IELTS Writing Task 2 — Problem–Solution Essay

IELTS Writing Task 2 — Problem–Solution Essay

Band 8+ Template + 5 Fresh Practice Questions & Samples

Problem–Solution Template

Introduction:

In this globalised era, __________ has had a strong influence on people's lives. The following paragraphs aim to examine some of the major difficulties associated with __________ along with suggesting practical remedies and examples.

Body Paragraph 1:

Starting with the problems, a major concern arising from this situation is __________. As __________, it leads to __________. Illustrating this with a real-life situation, __________. Having identified this difficulty, a suitable measure can be __________. As a result of this, __________.

Another significant issue related to this is __________. Because __________, it gives rise to __________. A worthwhile step to tackle this problem is __________. By doing this, __________. For example, __________.

Conclusion:

Ending the discussion, although __________ creates several challenges, these can be substantially reduced through timely and well-planned interventions that address both the immediate effects and their underlying causes.

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QUESTION 1 — Digital Memory & Everyday Life

In many countries, people increasingly rely on digital devices to remember appointments, directions, passwords and other everyday information. What problems can this cause, and what solutions can be introduced?

Band 8+ Sample

In this technology-driven era, digital dependence has had a strong influence on people's everyday habits. The following paragraphs aim to examine some of the major difficulties associated with relying heavily on electronic memory aids along with suggesting practical remedies and examples.

Starting with the problems, a major concern arising from this situation is weakened mental recall. As individuals increasingly outsource routine information to applications, it leads to less frequent use of their natural memory. Illustrating this with a real-life situation, a commuter who routinely follows a navigation application may struggle to remember familiar routes when the phone battery dies. Having identified this difficulty, a suitable measure can be encouraging people to perform certain memory-based activities without technological assistance. As a result of this, mental recall could gradually become stronger.

Another significant issue related to this is vulnerability during technical failures. Because important passwords, addresses and schedules may be stored exclusively on electronic platforms, it gives rise to serious inconvenience when devices malfunction or accounts become inaccessible. A worthwhile step to tackle this problem is maintaining secure offline records of essential information. By doing this, individuals would retain access to crucial details during unexpected disruptions. For example, a traveller could keep a printed emergency contact card and a handwritten list of essential addresses in a secure part of their luggage.

Ending the discussion, although excessive reliance on digital memory creates several challenges, these can be substantially reduced through balanced technology use and simple offline alternatives that preserve individual independence.

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QUESTION 2 — Disappearance of Repair Skills

In some societies, people increasingly replace damaged household items instead of repairing them. What problems can this trend create, and what measures could encourage people to repair products?

Band 8+ Sample

In this consumer-oriented era, changing attitudes towards damaged possessions have had a strong influence on household behaviour. The following paragraphs aim to examine some of the major difficulties associated with routinely replacing usable products along with suggesting practical remedies and examples.

Starting with the problems, a major concern arising from this situation is the rapid accumulation of household waste. As functioning components are discarded merely because one part has stopped working, it leads to unnecessary pressure on waste-management systems. Illustrating this with a real-life situation, a family might throw away a washing machine because its pump has failed, even though the motor and drum remain functional. Having identified this difficulty, a suitable measure can be providing financial incentives for professional repair services. As a result, consumers would have a stronger reason to restore faulty appliances rather than dispose of them.

Another significant issue related to this is the gradual loss of practical skills. Because younger generations have fewer opportunities to observe people fixing electrical items, furniture or clothing, it gives rise to dependence on replacement products. A worthwhile step to tackle this problem is establishing community repair workshops where residents can learn basic maintenance. By doing this, useful knowledge could be transferred between generations. For example, a local centre could hold monthly sessions in which retired technicians teach residents how to replace appliance components or mend damaged furniture.

Ending the discussion, although the throwaway culture creates several challenges, these can be substantially reduced through accessible repair services, financial encouragement and practical education.

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QUESTION 3 — Loss of Quiet Public Spaces

Many urban areas are becoming increasingly noisy because of traffic, construction and commercial activities. What problems does this create for residents, and what solutions can cities introduce?

Band 8+ Sample

In this rapidly developing era, urban expansion has had a strong influence on the acoustic environment of residential areas. The following paragraphs aim to examine some of the major difficulties associated with persistent city noise along with suggesting practical remedies and examples.

