What the examiner is looking for
In problem-solution essays, the examiner is checking your ability to think critically. Can you identify real causes, propose realistic responses, and show the connection between them?
The golden rule: solutions must match problems
This is what separates Band 6 from Band 8 in problem-solution essays. Every solution you propose must directly address a specific problem you identified. If your problems and solutions could be swapped between essays without anyone noticing, they are too generic.
The most common mistake I see is students who write two good problems, then propose completely unrelated solutions. Problem: "young people are unhealthy." Solution: "the government should build more libraries." That tells the examiner you are writing from a template, not thinking. Every solution must clearly respond to a problem you already described.
How to recognise this question type
Problem-solution questions describe a negative situation and ask you to analyse it. Look at the orange text:
Now let us write one — step by step
Identify two causes. Then for each cause, think of a solution that directly addresses it. Write them as pairs — this ensures your essay has logical connections.
Traffic congestion has become a major issue in cities across the globe, affecting daily commutes, air quality, and overall quality of life. This essay will examine the primary causes of this problem and propose practical measures that could help to alleviate it.
Present two specific causes with explanation. Be precise — "too many cars" is vague. "The rapid growth of private car ownership due to affordable financing" is specific.
The most significant cause of urban traffic congestion is the rapid growth of private car ownership. As economies develop and car financing becomes more accessible, more families purchase personal vehicles, even in cities where road infrastructure has not expanded to match demand. In Istanbul, for instance, the number of registered vehicles has more than doubled in the past decade, while the road network has grown by less than 15%. A second contributing factor is poor urban planning, which forces large numbers of people to commute long distances between residential areas on the outskirts and workplaces concentrated in city centres.
Each solution must directly address one of the causes above. Use language that makes the connection explicit: "To address the issue of...", "In response to..."
To address the over-reliance on private cars, local governments could invest heavily in expanding public transport networks, making buses and metro systems more affordable, frequent, and reliable. When public transport offers a genuinely competitive alternative, many commuters will choose it voluntarily. To tackle the problem of poor urban planning, city authorities should encourage mixed-use development — building residential, commercial, and office spaces within the same neighbourhoods so that people can live closer to where they work. Cities such as Barcelona have demonstrated that redesigning urban zones can significantly reduce both commute times and traffic volume.
Notice: the first solution responds to the first cause (car ownership → public transport). The second solution responds to the second cause (urban planning → mixed-use development). The examiner can see the logical connections immediately.
In conclusion, traffic congestion is driven primarily by the rise in private car use and inadequate urban design. By investing in public transport and promoting mixed-use development, cities can address both root causes and create a more sustainable and liveable urban environment.
The difference this makes
"There are many problems like pollution and traffic. The government should do something about it. People should also try to help. If everyone works together, the problem will be solved."
"The rapid growth of private car ownership is the primary cause. To address this, local governments could invest in expanding public transport, making it a genuinely competitive alternative to driving."
The complete essay — all together
Traffic congestion has become a major issue in cities across the globe, affecting daily commutes, air quality, and overall quality of life. This essay will examine the primary causes of this problem and propose practical measures that could help to alleviate it.
The most significant cause of urban traffic congestion is the rapid growth of private car ownership. As economies develop and car financing becomes more accessible, more families purchase personal vehicles, even in cities where road infrastructure has not expanded to match demand. In Istanbul, for instance, the number of registered vehicles has more than doubled in the past decade, while the road network has grown by less than 15%. A second contributing factor is poor urban planning, which forces large numbers of people to commute long distances between residential areas on the outskirts and workplaces concentrated in city centres.
To address the over-reliance on private cars, local governments could invest heavily in expanding public transport networks, making buses and metro systems more affordable, frequent, and reliable. When public transport offers a genuinely competitive alternative, many commuters will choose it voluntarily. To tackle the problem of poor urban planning, city authorities should encourage mixed-use development — building residential, commercial, and office spaces within the same neighbourhoods so that people can live closer to where they work. Cities such as Barcelona have demonstrated that redesigning urban zones can significantly reduce both commute times and traffic volume.
In conclusion, traffic congestion is driven primarily by the rise in private car use and inadequate urban design. By investing in public transport and promoting mixed-use development, cities can address both root causes and create a more sustainable and liveable urban environment.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. This is one of the most important principles in a problem-solution essay. Each solution you propose should directly address a specific problem you identified. If you describe traffic congestion caused by too many private cars, your solution should address private car use — not something unrelated like building more schools. The examiner is checking whether you can think logically and make connections between causes and responses.
Two of each is the safest approach: two problems in body paragraph 1, and two matching solutions in body paragraph 2. This gives you enough to demonstrate range without spreading yourself too thin. The examiner values depth over quantity. Two well-developed, clearly linked problem-solution pairs will score higher than four superficial ones.
It depends on the question. If the question simply asks "What are the problems and what solutions can you suggest?", you do not need to state a personal opinion — your solutions are your response. However, if the question adds "What do you think is the most effective solution?", you must clearly state which solution you believe works best and why. Always read the question carefully.
Check the question wording. Some questions ask "What are the causes?" while others ask "What are the problems?" These are different. Causes are the reasons why something happens. Problems are the negative effects it creates. Answer exactly what is asked.
Yes, but make sure your solutions are realistic and specific. "The government should fix this" is too vague. "Local governments could invest in expanding bus and metro networks to provide affordable alternatives to private cars" is specific and actionable. You can also suggest solutions at different levels — government policy, community initiatives, and individual behaviour — to show range.