IELTS Causes and Options Essay: Construction, Samples & Writing Information
The causes and options essay (additionally referred to as “problem-solution”) is likely one of the commonest IELTS Writing Activity 2 query sorts. You’ll be requested to determine why an issue exists and suggest methods to repair it.
This information covers the whole lot you want: find out how to determine this query sort, a confirmed construction template, a Band 9 pattern essay with annotations, important vocabulary, frequent errors to keep away from, and follow prompts to sharpen your abilities.
What Is a Causes/Options Essay?
A causes/options essay presents a social, environmental, or financial drawback. Your activity is to:
- Determine the causes — Why does this drawback exist?
- Suggest options — How can we deal with it?
This query sort exams your means to research points logically and assume critically about real-world issues. It seems in roughly 15-20% of IELTS Writing Activity 2 exams.
Vital: Some variations ask for “issues and options” moderately than “causes and options.” The strategy is identical—simply substitute “issues attributable to X” for “causes of X.”
The best way to Determine This Query Kind
Search for these phrases within the query:
- “What are the causes and options?”
- “What are the explanations for this, and the way can or not it’s addressed?”
- “Why is that this occurring, and what measures will be taken?”
- “What issues does this trigger, and the way can they be solved?”
Instance immediate:
In lots of nations, plastic waste is changing into a severe environmental drawback. What are the causes of this subject, and what options are you able to recommend?
If you happen to see two components—one asking why and one asking find out how to repair it—you might have a causes/options essay.
Essay Construction Template
Use this 4-paragraph construction for each causes/options essay:
Introduction (2-3 sentences)
- Paraphrase the issue in your personal phrases
- State that you’ll focus on causes and options
Template:
[Paraphrase the problem]. This essay will look at the principle causes of this subject and suggest sensible options.
Physique Paragraph 1: Causes (80-100 phrases)
- Subject sentence introducing causes
- Trigger 1 + rationalization + impact
- Trigger 2 + rationalization + impact
Template:
There are a number of the reason why [problem] has turn into prevalent. Firstly, [cause 1 + explanation]. In consequence, [effect]. Moreover, [cause 2 + explanation], which results in [effect].
Physique Paragraph 2: Options (80-100 phrases)
- Subject sentence introducing options
- Resolution 1 + the way it works + anticipated consequence
- Resolution 2 + the way it works + anticipated consequence
Template:
A number of measures could possibly be applied to handle this drawback. One efficient answer could be [solution 1 + how it works]. This could [expected outcome]. Moreover, [solution 2 + explanation], which might [expected result].
Conclusion (2 sentences)
- Summarize briefly
- Finish with a forward-looking assertion
Template:
In conclusion, [problem] is primarily attributable to [brief summary of causes]. By [brief summary of solutions], important progress will be made.
5-Minute Planning Technique
Earlier than you write, spend 5 minutes planning. Use this straightforward template:
Drawback: ________________ Causes: 1. ________________ → Impact: ________________ 2. ________________ → Impact: ________________ Options: 1. ________________ → The way it helps: ________________ 2. ________________ → The way it helps: ________________
Instance (plastic waste):
Drawback: Plastic waste damaging setting Causes: 1. Single-use packaging → Comfort prioritized over sustainability 2. Lack of recycling infrastructure → Most moldable leads to landfills Options: 1. Ban single-use plastics → Forces companies to seek out alternate options 2. Spend money on recycling amenities → Makes correct disposal simpler
Professional tip: Hyperlink every answer to a trigger. If “lack of schooling” is a trigger, then “consciousness campaigns” must be an answer. Examiners search for this logical connection.
