Tech Notes

Topic & Why It Matters

A problem/solution essay asks you to diagnose an issue and recommend practical responses. Common prompts ask What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken? or What problems does this cause, and how can they be solved?

Candidates lose marks when their solutions do not match their causes, when they list several thin ideas with no explanation, or when they propose unrealistic fixes. A strong response pairs each major problem with a realistic measure and explains why that measure would reduce the issue.

Knowledge Points

Problem/solution essays test diagnosis and response

You must identify the real source of a problem and then propose measures that directly address it. A high-scoring answer does not simply complain about the issue; it explains why it happens and what could realistically reduce it.

Read the prompt wording carefully

Some prompts ask for causes and solutions, while others ask for problems and solutions. Causes explain why something happens; problems describe the negative results. Answer the exact pair requested.

Solutions must match the problems

Every solution should clearly connect to a problem or cause from the previous paragraph. If Body 1 says housing is expensive because supply is limited, Body 2 should include a way to increase supply, not an unrelated education campaign.

Name the actor when proposing a measure

Strong solutions usually identify who should act: governments, local councils, schools, employers, transport authorities, or individuals. This makes the measure more concrete and easier to evaluate.

Avoid unrealistic or absolute fixes

IELTS rewards practical judgement. Phrases like 'solve the problem completely' or 'ban all cars' often sound extreme. Safer phrasing includes 'reduce the problem', 'make the issue less severe', and 'limit the impact'.

Development matters more than quantity

Two well-explained causes and two matching solutions are stronger than a list of five thin points. Use explanation, consequence, and example to develop each idea.

Structure Template

Four paragraphs, about 260-280 words total. Diagnose first, then give directly matching solutions.

Paragraph	Target	What to Write
Paragraph 1 — Introduction	40-55 words	Paraphrase the problem and preview the main causes/problems plus the broad direction of the solutions.
Paragraph 2 — Causes / Problems	85-100 words	Explain one or two major causes or problems. Show mechanism: why does this happen, and what is the consequence?
Paragraph 3 — Solutions	95-110 words	Give matching solutions. Name the actor, explain the action, and show how it reduces the cause or problem from Body 1.
Paragraph 4 — Conclusion	35-45 words	Summarise the main diagnosis and the recommended response. Do not add a new cause or a new policy.

Matching rule: Body 2 should answer Body 1. If a cause or problem appears in the diagnosis paragraph, at least one solution should clearly respond to it.

Vocabulary & Grammar Toolkit

Expression	Usage Note
This problem is mainly caused by...	Clear cause opener for the introduction or Body 1
One underlying cause is...	Stronger than 'one reason is' when explaining deeper forces
A major consequence is that...	Useful when the prompt asks for problems rather than causes
This leads to...	Simple cause-effect link; follow it with a specific result
The result is that...	For moving from cause to impact in Body 1
Another factor is...	Introduces a second cause without sounding mechanical
limited supply	Useful for housing, healthcare, education, and transport topics
demand is concentrated in...	Explains pressure in cities, jobs, schools, or services
beyond local wages	Precise phrase for affordability topics
put pressure on...	Flexible collocation for services, budgets, families, or infrastructure
The most practical response is to...	Introduces a realistic solution
Governments should...	Clear actor for public-policy solutions
Local authorities could...	More specific than 'the government' for city-level issues
Employers can...	Useful for workplace, commuting, and training prompts
This would reduce...	Links a measure to its intended effect
rather than relying only on...	Complex comparison for rejecting weak solutions
targeted support	More precise than 'help people'
well-planned investment	Useful for infrastructure and public-service essays
make the problem less severe	Realistic wording; avoids promising a complete cure
If this measure were adopted, ...	Second conditional for explaining likely impact
Although this would not solve every case, ...	Controlled concession before showing value
In short,...	Safe conclusion opener; keep it brief and do not add new ideas

Common Pitfalls

Mistake	Correction
Writing causes when the prompt asks for problems	Check the nouns in the question. 'What problems does this cause?' requires negative effects, not just reasons why the issue exists.
Giving solutions that do not match the diagnosis	If the cause is limited supply, the solution should increase supply or reduce demand pressure. Do not jump to an unrelated awareness campaign.
Listing too many weak ideas	Choose two main points and develop them. A short list with no explanation usually stays at Band 6 for Task Response.
Using extreme solutions	Replace 'ban all private cars' with 'limit car use in the most congested districts while improving public transport'.
Forgetting who should act	Name the actor: national governments, local councils, schools, employers, or individuals. This makes the proposal concrete.

Practice Prompt

Set a 40-minute timer. Spend five minutes matching causes to solutions before writing.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

In many cities, people are finding it increasingly difficult to find affordable housing.

What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it?

Write at least 250 words.

Planning reminder: Draw two columns before writing: causes/problems on the left and matching solutions on the right. Do not begin until each solution has a clear target.

