⚡ TL;DRProblem/solution essays ask you to identify causes or problems related to an issue, then propose realistic solutions. The prompt may ask “What are the problems and what solutions can you suggest?” or “What are the causes and effects?” You must address every part of the question to score well on Task Response.
Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
How to Recognise This Question Type
Look for: “What problems does this cause and what solutions can you suggest?”, “What are the causes of this problem? What measures could be taken?”, or “Why is this happening? What can be done to address it?”
Recommended Structure
| Paragraph | Purpose | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase the issue. State that you will discuss problems and solutions. | 2–3 sentences |
| Body 1: Problems/Causes | Identify 2–3 specific problems or causes with explanation and examples. | Be specific — vague problems lead to vague solutions |
| Body 2: Solutions | Propose 2–3 realistic solutions that directly address the problems you identified. | Match each solution to a specific problem |
| Conclusion | Summarise the main problems and solutions. Optionally state which solution you consider most effective. | 2 sentences |
How to Develop Strong Solutions
The most common weakness in problem/solution essays is proposing solutions that are too vague or unrealistic. Strong solutions are:
- Specific: “Governments could subsidise public transport fares by 50% during peak hours” beats “Governments should do something about transport.”
- Directly linked to a problem: If you identified overcrowding as a problem, your solution should address overcrowding — not a different issue.
- Realistic: “Ban all cars from cities” is not realistic. “Introduce congestion pricing in city centres” is.
- Attributed to someone: State who should implement the solution — governments, schools, employers, individuals.
Useful Language
Describing problems: “One of the primary issues is…”, “A significant concern is…”, “This often leads to…”, “As a consequence…”
Proposing solutions: “One effective measure would be to…”, “This problem could be mitigated by…”, “A practical solution is for [actor] to…”, “In order to address this, [actor] should…”
⚠️ Watch for two-part prompts. Some questions ask “What are the causes AND effects?” rather than “problems and solutions.” Read the prompt carefully and answer exactly what is asked.
Explore Other Essay Types
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Identify 2–3 specific problems/causes, then propose 2–3 matching solutions.
- Each solution should directly address a problem you identified — don’t introduce unrelated fixes.
- State who should implement each solution (government, schools, individuals).
- Read the prompt carefully: “causes and effects” is different from “problems and solutions.”