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ELTS Writing Task 2. Problem and Solution Essay

В этом уроке вы узнаете, как писать IELTS Writing Task 2 Problem and Solution essay. Вы должны уметь представить проблему, объяснить, чем может быть вызвана данная проблема и предложить эффективные пути ее решения. 

 Вы узнаете, как генерировать аргументы и поддерживающие детали, познакомитесь со структурой эссе, полезными фразами и шаблоном высказывания.

 

Analysing the Question

We analyse the question by thinking about three things:
  • · keywords
  • · micro-keywords
  • · action words

  • o Keywords are the words that tell us what the general topic is.
  • o Micro-keywords identify which part of the general topic the examiner wants you to talk about. They often give an opinion, qualify the statement or talk about a sub-category of the bigger general topic.
  • o Action words tell us what the examiner wants us to do.

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Problem Solution Sample Essay

Global warming is one of the biggest threats humans face in the 21st Century and sea levels are continuing to rise at alarming rates. 
What problems are associated with this and what are some possible solutions
Ø Keywords are ‘global warming‘. This is general topic you are going to write about.
Ø The micro-keywords are ‘humans‘ and ‘sea level rise‘. we have to talk about how particularly sea level rises will affect humans
Ø The action words are problems and solutions. Our task is, therefore, to write about that and only that.

Problems and solutions

There are several problems and solutions including:
  • Problem: flooding of people’s homes and businesses
  • Solution: build flood barriers or move to higher areas
  • Problem: loss of agricultural land and starvation
  • Solution: switch to more suitable crops
  • Problem: displacement of millions of people
  • Solution: move people in a planned and orderly way before the floods
  • Problem: groundwater undrinkable
  • Solution: build desalination plants
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STRUCTURE

Introduction 
  • Sentence 1- Paraphrase question
  • Sentence 2- Outline sentence (say what you will discuss in the rest of the essay)
Problem 
  • Sentence 3- State problem
  • Sentence 4- Explain what problem is
  • Sentence 5- What is the result of this problem
  • Sentence 6- Example
Solution
  • Sentence 7- State solution
  • Sentence 8- Explain how the solution will solve the problem
  • Sentence 9- Example
Conclusion 
  • Sentence 10- Summary of main points in paragraphs 2 and 3
  • Sentence 11- Prediction or recommendation
___________________________________________________________
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Model Answer

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Introduction 

Sentence 1- Paraphrase question
Climate change is among the principal dangers facing people this century and ocean levels are increasing dramatically.
Sentence 2- Outline sentence
This essay will first suggest that the biggest problem caused by this phenomenon is the flooding of homes and then submit building flood protection as the most viable solution.
Our introduction will, therefore, look like this:
Climate change is among the principal dangers facing people this century and ocean levels are increasing dramatically. This essay will first suggest that the biggest problem caused by this phenomenon is the flooding of homes and then submit building flood protection as the most viable solution.
___________________________________________________________
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Problems paragraph

  • Sentence 1- State problem
One of the main problems caused by climbing sea levels is the flooding of peoples’ residences.
  • Sentence 2- Explain what problem is.
Millions of people all over the world live in coastal areas and if the sea rises by even a few feet, they will be inundated with water and lose their property.
  • Sentence 3- What is the result of this problem
Result: Shelter is one of the most basic of human needs and widespread flooding would cause millions of people to become homeless, not to mention losing all their possessions.
  • Sentence 4- Example
Example: The devastation brought about by widespread flooding was clear for all to see during the 2011 Tsunami in Japan, in which millions of people were displaced.
Our second paragraph will look like this:
The foremost problem caused by sea levels creeping up is the flooding of peoples’ residences. Millions of people all over the world live in coastal areas and if the sea rises by even a few feet, they will be inundated with water and lose their property. Shelter is one of the most basic of human needs and widespread flooding would cause millions of people to become homeless, not to mention losing all their possessions. The devastation brought about by this was clear for all to see during the 2011 Tsunami in Japan, in which millions of people were displaced.
___________________________________________________________
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Solutions Paragraph

Our solutions paragraph will have this structure:
Sentence 1- State solution
A possible solution to this problem would be to build flood barriers.
Sentence 2- Explain how the solution will solve the problem
Flood defences, such as dikes, dams, and floodgates,  could be built along coasts and waterways, thereby stopping the water reaching populated areas.
Sentence 3- Example
The Netherlands is one of the most populated areas in the world and also one of the most vulnerable to flooding and they have successfully employed various flood defence systems.
Our whole solutions paragraph will look like this:
A possible solution to this problem would be to build flood barriers. Flood defences, such as dikes, dams, and floodgates, could be built along coasts and waterways, thereby stopping the water reaching populated areas. The Netherlands is one of the most populated areas in the world and also one of the most vulnerable to flooding and they have successfully employed various flood defence systems
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Conclusion

The conclusion should have no new ideas but instead should simply list the main points from the previous two paragraphs. You can also use synonyms in this paragraph to avoid repetition.
To conclude, stemming the rising tides caused by increasing global temperatures is one of the foremost challenges we face and it will ultimately lead to many of the worlds’ cities being left underwater. But a possible solution could be to utilise the flood prevention techniques already used by countries like Holland.
Prediction: It is predicted that more and more countries will be forced to take such measures to avoid a watery catastrophe.
Our whole conclusion for this problem solution essay will look like this:
To conclude, stemming the rising tides caused by increasing global temperatures is one of the foremost challenges we face and it will ultimately lead to many of the worlds’ cities being left underwater, but a possible solution could be to utilise the flood prevention techniques already used by countries like Holland. It is predicted that more and more countries will be forced to take such measures to avoid a watery catastrophe.
___________________________________________________________

Key phrases for introducing problems and giving solutions

  • Problem : One of the main reasons for….. Solution: To tackle this issue…..
  • Problem: Another problem to consider is…. Solution: One possible solution is….
  • Problem: One main cause for……. Solution: The way forward could be to…..
Examples for introducing problems:
One of the main reasons for people becoming overweight these days is that they are eating junk food, ready meals and convenience food…
Another problem that needs to be considered is lack of exercise…..
Examples of cohesive devices to conclude.
  • In conclusion
  • To sum up
  • To conclude 
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Types of Essay 

Both views essay  
Both views essay  
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages and Disadvantages
Opinion essay 
Opinion essay 
Cause and effect
Cause and effect

Материал для подготовки к IELTS  

IELTS Academic Writing Masterclass course

The course is structured in the following way:

  • You are given a video lesson with step to step processes and instructions, including structures, grammar vocabulary and helpful tips.
  • Then you are presented practical tasks as your assignment. That is the most important part of the course, You are completing the task Following the instructions in the videos to write your high scoring report or essay.
  • Then you send it for evaluation and feedback.
  • You will be shown where you are doing well and what needs improving.

IELTS Academic Writing Course presentation

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IELTS Academic  Practice Tests