UNIT 1

PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ESSAY

Pham Thi Minh Trang, M.A.

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 WARMING UP

Look at the picture and answer the following questions.

• What problem can you see from the picture?
• What other problems do people face in the city?

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 OBJECTIVES

After this lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify the structure of a problem and solution essay.

• Make an outline of a problem and solution essay.

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 OVERVIEW

1.1 Stimulating ideas

1.2 Brainstorming and outlining

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 1.1. STIMULATING IDEAS

1.1.1. Reading Text: “Cities worse

1.1.2. Understanding the text
to live in than 20 years ago”

1.1.3. Responding to the text

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 1.1.1. READING THE TEXT “CITIES WORSE TO LIVE IN THAN 20 YEARS AGO”

According to a new report published by the Cities Foundation, modern cities are less pleasant places to live in
than they used to be.

Cities worse to live in than 20 years ago

One thousand people were surveyed about issues which affect cities, and the remarkable findings
show that life in today’s mega-cities is so stressful that at least two-thirds of those living in big cities
would like to relocate to the countryside or a small town.
The general cost of living in cities is one problem. The high property prices in big cities put buying a
property out of reach of most first-time buyers. Many young people are priced out of the housing market
and take in lodgers to make ends meet or rent over-priced flats miles away from the city center. In
London, for instance, the price of buying even a one-bedroom flat is so prohibitive that many have
given up even considering putting money aside for a deposit. The cost of going out is also very high —
in many big cities, going to restaurants and pubs is very expensive for people on average salaries.
property: a thing or things owned by someone price out: to make the price of something too high
make ends meet: earn enough money to live prohibitive: too high, to costly
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 1.1.1. READING THE TEXT “CITIES WORSE TO LIVE IN THAN 20 YEARS AGO” (cont.)

Another issue facing people who live in cities is rising crime. Crime rates have rocketed in
many big cities, and many say there are several dangerous no-go areas in their city. Fear of
crime is the increase - street crimes, such as mugging, assault and vandalism, are now very
common- and many are afraid of going out at night alone. People also have to deal with
antisocial behaviour, such as verbal abuse in the street.
Many were also concerned by the lack of green spaces and play facilities for children. Most
major conurbations surveyed have a far smaller number of parks and gardens than a
generation ago. Planning permission seems to have been given for an ever-greater number of
supermarkets, office developments and apartments on sites where there were previously green
spaces. Many of the respondents in the survey said they felt stressed and suffocated in the city,
a problem which is compounded by pollution.
mugging: to rob someone in a public place assault: to attack
vandalism: damage to public or private property suffocated: feeling trapped

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 1.1.1. READING THE TEXT “CITIES WORSE TO LIVE IN THAN 20 YEARS AGO” (cont.)

And finally, the majority of people in the survey were fed up with the constant noise
pollution – the roar of traffic, the sound of loud music blaring out of a neighbour’s window, and
the constant sound of activity. It is not surprising, then, that the level of stress-related illnesses
among people who live in cities are higher than ever before. Big cities, once a mecca for
ambitious people seeking fame and fortune, are now less and less popular among people of all
ages. Perhaps the 21st century is set to be the century of the small town and the countryside?

fed up with: tired of something mecca: a place that attracts many people.
blare out: to be produced loudly.

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 1.1.2. UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

Practice 1: Write T for true and F for false for each statement.

_______ 1 There are five problems mentioned in the reading.

_______ 2 Around 67% city dwellers prefer to move to rural areas.

_______ 3 The crime rate has remained stable in recent years.

_______ 4 Noise pollution is the main cause of higher level of stress-related illnesses.

_______ 5 Mega-city is still an attractive destination for ambitious young people.

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 1.1.2. UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT (cont.)

Answer

F 1 There are five problems mentioned in the reading.

T 2 Around 67% city dwellers prefer to move to rural areas.

F 3 The crime rate has remained stable in recent years.

T 4 Noise pollution is the main cause of higher level of stress-related illnesses.

F 5 Mega-city is still an attractive destination for ambitious young people.

