The language of problems and solutions

Problems
Discussing the cause(s)
● A major cause of …….. is ….
● Perhaps the major cause of this is …
● The main/ primary/root cause of this is …
● One major reason for… is..
● A further cause of this is …
● An additional cause of …. is
● …. also plays a role in …

The ​main culprit​ is…

[Parents are also] ​to blame​.
It is ​the fault of​ [the government].
[Parents] ​play a part/role in ​[the problem].
[The government] ​contributes to​ [the problem].
[The government] ​is responsible for​ [the problem].
[The problem] ​is the result of/results from/stems from​ [the government].
There are various factors behind this problem.
There are several ​contributing factors.

Adjectives + problem

● minor, petty, ​common

● basic, central, main, ​major
● complex, complicated, difficult |​ growing
● pressing​, urgent |​ insurmountable
● long-standing​, long-term, ​perennial
● practical | technical | attitude, behavioural, emotional, psychological
● health, physical, | back, heart, knee | drink, drug
● social | housing | ​economic,​ financial
● environmental​ | legal

‘Solution’ verbs

● cure, deal with, overcome, resolve, solve, eradicate

● alleviate, ease, reduce
● address, combat, handle, tackle
● avoid, circumvent, find a way round, get round

NB: exacerbate the problem ​= make the problem worse

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 The language of problems and solutions

Verb + problem

● pose ​Inadequate resources pose a problem for all members of staff.

● have, bring, cause, create

Success brings its own problems. Staff shortages cause problems for the organization.

● be beset with, be confronted by/with, be dogged by, be faced by/with, be fraught with

New graduates are faced with all manner of problems in the job market.
One problem faced by [almost every large city] is [traffic congestion].
The high-speed railway has been fraught with problems from the start.

● identify, consider, discuss, look at/into, analyse, encounter

Problem + verb

● exist, arise, come up, occur ​This is due to​ ​problems arising from poor sanitation.
● persist, remain​ ​If the problem persists the government will need to take action. The basic
problem remains the lack of housing available.
● lie in sth​ ​The problem lies in the lack of communication between managers and staff.
● stem from sth ​The problem stems from poverty and hunger.

Prepositions

~ for​ ​Rail strikes cause problems for commuters.

~ of​ ​The problem of poverty will never go away.
~ with​ ​Elderly people are more likely to have problems with technology.

Phrases

● the crux/heart/root of the problem

We need to get to the root of the problem before we can solve it.

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 The language of problems and solutions

Solutions
Synonyms

- a way of solving the problem

- a cure, remedy,
- panacea, cure-all, antidote (see below)
- a quick fix, way out
- a magic bullet/formula
- key/answer/way/measure

The solution/key/answer to the problem/situation is…

The problem can be solved/dealt with/tackled by +ing

The situation can be dealt with from different angles.

Useful, less common synonyms for 'solution':

1. A panacea (nC)
- something that people think will make everything better and solve all their problems
There is no ​panacea​ for the country’s economic problems.
Debt reduction should not be seen as a ​panacea for​ the region's economic problems.
It is only a partial remedy, not a ​panacea.​
Librarians welcomed computerization as the ​panacea​ for all their cataloguing problems.

2. A cure-all (nC)

- something that people think will cure any problem or illness

Investment is not a cure-all for every economic problem.
Legislation is no c​ ure-all​, but it will be an important improvement.

3. An antidote (nC)
- Something that makes an unpleasant situation better
​ ntidote to​ the violence and commercialisation of television.
Shows such as "Sesame Street" are an a
Although our lives have been diminished by ecosocial isolation, the ​antidote​ lies in rediscovering our
community ties.

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 The language of problems and solutions

Adjectives + solution

● complete, comprehensive |ideal, neat, optimal, perfect, real

● acceptable, satisfactory, workable, realistic, viable, practical, effective
● easy, obvious, simple | possible
● cost-effective | creative, imaginative, ingenious
● drastic, radical
● immediate, instant, quick, speedy
● final, lasting, long-term, permanent, ultimate
● interim, short-term, temporary
● proposed | pragmatic | compromise, negotiated | diplomatic, peaceful,
● political | military | technical

Verbs + solution:

● propose, put forward, suggest | adopt | offer, provide

● look for, seek, work towards
● achieve, agree (on), arrive at, come up with, find, produce, work out

Prepositions:

~ for + ing​: a quick solution for dealing with the paper shortage

~ to + noun:​ They were seeking an ultimate solution to the city’s traffic problem.

