PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ESSAYS

In this unit, you will learn:

• what a problem and solution essay is

• how to organize a problem and solution essay

• how to develop a problem and solution essay

I. WHAT IS A PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ESSAY?
One common type of essay in academic writing is called a “problem and solution” essay. This is where you
have to explain the main cause(s)/ effect(s) or problem(s) of a common social phenomenon or some
problems associated with it, then give some solutions.
Here is a typical question:
These days, in many countries fewer and fewer people want to become teachers, particularly in secondary
schools.
What are the reasons for this, and how could the problem be solved?

• Types of problem-solution essays:

There are four main types of problem-solution essays: the one that focuses on CAUSES and SOLUTIONS;
the one that focuses on PROBLEMS and SOLUTIONS; the one that focuses on CAUSES and EFFECTS; and
the one that focuses on SOLUTIONS only.
Sample essays
1. Focus on solutions only.

Topic: What should be done to improve the lives of the elderly?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

For many elderly people, the latter part of their life is not a time to relax and enjoy retirement, but rather a
difficult and unhappy period, owing to financial worries, failing health and loneliness. As life expectancy
increases, the average person lives well beyond the age of retirement. As a result, elderly people make up an
ever-increasing percentage of society, which makes it more important than ever for a real effort to be made to
improve the lives of senior citizens.
One way to deal with the situation would be to ensure that the elderly have enough money on which to live.
Obviously, when people stop working, they still require a source of income to cover their basic needs such as
food, accommodation, and heating. A clear solution to the problem is for the government to make sure the
state pension is adequate for these needs. Furthermore, free financial advice should be made available to
retired people so that the stress of worrying about money could be reduced as far as possible.
Steps should also be taken to overcome problems the elderly face as a result of deteriorating health due to old
age, and inadequate health care provisions. Again, the responsibility should fall to the government to provide
access to the best health care available, which may necessitate paying for residential homes where the elderly

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can have round-the-clock nursing, or, at the very least, providing medication free of charge to all people over a
certain age. As a result, old people would enjoy not only better health, but also peace of mind from the
knowledge that they need not fear falling ill and being unable to pay for treatment.
The lives of old people could also be improved if attempts were made to address the problem of social isolation
which so many of them face. If we organized trips for the elderly to community centers, visits from social
workers or free bus passes to allow pensioners greater mobility, the effect would be to alleviate the problem of
loneliness which marks the lives of so many old people living alone and far from their families.
One final suggestion, which would be enormously helpful, is to change the attitude of the community towards
its older members, who are all too often seen as a burden on society and dismissed as having little to do with
modern life. We need to be taught from an early age to respect the views of old people and appreciate their
broader experience of life. This would help society as a whole and encourage appreciation for the role that old
people can still play today.
To sum up, there are several measures which could be taken to improve the lives of old people. If the
government and individuals alike were to help, it would make retirement and old age a time to look forward
to, rather than dread.
(From Successful writing proficiency by Virginia Evans, Express Publishing, 1998)
2. Focus on causes and solutions.
Topic: Many animal species around the world are endangered, and each year, we lose more species as the
remaining animals in a population die. Discuss the possible causes of species loss and suggest some ways that
we might be able to preserve some of these vanishing species.
Extinction of species is a natural phenomenon. However, the current rate of extinction is 100 to 1,000 times
higher than normal, and it is estimated that half of all living species will be gone within the next two or three
centuries. The main reason for this high rate can be summed up in one word: people, and therefore people
have to find solutions to this problem.
Human activity is a major cause of species extinction. Often this is inadvertent, as people carry out their daily
lives, destroying native habitats to create farmland, polluting rivers or soil as they manufacture goods, and
competing for local food supplies with the resident animal population. Sometimes, however, this destruction is
more deliberate, as often happened in the past, when humans hunted various mammals and birds such as the
white-cheeked gibbons to extinction, and sometimes it is the result of ignorance, as humans introduce new
species into the local ecology and wipe out existing species.
There are two main ways that we may be able to help to preserve species. The first is by protecting parts of
their natural habitat through the creation of reserves. For example, the reserves in National Parks are
dedicated to preserving the tiger and are using tourism as one way to raise awareness and fundraise for the
project. The second way is through keeping animals in zoos, though it is often difficult to breed animals in
captivity and it is rare for zoo-raised animals to be successfully reintroduced to their natural habitat.
In summary, we are responsible for species extinction, and we need to work hard to prevent this. If these
strategies are put into action, future extinction of animal species can be avoided. It is the responsibility of
people to put solutions into place to address the problems they have created.

