IELTS Problem Solution Essay: How to Propose Solutions

Quick Answer: A strong problem-solution essay identifies 1–2 realistic, specific solutions and explains how they work, why they solve the problem, and what the expected outcomes are. Avoid vague suggestions like “the government should do something” – instead, give concrete steps (e.g., “build dedicated cycling lanes” or “introduce congestion pricing”). The key is to show the examiner you can think logically about cause-and-effect.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Problem-Solution Essay

How to Brainstorm and Choose Solutions

Structuring Your Body Paragraphs for Solutions

Language for Proposing Solutions

Band Score Comparison Table

Sample Answers (Band 7, 8, 9)

Understanding the Problem-Solution Essay

The IELTS Writing Task 2 problem-solution essay asks you to discuss a social, environmental, or technological problem and propose one or more solutions. The phrasing often looks like:

“What are the causes of this problem? What solutions can you suggest?”

“What problems does this cause? How can these problems be solved?”

Many candidates focus heavily on describing the problem and forget that the solutions are what the examiner really wants to see. Proposing solutions is not just about listing ideas – you must explain the mechanism: how the solution fixes the problem, and what the result will be.

How to Brainstorm and Choose Solutions

1. Use the “People, Government, Companies” framework

When brainstorming, think of three possible agents of change:

Agent	Example solution
Individuals	Change daily habits (e.g., use public transport)
Government	Pass laws, invest in infrastructure
Companies/Businesses	Adopt eco-friendly practices, offer incentives

2. Apply the ACED criteria

A strong solution is:

Actionable – can be realistically carried out.

Clear – specific, not vague.

Effective – directly addresses the root cause.

Demonstrable – you can describe how it works.

Bad example: “We should raise awareness.” (vague, unclear mechanism) Good example: “The government should launch a nationwide media campaign to encourage carpooling, offering tax credits for participants.” (actionable, clear, effective)

3. Limit yourself to 2 solutions

In a 250–300 word essay, it’s better to develop two solutions in depth than to list four superficially. Each solution gets its own body paragraph.

Structuring Your Body Paragraphs for Solutions

Each solution paragraph should follow the P.E.E.D. pattern:

Step	Meaning	Example
Propose	State the solution in one sentence	“One effective solution is to introduce a congestion charge for vehicles entering city centres.”
Explain	Show how it works in practice	“Drivers would pay a fee (e.g., $10 per day) during peak hours, monitored by automatic number plate recognition cameras.”
Evaluate	Discuss why it solves the problem	“This higher cost would discourage unnecessary car use, reduce traffic volume, and fund public transport improvements.”
Develop	Add a consequence or example	“A similar scheme in London cut congestion by 30% and raised billions for bus and bike infrastructure.”

If you have two solutions, write two body paragraphs. The introduction should briefly mention the problem, and the conclusion should summarise the solutions and their impact.

Language for Proposing Solutions

Use these phrases to show range:

To introduce a solution:

“One viable solution is to…”

“The government could take steps such as…”

“Individuals can play a part by…”

To explain how it works:

“This would involve…”

“For example, a policy could require…”

“This measure works by…”

To evaluate effectiveness:

“As a result, … would be reduced.”

“This approach has been proven to…”

“Consequently, … could be alleviated.”

Avoid overusing “should” – mix in modal verbs like “could”, “can”, “might” and conditionals like “If X then Y”.

Band Score Comparison Table

Band	What Examiner Wants (for solution paragraphs)
6	Solutions are mentioned but vague (e.g., “we need to do something”). Little explanation of how they work. Some repetition of ideas.
7	Two clear solutions with some development. You explain what and why, but may lack specific examples or details. Good use of linking words.
8	Solutions are concrete, well-developed, with specific examples (e.g., countries, statistics). You evaluate advantages and anticipate minor drawbacks. Coherent paragraph flow.
9	Solutions are sophisticated, multi-faceted, and critically evaluated. You show awareness of limitations and suggest complementary actions. Language is precise and idiomatic.

Sample Answers

Question: Traffic congestion in cities is becoming a serious problem. What are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?

The following extracts focus only on the solution paragraphs.

