Writing: B2 Lesson 10: The Problem-Solution Essay

Writing: B2 Lesson 10

The Problem-Solution Essay

Listen to key concepts for this essay type.

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to structure a clear 5-paragraph essay that analyzes the causes and effects of a problem and proposes feasible solutions.

Before You Start 🧠

Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)

Let's learn these key terms for this essay type.

Cause

| មូលហេតុ

The reason *why* a problem happens.

Effect / Consequence

| ផលប៉ះពាល់ / ផលវិបាក

The *result* of the problem.

Solution

| ដំណោះស្រាយ

An action or plan to fix the problem.

Feasible / Viable

| អាចធ្វើទៅបាន / អាចសម្រេចបាន

Possible to do easily or conveniently; realistic.

What is a Problem-Solution Essay?

A Problem-Solution Essay is a common academic paper. Its purpose is not just to complain about a problem, but to show you can think critically by analyzing it and proposing thoughtful, well-supported solutions.

The 5-Paragraph Problem-Solution Structure

1. Introduction: Grab the reader's attention (the "Hook"). Give background on the problem. End with a strong Thesis Statement that mentions the problem and the solutions you will discuss.
2. Body Paragraph 1 (The Problem): Analyze the problem. What are its causes (why did it start?) and its effects (what bad things does it lead to?)?
3. Body Paragraph 2 (Solution 1): Introduce your first solution. Explain how it works and why it is a good idea.
4. Body Paragraph 3 (Solution 2): Introduce your second solution. Explain how it works and why it is also effective.
5. Conclusion: Briefly summarize the problem and your solutions. End with a strong final thought or warning about what will happen if the problem is not solved.

The Most Important Sentence: The Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement is the "map" for your entire essay. It must be clear and mention both the problem and the solutions.

(Problem) Traffic congestion in Phnom Penh, (Cause) caused by an over-reliance on private vehicles and poor road planning, (Solutions) can be best addressed by investing in a modern public bus system and promoting flexible work hours.

Your Writing Toolkit 🛠️ (Click 🔊)

Use these advanced phrases to structure your paragraphs.

Describing the Problem

• A significant issue facing... is...បញ្ហាសំខាន់មួយ...គឺ...
• The root cause of this problem is...មូលហេតុឫសគល់នៃបញ្ហានេះគឺ...
• This problem leads to several negative effects...បញ្ហានេះនាំឱ្យមានផលប៉ះពាល់អវិជ្ជមាន...

Proposing Solutions

• A primary solution is to...ដំណោះស្រាយចម្បងគឺ...
• To tackle this, we must...ដើម្បីដោះស្រាយបញ្ហានេះ យើងត្រូវតែ...
• A feasible alternative would be to...ជម្រើសដែលអាចធ្វើបានគឺ...

Evaluating Solutions

• This would be effective because...នេះនឹងមានប្រសិទ្ធភាពព្រោះ...
• By implementing this, we could...តាមរយៈការអនុវត្តនេះ យើងអាច...
• A potential drawback is...គុណវិបត្តិដែលអាចកើតមានគឺ...

Practice What You Learned 🎯

Quiz: Build a Strong Essay

Read the situation and choose the best answer for each step. Click "Check Answers" when done.

1. Topic: Many students in Cambodia are stressed during exams.

Which is the BEST Thesis Statement?

• A) Students feel stressed. It is a big problem for everyone.
• B) Stress is bad because it causes poor sleep and low scores.
• C) Student stress, caused by pressure from families and a heavy workload, can be managed by teaching mindfulness and reforming exam schedules.

2. Problem: Many rivers are full of plastic trash.

Which sentence best analyzes the *CAUSE*?

• A) This leads to fish dying and ugly tourism spots.
• B) The problem exists because there is a lack of public trash bins and weak recycling programs.
• C) We should organize a clean-up day this weekend.

3. Problem: Many city people do not get enough exercise.

Which is the most *FEASIBLE* solution?

• A) Give every citizen a free, high-quality bicycle.
• B) Build more public parks and install outdoor exercise equipment.
• C) Ban all motos and cars from the city center.

Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)

• Problem | បញ្ហា
  A situation that is difficult or needs a solution.
• Cause | មូលហេតុ
  The reason *why* a problem happens.
• Effect (Consequence) | ផលប៉ះពាល់ (ផលវិបាក)
  The *result* of the problem.
• Solution | ដំណោះស្រាយ
  An action or plan to fix the problem.
• Feasible / Viable | អាចធ្វើទៅបាន / អាចសម្រេចបាន
  Possible to do easily or conveniently; realistic.
• To Implement | អនុវត្ត
  To put a plan or solution into action.
• Drawback | គុណវិបត្តិ
  A disadvantage or the negative part of a solution.

Your Writing Mission ⭐

Create Your Essay Outline

You do not need to write the full essay. Your mission is to create a strong plan (an outline). Choose one of the B2 topics below.

Topics:
1. Plastic pollution in Cambodian cities.
2. The high number of traffic accidents.
3. Lack of green spaces (parks) in urban areas.

In your notebook, write your outline using the 5-paragraph structure:

1. Introduction: Write your full Thesis Statement. (e.g., "The problem of X, caused by Y, can be solved by Z and W.")
2. Body 1 (Problem): List 2 causes and 2 effects.
3. Body 2 (Solution 1): Write your first solution (e.g., "Increase public education").
4. Body 3 (Solution 2): Write your second, different solution (e.g., "Add more public trash bins").
5. Conclusion: Write one sentence summarizing your main idea.