Ms. Diem Duong – HANU English Department 2

 (From Lessons for IELTS advanced writing by New oriental education & technology group IELTS research
institute, 2012).
3. Focus on problems and solutions.
Topic: Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems. Identify one or two serious ones and
suggest ways that governments and individuals tackle these problems.
There is no doubt that there has been a sharp rise in the number of people in many countries in the world. This
rapid growth in the population in numerous urban areas has resulted from various reasons. Different problems
are caused by this population boom and both governments and individuals have a duty to find ways to
overcome these problems.
Overpopulation causes a number of serious problems. First, it can lead to overcrowding and poor-quality
housing in many large cities. Poorly heated or damp housing could cause significant health problems, resulting
in illness, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Another serious consequence of overcrowding is a rising crime rate
as poor living conditions may lead young people in particular to take desperate measures and turn to crime or
drugs.
In terms of solutions, the government should be largely responsible. Firstly, it is vital that the state provides
essential housing and healthcare for all its citizens. Secondly, setting up community projects to help foster
more community spirit and help keep young people off the street is a good idea. For example, youth clubs or
evening classes for teenagers would keep them occupied. Finally, more effective policing of inner-city areas
would also be beneficial. Naturally, individuals should also act responsibly to address these problems, and the
motivation to do this would hopefully arise if the measures described above are put into place by the
government. This is because it will encourage people to have more pride in their own community and improve
the situation.
In short, it is clear that the problems caused by overpopulation in urban areas are very serious. Yet if
governments and individuals share a collective responsibility, then it may well become possible to offer some
solutions.
(Adapted from IELTS Foundation by Rachael Roberts, Joanne Gakonga and Andrew Preshous, Macmillan,
2004).
4. Focus on causes and effects.
Topic: Young people who are still at school often feel just as much stress as working adults. What are some of
the causes of this stress and how does it affect individual students?
Stress is an unavoidable factor in life today. Many factors can cause stress for students, and these can lead to
several negative effects. This essay will describe the reasons for students’ stress and the consequences of it.
There are many reasons for young people experiencing stress nowadays. To begin with, most students are
under pressure to do well in their exams. They not only have to study hard at school but also attend institutes
in the evening, which means their days are very full and stressful. Because they have such a hard workload,
they may not have time for physical activity, or sport, and as a result, they have increased feelings of stress. In
addition to being busy at school and at institutes, they usually get homework. If they have no time to do the
homework that their teachers gave them, they may get into trouble, and this can lead to even more pressure
and difficulty.

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There are some serious consequences of stress that is caused by being under pressure from schools, institutes,
and exams. If a student has worked at school all day and then attended another institute at night, this could
lead to insomnia, because it is difficult to stop thinking and worrying about future tests or exams. This might
become even worse if the student has not done any physical activity to exercise his or her body. Worrying and
lack of sleep and physical activity can lead to failure in tests or exams, which is a big problem for many
students.
In conclusion, students’ increased feelings of stress main stem from schoolwork and may not only result in not
only health problems but also worsen their academic performance.
(From Lessons for IELTS writing by New oriental education & technology group IELTS research institute,
2012).
II. HOW IS A PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ESSAY ORGANIZED?
There are basically two main ways to organize a problem and solution essay: point-by-point organization or
chain organization and block organization. In point-by-point organization, causes and effects; causes and
solutions; problems and solutions are presented in the same paragraph. By contrast in block organization,
causes and effects; causes and solutions; problems and solutions are written in separate paragraphs.
1. Focus on causes and solutions.
Point-by-point organization

• Cause 1 + solution 1.
• Cause 2 + solution 2.
Block organization
Block 1: Cause 1
Cause 2

Block 2: Solution 1
Solution 2

2. Focus on problems and solutions.

Point-by-point organization

• Problem 1 + solution 1.
• Problem 2 + solution 2.
Block organization
Block 1: Problem 1
Problem 2

Block 2: Solution 1
Solution 2

3. Focus on causes and effects.

Point-by-point organization/ Chain organization

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 • Cause 1 ➔ Effect 1 ➔ Effect 2 ➔ Effect 3 … (Effect 1 is the cause of effect 2, which causes
effect 3)
• Cause 2 ➔ Effect 1 ➔ Effect 2 ➔ Effect 3 …
• Cause 3 ➔ Effect 1 ➔ Effect 2 ➔ Effect 3 … (optional)
Block organization
Block 1: Cause 1
Cause 2
Cause 3 (optional)
Block 2: Effect 1
Effect 2
Effect 3 (optional)

4. Focus on solutions only.

For this type of essay, the block style will be used to organize ideas. Each of the solutions will be proposed
in a separate paragraph.

