Level 3 Writing: Problem/Solution Essays - Brainstorming and Planning Prompt Today, speeding on roads is a major problem in the UAE. What are some solutions to this problem? What are some problems of speeding? What are some solutions? Solution 1: Explain/Example Result Solution 2: Explain/Example Result Solution 3: Explain/Example Result
Today, speeding on roads is a major problem in the UAE. What are some solutions to this problem? Problem/Solution Essay Put the words from the boxes into the correct places in the paragraphs: because however but The UAE has an excellent system of roads and motorways, 1) many people drive much too fast. This is a problem 2) speeding causes terrible accidents that injure and kill many people. 3), there are several solutions for this problem. consequently for example first if The 4) solution is that the government should start an education program that teaches people about the dangers of driving too fast. 5), schools could have special lessons where students go to hospitals to visit people who have been in traffic accidents. 6) those students see the horrible results of accidents, they may understand the risks of speeding. 7), they might be more careful about their speed when they are driving. so if second because for instance A 8) solution to the problem of speeding is that the government should have more speed cameras and higher fines for speeding. 9) everyone who drives too fast is caught by the speed cameras, they will have to pay a lot of money to the government in fines. 10), on the Al Ain to Dubai motorway, there are many speed cameras, 11) most people don t drive too fast 12) they don t want to lose their money. as a result such as finally because 13), the government should take cars away from people who drive too fast. 14) some people don t seem to care about money or other people s lives, neither fines nor education will change their driving. The government needs another way to keep them off the roads, 15) removing their cars. 16), the number of speeders on the roads would decrease and everybody could travel by car more safely. although and conclusion In 17), 18) some people drive much too fast, there are solutions to this problem. The government should educate people about the risks of speeding, put in more speed cameras with higher fines, 19) take cars away from people who speed too much. Because everybody s life is precious, we should all drive safely.
Vocabulary Building Find the words in each paragraph that match the meanings below. Write the words in the spaces below. Introduction very good very bad hurt badly more than a few Body 1 risks particular or specific attentive or cautious Body 2 money you pay if you break a rule or a law Body 3 taking away people who drive too fast drop or reduce carefully Conclusion while valuable Essay Analysis Answer these questions by scanning the text. 1. What does speeding cause? 2. How many solutions are there? 3. What are the solutions? 4. Who is responsible for the education programs? 5. What kind of people would students visit in hospitals? 6. What happens to people who are caught by speed cameras? 7. What do some speeders not care about? 8. What does the writer think about life?
There are 18 pieces to this essay. Write the name of each piece (topic sentence/example/result etc ) from the box on the left into the box on the right. The first one has been done as an example. Then, underline any words in the essay which show you what part of the essay each piece is. General sentence and problem Thesis statement Problem details Introduction 1) The UAE has an excellent system of roads and motorways, but many people drive much too fast. 2) This is a problem because speeding causes terrible accidents that injure and kill many people. 3) However, there are several solutions for this problem. 1. General sentence and problem 2. 3. Example Result Topic sentence(main idea) Condition & result Body Paragraph 1 4) The first solution is for the government to start an education program that teaches people about the dangers of driving too fast. 5) For example, schools could have special lessons where students go to hospitals to visit people who have been in traffic accidents. 6) If those students see the horrible results of accidents, they may understand the risks of speeding. 7) Consequently, they might be more careful about their speed when they are driving. 4. 5. 6. 7. Explanation Result Topic sentence(main idea) Example Body Paragraph 2 8) A second solution to the problem of speeding is that the government should have more speed cameras and higher fines for speeding. 9) If everyone who drives too fast is caught by the speed cameras, they will have to pay a lot of money to the government in fines. 10) For instance, on the Al Ain to Dubai motorway, there are many speed cameras, 11) so most people don t drive too fast because they don t want to lose their money. 8. 9. 10. 11. Explanation Result Topic sentence(main idea) Example Body Paragraph 3 12) Finally, the government could take cars away from people who drive too fast. 13) Because some people don t seem to care about money or other people s lives, neither fines nor education will change their driving. The government needs another way to keep them off the roads, 14) such as removing their cars. 15) As a result, the number of speeders on the roads would decrease and everybody could travel by car more safely. 12. 13. 14. 15. Summary of solutions Advice Problem & Thesis statement again Conclusion 16) In conclusion, although some people drive much too fast, there are solutions to this problem. 17) The government should educate people about the risks of speeding, put in more speed cameras with higher fines, and take cars away from people who speed too much. 18) Because everybody s life is precious, we should all drive safely. 16. 17. 18.