Making suggestions/recommendations

When making suggestions for solving a problem we often use modal verbs such as:

‘Must’ ​and ​‘need to’ ​are strong obligations

‘Should’​ is used for suggestions.
‘Could’ ​ is a ‘softer’ option.

TASK 1: choose any modal you think is appropriate for each gap​ (there is no wrong/right answer!)

1. Smoking is increasing among teenagers. To ​reverse this trend​ schools ______ teach children about
the health consequences.

2. City streets are full of litter. To ​reduce this problem​, local communities _______ take responsibility
for cleaning their areas.

3. Many people in the world do not have enough to eat. To ​improve this situation​ rich countries_____
increase their international aid budgets.

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 The language of problems and solutions

4. Farmers use too many chemicals on food crops. To ​alleviate this issue​, alternative pest controls
_______ be introduced.

5. City crime is growing. To ​stop this development​, the authorities ______ increase the police force in
urban areas.

Other expressions with modals:

must
Steps/ in order to combat, tackle, solve, overcome the problem.
Measures should be taken so as to deal with, eradicate, alleviate

could

People solve this problem.

should​ focus their/our attention
Government on ways to reduce the impact (of)...on society.
s

We improve the situation.

One (possible) this problem would be to...

combat, tackle, solve, overcome
Another way to deal with, eradicate, alleviate the problem (of) is to...

An alternative could/might be to

Justifying your suggestion/Recommendation

Conditionals

In academic writing we often need to​ justify the measures we suggest or the action we recommend.
This can be done by using ​conditionals.

1st Conditionals to make predictions (If + Present Simple + will)

Smoking is increasing among schoolchildren. To reverse this trend, schools must teach children about the
health consequences. ​If schools do not take​ action soon, the health of the next generation w
​ ill b​ e
damaged.

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 The language of problems and solutions

To show the ​positive results​ from the suggested action:

1. If this is done….
2. This is likely to …
3. Such measures will..

To show the ​negative results​ if action is not taken:

1. If schools do not take action soon,...

2. Unless action is taken,...
3. Otherwise the problem will…

2nd Conditionals to imagine consequences (If + Past Simple + would)

If steps/measures were taken

to… [address the problem], the effect/result/consequence would
be...
If attempts were made
to...

By (+ing), .... ...we/the government can ensure that...

The situation could be improved if….

It would be a good idea if...

Discussing the Results/Consequences

effect would be...

The
outcome might be...
of ​(noun/ing)
result could be...

consequence may be..

As a result, ...
This would result in…
This would lead to…
This would enable/help them to
This means they would…
By doing this…

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 The language of problems and solutions

Consequently...

TASK 2: Match the suggestions with the results

Suggestions Results

1. One way to solve famine disasters in a. They would have a secure base from which to
third-world countries is for the rest of the world rebuild their lives and perhaps find jobs.
to provide them with the financial aid they need
in order to build extensive irrigation systems.

2. One way to help reduce pollution in large cities b. They would be more relaxed and suffer less
would be to encourage people to only drive stress.
vehicles which run on electricity.

3. It has been suggested that one way of helping c. They would be able to grow their own crops
homeless people is for authorities to successfully and increase their food supplies.
accommodate them in low-cost hostels.

4. Another solution would be for the social d. There would be less air pollution due to the
services to pay unemployment benefit for a reduction in harmful exhaust fumes.
limited time only.

5. One way for people to use up excess energy is e. More people would be encouraged to enter
to take up a sport of some kind. the workforce as soon as possible.

See Answers below Task 3 Answers!: 1c 2d 3a 4e 5b

TASK 3: How can we save the environment?

Look at the suggestions below and write a possible RESULT (there are no wrong or right answers, but
some suggested answers are below).

1. More trees should be planted so that ________________________________________.

2. Recycling should be encouraged so that ____________________________________.
3. More people should use public transport or bicycles; then ________________________.
4. Stricter laws should be put into effect to prevent factories from polluting the environment; then
____________________________________.
5. Using environmentally friendly products should be encouraged so that ______________.
6. Jungles and forests should be protected. Otherwise, wild animals’ natural habitats will be
destroyed and as a result, ________________________________________.

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 The language of problems and solutions

Possible answers

1. More trees should be planted so that there is more oxygen.

2. Recycling should be encouraged so that natural resources, such as trees, are not wasted.
3. More people should use public transport or bicycles; then the air in cities would be a lot cleaner
and less fuel would be wasted.
4. Stricter laws should be put into effect to prevent factories from polluting the environment; then
both the air and water would be cleaner.
5. Using environmentally friendly products should be encouraged so that we don’t pollute the
water or damage the ozone layer simply by cleaning the house.
6. Jungles and forests should be protected. Otherwise, wild animals’ natural habitats will be
destroyed and as a result, some animals may become extinct.