Block 1: Solution 1
Explanation & Examples
Block 2: Solution 2
Explanation & Examples
Block 3: Solution 3
Explanation & Examples
Practice 1
The two essays on the next pages are almost exactly the same in content, but they have a different
structure. First, identify the focus of the two essays and then decide which one is written in the point-by-
point style (P) and which one uses the block organization pattern (B).
Topic:
Most new businesses fail within the first five years.
Why does this happen? What steps can new businesses take to avoid this problem?
Essay 1:
It is said that the vast majority of new businesses fail within the first five years, and that it takes up to ten
years before a business is regarded as being successfully established. It seems that there are two clear
reasons why businesses fail, and that there are ways that these problems can be best avoided.
For a start, setting up a new business requires funding and more than likely a high level of borrowing. This
means that without high returns early on, debts are likely to reel out of control, especially if interest rates
are suddenly hiked. The obvious solution to this is not to borrow too much, and one way to do this is by
going into partnerships with other interested parties. And if the business is a success, then at a later stage
the capital will be there to buy out the partners.

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The second reason for failure is inexperience. While many entrepreneurs have the capital to make a
business a going concern, they often focus on fields they find interesting, but as they lack extensive
experience in the area, they soon find themselves out of their depth. One way around this problem is
hiring specialists in the area, as well as making good use of consultants linked to the field. Although these
people are an expensive investment, the business is unlikely to survive without them.
In short, while the first few years of any new business are the toughest, the two biggest problems, debt,
and a lack of experience, can be sufficiently managed as long as there is a sufficient level of partnership
and expertise involved.
Style:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Essay 2:
It is said that the vast majority of new businesses fail within the first five years, and that it takes up to ten
years before a business is regarded as being successfully established. It seems that there are two clear
reasons why businesses fail, and that there are ways that these problems can be best avoided.
For a start, setting up a new business requires funding and more than likely a high level of borrowing. This
means that without high returns early on, debts are likely to reel out of control, especially if interest rates
are suddenly hiked. The second reason for failure is inexperience. While many entrepreneurs have the
capital to make a business a going concern, they often focus on fields they find interesting, but as they lack
extensive experience in the area, they soon find themselves out of their depth.
The obvious solution to the first problem is not to borrow too much, and one way to do this is by going into
partnerships with other interested parties. And if the business is a success, then at a later stage the capital
will be there to buy out the partners. One way around the second problem is hiring specialists in the area,
as well as making good use of consultants linked to the fields. Although these people are an expensive
investment, the business is unlikely to survive without them.
In short, while the first few years of any new business are the toughest, the two biggest problems, debt
and a lack of experience, can be sufficiently managed as long as there is a sufficient level of partnership
and expertise involved.
Style:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Practice 2:
The following essay was originally written in a block organization style but has been mixed up into a string
of individual sentences. Rewrite the essay in the space given, and make sure that each sentence fits back
into its correct position in its original paragraph.
Many students studying overseas face so many difficulties that they often give up their studies and return
to their home countries. What problems do these students face? How might they be overcome?
1. It only takes a few months for the vast majority of students to realize they are waging a losing
battle to overcome the odds of adapting to the new culture.
2. Students often cope better when they have access to people with similar backgrounds, so students
should be encouraged to hang out with people from their own country at least some of the time.

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 3. There are several ways we can help students get through this difficult process of adapting to their
new environment.
4. It is, however, no surprise that as soon as students get off the plane and start experiencing a new
way of life, they will encounter challenges they might have never imagined.
5. This is often referred to as culture shock: instead of enjoying their experience of studying overseas,
students get depressed and some even decide to call it quits and come home.
6. Raising awareness of culture shock and the fact that it affects everyone is a good start, and it also
needs to be emphasized that it is just a phase that will ultimately pass.
7. Everything seems out of place; the food is awful; no native speakers seem to have any interest in
becoming friends; and worst of all, they are afflicted with extreme loneliness.
8. In short, while studying abroad is often much tougher than expected, once students know that they
always have someone to turn to, they will have a much better chance of making their time abroad
more of an enjoyable, albeit challenging, experience.
9. Finally, it is essential that students keep in regular contact with friends and family back home, so
that when they feel down they will always have somebody to turn to.
10. A number of students head overseas full of honest enthusiasm and a sincere zeal to become
proficient in English.
Introductory Paragraph
...........................................................................................................................................................................
Body Paragraph 1
...........................................................................................................................................................................
Body Paragraph 2
...........................................................................................................................................................................
Conclusion
...........................................................................................................................................................................
III. HOW TO DEVELOP A PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ESSAY
1. Writing the introductory paragraph
In general, the introductory paragraph has the following purposes:

• It introduces the topic of the essay.