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 1.1.3. RESPONDING TO THE TEXT

Practice 2: According to the reading, choose the best answer to the following questions.
1. Why most people in London cannot buy a house near the city center?
a. Because they enjoy living in a quiet rural area.
b. Because they prefer to save money.
c. Because a house in this area is high-priced.
2. What contributes to pollution in the city?
a. The increase in population
b. The lack of green spaces
c. The ignorance of government
3. What is the author’s conclusions about the future of the city?
a. People are likely to move out of urban areas.
b. Government will enact stricter laws to reduce crime rate.
c. People will be sponsored by government when buying a property.
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 1.1.3. RESPONDING TO THE TEXT (cont.)

Answer
1. Why most people in London cannot buy a house near the city center?
a. Because they enjoy living in a quiet rural area.
b. Because they prefer to save money.
c. Because a house in this area is high-priced.
2. What contributes to pollution in the city?
a. The increase in population
b. The lack of green spaces
c. The ignorance of government
3. What is the author’s conclusions about the future of the city?
a. People are likely to move out of urban areas.
b. Government will enact stricter laws to reduce crime rate.
c. People will be sponsored by government when buying a property.
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 1.2. BRAINSTORMING AND OUTLINING

1.2.1. Brainstorming ideas 1.2.2. Brainstorming vocabulary

1.2.3. Problem and solution

organization

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 1.2.1. BRAINSTORMING IDEAS

Practice 3: Match a problem in the city with a possible solution and fill in the table.

Problems
Problem Possible solution
People are stressed and
overworked.
1
The most pressing problem in
2 the city is traffic congestion.
3 The capital is overcrowded,
thus, poor air and water
4 remained unsolved.
Unemployment rate increases
sharply in the recent years.
Solutions
Government should ban cars from
city center.
Government reduce migration by
improving small towns and the
rural economy.
Government should reduce working
hours and give people better
work-life balance.
Government should move universities
to other cities and encourage people
move out of the capital.

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 1.2.1. BRAINSTORMING IDEAS (cont.)

Answer

Problem Possible solution

Government should reduce working hours and give

People are stressed and overworked.
people better work-life balance.

The most pressing problem in the city is

Government should ban cars from city center.
traffic congestion.

The capital is overcrowded, thus, poor Government should move universities to other cities
air and water remained unsolved. and encourage people move out of the capital.

Unemployment rate increases sharply in Government reduce migration by improving small

the recent years. towns and the rural economy.

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 1.2.2. BRAINSTORMING VOCABULARY

Practice 4: Word-building – Complete these sentences with the correct form of the words
in the brackets.

1. One of the biggest advantages of living in a large city is that there is a wide range of entertainment and a great cultural
life. (entertain)
2. My uncle is quite well off, and he lives in a really posh __________ . (neighbour)
3. I come from a really _________ city. There are lots of factories, and it’s not very beautiful to look at. (industry)
4. The city centre used to be full of cars, but last year the council ________ it. Now it is very nice to walk around centre
without there being any traffic. (pedestrian)
5. A lot of people really enjoy the _______ of living in a big city. In a small town, everyone knows you and knows your
business, but in a city you can have more freedom. (anonymous)
6. In some areas of big cities, a lot of people are living in ________, and there is a lot of crime and many social issue (poor)
7. There’s a lot of drug- ________ crime in the capital. The police out to crack down on drug dealers, in order to reduce this
type of crime. (relation)
8. Many areas of big cities have experienced a process of _______, which means that they have become more expensive
to live in, and many people on a normal salary have to move out to cheaper areas. (gentrify)

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 1.2.2. BRAINSTORMING VOCABULARY (cont.)

Answer
1. One of the biggest advantages of living in a large city is that there is a wide range of entertainment and a
great cultural life. (entertain)
2. My uncle is quite well off, and he lives in a really posh neighbourhood. (neighbour)
3. I come from a really industrial city. There are lots of factories, and it’s not very beautiful to look at. (industry)
4. The city centre used to be full of cars, but last year the council pedestrianised/ pedestrianized it. Now it is
very nice to walk around centre without there being any traffic. (pedestrian)
5. A lot of people really enjoy the anonymity of living in a big city. In a small town, everyone knows you and
knows your business, but in a city you can have more freedom. (anonymous)
6. In some areas of big cities, a lot of people are living in poverty, and there is a lot of crime and many social
issue (poor)
7. There’s a lot of drug-related crime in the capital. The police out to crack down on drug dealers, in order to
reduce this type of crime. (relation)
8. Many areas of big cities have experienced a process of gentrification, which means that they have become
more expensive to live in, and many people on a normal salary have to move out to cheaper areas. (gentrify)
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 1.2.2. BRAINSTORMING VOCABULARY (cont.)