Starting with the problems, a major concern arising from this situation is disrupted sleep and reduced concentration. As residents are repeatedly exposed to traffic, construction and commercial sounds, it leads to fatigue and difficulty performing everyday tasks effectively. Illustrating this with a real-life situation, a person living beside a major road may be awakened by delivery vehicles before sunrise and subsequently struggle to concentrate at work. Having identified this difficulty, a suitable measure can be establishing enforceable quiet-hour regulations. As a result, residents would have predictable periods during which they could rest without excessive disturbance.

Another significant issue related to this is the disappearance of peaceful communal environments. Because many vacant areas are converted into commercial developments, it gives rise to fewer locations where residents can escape constant background noise. A worthwhile step to tackle this problem is designing dedicated low-noise zones containing vegetation and sound-absorbing infrastructure. By doing this, municipalities could provide accessible spaces for relaxation. For example, a former industrial plot could be transformed into a tree-lined public garden with restrictions on amplified music and heavy vehicles.

Ending the discussion, although excessive urban noise creates several challenges, these can be substantially reduced through enforceable regulations and deliberate planning that protects quieter residential and recreational areas.

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QUESTION 4 — Food Delivery Packaging

The rapid growth of food-delivery services has resulted in a large amount of disposable packaging being thrown away. What problems does this create, and what solutions can businesses and consumers adopt?

Band 8+ Sample

In this convenience-focused era, app-based food services have had a strong influence on eating habits. The following paragraphs aim to examine some of the major difficulties associated with the resulting packaging waste along with suggesting practical remedies and examples.

Starting with the problems, a major concern arising from this situation is the growing volume of non-recyclable rubbish. As individual meals are frequently accompanied by containers, sachets, cutlery and protective wrapping, it leads to excessive material entering household waste streams. Illustrating this with a real-life situation, a family ordering four separate meals may receive several plastic containers and numerous small condiment packets despite needing only a few of them. Having identified this difficulty, a suitable measure can be introducing deposit-based reusable containers. As a result, customers would return packaging instead of automatically discarding it.

Another significant issue related to this is contamination during recycling. Because food residue often remains inside containers, it gives rise to difficulties for sorting and processing facilities. A worthwhile step to tackle this problem is requiring restaurants to use clearly labelled, easily washable containers and offer customers an opt-out choice for unnecessary accessories. By doing this, the amount of difficult-to-process waste could be reduced considerably. For example, a restaurant could allow customers to request cutlery and sauces only when they genuinely need them, rather than including them with every order.

Ending the discussion, although the expansion of meal-delivery services creates several environmental challenges, these can be substantially reduced through reusable packaging systems and more responsible purchasing habits.

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QUESTION 5 — Loss of Local Night-Time Businesses

In some communities, small independent businesses are disappearing because people increasingly shop through large online platforms. What problems can this cause, and what measures could help local businesses survive?

Band 8+ Sample

In this increasingly digital marketplace, online retail has had a strong influence on consumers' purchasing behaviour. The following paragraphs aim to examine some of the major difficulties associated with the decline of independent shops along with suggesting practical remedies and examples.

Starting with the problems, a major concern arising from this situation is the weakening of local economic networks. As consumers transfer more of their spending to large digital companies, it leads to reduced revenue for neighbourhood retailers and service providers. Illustrating this with a real-life situation, an independent bicycle shop may lose customers to an international website offering cheaper accessories, eventually making it impossible to maintain its physical premises. Having identified this difficulty, a suitable measure can be providing small enterprises with grants for digital expansion. As a result, they could compete online without abandoning their local customer base.

Another significant issue related to this is the erosion of community identity. Because independent stores often serve as familiar meeting points and reflect local preferences, their disappearance gives rise to increasingly uniform commercial areas. A worthwhile step to tackle this problem is creating local-business marketplaces that combine online ordering with neighbourhood collection points. By doing this, residents could enjoy the convenience of digital purchasing while keeping their expenditure within the community. For example, a group of independent bookshops could operate one shared website while allowing customers to collect purchases from their nearest branch.

Ending the discussion, although the growth of online retail creates several challenges for independent commerce, these can be substantially reduced through digital support and community-based purchasing systems.