C1 Stage 3: Short paragraph
Problem, cause and solution
Problem and solution paragraphs: cause and solution
You can explain a problem, say what causes it, and suggest a realistic solution, including what could stop it working.
This guide is for B2 writers moving to C1. It is a stage 3 skill: write one short paragraph (80-130 words).
When to use a problem and solution paragraph
When the topic is a problem (traffic, loneliness, waste, high prices), or when a question asks what can be done.
A problem and solution paragraph: how to do it
Keep this order: what the problem is, why it happens, what could be done. Then go one step further: say how well your solution would work, or what could stop it. That last step is what makes it C1.
Useful language for a problem and solution paragraph
- A growing problem in ... is ...
- This is largely due to ...
- One way to tackle this would be to ...
- This would only work if ...
- Although this would not solve the problem entirely, ...
- A more realistic approach might be to ...
Example of a problem and solution paragraph
A large share of the food wasted in many countries never reaches a kitchen: it is thrown away by supermarkets before it can be sold. This is largely due to cautious 'best before' dates and customers' expectation of perfect-looking fruit and vegetables. One way to tackle this would be to require large stores to give unsold edible food to charities. Such a law would not solve the problem entirely, since charities have limited storage space, but it would turn wasted food into free meals.
Topic: Food waste in supermarkets
How the BetterWrite coach checks a problem and solution paragraph
The BetterWrite coach checks 4 points for this skill, plus accuracy and staying on topic, and quotes your own words when one is not there yet.
Try it
Write a short paragraph (80-130 words) about traffic jams in a growing city: the problem, its cause, a solution, and how well the solution would work.
Write 80-130 words (one short paragraph).