• It gives a general background to the topic.
• It often indicates the overall “plan” of the essay.
• It is expected to arouse the reader’s interest in the topic. The introductory paragraph has two parts:
General statements & a thesis statement.
Notice the two parts of the introductory paragraph in the following sample on the topic “Causes of obesity
and ways to deal with it.”

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 In some countries, the average weight of people is rising, and their levels of health and fitness are
increasingly deteriorating due to obesity, which leads to a great number of health problems such as heart
attack and diabetes. The condition is pretty alarming among the world's most affluent Western countries.
There are a number of reasons for obesity, each of which needs to be dealt with in a particular way.

General statements
There are often two general statements. The first general statement is a very general comment about the
subject. Its purpose is to introduce the topic and give background information on the topic. The second
general statement is more specific than the previous one. It gives further background information about
the topic.
Here are some more examples of two general statements on the topic.
The first general statement
- Recently, an increasing number of people are obese, especially in well-developed countries.
- Recently, the number of obese people has been rising, especially in well-developed countries.
- In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of obese people, especially in well- developed countries.
The second general statement
- It cannot be denied that obesity has brought people a number of problems in both physical and mental
health.
- There is no doubt that obesity results in a number of negative effects on people’s physical and mental health.
- Obviously, there are a number of physical and psychological problems faced by obese people.
The thesis statement is the most important sentence in the introductory paragraph. It states the specific
topic and the main ideas that will be discussed in the body of the essay. The thesis statement comes at the
end of the introductory paragraph. The thesis statement can list the general purpose of the essay, or it can
list the specific main ideas to be discussed in the body.
Here are some examples of thesis statements with no specific main ideas mentioned:
- While this stems from two reasons, I am convinced that there exists an effective measure to tackle this
issue.
- There are two main ways to deal with the problem of obesity which results from different reasons.
- There are a number of reasons for obesity, each of which needs to be dealt with in a particular way.
- This essay will look at// focus on// discuss// identify// analyze some causes of this problem and propose//
offer// suggest some solutions to it.
- While this stems from two main causes, it is thought to lead to two major issues, which will be discussed in
this essay.
- This essay will describe some reasons for childhood obesity and its consequences.
- There are two main reasons for the obesity crisis among children, which lead to two major consequences.

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In the following thesis statement, the specific main ideas are named:
- Obesity results from a number of causes and maintaining a healthy diet and leading an active lifestyle are
two main ways to help people deal with the problem.
- In general, an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle are the two main reasons for obesity, so there
should be feasible solutions to help people improve their diet and lifestyle.
Any of the following will make an introduction weak.
- It does not give enough information about the topic or gives too much information about it.
- It is about too many different topics.
- It does not state a clear thesis statement.
Practice 3.
Identify the focus of each essay below and then write the introductory paragraphs.
1. Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems. Identify one or two serious ones and
suggest ways that governments and individuals tackle these problems?
Focus .....................................................................................................................................................
Introductory paragraph ....................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
2. People who live in large cities face a range of problems in their daily life. What are the main problems
people in cities face, and how can these problems be tackled?
Focus .....................................................................................................................................................
Introductory paragraph ....................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
3. The world of work is changing rapidly. People today no longer take one job for life. What are the causes
of these changes? What suggestions would you make for young people to prepare themselves for the
world in future?
Focus .....................................................................................................................................................
Introductory paragraph ....................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
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4. Recent research suggests that the majority of criminals who are sent to prison commit crimes after they
are released. Why is this the case? What can be done to solve this problem?
Focus .....................................................................................................................................................
Introductory paragraph ....................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
5. Homework is part of high school students’ life. Some people think that students get too much
homework nowadays. Why do you think students get more homework than before and what are the
possible results of this?
Focus .....................................................................................................................................................
Introductory paragraph ....................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
6. In the world today, there is a problem with food production, and as a result, some people do not have
enough to eat. Suggest some ways farms can do to solve this problem.
Focus .....................................................................................................................................................
Introductory paragraph ....................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
2. Writing the body paragraphs
Practice 4: Analyzing a sample essay.
Read the following essay and complete the table that follows.
Topic: People who live in large cities face a range of problems in their daily life. What are the main problems
people in cities face, and how can these problems be tackled?
These days, more and more of us are living in big cities, and urban conurbations are expanding all the time.
Although cities are very attractive places to live, and they provide a wide range of work and leisure
opportunities, there are also a host of significant social problems affecting cities. This essay will examine
some of these problems in detail and then propose some solutions.
One of the biggest problems facing people who live in cities is the high property prices. In many cities,
buying a house near the centre is out of reach for people on the average salary, and they are forced to live
outside the city and to commute to work. In central London, for instance, the cost of even a one-bedroom
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flat is prohibitive for many people. To solve this problem, the government could put more resources into
building affordable housing, which would allow more people to buy their own home.
Another issue is traffic and air pollution. Most big cities are overrun with cars, and there is a great deal of
traffic congestion. The exhaust fumes from these cars cause air pollution, and as a consequence, more and
more people are suffering from respiratory diseases, such as asthma. This problem could be addressed by
introducing a congestion charge for cars entering the city centre, thereby cutting the number of vehicles on
the road.
The final problem is the quality and cost of public transport. That is to say, in most capitals, public transport
is inefficient, and the infrastructure is old and inadequate. At the same time, ticket prices are often too
high, which puts people off using public transport. The way forward must be to invest more money in trains
and buses, and to slash ticket prices. This would encourage more people to use public transport.
To sum up, although it is clear that cities face a range of problems, it is undoubtedly possible to start to
tackle these issues and improve the quality of life in cities. Governments and local councils must take the
lead in dealing with these problems; otherwise, city life will only get worse in the future.
(Adapted from Model essays for IELTS writing, the newest topic trend in IELTS writing exam by New
oriental Education & Technology Group IELTS research Institute, NEW oriental, 2014)