Task 2 Answers: 1c 2d 3a 4e 5b

Possible Paragraph structures

Intro Intro

Problem Problem​ - ​Suggestion - Result

Suggestion- Result Problem​ - ​Suggestion - Result

Conclusion Conclusion

Introduction

Para 1:​ A main cause of _______is _______. The way forward ​could be​ to...

(or) One of the main reasons for [...] is... To tackle this issue, we ​should​...

Para 2:​ Another problem to consider is... One possible solution is ...

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 The language of problems and solutions

Para 3:​ A particular cause for concern is... To solve this problem,...

Conclusion

Example ‘Solution’ Paragraph with the ‘PEEL’ Paragraph structure

‘More and more people claim that modern work patterns are a source of stress. What do you think are
the causes of this? Can you suggest some possible solutions?

[Point] ​I think the most obvious solution is for employers to encourage workers to relax. ​[Example]​ ​For
example,​ in some companies, gym facilities or massage therapies are available. ​[Link/So what?]​ As a
result, their efficiency and productivity will increase. ​[Point]​ ​A further step is to ​train employees in how
to plan their time more effectively. ​[Example]​ ​For instance,​ by stopping people taking work home.
[Link/So what?] ​By doing this,​ the workplace will become a lot happier.

Example ‘Solution’ Essay (simplified version to show structure)

‘What can be done to reduce global litter?’

Global litter is an ongoing concern which many nations have to deal with. ​Fortunately there are a
number of possible solutions which could lead to a permanent reduction in the waste that has mounted
up in countries around the world.

One way would be to​ encourage companies to use biodegradable packaging for their products.
Biodegradable items decompose naturally and ​therefore ​they do not add to the problem of litter.
Another solution would be to ​save scrap metal in order to put it to further use. ​As a result, ​all discarded
metal products such as vehicles, water tanks and machine parts ​could be​ melted down and used to
make other products.

In my opinion, however, the most effective method of reducing litter is to​ educate people to recycle
their household waste products. In fact, schemes ​such as​ paper saving, bottle banks and aluminium can
collections have all been successful in reducing litter in many countries.

All things considered, ​there are many solutions​ to the problem of global litter. ​The sooner these
solutions are put into action, the more significant the reduction in litter will be.

Extra Reading/Listening:

1. Wonderopolis​ ​- Why is world hunger still a problem?

Copyright 2020 ​Fiona Wattam​ All rights reserved.

 The language of problems and solutions

Agronomists have been working on these problems for years, but the rapid population growth of humans
makes​ overcoming these challenges increasingly urgent.​ If​ we can't feed the world, i​ t will e​ ventually feed
on us.

Consumers are also t​ o blame,​ because restaurants and people at home throw out food on a regular
basis.

If​ we can develop ways to reduce food waste and improve food distribution worldwide, world hunger
might​ one day finally become a problem of the past.

2. ‘The truth about the environment' R ​ eading Text has some amazingly useful expressions and
collocations that I've listed below (focus on TENSES too).
For many environmentalists, the world seems to be getting worse.

● Natural resources​ are running out

● The population ​is ever growing
● Species ​are becoming​ extinct in vast numbers
● The planet's air and water ​are becoming e​ ver more polluted.
● Most forms of environmental pollution ​have been ​exaggerated
● Its total impact is ​unlikely to pose a devastating problem
● It will not ​have a catastrophic impact on ​our future
● The solution is to​ restrict/accelerate economic growth
● The endless rise in the amount of stuff everyone throws away ​will cause the world to​ run out of
places to dispose of waste.
● Carbon dioxide emissions ​are causing the planet to​ warm.
● Something drastic needs to be done​ about such a costly problem
● The cost of solving the world's single ​most pressing​ health problem: providing universal access
to clean drinking water and sanitation.
● It is crucial that we ​look at the facts if we want to make the best possible decisions for the
future.

Listen to the Podcast here

3. The Avocado Problem

Avocado: the 'green gold' causing environment havoc (Facebook Video)

Avocado farming uses so much water that it ​could be​ [hedging] causing earthquakes in Mexico.
Deforestation ​has led​ to the​ loss of wildlife habitats​, and is ​fuelling climate change​. So campaigners are
calling for a new international certificate for avocados to show they have been ​farmed sustainably​. They
also want Mexico to ​change its laws​ to ​prevent and punish the burning of forest land ​for avocado

Copyright 2020 ​Fiona Wattam​ All rights reserved.

