By the end of this exercise, you can explain the causes of a problem and propose realistic solutions, linking each solution to a cause.
Free IELTS Writing Task 2 practice for causes-and-solutions questions: explain why a problem happens, link each solution to a cause, and use cause-and-effect language accurately.
IELTS Writing Task 2 is an essay of at least 250 words in response to a point of view, argument or problem. You have about 40 of the 60 minutes for it, and it counts for twice as much as Task 1. A question such as “What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it?” has two parts: explain why the problem happens, then suggest solutions. The strongest essays link each solution to one of the causes.
Your feedback is sent to this address. We don’t ask for your name.
Your writing is checked once with AI help (Claude), then a teacher checks the feedback before you get it. Privacy policy
Read the model essay. Choose the word or phrase that links each cause to its effect and each solution to the cause it fixes.
In many countries, households throw away a large amount of food. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to solve it?
In many countries, a surprising amount of the food that families buy ends up in the bin. This waste costs households money, and it also wastes the water, land and energy that were used to produce the food. This essay will examine the main causes of the problem and suggest some practical solutions.
One major cause is the way people shop. Supermarkets often sell food in large packs or offer deals such as “buy one, get one free”, and this people buying more than they can eat. Another cause is confusion about date labels. Many people throw food away an expired “best before” date, even though this date is about quality, not safety, and the food is often still fine to eat. Finally, busy working lives meals are often not planned, so fresh vegetables are forgotten at the back of the fridge until they have to be thrown away.
Several measures could be taken to tackle these causes. , supermarkets could be encouraged to sell more loose fruit and vegetables, so that shoppers buy only what they need. Clearer labelling would also help: labels explained the difference between “use by” and “best before”, fewer safe products would be thrown away. In addition, schools and local councils could teach simple skills such as planning meals and cooking with leftovers, which less waste at home.
In conclusion, household food waste is mainly caused by shopping habits, confusing labels and a lack of planning. Selling food in smaller amounts, clearer labels and practical teaching about cooking could all reduce it, saving families money and protecting the environment.
Choose the phrase that links the cause and the effect in the right direction. Remember: due to is followed by a noun, because by a full clause.
A solution is only convincing if it fixes the cause you described. For each cause, choose the solution that actually addresses it. Items 6 and 7 review the Discussion and Opinion Essay exercises.
Write an essay for an IELTS examiner on the question below. Explain two or three causes, then suggest a solution for each one.
Review your answers below, then send them to the teacher.
Click the button below to send your answers, including your writing, to the teacher at EnglishOnline.training.