2.1. Writing about the causes, effects, and problems.

➢ Writing the topic sentences.
If you organize your essay according to the block styles, the topic sentences may differ from those in an
essay organized in a point-by-point format. For example, in a focus-on-problems essay above on the topic
“People who live in large cities face a range of problems in their daily life. What are the main problems
people in cities face, and how can these problems be tackled?”, there are three problems identified: high
property prices, traffic and air pollution, the quality and cost of public transport. These main ideas are
organized in a point-by-point style. Each body paragraph discusses one problem in detail and then offers
the solution(s).
The topic sentences in a point-by-point style are rather straightforward as follows:

• One of the biggest problems facing people who live in cities is the high property prices. (1)
• Another issue is traffic and air pollution. (2)
• The final problem is the quality and cost of public transport. (3)

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However, if written in a block style, the topic sentence should guide the whole paragraph, so it should not
be about only one specific cause or problem like the above sentences (1-2-3). For example:

• There are a number of problems that urban citizens have to encounter in their everyday lives
(including high property prices, traffic and air pollution, and public transport quality and costs).
• Urban life is associated with a number of problems that residents have to encounter on a daily
basis (including high property prices, traffic and air pollution, and public transport quality and
costs).
• There are two (three, etc.) key drivers behind such a tendency/ phenomenon.
The other body paragraph, which focuses on the solutions, can be written in a similar manner.

• However, this issue can be easily tackled in several ways/ solved with some measures being taken.
➢ Techniques to develop the main ideas (causes / problems)
* Using linking phrases to explain the main ideas: That is to say, …. / In other words, …
One problem associated with living in big cities is the high cost of public transport. That is to say, in most
capitals like London, the price of using public transport such as buses or the tube is often too high. As a
result, many people end up spending a large portion of their income on daily travel and they may take
their cars instead.
* Giving reasons: This is because S + V; The reason for this is that S + V.
One reason for childhood obesity is that many children do not have a healthy diet. This is because their
parents do not have time to cook, so they end up providing their kids with takeaways or processed foods.
As a consequence, these children get ill and put on weight.
* Describing facts: Noun/ Noun phrase means that S + V.
One problem with urban life is the stress of getting from one place to another. Living in a big city means
that it takes at least an hour to get from people’s house to where they want to go, which is tiring and time
consuming.
* Describing results: As a consequence, As a result, Therefore, etc.
One problem with working at home is that people do not have contact with colleagues. Therefore, they
cannot pick up new ideas from workmates and it is difficult for them to improve their knowledge and skills.
For example, many teachers get good ideas from co-teachers in the staff room, whereas a home tutor does
not get input from others.
* Giving examples: For example, For instance, etc.
* Combining all of the above techniques.
Useful language: Causes – effects structures.
In many essays in general and in problem-solution essays in particular, you will need to refer to the
causes of some particular situations and their effects. Note that, when constructing sentences, either
the cause or the effect can be mentioned first.

