IELTS Writing Task 2

Cause & Effect Essays

Open any full sample essay below. Each sample is kept together with its question, writing suggestions, sentence formation, and a simple structure formula.

IELTS Writing Task 2

Older People & Exercise

277 Words
Question

Doctors recommend that older people exercise regularly. However, many of them do not exercise enough. What are the causes? What can be done to encourage them to exercise?

Sample Essay

Doctors recommend regular exercise for older individuals, yet a significant number of them do not engage in sufficient physical activity. In my opinion, health problems and social isolation are two key factors contributing to their physical inactivity. To address this issue, it is crucial to create exercise programs specifically tailored to their needs and conditions.

Older people may have underlying health conditions or physical limitations that discourage them from participating in regular physical activity. For instance, those with heart diseases may be hesitant to engage in cardio exercises due to the fear of triggering a heart attack.

Additionally, social isolation can greatly impact the motivation of elderly people to exercise. Retirement and health issues may make it challenging for them to find exercise partners. Without a supportive network or companions to exercise with, their motivation to engage in regular physical activity diminishes.

To encourage older individuals to exercise more, local governments can offer group classes in community centers exclusively designed for them. These classes should take into account their specific health conditions, limitations, and abilities. By customizing exercises to meet their needs, their confidence in participating in physical activities can be boosted. Moreover, participating in group classes at community centers provides an excellent opportunity for seniors to connect with peers facing similar health challenges. They can support and motivate each other, fostering a sense of camaraderie and increasing their commitment to regular exercise.

In conclusion, the lack of physical activity among older adults can be attributed to health problems and social isolation. To empower them to lead healthier and more active lives, it is important to develop exercise programs that cater to their specific needs and circumstances.

What You Can Follow in Your Own Writing
  • Introduction pattern: Paraphrase the issue, identify two causes, then give the main solution.
  • Cause 1 development: Health conditions → fear/limitation → less exercise.
  • Useful example phrase: Use “For instance” to support a specific cause with a realistic example.
  • Cause 2 development: Social isolation → lack of exercise partners → motivation diminishes.
  • Solution paragraph: State who should act, what they should do, and how it solves the causes.
  • Useful result structure: Use “By + V-ing” to show how a measure produces a result.
  • Conclusion: Restate the main causes and solution without adding a new idea.

Sentence Formation — বাক্য গঠন যেভাবে Follow করবেন

1. Cause thesis In my opinion, A and B are two key factors contributing to C. Example: In my opinion, health problems and social isolation are two key factors contributing to their physical inactivity.
2. Cause example For instance, those with + condition + may be hesitant to + verb + due to + reason. Example: For instance, those with heart diseases may be hesitant to engage in cardio exercises due to the fear of triggering a heart attack.
3. Additional cause Additionally, A can greatly impact B. Example: Additionally, social isolation can greatly impact the motivation of elderly people to exercise.
4. Without structure Without + support/resource, + motivation/confidence/opportunity + diminishes. Example: Without a supportive network or companions to exercise with, their motivation to engage in regular physical activity diminishes.
5. Solution result By + V-ing, + result. Example: By customizing exercises to meet their needs, their confidence in participating in physical activities can be boosted.
6. Conclusion A can be attributed to B and C. To empower X to Y, it is important to Z. Example: The lack of physical activity among older adults can be attributed to health problems and social isolation.
Simple Formula: Introduction → Cause 1 → Cause 2 → Solution → Conclusion
IELTS Writing Task 2

Ex-prisoners Reoffending

259 Words
Question

Some ex-prisoners commit crimes after being released from prison. What do you think is the cause? How can it be solved?

Sample Essay

Some ex-prisoners reoffend after their release. I believe this is mainly because they have difficulty reentering society. To solve this problem, prisons should prioritize rehabilitation over punishment.

Reentry into society can be difficult. Many people break the law in the first place because of poverty. They have no skills to find a job that offers livable wages, so they commit crimes, such as theft or robbery, to support themselves. After separation from society with years in prison, and with a criminal record, they become even more undesirable in the job market. This leaves them little choice but to continue to make a living by illegal means after imprisonment.

