Problem-solution essays require you to identify a real problem, explain why it exists or what it causes, and then propose a concrete solution with a clear mechanism. Most writers list problems and solutions without connecting them — which costs marks for coherence.
Examples
Weak
AvoidTraffic congestion is a big problem in cities. The government should build more roads and people should use public transport.
Stronger
BetterUrban congestion stems primarily from an over-reliance on private vehicles, which is itself caused by inadequate public transport networks. The most effective solution is therefore to invest in high-frequency bus and metro systems first, making alternatives genuinely viable before discouraging car use through congestion charges.
The strong version traces cause to problem to solution in a logical chain. "Therefore" and "before" make the reasoning explicit for the examiner.
How It Works
The cause-solution chain
Each problem in your essay should follow this chain:
Cause → Problem → Effect → Solution → Mechanism
If you skip "mechanism" (how the solution works), the essay sounds like a wish list.
When to use this
- Question asks "What are the causes and what solutions can you suggest?"
- Question asks "What problems does X cause and how can they be solved?"
Key patterns
Quick rules
- Match each problem to a specific solution — do not propose generic fixes.
- Explain how each solution works, not just what it is.
- Use causal language: stems from, leads to, results in, consequently.
Common Mistakes
Solution without mechanism
Avoid"The government should educate people about the environment."
Better"Mandatory environmental literacy modules in secondary schools would ensure every citizen understands the personal cost of carbon emissions by age 18."
Fix: State what the solution achieves and how it achieves it.
Listing without connecting
Avoid"There are three problems: pollution, traffic, and noise. There are three solutions: trees, buses, and laws."
Better"Pollution from traffic can be reduced by electrifying bus fleets, which addresses two of the three problems simultaneously."
Fix: Connect problems to solutions explicitly rather than listing them in parallel.
Practice Lab
Self-mark each task. Retry until every answer is correct.
Score: 0/3
1. Quick pick
Which sentence best explains a solution with a mechanism?
2. Build it
Put the sentence in the correct order.
Tap a chunk to move it between the bank and answer area.
3. Sort it
Sort each item into the correct category.
Obesity rates rise because ultra-processed food is cheaper than fresh produce.
The solution is for people to eat healthier food.
Subsidising fruit and vegetables would make healthy choices affordable for low-income families.
Governments should do something about the obesity problem.
Why It Matters
Task Achievement in a problem-solution essay requires that your solutions are clearly connected to the problems you identify. Examiners penalise responses where solutions are generic or disconnected. Coherence and Cohesion also requires logical sequencing — the cause-solution chain provides exactly that.
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