energy than previous generations while consuming more.

Tackling this problem requires action at both the policy and community levels. Governments can implement taxation on sugary drinks and junk food, as Mexico did in 2014, where consumption fell by 12% in the first year, while using the revenue to subsidize fresh produce in low-income neighborhoods. Alongside fiscal measures, investment in public infrastructure encourages physical activity: safe cycling lanes, walkable city design, and free public sports facilities make active lifestyles the easy choice rather than the difficult one. Schools also play a role, with mandatory cooking classes and stricter nutritional standards for meals and vending machines.

In conclusion, obesity is driven by the combination of cheap processed food and sedentary habits, but it can be reversed through targeted policy interventions and community-level infrastructure. The countries that have acted on both fronts are already seeing measurable improvements in public health.

Why this scores Band 9:

Task Response: Fully addresses both parts — causes and solutions — with equal development. Specific mechanisms and examples throughout.
Coherence: Clear structure: cause 1 (diet), cause 2 (sedentary life), then solutions (taxation, infrastructure, schools). Logical link between cause and solution.
Lexical Resource: Precise vocabulary: "energy-dense, highly processed food," "compounded by," "fiscal measures," "interventions." Collocations natural throughout.
Grammar: Complex sentences handled accurately ("consumption fell by 12% in the first year, while using the revenue to..."). No errors.

The 5 Mistakes That Cost a Band Score

1. All problem, no solution. Budget your words. Solutions need as much space as problems.

2. Vague solutions. "The government should do something" scores Band 6. "Tax sugary drinks and subsidize fresh produce" scores Band 7+. Name the mechanism.

3. Wrong content. Writing problems when the question asked for causes. Read the question. "What are the causes" and "what problems does this cause" are different questions.

4. One-solution essays. One solution cannot fill a body paragraph with depth. Write two.

5. No examples. A solution without a real-world example reads as theory. Use one specific example per body paragraph.

Common Problem-Solution Topics (2026)

These appear regularly in 2026 exams:

Rising obesity and unhealthy diets
Youth unemployment
Environmental pollution and waste
Housing affordability in cities
Increasing screen time and digital addiction
Traffic congestion in urban areas
Aging populations and care shortages

Practice This Structure

Pick a problem-solution question from the 2026 question bank, set a 40-minute timer, and write. Check: Did I match causes/problems to the question? Two solutions with mechanisms? A specific example each? Balanced word count?

Then get AI feedback on all four IELTS criteria to see where your problem-solution essays lose marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Problem-Solution essay in IELTS?

A Problem-Solution (or Causes-Solutions) essay asks you to discuss a social problem and propose solutions. Question patterns: What are the causes and what solutions can you suggest? What problems does this cause and how can they be solved? It is one of the 5 Task 2 essay types.

How do I structure a Problem-Solution essay?

Use 4 paragraphs: Introduction (paraphrase + outline), Body 1 (the problem or cause, fully explained), Body 2 (the solutions, how they work), Conclusion (summarize the problem-solution link). Give roughly equal words to problem and solution.

Should I give causes or problems in Body 1?

It depends on the question. If it asks "What are the causes?", write causes in Body 1 and solutions in Body 2. If it asks "What problems does this cause?", write problems then solutions. Read the exact question and match it.

How many solutions should I give?

Two solutions, each developed with an explanation of how it works and why it would help. One solution is too thin, three is too rushed. Two well-developed solutions with specific mechanisms score higher than a list of four.

Can I use examples in a Problem-Solution essay?

Yes, and you should. A specific example (a country that implemented a policy, a real-world program) strengthens both the problem and the solution. It is what separates Band 7 from Band 6.5.

What is the difference between Problem-Solution and other essay types?

Problem-Solution asks for analysis plus action — you explain a problem and propose fixes. Opinion essays ask you to take a stance on a claim. Discussion essays ask you to weigh two views. The structure and language differ for each, so identify the type before writing.