Rehabilitation programs can be a good solution to this problem. Since many people become repeat offenders not because they are unafraid of jail time but because they lack employment opportunities or other means of reentering society lawfully, prisons should not be used as places to punish but as places to rehabilitate. There should be rehabilitation programs in place to teach inmates valuable skills that will help them find a job and become productive members of society after incarceration. For example, some prisons teach prisoners how to code, and some of these people have gone on to work for technology companies after they are released.

In conclusion, being unable to reintegrate into society could be the main reason why some ex-convicts commit crime again after serving prison sentences. To reduce recidivism rates, rehabilitation initiatives should be launched to help inmates learn valuable job skills to prepare them for their reentry into society.

What You Can Follow in Your Own Writing
  • Direct thesis: State the main cause and main solution clearly in the introduction.
  • Cause chain: Poverty/lack of skills → poor job prospects → crime → criminal record → even fewer opportunities.
  • Solution link: Make the solution directly target the cause; here rehabilitation targets lack of employable skills.
  • Example: Use one specific rehabilitation example to make the solution concrete.
  • Cohesion: Use structures such as “Since…”, “For example…”, and “This leaves…” to build logic.
  • Conclusion: Restate cause + solution using different wording.

Sentence Formation — বাক্য গঠন যেভাবে Follow করবেন

1. Cause sentence I believe this is mainly because + clause. Example: I believe this is mainly because they have difficulty reentering society.
2. Cause → effect This leaves + object + little choice but to + verb. Example: This leaves them little choice but to continue to make a living by illegal means after imprisonment.
3. Solution sentence To solve this problem, + subject + should + verb. Example: To solve this problem, prisons should prioritize rehabilitation over punishment.
4. Reason for solution Since + cause, + subject + should + solution. Example: Since many people become repeat offenders because they lack employment opportunities, prisons should focus on rehabilitation.
5. Example For example, + specific supporting example. Example: For example, some prisons teach prisoners how to code.
6. Conclusion To reduce + problem, + initiative + should be + action. Example: To reduce recidivism rates, rehabilitation initiatives should be launched to help inmates learn valuable job skills.
Simple Formula: Introduction → Main Cause → Solution + Example → Conclusion
IELTS Writing Task 2

Working People & Lack of Exercise

297 Words
Question

Many working people get little or no exercise either during the working day or in their free time, and have ( health problems as a result. Why do many working people not get enough exercise? What can be done about this problem?

Sample Essay

Many modern employees are facing health issues due to a lack of adequate exercise during the working day or in their free time. I believe this is caused by excessive workloads which reduce their free time and ability to visit the gym. Practically, a solution might entail individual workers focusing on personal improvements so more career options are available in their future, providing flexibility for workout times.

As stated, modern workers are confronted with heavy workloads. To succeed in an increasingly competitive world, many companies require their employees to commit to long, intense shifts. For example, Meta engineers are known to work nights, weekends, and holidays to develop Facebook Reels, a short-form video feature, to compete with TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Situations as such obstruct a worker's option to exercise; should they even find free time outside of work, they may feel too tired or physically unable to workout.

This heavy workload can be combated with the realistic approach of self-improvement. In the current economy laced with stiff competition, it is unrealistic for an employee to demand fewer expectations from their employers. Alternatively, they should consider their current career an opportunity to gain experience and develop cutting-edge skills of the industry which will act as leverage to find and work a job which provides more flexibility and freedom. Take, for another example, Garrett Reisman. After seven years of work for SpaceX, Reisman resigned to teach astronautical engineering at the University of Southern California which offers a sustainable work/life balance.

To conclude, an abundance of modern employees are overworked to the point that they have little to no time for exercising. To walk away from such a situation, employees should strive to become more valuable and, in turn, have the power to choose who they work for.

