What does this question look like?
Problem / Solution
A Problem/Solution question describes a problem and asks you to identify its causes and propose solutions. Look for phrasing like “What are the causes of this problem, and what solutions can you suggest?” or “What problems does this cause, and how can they be solved?”
What it’s actually asking
Read carefully — causes and problems are not the same thing
Some Problem/Solution questions ask you to identify the causes of a problem and propose solutions. Others present a situation and ask what problems it causes, then how those problems can be solved. These are genuinely different tasks, and answering the wrong one — explaining causes when problems were asked for, or the reverse — means part of the task goes unaddressed.
A common misunderstanding
Jumping straight to solutions.
A strong response genuinely addresses causes (or problems) before moving to solutions. Solutions offered without any real explanation of what they’re solving tend to feel disconnected from the essay’s argument.
Breaking down the question
Confirm exactly what you’re being asked to explain
The situation
What’s actually happening?
Identify the specific situation or trend the question describes.
Causes, or problems?
Which direction does it ask for?
Confirm whether you’re explaining what causes this situation, or what problems it creates.
Solutions
What kind of solution is expected?
Note whether the question asks for realistic, practical solutions or is open to broader ideas.
Planning your response
Pair each cause or problem with its own solution
Choose Two Causes or Problems
Select two distinct, well-supported causes or problems rather than a long, shallow list.
Match Each One With a Realistic Solution
Pair each cause or problem with a solution that directly addresses it — not a generic solution that could apply to anything.
A practical tip
One popular, effective structure: cause, then solution, per paragraph.
Rather than one paragraph of causes followed by one paragraph of solutions, many strong essays pair a cause with its solution in the same paragraph — making the connection between them explicit rather than leaving the reader to infer it.
See it in practice
Sample Question and Sample Answer
The example below is original and written for teaching purposes.
Sample Question
Traffic congestion is a growing problem in many major cities.
What are the causes of this problem, and what solutions can you suggest?
Sample Answer (Introduction and one Body Paragraph)
Soft Introduction
Traffic congestion has become an increasingly serious issue in cities around the world. Several factors contribute to this problem, but practical solutions are available if implemented consistently.
Hard Body Paragraph (Cause and Solution)
One major cause is the continued reliance on private vehicles for short journeys that could easily be made on foot or by bicycle. In many cities, poor cycling infrastructure discourages residents from choosing these alternatives even when distances are short. Investing in protected cycling lanes, as several European cities have successfully done, could meaningfully reduce the number of short car journeys and ease pressure on road networks.
Why the Sample Works
Cause and solution, directly connected
The paragraph identifies a specific cause (poor cycling infrastructure discouraging alternatives to short car journeys) and proposes a solution that directly addresses that exact cause, backed by a real-world reference, rather than a generic suggestion unrelated to the cause identified.
Ready for the next step?
Explore the final question type.
Two-Part / Direct Questions
Learn how to answer two related questions fully and separately.
Structuring Your Essay
Review the soft/hard/soft OREO framework that applies to every Task 2 essay.