1. Problem and Solution Essay

2. How to write a problem and solution essay
This is where you have to explain the main cause(s) of a common social problem, then give some solution to it.
Common topics:
Junk food and obesity
Crime
Water shortage
Environmental problems
Problems in cities (e.g. transport, overcrowding)
Problems in schools
Overstress in modern life

3. Essay Outline Outline in 5 paragraphs Introduction
Cause 1+ explanation + Example (where possible) + solution and result
Cause 2+ explanation + Example (where possible)
solution and result
Cause 3+ explanation + Example (where possible)
A short conclusion + your views on the topic

4. A starting Plan
Make a plan before you start. It’s a good idea to organize the body of the essay like this:
Cause 1+ solution 1
Cause 2 + solution 2
Cause 3 + solution 3
Each should be in a separate paragraph

5. Example
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?

6. Collocation for writing about education
Cross out the phrases in each list that does not form a collocation with the word in bold.
go to/ do/ leave/ skip school
suffer from a/ rack up a bag/ get into/ be burdened with debt
make/ sit/ resit/ pass/ fail/ take an exam
take out a/ get a student/ borrow a/ pay back a loan
cram for/ write/ do badly in/ revise for an exam

7. Write three questions for a class mate using the collocations you made.
Example: Have you ever had to resit an exam?

8. When you write essays, you need to use the correct style
When you write essays, you need to use the correct style. You can learn and practise some phrases to talk about solutions. These will help your writing to be more academic and better structured.

9. Unjumble these phrases for introducing solutions.
solution/ to/ a/ is/ government/ for/the/…
problem/ people/ tackle/ should/ this/ to/ …
forward/ be/ might/ way/ the/ to/ …
problem/ addressed/ by/ this/ could// be/ …
involves/ with/ dealing/ issue/ this/ …

10. Choose two of the phrases you made , and write down two more solutions to the problem outlined in this essay question. All over the world, societies are facing a growing problem with obesity. This problem affects both children and adults. What are the reasons for this rise in obesity? How could it be tackled? Example: A solution is for the government to increase tax on unhealthy food.

11. Task Water shortages. Violent crime in cities Traffic congestion
Write down a few solutions to each of these problems, then compare your ideas with a partner.
Water shortages.
Violent crime in cities
Traffic congestion

12. Read this paragraph written by a candidate then discuss the questions below.
One of the reasons so many people are obese is that they eat junk food, like hamburgers, chips or fried chicken. The solution is for the government to increase tax on this kind of unhealthy food.
Is the paragraph long enough? How many words should be in a good paragraph?
What is missing from the paragraph?
3. How could you improve it?

13. Order the following paragraph
This would hopefully encourage consumers to buy healthier food and therefore lose weight._____
It is common these days for people to eat takeaway food or pick up a ready meal from the supermarket, rather than cook a healthy meal. _____
One of the reasons that so many people are overweight is that they eat junk food instead of cooking a healthy meal. _1_
To address this issue, the government could increase sales tax on food considered to be unhealthy. _____
For instance, in the UK, sales of pre-prepared meals, which contain high levels of fat and salt, have increased dramatically in the last few years. ____

14. Your body paragraphs should include the following:
The solution to the problem
The main idea of the paragraph
An example
A supporting sentence, which explain the main idea
The result of the solution (what would happen if we tried the solution)

15. Phrases for introductions
The introduction of your essay is your first chance to show the examiner how good your writing is. Complete the following introduction with suitable words Over the last few years, it _______ less common for people to become teachers. Today, graduates often _______ teaching as an unattractive job, and many people _______ to do other jobs instead. In my country, the problem _______ worse, and it is important to take steps to make teaching more attractive. This essay will look at the main causes of the problem, and propose some solutions.

16. Answer
Over the last few years, it _is becoming_ less common for people to become teachers. Today, graduates often _consider_ teaching as an unattractive job, and many people _want_ to do other jobs instead. In my country, the problem _is becoming_ worse, and it is important to take steps to make teaching more attractive. This essay will look at the main causes of the problem, and propose some solutions.

17. More phrases It is clear that _______ is becoming more/ less popular.
Most people _______(say) that they _____ too much.
There is no doubt that ______ all the time.
In the last decade, the number of people ______ (rise/fall) sharply.
Recently, it has become evident that ______ rates are a serious problem, affecting both adults and children.
These days, governments and the public alike are very aware that the issue of _______ needs to be tackled urgently.
Nowadays, fewer people ________

18. Contrasting ideas
When you write an essay, you need to contrast different ideas. This will make your writing more academic, and show you can consider different points of views.

19. Look at these two contrasting ideas about teaching, then rewrite them using the linking words given below.
Teaching can sometimes be a tiring and stressful job, but it is generally very satisfying.
Although
However
Nonetheless

20. Answers
Although teaching can sometimes be a tiring and stressful job, it is generally very satisfying.
Teaching can sometimes be a tiring and stressful job. However, it is generally very satisfying.
Teaching can sometimes be a tiring and stressful job. Nonetheless, it is generally very satisfying.

21. Task Try these out using (nonetheless/ however/ although)
I sometimes eat junk food, but generally speaking, my diet is quite healthy.
My home town is really small, but there are lots of things to do.
It is expensive to fly business class. It’s worth it, because it’s so comfortable.

22. Contrast in opinion
It is very common to use these linking phrases to give your opinion.
Although it is true that teachers work long hours, I believe that teaching is a very worthwhile and important job.
Many people say that living alone can be difficult and lonely. Nonetheless, I think that there are more advantages of having your own place, such as being able to do whatever you like.

23. Task Complete these sentences with suitable endings.
Although it is true that studying abroad can be expensive, I think…..
It is clear that prison is the best punishment for serious crimes, such as murder. However…..
To sum up, it is true that working from home has some advantages, such as not having to travel to work every day. Nonetheless, my view is ….

24. Linking phrases are often used in conclusions to show that you have considered the question carefully and that you understand different points of view. To sum up, although it is true that exams can be stressful for children, I think that they are the best and the fairest way to accurately assess students’ progress.

25. Task
Join these ideas together to form a conclusion using although, however or nonetheless.
Going travelling for a year before university is expensive. It can open your mind to new ideas.
Living in a big city can be stressful. It is more exciting than living in a small town.
Obesity is a very serious problem. It is not too late to do something about it.

26. Task
Many schools these days have problems with poor student behavior. Why do you think these problems occur? What could be done to tackle these problems.

27. Task
All over the world, societies are facing a growing problem with obesity. This problem affects both children and adults. What are the reasons for this rise in obesity? How could it be tackled?