What You Can Follow in Your Own Writing
  • Introduction: Paraphrase the health problem, state the main cause, then preview the solution.
  • Cause explanation: Heavy workloads → long shifts → little free time/tiredness → no exercise.
  • Specific example: A named real-world example is used to illustrate the workload point.
  • Solution development: Explain why the obvious solution may be unrealistic, then provide an alternative.
  • Result link: Show how self-improvement can create future career flexibility and workout time.
  • Conclusion: Summarize the workload cause and the proposed personal solution.

Sentence Formation — বাক্য গঠন যেভাবে Follow করবেন

1. Cause thesis I believe this is caused by + noun phrase + which + result. Example: I believe this is caused by excessive workloads which reduce their free time and ability to visit the gym.
2. Example For example, + subject + are known to + action. Example: For example, Meta engineers are known to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
3. Consequence Situations as such + verb + object; + additional consequence. Example: Situations as such obstruct a worker's option to exercise.
4. Alternative solution Alternatively, + subject + should consider + noun + an opportunity to + verb. Example: Alternatively, they should consider their current career an opportunity to gain experience and develop cutting-edge skills.
5. Conclusion To + improve situation, + subject + should strive to + action. Example: Employees should strive to become more valuable and, in turn, have the power to choose who they work for.
Simple Formula: Introduction → Cause + Example → Solution + Example → Conclusion
IELTS Writing Task 2

Increasing Weight, Declining Health & Fitness

318 Words
Question

In some countries the average weight of people is increasing and their levels of health and fitness are decreasing. What do you think are the causes of these problems and what measures could be taken to solve them?

Task Response Note
Please note that the question uses the plural "these problems":
What are the causes of these problems? There are actually three
problems in question:
» the average weight of people is increasing;
» their levels of health are decreasing;
» their levels of fitness are decreasing.
Sample Essay

In some countries, the average weight of people is rising, which, I believe, is because eating healthy is too expensive in these countries. Their health and fitness conditions are also becoming worse. I think this is mainly due to the weight they gain. To solve these problems, governments should place a high tax on junk food and meanwhile make healthy food affordable.

Junk food is much cheaper than healthy food. Fresh fruits and vegetables are more expensive to farm than crops that will be processed because they rely on human labor rather than machines. For example, fresh strawberries have to be picked by hand whereas strawberries destined for preserves can be harvested by a machine since bumps and bruises do not matter in the process, and machines are much cheaper in the long run. This makes many people dependent on cheap, unhealthy food to fill their stomachs. Since it is generally high in calories, they easily gain weight as they eat more of it. Their weight gain, in turn, has a negative effect on their fitness since what they gain is fat, not muscle. Even worse, once they become overweight, they will be prone to obesity-related health problems such as heart disease and diabetes.

To solve these problems, junk food should be heavily taxed. Since low prices are the main reason why many people consume it regularly, a high tax could effectively discourage them from doing so. Healthy food should also be made affordable and governments can help by giving subsidies to farmers whose produce will be sold fresh.

In conclusion, the low price of junk food and the high price of healthy food are the main reasons why in some countries people are becoming heavier. The weight they gain then negatively affects their health and fitness. To address these issues, healthy food should be sold at affordable prices and Junk food should be subjected to high taxes.

What You Can Follow in Your Own Writing
  • Task analysis: Notice that the prompt contains three connected problems: weight, health, and fitness.
  • Cause chain: High price of healthy food + low price of junk food → unhealthy diet → weight gain.
  • Effect chain: Weight gain → lower fitness → higher risk of obesity-related disease.
  • Example: Use a concrete production-cost example to explain why healthy food can be more expensive.
  • Solution: Tax junk food and subsidize fresh healthy food; each solution is linked to the price cause.
  • Conclusion: Summarize both the causes and the measures.