Step-by-Step Writing Course of (40 Minutes)
Right here’s find out how to allocate your time:
| Section | Time | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Planning | 5 min | Learn query, brainstorm causes/options, fill in template |
| Introduction | 5 min | Paraphrase drawback, state essay function |
| Physique 1 (Causes) | 12 min | Write matter sentence, develop 2 causes with explanations |
| Physique 2 (Options) | 12 min | Write matter sentence, develop 2 options with outcomes |
| Conclusion | 3 min | Summarize and shut |
| Evaluation | 3 min | Verify grammar, spelling, phrase depend |
Phrase depend goal: 270-300 phrases. This offers you room to develop concepts with out dashing.
Band 9 Pattern Essay with Annotations
Immediate: Many giant cities world wide lack reasonably priced housing. What issues does a scarcity of reasonably priced housing trigger? How can these issues be overcome?
Introduction:
Reasonably priced housing has turn into more and more scarce in main cities worldwide, creating important social and financial challenges. This essay will discover the issues attributable to this scarcity and recommend measures to handle them.
✓ Why it really works: Paraphrases the subject with out copying. Clearly alerts essay construction.
Physique Paragraph 1 (Issues/Causes):
Essentially the most urgent subject arising from costly housing is homelessness. When rental prices eat most of an individual’s revenue, many people and households can’t afford even fundamental lodging. Past direct homelessness, excessive housing prices create a ripple impact all through the financial system. Companies equivalent to grocery shops and eating places should pay elevated rents, and these prices are handed on to customers by way of larger costs for on a regular basis items and providers.
✓ Why it really works: Clear matter sentence. Two distinct issues with logical rationalization. Reveals cause-and-effect considering.
Physique Paragraph 2 (Options):
To sort out these points, governments might implement lease management insurance policies that restrict how a lot landlords can cost. This could make current housing extra accessible to center and lower-income residents. Moreover, rising welfare funds and housing subsidies would offer a security internet for these struggling to afford lodging. When individuals have secure housing, they’ll take part extra totally within the financial system, which advantages society as an entire.
✓ Why it really works: Options straight deal with the issues talked about. Explains HOW every answer works and WHY it will assist.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the shortage of reasonably priced housing results in homelessness and elevated dwelling prices throughout the board. Via a mixture of lease regulation and enhanced public help, governments can create extra equitable housing markets that profit all residents.
✓ Why it really works: Summarizes with out repeating precise phrases. Ends on a constructive be aware.
Phrase depend: 300 phrases | Band rating: 9
What makes this Band 9:
- Activity Response: Totally addresses each components of the query
- Coherence and Cohesion: Clear paragraph construction with logical circulation
- Lexical Useful resource: Vary of vocabulary (“scarce,” “ripple impact,” “equitable”)
- Grammatical Vary: Combine of straightforward and complicated sentences
What Separates Band 6, 7, and 9?
| Facet | Band 6 | Band 7 | Band 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causes/Options | Lists with out explaining | Explains however not deeply | Totally develops with examples and results |
| Connection | Options don’t match causes | Some logical hyperlinks | Clear trigger→answer relationships |
| Vocabulary | Primary and repetitive | Good vary, minor errors | Subtle and exact |
| Improvement | Underdeveloped concepts | Ample improvement | Concepts prolonged with proof |
Band 6 instance weak point:
“One trigger is air pollution. One other trigger is simply too many vehicles. An answer is to make use of buses.”
This lists concepts with out rationalization. Evaluate to the Band 9 pattern, which explains WHY every trigger creates issues and HOW every answer addresses them.
Vocabulary for Causes/Options Essays
Introducing Causes
- One main reason behind this drawback is…
- The first motive for that is…
- This subject stems from…
- A contributing issue is…
- This may be attributed to…
Explaining Results
- In consequence, …
- This results in…
- Consequently, …
- The influence of that is…
- This ends in…
Proposing Options
- One efficient answer could be…
- This drawback could possibly be addressed by…
- To sort out this subject, …
- A sensible measure could be…
- Governments/people might…
Linking Causes to Options
- To deal with the difficulty of [cause], [solution] could possibly be applied.
- Since [cause] is a significant component, [solution] would assist mitigate this.
- By focusing on [cause], [solution] might carry important enhancements.
