A problem-and-solution question asks you to identify specific problems and suggest ways to address them. A strong response explains a small number of relevant points instead of listing everything you can think of.
Common Problems to Avoid
- Writing generally about the topic instead of answering the specific question
- Listing many problems and solutions without explaining them
- Suggesting a solution that does not address the problem
- Using examples that are vague or unrelated
Choose one or two problems and solutions you can explain clearly. Link each solution to the problem it is meant to address.
Analyze the Prompt
Look for three parts:
- Topic words: the broad subject
- Focus words: the specific aspect the question asks about
- Instruction words: what the question requires you to do
For example:
Global temperatures are rising, and sea levels are increasing. What problems does this create for people, and what solutions could address them?
The broad topic is climate change. The focus is the effect of rising seas on people. The instructions ask for problems and solutions. An essay about animal habitats or the causes of climate change would not fully answer this prompt.
Choose and Match Your Ideas
For this question, you might plan:
- Problem: Coastal flooding can damage homes and businesses.
- Solution: Local authorities can improve flood barriers and drainage.
- Problem: Saltwater can contaminate farmland and freshwater supplies.
- Solution: Communities can protect water sources and adapt farming practices.
Choose points you can explain. Make sure each solution addresses a problem you have described.
A Four-Paragraph Structure
Introduction
- Restate the issue in your own words.
- Preview the problems and solutions you will discuss.
Body paragraph one: Problems
- Identify the main problems.
- Explain how they affect people.
- Include a relevant example.
Body paragraph two: Solutions
- Present responses to those problems.
- Explain how each response could help.
- Include a relevant example.
Conclusion
- Summarize the problems and solutions.
- Do not add a new main idea.
If the prompt asks for your opinion, state it in the introduction and return to it in the conclusion.
Sample Essay
Question:
Rising sea levels can affect communities around the world. What problems can this cause for people, and what solutions could help?
Rising sea levels threaten people who live in coastal areas. Flooding can damage homes and businesses, while saltwater can harm farmland and freshwater supplies. Communities can reduce these risks by improving coastal defences and protecting essential water sources.
One major problem is that repeated flooding can make homes and workplaces unsafe. Floodwater can damage buildings, roads, and electrical systems, forcing residents to leave while repairs take place. Saltwater can also seep into farmland and underground water supplies, making them harder to use. For example, a coastal town that floods during high tides may find that local wells become too salty to drink from.
Governments and communities can respond through both protection and planning. Stronger barriers, improved drainage, and restored coastal wetlands can reduce the amount of water reaching homes. Authorities can also protect freshwater supplies and help residents move away from areas that face repeated flooding. For instance, a town could raise key roads and relocate essential services to higher ground, helping residents reach clinics and shops during floods.
In conclusion, rising seas can damage property and threaten farmland and drinking water. Coastal protection, safer infrastructure, and careful planning can reduce these risks.
Develop Your Paragraphs
Each body paragraph should have one clear purpose. Start with the main point, explain why it matters, and support it with an example. Use examples that directly relate to the issue. A hypothetical example can help illustrate your reasoning, but present it as a possibility rather than a proven event.
Keep checking the prompt as you write. Every paragraph should contribute to answering it.