IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem-Solution Essay: Structure & Examples
Problem–solution looks friendly until you mark a pile of them. Body 1 runs long on complaints — cars, pollution, crowded clinics — then Body 2 offers two thin lines: people should be aware and the government should do more. The causes got real space; the remedies did not. Task Response is already soft before anyone judges vocabulary.
What you need is plainer than a template book suggests: name the problems (or causes), then propose fixes that actually touch those problems. Aim for roughly 280–320 words, with both halves grown — not a 90/10 split.
Related: All 5 essay types | Structure templates | Task 2 complete guide
Last updated: August 12, 2026
On this page (what the prompt asks, structure, matching fixes, outline, mistakes, FAQ)
What the prompt asks
Task 2 is not one fixed format. Most papers fall into five groups teachers keep using: opinion, discussion, advantages/disadvantages, problem–solution, and two-part. If you are new here, start with the map: IELTS Writing Task 2 essay types.
Within problem–solution, the stem still changes the wording — but the job stays the same: cover both halves.
| Stem | What examiners expect |
|---|---|
| What are the causes of this problem and what solutions can you suggest? | Causes and remedies |
| What problems does this cause, and how can they be solved? | Problems and remedies |
| Why is this happening, and what can be done about it? | Reasons and actions |
Some prompts also ask to what extent or for your view. If they do, answer that too — do not pretend the stem was analysis-only.
Band 7 TR signal: both halves are developed with similar depth. A long problem paragraph and a courtesy sentence of “solutions” answers a different question. Marking criteria: band descriptors explained.
I notice students get stuck when they treat every problem–solution stem as “complain for 150 words, then add two slogans.” One timed draft on city congestion never named a concrete policy — only people should use public transport more. After Body 2 forced a charge + transit pair tied to the causes in Body 1, TR stopped looking unfinished.
A workable structure
Example prompt: In many cities, traffic congestion is getting worse. What are the causes of this problem, and what solutions can you suggest?
Four paragraphs is enough for most scripts:
| Paragraph | Content |
|---|---|
| Intro | Paraphrase the issue + map (causes + solutions) |
| Body 1 | 2 causes/problems, each explained with brief support |
| Body 2 | Solutions matched to those causes |
| Conclusion | Summarise both parts — no new problem |
A five-paragraph shape (intro → cause 1 → cause 2 → solutions → conclusion) can work if each paragraph stays developed. It often eats time. Prefer four unless you write fast under the clock.
You do not need a rigid Topic sentence → Explain → Example → Link chant in every paragraph. You do need a clear lead sentence, detail that answers why, and enough specifics that the idea is not floating in slogan English.
Fuller templates: Task 2 essay structure. For openings by type, see introduction paragraph examples.
Match solutions to causes
Examiners reward logical pairing. Plan on paper before you write — even 60 seconds helps.
| Cause / problem | Matching solution |
|---|---|
| Too many private cars | Congestion charges + better public transport |
| Poor urban planning / sprawl | Mixed-use zoning + park-and-ride hubs |
| Cheap parking in city centres | Higher parking fees + bike lanes |
Weak: Body 1 discusses car ownership; Body 2 suddenly talks about school curricula with no link. The essay feels like two unrelated half-answers glued together.
Strong: Because private cars dominate commuting, cities should invest in frequent buses and discourage unnecessary driving through pricing. The fix touches the cause you already named.
From the scripts I mark, the jump to an unrelated “education campaign” is one of the fastest ways to make Coherence look shaky — even when both halves are long.
Sample outline
Prompt: Traffic congestion in cities — causes and solutions.
Introduction (map):
Rising congestion in large cities stems mainly from car dependence and inadequate public transport; both can be eased through pricing policies and better transit investment.
Body 1 — causes:
- Affordable private cars + a cultural preference for driving
- Underfunded, unreliable buses/trains that push people back into cars
Body 2 — solutions:
- Congestion charging + parking limits in peak zones
- Dedicated bus lanes, higher service frequency, and integrated ticketing
Conclusion:
In short, congestion is driven by car reliance and weak transit; targeted pricing and serious public-transport upgrades offer the most practical remedies.
Mini body sample (solutions):
To address car dependence, local governments can introduce congestion charges during peak hours while expanding affordable metro and bus networks. When driving becomes more expensive and transit becomes faster, many commuters shift modes. Cities that combined road pricing with frequent rail services have already cut peak traffic without freezing economic activity.
Notice the solutions paragraph does not invent a new problem. It answers the causes already on the page. That habit alone often lifts a Band 6 TR draft into safer territory.
Between timed essays, short mixed drills in the same sitting beat a “vocab week” then an “essay week.” That habit matches Personalized Practice: Practices 1–15 mix drills; Practices 16–20 are timed essays; Practices 1–2 are free.
Mistakes we see in drafts
Solutions only — or problems only. Students write a fluent complaint essay and forget remedies, or paste three policies with almost no cause analysis. Fix: underline both instruction words before you plan (causes / problems and solutions).
Vague solutions. People should be aware and the government should do more sound helpful and say almost nothing. Name a concrete policy, programme, or action someone could actually take.
Unrelated fixes. Body 2 ignores Body 1. Pair each major remedy with a cause you raised so the essay feels coherent, not like two separate tasks.
Six thin causes in one paragraph. A list of undeveloped bullets scores worse than two causes grown with a mechanism and a short example. Develop 2 ideas fully.
A new cause in the conclusion. Paragraph 4 invents “also noise pollution” after the bodies never mentioned it. Summarise only what you already argued.
Score a practice draft on the free IELTS essay checker. If TR is soft, check whether both halves got real space before you chase fancier nouns.
Questions students ask
Must every solution match a cause one-to-one?
Not mathematically — but at least one clear link per major idea. From the scripts I mark, a paragraph of random “good ideas” weakens Coherence and Task Response even when the language is tidy.
Can I write more about solutions than causes?
Slight imbalance is fine; a 90/10 split is not. Aim for roughly equal development so neither half looks bolted on.
Is “problem–solution” the same as “cause–effect”?
Related but not identical. Cause–effect may stop at explaining results; problem–solution must also propose remedies. I notice students who stop after “why this happens” leave half the stem unanswered. Check the exact wording.
Academic vs GT — same structure?
Yes. Same four-paragraph model and the same marking criteria for both modules. The topic may feel more everyday on GT; the paragraph jobs do not change.
After you check your score
Most free tools stop at another band estimate. EssayGradeWise adds criterion drills inside a 20-practice plan (TR, CC, LR, GRA) so you practise the weak spot — not another full essay at random.
- Free IELTS essay checker — no login for score-only
- Try Practices 1–2 free
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