Sentence Formation — বাক্য গঠন যেভাবে Follow করবেন

1. Cause thesis A is rising because + cause. B is becoming worse due to + related cause. Example: The average weight of people is rising because eating healthy is too expensive.
2. Cause explanation This makes + object + dependent on + noun. Example: This makes many people dependent on cheap, unhealthy food to fill their stomachs.
3. Effect A, in turn, has a negative effect on B. Example: Their weight gain, in turn, has a negative effect on their fitness.
4. Solution To solve these problems, + noun + should be + action. Example: To solve these problems, junk food should be heavily taxed.
5. Government action Governments can help by + V-ing + object. Example: Governments can help by giving subsidies to farmers whose produce will be sold fresh.
Simple Formula: Introduction → Causes → Effects → Measures → Conclusion
IELTS Writing Task 2

Researching the History of Homes

275 Words
Question

In some countries, more and more people are becoming interested in finding out about the history of the house or building they live in. What are the reasons for this? How can people research this?

Sample Essay

In some countries, there is a growing interest among people in tracing the history of their homes. I think they research this for many reasons, perhaps out of interest, or to find a sense of connection. For help with finding answers, they should turn to the seniors in their neighborhoods.

Some people delve into the stories of their homes simply because they are curious. Many historical buildings have been torn down, which makes those that remain uncommon treasures in the city. As a result, it is likely that residents in the surviving buildings can't help finding out more about them, such as when they were built and why they look the way they do.

There are also people who do research to find a sense of connection. With concrete residential buildings everywhere, neighborhoods nowadays look very alike and, therefore, it is hard for people to feel something special about where they live. However, by learning about the buildings that once stood there and the people who lived in them, for example, a sense of connection and involvement may be fostered.

The best way for people to explore, I believe, is to ask the elderly in their neighborhood. Many seniors have lived in the same neighborhood all their lives. They have seen it change around them. They have witnessed people coming and going. Talking to them can definitely help one uncover some intriguing stories of the place where one lives.

In conclusion, curiosity and a desire to seek a connection are two possible reasons why people investigate the history of their homes. To find answers, they should ask the old people in their neighborhood for help.

What You Can Follow in Your Own Writing
  • Introduction: Give two reasons and preview one practical research method.
  • Reason 1: Curiosity is explained through the rarity and character of historical buildings.
  • Reason 2: A desire for connection is explained through modern neighborhoods looking alike.
  • Result linker: Use “As a result” and “therefore” to show consequences.
  • Method paragraph: Recommend a research method and explain why that source is useful.
  • Conclusion: Restate the reasons and the recommended method.

Sentence Formation — বাক্য গঠন যেভাবে Follow করবেন

1. Trend introduction There is a growing interest among + people + in + V-ing. Example: There is a growing interest among people in tracing the history of their homes.
2. Reason Some people + verb + simply because + reason. Example: Some people delve into the stories of their homes simply because they are curious.
3. Result As a result, it is likely that + clause. Example: As a result, it is likely that residents in the surviving buildings can't help finding out more about them.
4. By + V-ing By + V-ing, + result + may be fostered. Example: By learning about the buildings that once stood there and the people who lived in them, a sense of connection and involvement may be fostered.
5. Method The best way for people to + verb, I believe, is to + action. Example: The best way for people to explore, I believe, is to ask the elderly in their neighborhood.
Simple Formula: Introduction → Reason 1 → Reason 2 → Research Method → Conclusion
IELTS Writing Task 2

Declining Museum Visits

250 Words
Question

Fewer people today visit museums than in the past. Why is this? What can be done to encourage more people to visit museums in the future?

Sample Essay

There are fewer visitors to museums than there were in the past. I believe the endless stream of entertainment on the Internet is the principal cause of this phenomenon. To increase visitor numbers, museums should promote their collections online.

There is a wide choice of entertainment on the Internet. In the pre-Internet era, there was not much people could do at home in their free time, so visiting museums became one of their major leisure activities. However, now with the Internet, people are able to have entertainment at their fingertips. For example, they can just sit at home watching Game of Thrones on Netflix. This is much easier than going to visit museums, which leads to a decline in their popularity.

To increase attendance, museums should promote their collections on the Internet. People today tend to spend a large amount of time online, and thus museums should produce content that tells the stories behind their exhibits and publish it on the Internet. For instance, the National Gallery can make some Youtube videos about how and why Vincent van Gogh created his famous paintings of sunflowers. Since stories easily resonate with people, telling them a work of art's story could inspire them to visit a gallery to see it firsthand.