Band 7

One solution is for the government to improve public transport. If buses and trains are cheaper and more frequent, people will choose them over cars. This would reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Another solution is to encourage cycling by building more bike lanes. This is a healthy and eco-friendly option. These measures could help to ease congestion.

Analysis: Clear solutions, but lacks specific details (e.g., how to make transport cheaper, names of cities that succeeded).

Band 8

A practical solution is to implement a congestion charge – a fee for driving into city centres during peak hours. For example, London introduced a £15 daily charge in 2003, which reduced traffic by around 30% and raised revenue for public transport. The mechanism is simple: cameras record licence plates, and drivers pay online. This directly discourages unnecessary car trips.

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Simultaneously, cities should invest in safe, segregated bicycle lanes and bike-sharing schemes. In Copenhagen, over 60% of commuters cycle because dedicated lanes make it safe. This not only cuts congestion but also improves public health and reduces pollution.

Analysis: Solutions are specific, include examples, and explain the mechanism. Good evaluation of benefits.

Band 9

One highly effective solution is the introduction of a congestion pricing system, akin to the one operating successfully in London. The policy charges vehicles a fee when entering the central zone during peak hours, with exemptions for electric cars and residents. This price mechanism shifts demand: trips that are not essential or cannot be shared are postponed or rerouted. The resulting reduction in traffic volume – typically 15–30% – also cuts emissions and travel times. Furthermore, the revenue can be reinvested into expanding metro lines and subsidising bus fares, creating a virtuous cycle of sustainable mobility.

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A complementary, longer-term solution involves redesigning urban spaces to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists over cars. Instead of merely adding bike lanes, cities could create ‘car-free’ zones in commercial areas, provide secure bike parking, and integrate cycling with public transport (e.g., bike racks on buses). Such holistic changes, seen in cities like Amsterdam, transform commuting habits. Crucially, this approach addresses both the symptom (congestion) and the root cause (car dependency) by offering viable alternatives that are often faster and cheaper.

Analysis: Solutions are multi-layered, include cause-and-effect reasoning, and show awareness of complementarity. Language is precise (e.g., “price mechanism shifts demand”, “virtuous cycle”). Evaluates both short- and long-term impact.

Common Mistakes

❌Proposing only one vague solution – e.g., “the government should do something.” The examiner cannot assess vague ideas.

❌Forgetting to link solution to problem – e.g., suggesting “plant trees” when the problem is traffic congestion. The solution must match the cause.

❌Ignoring feasibility – e.g., “ban all cars tomorrow.” Unrealistic solutions lose marks for task response.

❌Writing a “shopping list” – listing three solutions in one paragraph without developing any. Each solution needs its own paragraph.

Top Tips

💡 Use conditional structures – “If the government raises the tax on petrol, then people will drive less.” This shows you understand cause and effect.

💡 Always evaluate your solution – after proposing it, ask “Why will this work?” and “What positive outcome will follow?” Include at least one sentence of evaluation per solution.

💡 Use real-world examples – mention a specific city, policy, or study. This boosts Task Response and Lexical Resource scores.

Resources

Check out IELTS Active for practice tests and study materials. Their writing task 2 guides include sample essays with examiner comments.

FAQ

Q: How many solutions should I write? A: For a 250-word essay, aim for two solutions – one body paragraph each. If you have a 300-word limit, you can include a third, but develop it less. Never write more than three. Q: Can I propose a solution that seems unrealistic? A: Avoid obviously impractical ideas (e.g., “ban all private cars”). The examiner wants realistic, implementable actions. If you want to propose a bold idea, explain how it could be phased in over time. Q: Do I need to discuss the problem in the solution paragraphs? A: Only briefly – mention the problem only to show why the solution is needed. The focus must stay on the solution itself. Problem details belong in the introduction or cause paragraphs. Q: What vocabulary is best for proposing solutions? A: Use a mix of verbs like implement, introduce, adopt, enforce, launch, invest in, promote and nouns like measure, scheme, initiative, policy, approach. Avoid repetition.

Key Takeaways

✅Propose 2 specific, realistic solutions and develop each in a separate paragraph.

✅Use the P.E.E.D. structure: Propose → Explain → Evaluate → Develop.

✅Include a real-world example for at least one solution to boost task response.

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