CAUSE EFFECT

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 causes leads to results in
is the cause of

behind
Air pollution is the reason a number of problems.
for

EFFECT CAUSE

caused by
due to
are result
the consequen of air pollution.
A number of problems
ce

result from

CAUSE EFFECT

As a result of this,
As a consequence of this,

Air pollution is a major Consequently, the number of people with

problem in many big cities. For this reason, respiratory problems has risen
considerably.
Hence,
Therefore,
CAUSE EFFECT

As a result of air pollution, people in many big cities have faced

As a consequence of air pollution, respiratory diseases.

CAUSE EFFECT

One effect is respiratory diseases.

results/consequence(s)
The air are respiratory diseases.
effect(s) of
pollution

Practice 5. Rewrite the following sentences focusing on causes – effects in as many ways as you can.
Example: He drove dangerously. He had an accident.

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 • He drove dangerously. As a result, /As a consequence, / Consequently, he had an accident.
• The result of his dangerous driving was his accident.
• His accident resulted from/was the consequence of/ was the result of his dangerous driving.
• His dangerous driving resulted in/led to/was the reason for/was the cause of his accident.
1. If you exercise regularly, you can reduce the risk of getting ill.
2. If you use the Internet, you risk getting viruses.
3. The IELTS reading module is difficult because it has long articles with lots of new vocabulary in
them.
4. Women generally live longer than men. They tend to take better care of their health.
5. Women have more leisure time and freedom. Mechanized labor-saving devices are developed.
2.2. Writing about the solutions
There are different ways to develop the solutions suggested. A common way to develop the solution is by
giving a solution, specific action to be taken, examples, results, possible drawbacks of that particular
solution and how to deal with the limitations. For example, with the following topic, the ideas for the
development can be developed as follows.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

What can governments do to encourage children to eat a healthier diet?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3

Educate children about
Solutions Regulate food industry. Regulate school meals.
healthy eating.
Require food producers to Require schools to provide Require schools to teach
Specific action fortify their products with only healthy food and drink children to cook healthy
vitamins. at lunch time. foods.
Children would eat
Children can take pride in
healthier food without Children would eat at least
Results their learning and transfer
having to change their one healthy meal per day.
these skills to the home.
habits.
This would not stop them
from bringing unhealthy
Possible This would be unpopular packed lunches or going out Schools may not have the
drawbacks & and expensive for food for lunch to fast food facilities to teach cooking. ➔
dealing with producers. ➔ launch tax outlets. ➔ ask schools to government funding for
the limitations reduction initiatives. keep students’ self- these facilities.
prepared meals in check
with frequent supervision

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Practice 6. This paragraph suggests a solution to the question. Complete each gap with the phrases in a-f for
presenting solutions, examples, and results.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

More and more people claim that modern work patterns are a source of stress. What do you think are
the causes of this? Can you suggest some possible solutions?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

• A further step is to

• for example,

• I think the most obvious solution is…

• As a result

• By doing this

• For instance

(1) …………………… for employers to encourage workers to relax. (2) ……………………, in some companies, gym
facilities or massage therapies are available. (3) ……………………, this improves their efficiency and production.
(4) …………………… train employees in how to plan their time more effectively, (5) ……………………, by stopping
people taking work home. (6) ……………………, the workplace will become a lot happier.

Practice 7: Study the following question and the ideas that follow. Then fill in the spaces with appropriate
ideas. If there is no specific action that can be taken, you can leave the space blank.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

The importance of biodiversity is being more widely recognized as an increasing number of species come
under threat. What can be done to maintain biodiversity?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3

Regulate agricultural Protect rare plants and

Educate the public about the
Solutions and industrial animals from
benefits of biodiversity
activities. exploitation.

Specific action

Ms. Diem Duong – HANU English Department 15

 Results

Possible
drawbacks &
dealing with
the
limitations

Useful language: Giving solutions.

The following structures are helpful for you to discuss solutions.

i. Introducing the solutions

solve
One (possible) overcome
this problem would be
Another combat for sb to do sth
way to the problem of… is
An alternative deal with
eradicate

solve ….
possible ways overcome ….
would be
possible for sb to do sth to combat …
Noun phrase is
approaches deal with ….
eradicate …

Ms. Diem Duong – HANU English Department 16

 necessary so as to
for the government solve/overcome/ combat
important to do sth in order to
It is for each individual deal with/ eradicate…
essential in an attempt to

The government should do sth to halt/prevent/solve ……

must have to

- One possible approach to reduce the number of road accidents would be for the government to improve
the transport system.