Practice 5: Phrasal verb – Complete the text below about cities with the phrasal verbs and change the
tense of the verb if you need to.

bring in build up clog up with cut down deal with

get together shoot up set up stamp out

One problem in many big cities is that traffic can (1) _________ in the morning. By the rush hour, the
roads can be (2) ________ cars, and it can take a significant amount of time to get to work or university.
One way to (3) ________ the number of cars on the roads is to (4) ________ a congestion charge, which is
a system where drivers have to pay a sum of money to be allowed to drive into the city centre.
Another issue is the problem of rising crime. In many cities, the crime rate has (5) ______ in recent
years, and the police find it hard to manage the number of cases they have to (6)______. One possible
solution is for local people to (7) _____ neighbourhood-watch schemes. These are where people in a
neighbourhood (8) ______ and take turns to patrol the area at night, in order to try to (9) _____crime where
they live.
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 1.2.2. BRAINSTORMING VOCABULARY (cont.)

Answer

One problem in many big cities is that traffic can (1) build up in the morning. By the rush hour, the roads
can be (2) clogged up with cars, and it can take a significant amount of time to get to work or university. One
way to (3) cut down the number of cars on the roads is to (4) bring in a congestion charge, which is a
system where drivers have to pay a sum of money to be allowed to drive into the city centre.
Another issue is the problem of rising crime. In many cities, the crime rate has (5) shot up in recent
years, and the police find it hard to manage the number of cases they have to (6) deal with. One possible
solution is for local people to (7) set up neighbourhood-watch schemes. These are where people in a
neighbourhood get together and take turns to patrol the area at night, in order to try to (8) stamp out crime
where they live.

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 1.2.3. PROBLEM – SOLUTION ORGANIZATION

A problem and solution essay is to compel the readers to make some changes in opinion or behavior by
establishing that some problems exists, then providing solutions. In the problem section, the writer identifies
different aspects of the problem being discussed and offers evidence of these problems. In the solution
section, the writing identifies potential solutions and supports the effectiveness of these solutions over others.

Introduction
• The hook introduces the current situation.
• Background information helps the reader understand the problem(s)
• The thesis statement shows the structure of the current writing

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 1.2.3. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

Body Paragraphs
• Each paragraph should contain only one problem with one/two solution(s).
• The topic sentence in each paragraph defines a specific problem related to the topic.
• After the first problem is explained, the solution(s) for the first problem should be explained accordingly.
• All supporting details must relate to the topic sentence. These details can include explanations, examples,
or facts.
• Body paragraphs are organized in order of importance
• Each paragraph must use clear logic.
Conclusion
• The conclusion restates the problem(s) and solution(s) of the essay.
• It may evaluate or reflect on the ideas presented.
• It may give advice.

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 1.2.3. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

Practice 6: Read the essay below and fill in the outline under it.

These days, more and more of us are living in big cities, and urban conurbations are expanding
all the time. Although cities are very attractive places to live, and they provide a wide range of work and
leisure opportunities, there are also a host of significant social problems affecting cities. This essay will
examine some of these problems in detail, and then propose some solutions.
One of the biggest problems facing people who live in cities is the high property prices. In many
cities, buying a house near the centre is out of reach for people on the average salary, and they are forced
to live outside the city and to commute into work. In downtown Vancouver, for instance, the cost of even a
one-bedroom flat is prohibitive for many people. To solve this problem, the government could put more
resources into building affordable housing, which would allow more people to buy their own home.

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 1.2.3. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

Practice 6: Read the essay below and fill in the outline under it.