Concluding
- In conclusion, …
- To summarize, …
- In the end, …
- Taking the whole lot into consideration, …
7 Frequent Errors to Keep away from
1. Unrealistic Options
Incorrect: “Governments ought to present free housing for everybody.”
Higher: “Governments might subsidize reasonably priced housing developments in city areas.”
Options have to be sensible and implementable.
2. Unbalanced Protection
Don’t write 150 phrases on causes and 50 phrases on options. Purpose for roughly equal improvement—each components of the query matter equally on your Activity Response rating.
3. Itemizing With out Explaining
Incorrect: “The causes are air pollution, overpopulation, and lack of schooling.”
Higher: “One important trigger is speedy urbanization. As extra individuals transfer to cities searching for employment, the demand for housing outpaces provide, driving up costs.”
4. Options That Don’t Match Causes
If you happen to determine “lack of public consciousness” as a trigger, one answer ought to contain schooling or consciousness campaigns. Examiners discover when your options appear disconnected out of your causes.
5. Imprecise, Normal Statements
Incorrect: “The federal government ought to do one thing about this.”
Higher: “Native governments might put money into recycling infrastructure, making it simpler for residents to get rid of waste responsibly.”
6. Lacking Conclusion
At all times embrace a conclusion, even when transient. An essay with no conclusion appears to be like unfinished and can have an effect on your Coherence rating.
7. Utilizing Incorrect Terminology
For Activity 2 essays, the scoring criterion is Activity Response (not “Activity Achievement”—that’s for Activity 1). This issues should you’re discussing scoring standards in your examine supplies.
Apply Prompts
Apply with these frequent IELTS subjects:
- Atmosphere: Air air pollution in main cities is reaching harmful ranges. What are the causes of this drawback, and what options are you able to recommend?
- Well being: Weight problems charges amongst youngsters have elevated considerably in latest many years. What are the explanations for this pattern, and the way can or not it’s addressed?
- Employment: Youth unemployment is a rising drawback in lots of nations. What causes this subject, and what measures could possibly be taken to cut back it?
- City Points: Visitors congestion in cities continues to worsen. Why is that this occurring, and what will be performed to enhance the scenario?
- Know-how: Many individuals have gotten hooked on social media. What are the causes of this habit, and the way can or not it’s prevented?
- Training: Academic inequality persists between rich and deprived communities. What causes this hole, and the way can or not it’s diminished?
- Social Points: Homelessness is rising in lots of developed nations. What are the causes, and what options would you advocate?
- Atmosphere: Meals waste has turn into a major drawback globally. Why does this happen, and what will be performed to cut back it?
- Office: Office stress is affecting extra staff than ever earlier than. What are the causes, and the way can employers deal with this subject?
- Society: Cyberbullying amongst younger individuals is on the rise. What causes this conduct, and what measures can stop it?
Professional tip: For every immediate, follow the 5-minute planning technique earlier than writing. This builds the behavior of structured considering.
For extra follow with suggestions, Magoosh IELTS Prep consists of Writing assessments with skilled suggestions and 10 full mock exams.
FAQs
What number of causes and options ought to I embrace?
Two of every is right. This offers you adequate depth to develop your concepts correctly throughout the phrase restrict. Three of every is feasible however dangers being superficial.
Ought to causes and options be in separate paragraphs?
Sure. This creates clear group and makes it straightforward for the examiner to see you’ve addressed each components of the query.
What if I can solely consider one trigger?
Develop that one trigger completely with examples and results. A well-explained single trigger is healthier than two weak ones. The identical applies to options.
Do I would like to offer my opinion?
In contrast to agree/disagree essays, causes/options essays don’t sometimes require a private opinion. Deal with evaluation and sensible suggestions.
Can I take advantage of the identical construction for “issues and options” questions?
Sure. The construction is equivalent—simply focus on issues (results of the difficulty) as a substitute of causes (causes for the difficulty).