My Response

0 / 250 words

250 more words needed

Model AnswerBand 7.5+ · 253 words

In many large cities, housing has become increasingly unaffordable for ordinary residents. This problem is usually driven by a shortage of suitable homes and by demand concentrated in a few employment centres. It can be reduced through faster housing supply, better transport links, and targeted protection for lower-income renters.

The first cause is that many cities have not built enough homes where people actually need them. Planning rules often restrict apartment blocks near train stations or business districts, so supply grows slowly while the population and job market expand. At the same time, investors may buy properties as assets rather than places to live, which pushes prices beyond local wages. The result is that workers compete for a limited number of homes close to employment, schools, and public services.

The most practical response is to increase well-planned housing supply. Local governments should permit medium-density apartments near transport hubs and require large developments to include a share of affordable units. This would not solve every case of poverty, but it would reduce the shortage that allows rents to rise so quickly. Cities should also improve rail and bus connections to cheaper outer districts, because housing becomes more accessible when people can reach jobs without long or costly commutes.

In short, urban housing pressure comes mainly from limited supply in high-demand areas, intensified by investment and weak transport alternatives. Governments can make the problem less severe by building more homes in the right places, connecting cheaper districts to jobs, and protecting affordability within new developments.

Annotated Commentary

Each paragraph is quoted, then broken down by examiner criteria. Notice how the essay diagnoses the housing problem first and then gives solutions that respond directly to those causes.

[ Thesis ]Paragraph 1 — Introduction

In many large cities, housing has become increasingly unaffordable for ordinary residents. This problem is usually driven by a shortage of suitable homes and by demand concentrated in a few employment centres. It can be reduced through faster housing supply, better transport links, and targeted protection for lower-income renters.

Thesis'It can be reduced through...' previews the solution direction clearly

Paraphrase'increasingly unaffordable for ordinary residents' reworks 'difficult to find affordable housing'

Cohesive device'and by' links two causes in one controlled sentence

Lexical upgrade'demand concentrated in a few employment centres' is more precise than 'many people want to live there'

Scope controlThe writer promises reduction, not a total cure

[ Topic sentence ]Paragraph 2 — Causes

The first cause is that many cities have not built enough homes where people actually need them. Planning rules often restrict apartment blocks near train stations or business districts, so supply grows slowly while the population and job market expand. At the same time, investors may buy properties as assets rather than places to live, which pushes prices beyond local wages. The result is that workers compete for a limited number of homes close to employment, schools, and public services.

Topic sentence'The first cause is...' tells the examiner this paragraph is diagnostic

Cohesive device'At the same time' adds the investment factor without starting a disconnected list

Complex grammar'which pushes prices beyond local wages' uses a relative clause to explain consequence

Lexical upgrade'planning rules', 'business districts', and 'local wages' create precise topic vocabulary

Task responseThe paragraph explains causes and their effect instead of merely naming expensive housing

[ Solution ]Paragraph 3 — Solutions

The most practical response is to increase well-planned housing supply. Local governments should permit medium-density apartments near transport hubs and require large developments to include a share of affordable units. This would not solve every case of poverty, but it would reduce the shortage that allows rents to rise so quickly. Cities should also improve rail and bus connections to cheaper outer districts, because housing becomes more accessible when people can reach jobs without long or costly commutes.

Topic sentence'The most practical response...' clearly shifts from diagnosis to solution

Cohesive device'also' adds the transport solution as a second matching measure

Complex grammar'when people can reach jobs...' uses a time clause to explain how transport improves access

Lexical upgrade'medium-density apartments', 'transport hubs', and 'affordable units' are specific policy terms

Solution matchThe solutions target the earlier causes: limited supply, concentrated demand, and weak access from outer districts

[ Conclusion ]Paragraph 4 — Conclusion

In short, urban housing pressure comes mainly from limited supply in high-demand areas, intensified by investment and weak transport alternatives. Governments can make the problem less severe by building more homes in the right places, connecting cheaper districts to jobs, and protecting affordability within new developments.

Thesis restatedThe conclusion repeats both diagnosis and response in compressed form

Cohesive device'In short' signals summary rather than a new argument

Complex grammar'intensified by investment and weak transport alternatives' uses a reduced passive clause

Lexical upgrade'protecting affordability' is more academic than 'keeping prices cheap'

No new ideaThe paragraph does not introduce a fresh cause or policy at the end

Self-Check

Answer these from memory before looking back. If you cannot answer all, re-read the relevant section.

What is the difference between a cause and a problem in this essay type?
Which sentence in the model answer connects the diagnosis to the solution paragraph?
Write one solution sentence that names an actor and explains the expected effect.

Answers: (1) A cause explains why the issue happens; a problem is a negative result caused by the issue. (2) 'The most practical response is to increase well-planned housing supply.' (3) Sample: 'Local councils could permit more apartments near train stations, which would increase supply in the areas where demand is highest.'

Task 2 — Problem / Solution