- Improving the transport system would be one possible approach for the government to reduce the number
of road accidents.

- By improving the transport system, the government could reduce the number of road accidents.
- It is a good idea for the government to improve the transport system in an attempt to reduce the number
of road accidents.
- The number of road accidents could be reduced if the government improved the transport system.
- It is necessary/important/essential for the government to improve the transport system as a way to
reduce the number of road accidents.
- The government should/must / have to/ need to improve transport systems to reduce the number of road
accidents.
Practice 8.
Rewrite the sentences suggesting solutions below, using the prompts given.
Example:
The government should strictly monitor waste disposal.
 It is important for the government to strictly monitor waste disposal.
1. I think the most obvious solution is to encourage people to eat more healthily.
 People should ………………………………………………………………………………..
2. The obvious answer is to reduce the number of motor vehicles allowed into the center of the city during
rush hours.
 The number of ………………………………………………………………………………..
3. The government should ban all old vehicles from the roads to help reduce a fair amount of air pollution
as old cars produce more pollution.
 One possibility to ……………………… is …………………………………………………
4. One possible option would be to persuade parents to reduce the amount of stress they impose on their
children in their studies.

Ms. Diem Duong – HANU English Department 17

 Parents could ………………………………………………………………………………..
5. A good idea is to strengthen the traffic rules so that people do not exceed the speed limit.
 The traffic rules ………………………………………………………………………………..
6. The government should build more skyscrapers to solve the problem of housing.
 A good idea is ………………………………………………………………………………..
7. The government should improve the traffic infrastructure to reduce the level of traffic congestion.
 It is ………………………………………………………………………………..
8. One way to help reduce the problems faced by the elderly would be for the government to ensure that
the elderly have enough money on which to live.
 By ………………………………………………………………………………..
9. The lives of old people could also be improved if attempts were made to address the problem of social
isolation which so many of them face.
 Addressing ………………………………………………………………………………..
10. One final suggestion, which would be enormously helpful, is to change the attitude of the community
towards its older members, who are all too often seen as a burden on society.
The attitude ………………………………………………………………………………..
Practice 9.
Write two sentences to introduce two solutions to the problem of obesity among children.
Example:
One possible way to combat the problem of childhood obesity is for the government to impose heavy tax
on unhealthy foods.
1. .....................................................................................................................................................................
2. .....................................................................................................................................................................
Practice 10.
Read the two paragraphs below about the causes of stress in modern life and add your own solution to the
problem in detail.
1. One cause of stress in modern life is that people work long hours. In many jobs, workers have to do a 10-
or 12-hour day, which means that they come home late and do not have time to relax or spend time with
their families. For instance, in many Asian countries, an average office worker may start work as early as 8
in the morning and does not come back home until around 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.
2. Another cause of stress is job insecurity. In the past, most employees had a permanent contract and did
not have to worry too much about losing their job. However, nowadays it is common for people to work on
short-term contracts which last only a few months or a year. This means they are often worried about
what will happen to them at the end of the contract.

Ms. Diem Duong – HANU English Department 18

 ii. Showing how the solution can be implemented (specific action)
- One way this can be done is that + S + V/ by V_ing
- One way to V is by V_ing.
E.g.,
• One solution is to use less paper. One way to reduce paper use is by using both sides of the paper
when they photocopy, write a letter, or write an essay.
• One solution is to use less paper. One way this can be done is by using both sides of the paper
when they photocopy, write a letter, or write an essay.
• One solution is to use less paper. One way this can be done is that people use both sides of the
paper when they photocopy, write a letter, or write an essay.

iii. Showing what happens if the solution is implemented.

