Problem/ Cause & Solution Writing Task 2
When answering an IELTS Writing Task 2 problem/ cause and solution question you need to think of one or more problems (often two is good), and then give one or two solutions. You can group the problems in one paragraph and the solutions in one paragraph, or you can combine them, with a problem and solution together in each paragraph. It works really well if you have a main general idea for each paragraph which you can divide into two sub-ideas. In my plans below I’ll describe the problems in one paragraph and the solutions in another.
To begin with, think about your main ideas for the essay. The main idea is the general idea, and the sub-ideas go into more detail. In this kind of essay, your main idea 1 is about the problem, while main idea 2 is about the solution.
Basic Problem/Cause & Solution Task Plan:
Main Idea 1: Problem/ Cause:
Sub-idea A: Problem/ Cause 1
Sub-idea B: Problem/ Cause 2
Main Idea 2: Solution:
Sub-idea A: Solution 1
Sub-idea B: Solution 2
Next, I’ll show you a detailed plan on how to structure the problem/ solution essay with links to articles which have more information.
Detailed Task Plan:
Introduction:
Paraphrase question
Summarise main ideas 1 & 2
Body Paragraph 1 (Problem):
Topic Sentence: Summarise main idea 1. You may want to use “owing to”/ “as a result of”/ “due to” to give the reason for the problem. (see Giving Reasons/ Causes vocabulary below).
Introduce Sub-idea A: Describe the problem in one or two sentences.
Expand Sub-idea A: Write one or two sentences that explain/ support sub-idea A - say why or how it happens and/ or give an example. (see Giving Examples vocabulary below)
Result Statement: Explain the results of the problem. (see Results vocabulary below)
Introduce Sub-idea B: Use “Furthermore”, “In addition”, or “Moreover” and then describe the problem.
Expand Sub-idea B (as above)
Result Statement (as above)
Body Paragraph 2 (Solution):
Topic Sentence: Summarise main idea 2 clearly. Use phrases such as “One solution is”/ “In order to address this problem”, etc. (see Proposing Solutions vocabulary below)
Introduce Sub-idea A: Describe the solution in one or two sentences.
Expand Sub-idea A: Write one or two sentences that explain/ support sub-idea A - say why or how it solves the problem and/ or give an example.
Result Statement: Explain the expected results of the solution. You can use the 2nd conditional here e.g. “This would lead to”. For more information on 2nd conditionals click here
Introduce Sub-idea B: Use “Furthermore”, “In addition”, or “Moreover”, and then describe the solution.
Expand Sub-idea B (as above)
Result Statement (as above)
Conclusion:
Summarise main ideas 1 & 2: Begin with “In conclusion”/ “To conclude”/ “To summarise”/ “In summary”. Avoid repeating vocabulary. Use synonyms and parallel expressions.
Useful Vocabulary:
Below you’ll find the useful vocabulary that will help you when you write your problem/ cause and solution IELTS essay.
Giving Reasons/ Causes:
As a result of
Due to
Owing to
Because of
…is a major cause of
....is a source of
...can contribute greatly to
…is the underlying cause of
The main cause of ………… is
….is due to
...are (important/ major) factors in
Giving Examples:
To give an example,
Suppose, for instance, that
As an example,
Good examples include
For instance,
For example,
Results:
This would lead to/ This leads to
This would mean that/ This means that
As a result
Consequently
As a consequence
By doing this
This will provide
In this way
A consequence of this is
This will create a situation where
This makes it
Proposing Solutions:
One solution to this problem is
In order to address this problem
In order to do this
It would be a good idea if
…should be encouraged to
Steps should be taken to
...should take measures to
The problem can be fixed by
Steps should be taken to
So what does this essay look like in full? Keep reading below:
Problem/ Cause and Solution Task Example:
It is generally agreed that family relationships are not as close as they were in the past.
Explain why you think this has happened and suggest how family relationships could be made closer.
Essay Plan:
Main Idea 1: Changes in society make it harder to maintain close relationships
Sub-idea A: People are more likely to move to another area or city
Sub-idea B: People have very busy lives so have less time for family
Main Idea 2: People should make more effort to foster family relationships
Sub-idea A: People should meet up with family members more often
Sub-idea B: We can take advantage of modern communication technology
Now we have the main and sub-ideas for the essay, we are ready to write it.