Another issue is traffic and air pollution. Most big cities are overrun with cars, and there is a great
deal of traffic congestion. The exhaust fumes from these cars cause air pollution, and as a consequence,
more and more people are suffering from respiratory diseases, such as asthma. This problem could be
addressed by introducing a congestion charge for cars entering the city centre, thereby cutting the number of
vehicles on the road.
Finally, another problem is the quality and cost of public transport. That is to say, in most capitals,
public transport is inefficient and the infrastructure is old and inadequate. At the same time, ticket prices are
often too high, which puts people off using public transport. The way forward must be to invest more money
in trains and buses, and to slash ticket prices. This would encourage more people to use public transport.
To sum up, although it is clear that cities face a range of problems, it is undoubtedly possible to start
to tackle these issues, and improve the quality of life in cities. Governments and local councils must take the
lead in dealing with these problems, otherwise city life will only get worse in the future.
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 1.2.3. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

Introduction
• Hook: ____________________________________________________________________________
• Background information: _____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
• Thesis statement: __________________________________________________________________
Body paragraph 1
• Topic sentence: ___________________________________________________________________
• Supporting details: _________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
• Solution(s): _______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

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 1.2.3. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

Body paragraph 2
• Topic sentence: ____________________________________________________________________
• Supporting details: _________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
• Solution(s): _______________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Body paragraph 3
• Topic sentence: ____________________________________________________________________
• Supporting details: _________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
• Solution(s): ________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

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 1.2.3. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

Conclusion
• Restatement:
_________________________________________________________________________________
• Evaluation, reflection, or advice
_________________________________________________________________________________

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 1.2.3. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

Answer
Introduction
• Hook: These days, more and more of us are living in big cities, and urban conurbations are expanding all
the time.
• Background information: Although cities are very attractive places to live, and they provide a wide range of
work and leisure opportunities, there are also a host of significant social problems affecting cities.
• Thesis statement: This essay will examine some of these problems in detail, and then propose some
solutions.
Body paragraph 1
• Topic sentence: One of the biggest problems facing people who live in cities is the high property prices.
• Supporting details:
▪ Buying a house is too expensive for average income people.
▪ People must live outside the city and go to work – Example: downtown Vancouver.
• Solution: Government spends more resources in building housing → more people can buy house.
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 1.2.3. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

Body paragraph 2
• Topic sentence: Another issue is traffic and air pollution.
• Supporting details:
▪ Cities are overrun with cars
▪ The exhaust fumes from cars cause pollution
▪ People suffer from respiratory diseases
• Solution(s): Government should introduce a congestion charge for cars entering city centre → reduce the number
of vehicles.
Body paragraph 3
• Topic sentence: Another problem is the quality and cost of public transport.
• Supporting details:
▪ Public transport is inefficient and the infrastructure is old and inadequate.
▪ Tickers are too high → people avoid using public transportation.
• Solution(s): Government should invest more money in trains/ buses and reduce ticket prices.
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 1.2.3. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION ORGANIZATION (cont.)

Conclusion
• Restatement:
Although it is clear that cities face a range of problems, it is undoubtedly possible to start to tackle these
issues and improve the quality of life in cities.
• Evaluation, reflection, or advice
Governments and local councils must take the lead in dealing with these problems, otherwise city life will
only get worse in the future.

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 SUMMARY

Rhetorical focus
• Introduction
▪ Hook
▪ Background information
▪ Thesis statement
• Body paragraphs
▪ Topic sentence
▪ Supporting details
▪ Solutions
• Conclusion
▪ Restatement
▪ Evaluation, reflection, or advice

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 GLOSSARY

• A problem and solution essay is an essay to compel the readers to make some changes in opinion or
behavior by establishing that some problems exists, then providing solutions.
• The topic sentence in each paragraph of problem and solution essay states a specific problem to support
the thesis.
• Restatement means an act of stating something again or differently, especially more clearly or convincingly.
• Pedestrian means a person walking along a road or in a developed area.
• Respiratory diseases are any of the diseases and disorders of the airways and the lungs.

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 FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Q: What is the background in the introduction?

A: It helps the reader understand the current situation and/or the opinions of the public regarding the issue.
2. Q: What is the thesis statement about?
A: The thesis statement in problem and solution essay can introduce the structure of the essay.
3. Q: Can we have two body paragraphs: one explains the problem(s), and the other explains the solution(s)?
A: Yes, as long as the solutions are relevant and supportive of the stated problems.
4. Q: How many body paragraphs are there in a problem and solution essay?
A: There can be two or three paragraphs.
5. Q: How many solutions are there for each paragraph?
A: There can be one, two or even three solutions. However, for better explanation, one or two solutions are
recommended.

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