In conclusion, the main reason for the decline in the number of visitors to museums is the endless entertainment on the Internet. To solve this problem, museums should take advantage of the Internet and create online content to publicize their works.

What You Can Follow in Your Own Writing
  • Introduction: State one principal cause and one clear solution.
  • Past vs present: Contrast the pre-Internet era with current online entertainment.
  • Cause → result: Internet entertainment is easier → museum visits decline.
  • Solution alignment: Use the Internet—the source of competition—as the channel to promote museums.
  • Example: A specific National Gallery / Van Gogh example makes the solution vivid.
  • Conclusion: Repeat the core cause and solution concisely.

Sentence Formation — বাক্য গঠন যেভাবে Follow করবেন

1. Cause thesis I believe + cause + is the principal cause of + phenomenon. Example: I believe the endless stream of entertainment on the Internet is the principal cause of this phenomenon.
2. Contrast However, now with + change, + subject + are able to + benefit/action. Example: However, now with the Internet, people are able to have entertainment at their fingertips.
3. Effect This is much easier than + alternative, which leads to + result. Example: This is much easier than going to visit museums, which leads to a decline in their popularity.
4. Solution To increase + target, + subject + should + action. Example: To increase attendance, museums should promote their collections on the Internet.
5. Since sentence Since + reason, + action + could + result. Example: Since stories easily resonate with people, telling them a work of art's story could inspire them to visit a gallery.
Simple Formula: Introduction → Main Cause → Solution + Example → Conclusion
IELTS Writing Task 2

Hunger Despite Agricultural Advances

251 Words
Question

In spite of the advances made in agriculture, many people around the world still go hungry. Why is this the case? What can be done about this problem?

Sample Essay

Even though progress has been made in agriculture, a large number of people around the globe still face hunger. I think poverty is the main culprit in this problem, and developing the economy is how we could solve it.

There are still many people living in poverty. Even though advances in agriculture have greatly improved food output, many people are too poor to afford any. Take India for example. it certainly has some advanced agricultural technologies; otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to become one of the biggest food producers in the world. However, millions of Indians either have no income or earn less than one dollar a week. Having no money to buy food, these people have to suffer starvation.

To resolve the hunger problem caused by poverty, governments need to focus on growing their economies. Poor people are often unskilled; building a strong economy means even the unskilled can find a job. To achieve this goal, governments can open up their countries to foreign investment. For example, since Amazon entered the Indian market, it has created hundreds of thousands of warehouse jobs for unskilled, local workers. A stable job like this allows the poor to have a steady income to feed themselves and their families.

In conclusion, although technology has increased food production, many people are still starving because they do not have enough money to buy food. To improve this situation, governments need to develop their economies so that even the poorest can find work to feed themselves.

What You Can Follow in Your Own Writing
  • Introduction: Acknowledge the contrast in the question, then state the main cause and solution.
  • Cause: Poverty is separated from food production: food may exist, but poor people cannot afford it.
  • Example: Use a country example to show that high food production does not automatically remove hunger.
  • Solution: Economic growth and foreign investment are presented as ways to create jobs and income.
  • Cause → solution link: No income → no food; stable job → steady income → ability to buy food.
  • Conclusion: Restate poverty as the cause and economic development as the solution.

Sentence Formation — বাক্য গঠন যেভাবে Follow করবেন

1. Contrast introduction Even though + progress, + problem + still + verb. Example: Even though progress has been made in agriculture, a large number of people around the globe still face hunger.
2. Main cause I think + noun + is the main culprit in this problem. Example: I think poverty is the main culprit in this problem.
3. Example Take + place + for example. Example: Take India for example.
4. Purpose To resolve + problem caused by + cause, + subject + need to + action. Example: To resolve the hunger problem caused by poverty, governments need to focus on growing their economies.
5. Goal To achieve this goal, + subject + can + action. Example: To achieve this goal, governments can open up their countries to foreign investment.
Simple Formula: Introduction → Cause + Example → Solution + Example → Conclusion