IELTS Task 2 Problem/Solution Essay:
Band 7+ Template (2026)

How Do I Write an IELTS Problem/Solution Essay?

Use a 4-paragraph structure: intro paraphrasing the problem, body 1 explaining 2 specific causes/problems with examples, body 2 proposing 2 corresponding solutions with concrete implementation, conclusion restating your recommendation. 280-300 words in 40 minutes. Address BOTH "what problems" AND "what solutions" — skipping either caps Task Response at Band 5.

The Problem/Solution Structure

``` ¶1 INTRODUCTION (50-60 words)

• Paraphrase the problem/question
• State the thesis: "This essay will examine the key causes and suggest practical solutions"

¶2 PROBLEMS / CAUSES (100-120 words)

• Topic sentence naming 2 main causes/problems
• Cause 1: explain + specific example
• Cause 2: explain + specific example

¶3 SOLUTIONS (100-120 words)

• Topic sentence linking solutions to problems
• Solution 1: specific action + who implements + expected impact
• Solution 2: specific action + who implements + expected impact

¶4 CONCLUSION (40-50 words)

• Restate the problem briefly
• Reinforce the two solutions
• Call to action / implication

```

Full Band 7.5 Sample — Problem/Solution

Prompt: "Obesity rates in many countries are rising rapidly. What are the causes of this and what can governments do to address it?"

Sample Answer (295 words)

Obesity has become one of the most pressing public health challenges of the twenty-first century, with rates climbing steadily across developed and developing nations alike. This essay will examine two major drivers of this trend and propose concrete measures governments can take to reverse it.

The first cause is the widespread availability of ultra-processed food, which is engineered to be hyper-palatable and inexpensive. Sugar-heavy snacks and ready meals now often cost less than fresh produce, making unhealthy options the default for low-income families. A recent study in the UK found that processed foods constitute over 55% of total daily calories for the bottom income quartile. Secondly, modern lifestyles have become increasingly sedentary, with desk-based employment and screen entertainment replacing physical activity. Children in particular now spend fewer hours outdoors than any previous generation.

To counter these drivers, governments should introduce targeted interventions on both the supply and demand side. On supply, implementing taxes on sugary drinks — following Mexico''s successful 10% sugar tax — would reduce consumption while generating revenue for health programmes. Additionally, subsidising fresh produce in low-income areas, as New York has trialled with its "Fresh Food Financing" initiative, would make healthy eating accessible. On the demand side, mandating daily physical activity in schools and redesigning urban planning to prioritise cycling and walking infrastructure would rebuild active lifestyles. Copenhagen''s 40% bicycle commute rate demonstrates what integrated urban policy can achieve.

In conclusion, rising obesity stems from a combination of ultra-processed food accessibility and sedentary lifestyles, both requiring government-level intervention. Through combined taxation, subsidies, and infrastructure investment, meaningful progress is achievable within a generation. The longer governments delay, the more health systems will bear the costs of inaction.

Why This Gets Band 7.5

1. TA: Addresses both "causes" and "solutions" with 2 specific items each; clear position throughout
2. CC: Logical flow, topic sentences, cohesive devices ("Secondly," "Additionally," "In conclusion")
3. LR: Less-common vocabulary (drivers, trial, quartile, subsidise, trialled, bear the costs)
4. GRA: Complex sentences with relative clauses, passive voice ("has become"), varied openers

5 Problem/Solution Mistakes

1. Only 1 problem or 1 solution — Band 5 Task Response
2. Vague solutions ("people should exercise more") — Band 6. Need specifics: who, how, expected impact
3. No examples — generalisations = Band 6
4. Problems and solutions don''t match — Band 6
5. Not stating position clearly — ambiguity = -1 band

The "Match" Rule for Solutions

Every solution must address a specific problem from body 1. If you wrote "ultra-processed food availability" as problem 1, your solution 1 must target that directly (sugar tax, subsidised fresh produce, not something unrelated).

40-Minute Time Budget

• Min 0-5: Read prompt carefully, brainstorm 2 causes + 2 matched solutions
• Min 5-10: Introduction (50-60 words)
• Min 10-20: Body 1 problems (100-120 words)
• Min 20-30: Body 2 solutions (100-120 words)
• Min 30-35: Conclusion (40-50 words)
• Min 35-40: Proofread articles, plurals, tenses

7 Band 7.5+ Connectives for Problem/Solution

1. "One of the primary drivers is..."
2. "This has been exacerbated by..."
3. "To counter this, governments should..."
4. "A case in point is..."
5. "This approach could be complemented by..."
6. "In the long run, this would..."
7. "The alternative is far worse: inaction would lead to..."

FAQ

Q: How many problems and solutions do I need? A: 2 problems + 2 matched solutions. Don''t do 3+3 — you''ll exceed word count.

Q: Can problems and solutions be in separate paragraphs? A: Yes — recommended structure: body 1 = problems, body 2 = solutions.

Q: What if I have more problems than solutions? A: Don''t — match exactly. Every problem needs a solution; every solution addresses a problem.

Q: Do I need to agree or disagree? A: No — problem/solution isn''t agree/disagree. You''re diagnosing and prescribing.

Q: What tense for problems/solutions? A: Present simple for current problems; modal verbs (should, could, would) for proposed solutions.

Q: Are problem/solution essays common? A: Yes — appears in ~20% of Task 2 prompts, especially on environment, health, technology, education.

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