You can use the first conditional to talk about predictions, superstitions, future plans, warnings & threats,
and offers & suggestions. Therefore, it is useful to use the first conditional to talk about possible results of
a course of action or a solution. There are other types of conditional sentences, but first conditionals are
the most common in writing about problems and solutions.
Structure
i. Fish will get ill if factories dump their waste into streams.
modal (will, can, could, should, etc.) + if main verb present
ii. If you eat fish from polluted waters, you could get sick too.
If main verb present + modal (will, can, could, should, etc.)
E.g., One solution is to use less paper. If people use less paper, fewer trees will be cut down for paper
making.
If people follow the three Rs – reduce, reuse, and recycle, they can help save the world’s forests.
Below are some other useful phrases using the first conditional to talk about possible results of a solution:
• If this is done, S + will/may/could/can, etc. + V.
• Once this (solution) is implemented, S + will/may/could/can, etc. + V.
• If this is put into effect, S + will/may/could/can, etc. + V.
You can also use sentence connectors that signal results such as Therefore, Thus, As a result, and As a
consequence.
E.g.,
This issue could be addressed by introducing a congestion charge for cars entering the city centre. Once
this is put into effect, the number of vehicles on the road will be cut. As a result, air quality may improve
and there will be less traffic in cities.
2. Writing the conclusion
The final paragraph in an essay is the conclusion, which informs the reader that the writer has completed
an essay. In general, the concluding paragraph has the following purposes:
- It signals the end of an essay with a conclusion transition signal.
- It summarizes the main ideas discussed in the body paragraphs.
- It states the writer’s personal opinion or comment.
- It makes the last impression on the reader. The concluding paragraph has two parts:
✓ A summary of the main ideas discussed in the body.
✓ Writer’s opinion/comment

Ms. Diem Duong – HANU English Department 19

Examples: Notice the two parts of the following concluding paragraphs on the topic “Causes of obesity and
ways to deal with it.”
- In short, obesity, which shows increasing prevalence in many countries in the world, is a serious disease
of modern lifestyle due to an unhealthy eating habit and a sedentary lifestyle. More regular exercise and
healthier diets are two feasible solutions to redress the problem. From my perspective, there should be
the joint efforts among parents, schools, and children themselves so as to have the best results in the fight
against obesity.
- In conclusion, it is certainly true that the problem of obesity in many countries recently cannot be solved
quickly. However, that is not a reason to avoid taking action. In my opinion, there should be effective
cooperation among parents, schools, and children themselves in their fight against the problem of obesity.
- In short, the problem of obesity is there and is growing, but solutions are available and as in all previous
situations, human beings have the capacity to adapt and survive. Therefore, there should be better
cooperation among parents, schools, and children themselves in the fight against the problem of obesity.
Grammar for the conclusion: unless/otherwise
These grammar structures are used to show what will happen if we do not start to solve the problem. Look
at these examples:

To sum up, in my view, the shortage of teachers in secondary schools is a serious problem, and
unless we can attract more talented young people into this kind of teaching, our children’s
education will start to suffer. Governments must take steps to deal with the problem as soon as
possible.

All in all, there is no doubt that obesity is an increasingly worrying issue, affecting both children and
adults. As I see it, governments, parents, and schools all have a role to play in tackling the problem.
Action must be taken urgently, otherwise our societies will face even greater health problems in
the future.

Practice 11:
Read the two conclusions above and find synonyms for the phrases in italics below.
1. in conclusion (two phrases)
2. in my opinion (two phrases)
3. start to solve the problem.
4. It is clear that….
5. A problem which is more and more serious
6. Government, parents, and schools should all do something.
7. We must act quickly.

Ms. Diem Duong – HANU English Department 20

 Practice 12:
Rewrite these sentences using unless or otherwise as shown in brackets.
1. If governments don’t spend money on improving public transport in big cities, traffic congestion will only
get worse and worse. (unless)
➔ ...................................................................................................................................................................
2. We must recycle more. If not, the amount of rubbish we throw away will get out of control. (otherwise)
➔ ....................................................................................................................................................................
3. If nothing is done to crack down on people who drop litter in the streets, our urban environment will
continue to be dirty and full of rubbish. (unless)
➔ ...................................................................................................................................................................
WRITING PRACTICE.
1. Guided writing practice:
Based on the following outline, write an essay on the following topic:
In some countries in the world, youths commonly commit crimes such as theft or even violence. What are
some causes of youth crime, and how does this affect the youths themselves and society as a whole?

Introduction: Paraphrase the question.

Thesis statement: Reasons & consequences
Body paragraph 1: Causes
1. Poor family life – lonely ➔ crime
2. Pressure from school – stress ➔ crime
3. Drugs – results of factors 1 & 2
Body paragraph 2: Effects
1. Youths join gangs - commit crimes – go to prison.
2. Society – people are frightened of gangs – demands more police.
Conclusion: Summarize main ideas & any thought/ comment/ recommendation, etc.

2. Homework
Write an essay on the following topic:
Recent research suggests that the majority of criminals who are sent to prison commit crimes after they
are released. Why is this the case? What can be done to solve this problem? (Write at least 250 words)
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Ms. Diem Duong – HANU English Department 21

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Ms. Diem Duong – HANU English Department 22