IELTS Writing Task 2

Problem/Solution Essay: What are the problems? What solutions do you suggest?

Problem/Solution — Practice 2
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Problem/Solution Essay — New Topic

Same essay type, different question. Remember: you need to identify specific problems and propose realistic solutions with detail.

Today's Question

In many countries, an increasing number of young people are experiencing mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

What are the main causes of this trend? What measures could be taken to address the problem?

Remember: This is NOT an opinion essay. You do not need to say whether mental health is important. You need to explain WHY it is happening and WHAT can be done. Specific causes, specific solutions.

Essay Structure (same as before)

Introduction

Paraphrase the question + signal you will discuss causes and solutions

40-50 words
Body 1: The Problems/Causes

2 specific causes — each with an explanation of HOW it leads to mental health problems

90-110 words
Body 2: The Solutions

2 specific, realistic solutions — each with HOW it would work and WHY it would be effective

90-110 words
Conclusion

Summarise: the problem is serious; the solutions are achievable

30-40 words

What Do You Already Know?

From your own knowledge — what do you think causes mental health problems in young people? What solutions have you seen or heard about?

Today's goal: Write a complete problem/solution essay on a new topic, applying the same cause/solution language and structure you learned in Practice 1.

Model Essay: Band 8

Notice: the same problem/solution structure as the traffic essay, but applied to a completely different topic. Pay attention to the cause language and solution language.

INTROThe rising prevalence of mental health conditions among young people has become one of the most concerning public health trends in recent years. This essay will examine the principal causes of this phenomenon and suggest practical measures to mitigate it.
PROBLEMSOne of the primary causes of declining mental health among the young is the pervasive influence of social media. Platforms designed to maximise engagement expose adolescents to constant social comparison, cyberbullying, and unrealistic portrayals of success and appearance, all of which erode self-esteem. This is compounded by mounting academic pressure, particularly in education systems that place excessive emphasis on examination results. The fear of failure and the relentless pursuit of high grades create chronic stress, leaving many young people feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope.
SOLUTIONSA particularly effective measure would be the integration of compulsory mental health education into school curricula, whereby students are taught to recognise symptoms of anxiety and depression, develop coping strategies, and understand when to seek help. Countries such as Denmark, where social-emotional learning is embedded from primary school, report significantly higher levels of adolescent wellbeing. In parallel, governments should mandate that social media companies implement safeguards for young users, such as usage time limits, age-appropriate content filters, and the removal of addictive design features like infinite scrolling. Such regulatory interventions would address the problem at its source.
CONCLUSIONIn conclusion, while the mental health crisis among young people presents a formidable challenge, a combination of educational reform and targeted regulation of digital platforms offers a realistic and evidence-based path forward.

Cause language (same patterns as traffic essay):

"One of the primary causes of... is..." — identifies the first cause

"This is compounded by..." — links to the second cause

"...all of which erode..." — explains the impact

"...leaving many young people feeling..." — shows the consequence

Solution language (same patterns):

"A particularly effective measure would be..." — proposes with authority

"...whereby students are taught to..." — explains HOW it works

"Countries such as Denmark... report..." — real evidence

"In parallel, governments should..." — second solution

"Such regulatory interventions would address the problem at its source." — explains WHY it works

Compare the Two Essays

Look at the model essays from Practice 1 (traffic) and Practice 2 (mental health). What language patterns are the same?

Write Your Introduction

Question

Mental health problems among young people: What are the main causes? What measures could be taken to address the problem?

Introduction frame (adapt for this topic):

[Topic paraphrase] has become one of the most [concerning / alarming / significant] [public health trends / social challenges / developments] in recent years. This essay will examine the [principal / primary / key] causes of this [phenomenon / trend / issue] and suggest practical [measures / strategies / steps] to [mitigate / address / tackle] it.
Paraphrasing challenge: Do NOT write "mental health problems in young people" — that copies the question. Try: "the rising prevalence of anxiety and depression among adolescents" or "the deterioration of psychological wellbeing in younger generations."

Introduction checklist:

The rising prevalence of mental health conditions among young people has become one of the most concerning public health trends in recent years. This essay will examine the principal causes of this phenomenon and suggest practical measures to mitigate it.

42 words

Write Body 1: The Problems/Causes

Identify two specific causes of mental health problems in young people. Explain the IMPACT of each — don't just name them.

Cause language (from your toolkit):

[One of the primary / A significant / The principal] cause of [declining mental health among the young] is [specific cause].
[Platforms / Systems / Environments] designed to [do X] expose [young people] to [negative consequence], all of which [erode / undermine / damage] [outcome].
This is [compounded by / exacerbated by / worsened by] [second cause], which [explains the consequence].
Avoid vague causes! "Society is bad" ✗ — "Education systems that place excessive emphasis on examination results" ✓

Body 1 checklist:

One of the primary causes of declining mental health among the young is the pervasive influence of social media. Platforms designed to maximise engagement expose adolescents to constant social comparison, cyberbullying, and unrealistic portrayals of success and appearance, all of which erode self-esteem. This is compounded by mounting academic pressure, particularly in education systems that place excessive emphasis on examination results. The fear of failure and the relentless pursuit of high grades create chronic stress, leaving many young people feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope.

95 words

Write Body 2: The Solutions

Two specific solutions. Explain HOW each would work and include evidence or an example if possible.

Solution language (from your toolkit):

[A particularly effective / One viable / A proven] measure would be [specific solution], whereby [explain how it works in practice].
[Countries such as X / Research from Y] [demonstrated / showed / confirmed] that [evidence of effectiveness].
In parallel, [second solution] would [explain how it addresses the root cause].
Such [interventions / reforms / measures] would address the problem [at its source / at a structural level / before it escalates].
Avoid vague solutions! "The government should provide more support" ✗ — "Governments should mandate that social media companies implement usage time limits and age-appropriate content filters" ✓

Body 2 checklist:

A particularly effective measure would be the integration of compulsory mental health education into school curricula, whereby students are taught to recognise symptoms of anxiety and depression, develop coping strategies, and understand when to seek help. Countries such as Denmark, where social-emotional learning is embedded from primary school, report significantly higher levels of adolescent wellbeing. In parallel, governments should mandate that social media companies implement safeguards for young users, such as usage time limits, age-appropriate content filters, and the removal of addictive design features like infinite scrolling. Such regulatory interventions would address the problem at its source.

106 words

Write Your Conclusion

Acknowledge the seriousness of the problem and end with measured optimism about the solutions.

Problem/solution conclusion frame:

In conclusion, while [the mental health crisis among young people] presents [a formidable / a significant / a growing] challenge, a combination of [solution 1 summary] and [solution 2 summary] offers a [realistic / viable / evidence-based] path forward.

Conclusion checklist:

In conclusion, while the mental health crisis among young people presents a formidable challenge, a combination of educational reform and targeted regulation of digital platforms offers a realistic and evidence-based path forward.

35 words

Your Complete Essay

Click "Assemble Essay" to see your complete essay.
Total: 0 words

Self-Assessment

Band 7+ checklist:

You can now: Apply the problem/solution essay structure to ANY topic — using specific cause language, evidence-based solutions, and a clear two-body paragraph format.