Introduction:
Paraphrase question:
It is commonly thought that families are not as close-knit as they were previously.
Summarise main ideas 1 & 2: In my opinion this could be the result of changes in society that have made it harder for people to spend quality time with family members. In order to address this problem, it’s important that people make more effort to stay in touch with family, and they can leverage modern communication devices and applications to do this.
Body Paragraph 1 (Problem):
Topic Sentence:
As a result of various changes in society it is much harder for people to maintain close ties with their families than previously.
Introduce Sub-idea A:
For one, in the past, people tended to live very near relatives during their whole lives, whereas in today’s world this is not the case.
Expand Sub-idea A:
These days, people are more mobile and regularly move to different cities or even countries in order to find a better job, take advantage of better education or for some other opportunity.
Result Statement:
This makes it more difficult to socialise with relatives and therefore more difficult to maintain close relationships.
Introduce Sub-idea B:
Furthermore, people’s lives are busier today than they were in the past.
Expand Sub-idea B:
We have a plethora of work and personal responsibilities, not to mention all of the recreational and personal development opportunities now available.
Result Statement:
This means that it is even harder to find time for family. People are often only able to focus on providing for their nuclear family, at the expense of bonds with siblings, cousins and other family members.
Body Paragraph 2 (Solution):
Topic Sentence:
One solution to the problems causing weakening family relationships is for people to prioritise their family members and make more effort to foster family relationships.
Introduce Sub-idea A:
People should get together with relatives more frequently and spend more quality time together.
Expand Sub-idea A:
For example, they could organise a weekly meal together, or a regular family day out.
Result Statement:
As a consequence of these activities, family members would become closer.
Introduce Sub-idea B:
Moreover, even if a person lives far away from their relatives, in the modern world we have a myriad of technologies which enable us to stay in touch with them.
Expand Sub-idea B:
Be it on Skype, Messenger, or any similar application, people can message and speak to their siblings, parents or others quickly and cheaply.
Result Statement:
By doing this, people who live far apart from their family members would still be able to remain close with them.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, changes in society have made it harder for people to maintain strong family bonds. However, if we make a little more effort, and take advantage of the communication technologies now available, there’s no reason why we can’t maintain close relationships with our families.
Finally, if we put it all together, we get a model essay for a problem/ cause and solution IELTS writing task 2.
Model Answer:
It is commonly thought that families are not as close-knit as they were previously. In my opinion this could be the result of changes in society that have made it harder for people to spend quality time with family members. In order to address this problem, it’s important that people make more effort to stay in touch with family, and they can leverage modern communication devices and applications to do this.
As a result of various changes in society it is much harder for people to maintain close ties with their families than previously. For one, in the past, people tended to live very near relatives during their whole lives, whereas in today’s world this is not the case. These days, people are more mobile and regularly move to different cities or even countries in order to find a better job, take advantage of better education or for some other opportunity. This makes it more difficult to socialise with relatives and therefore more difficult to maintain close relationships. Furthermore, people’s lives are busier today than they were in the past. We have a plethora of work and personal responsibilities, not to mention all of the recreational and personal development opportunities now available. This means that it is even harder to find time for family. People are often only able to focus on providing for their nuclear family, at the expense of bonds with siblings, cousins and other family members.
One solution to the problems causing weakening family relationships is for people to prioritise their family members and make more effort to foster family relationships. People should get together with relatives more frequently and spend more quality time together. For example, they could organise a weekly meal together, or a regular family day out. As a consequence of these activities, family members would become closer. Moreover, even if a person lives far away from their relatives, in the modern world we have a myriad of technologies which enable us to stay in touch with them. Be it on Skype, Messenger, or any similar application, people can message and speak to their siblings, parents or others quickly and cheaply. By doing this, people who live far apart from their family members would still be able to remain close with them.
In conclusion, changes in society have made it harder for people to maintain strong family bonds. However, if we make a little more effort, and take advantage of the communication technologies now available, there’s no reason why we can’t maintain close relationships with our families.
Thanks for reading and I hope you found that helpful!
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