 The language of problems and solutions

production. The avocado harvest is ​lucrative​ for Mexico and the fruit’s popularity has been boosted by
the growth of veganism.

Online Article:​ ​[Link]

Intensive production​ in Mexico has ​caused environmental damage on multiple fronts.

Extensive avocado production​ has ​substantial and irretrievable environmental costs and damages.
Shrubs and old trees are often taken down to provide avocado trees greater sunlight, ​contributing to
deforestation​ and ​consequently to global warming and climate change. ​The ​loss of forest cover​ and
other climate changes means the rate of arrival of the Monarch butterfly to Mexico has also dropped.
Excessive extraction of water​ from ​aquifers​ is having ​unexpected consequences​, such as causing small
earthquakes. Intensive avocado production has ​caused biodiversity loss, extreme weather conditions,
extensive soil degradation of the soil ​and is on the brink of causing an entirely ​human-made
environmental disaster.

We urgently need to​ start thinking about the origin of our foods and ​to create more sustainable
consumption food chains.​ Awareness of the environmental impact of what we consume​ is the first step
to reducing the climate impact of our food.​ The avocado situation makes it plain that ​not only​ meat is
imposing a heavy environmental toll.

Despite all this, there are some solutions to​ reducing avocado’s environmental impact.​ Firstly, we need
to​ demand as consumers an international certification of ​sustainable farming​ and fair trade for the
avocados sold in supermarkets and stores – ​to ensure​ they are not the product of ​deforestation,
organized crime, or indiscriminate exploitation of aquifers.

Secondly,​ trade agreements ​need to include​ the environmental impact in their clauses related to
exports. Consumption in one country ​should not be at the cost of​ destroying the origin country. Mexico
also ​needs to change its law​ to prevent and punish the burning of forest land for avocado production.

Finally, ​if any of this does not happen​, ​we need to rethink our diet and lifestyle trends​ and ​reduce the
consumption of avocado​ to ​minimise our personal contribution t​ o the environmental impact caused by
“green gold”. We live on a global and fully integrated planet where what you happily eat with your
friends and family while watching sports​ could be destroying entire ecosystems​. T​ his will affect you in
the long run​ – think about this the next time you’re eating your guacamole and tortilla chips.

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 The language of problems and solutions

Full model answer for a Problem/Solution essay

Thank you Viktoria - 96/325 (30%) words are ‘high-level’, making this a Band 7+ essay.

In spite of the advances made in agriculture, many people around the world still go hungry.

Why is this the case? [​ Problem]

What can be done about this problem?​ [Solution]

As the world population continues to grow, hunger remains an acute global issue.​ This essay will
outline the main reasons for that, ​which I believe to be​ poverty and arable land scarcity, and suggest
several solutions to alleviate this problem.

Poverty is the main culprit​ for a noticeable increase in the number of undernourished people. The
economies of many countries are collapsing, leaving many people unemployed. Military conflicts such as
wars and terrorist attacks are taking a devastating toll on people’s lives. As a result, being in desperate
need, victims of such violence are displaced from their homes and, suffering from hunger, have to seek
shelter abroad as refugees. ​Another cause is​ a shortage of arable land in Africa and Asia, w ​ hich stems
from ​a range of climate factors, c​ oupled with​ ​urban sprawl​ and the harmful effects of ​intensive farming.
As a consequence​, depleted soil becomes infertile, depriving people of the staple crops harvest.

One possible approach to tackle this problem would be to ​optimize food distribution worldwide. The
amount of food wasted annually in developed countries is more than sufficient to feed the
undernourished population.​ If food surplus was​ not decimated but carefully preserved and delivered to
the people in need, t​ he situation would be ameliorated significantly. S​ ustainable agriculture is a ​ nother
feasible solution​ to the world hunger issue. These methods m ​ ight​ prevent soil erosion, boost the fertility
of the soil and in the long term increase yields. ​Also,​ ​ if i​ ndoor vertical farms w
​ ere developed​ on a large
scale, ​it would be ​an efficient and affordable way to feed starving people in urban areas. F​ inally,
according to scientists, genetically modified food c​ ould​ massively increase food production and eradicate
hunger as GM crops are more resistant to diseases.

In my view, ​it is unthinkable that in the 21st century millions of people are still undernourished. The
solutions to the world hunger problem are ​manifold,​ so it is ​of paramount importance​ to c​ ombat ​it
urgently.

Copyright 2020 ​Fiona Wattam​ All rights reserved.