Today, speeding on roads is a major problem in the UAE. What are some solutions to this problem? Answers to linking word gapfill. The UAE has an excellent system of roads and motorways, but many people drive much too fast. This is a problem because speeding causes terrible accidents that injure and kill many people. However, there are several solutions for this problem. The first solution is for the government to start an education program that teaches people about the dangers of driving too fast. For example, schools could have special lessons where students go to hospitals to visit people who have been in traffic accidents. If those students see the horrible results of accidents, they may understand the risks of speeding. Consequently, they might be more careful about their speed when they are driving. A second solution to the problem of speeding is that the government should have more speed cameras and higher fines for speeding. If everyone who drives too fast is caught by the speed cameras, they will have to pay a lot of money to the government in fines. For instance, on the Al Ain to Dubai motorway, there are many speed cameras, so most people don t drive too fast because they don t want to lose their money. Finally, the government could take cars away from people who drive too fast. Because some people don t seem to care about money or other people s lives, neither fines nor education will change their driving. The government needs another way to keep them off the roads, such as removing their cars. As a result, the number of speeders on the roads would decrease and everybody could travel by car more safely. In conclusion, although some people drive much too fast, there are solutions to this problem. The government should educate people about the risks of speeding, put in more speed cameras with higher fines, and take cars away from people who speed too much. Because everybody s life is precious, we should all drive safely. (312 words)
Vocabulary Building Answers Find the words in each paragraph that match the meanings below. Write the words in the spaces below. Introduction very good very bad hurt badly more than a few excellent terrible injure several Body 1 risks particular or specific attentive or cautious dangers special careful Body 2 money you pay if you break a rule or a law fines Body 3 taking away people who drive too fast drop or reduce carefully removing speeders decrease safely Conclusion while valuable although precious Essay Analysis Answer these questions by scanning the text. 1. What does speeding cause? Accidents causing injury and death 2. How many solutions are there? Three 3. What are the solutions? Education, more speed cameras and higher fines, take away cars 4. Who is responsible for the education programs? Government/schools 5. What kind of people would students visit in hospitals? People who have been injured in traffic accidents 6. What happens to people who are caught by speed cameras? They have to pay fines 7. What do some speeders not care about? Neither money nor other people s lives 8. What does the writer think about life? That it is precious
There are 17 pieces to this essay. Write the name of each piece (topic sentence/example/result etc ) from the box on the left into the box on the right. The first one has been done as an example. Then, underline any words in the essay which show you what part of the essay each piece is. Answers General sentence and problem Thesis statement Problem details Introduction 1) The UAE has an excellent system of roads and motorways, but many people drive much too fast. 2) This is a problem because speeding causes terrible accidents that injure and kill many people. 3) However, there are several solutions for this problem. 1. General sentence and problem 2. Problem details 3. Thesis statement Example Result Topic sentence(main idea) Condition & result Body Paragraph 1 4) The first solution is for the government to start an education program that teaches people about the dangers of driving too fast. 5) For example, schools could have special lessons where students go to hospitals to visit people who have been in traffic accidents. 6) If those students see the horrible results of accidents, they may understand the risks of speeding. 7) Consequently, they might be more careful about their speed when they are driving. 4. Topic sentence(main idea) 5. Example 6. Condition & result 7. Result Explanation Result Topic sentence(main idea) Example Body Paragraph 2 8) A second solution to the problem of speeding is that the government should have more speed cameras and higher fines for speeding. 9) If everyone who drives too fast is caught by the speed cameras, they will have to pay a lot of money to the government in fines. 10) For instance, on the Al Ain to Dubai motorway, there are many speed cameras, 11) so most people don t drive too fast because they don t want to lose their money. 8. Topic sentence(main idea) 9. Explanation 10. Example 11. Result Explanation Result Topic sentence(main idea) Example Body Paragraph 3 12) Finally, the government could take cars away from people who drive too fast. 13) Because some people don t seem to care about money or other people s lives, neither fines nor education will change their driving. The government needs another way to keep them off the roads, 14) such as removing their cars. 15) As a result, the number of speeders on the roads would decrease and everybody could travel by car more safely. 12. Topic sentence(main idea) 13. Explanation 14. Example 15. Result Summary of solutions Advice Problem & Thesis statement again Conclusion 16) In conclusion, although some people drive much too fast, there are solutions to this problem. 17) The government should educate people about the risks of speeding, put in more speed cameras with higher fines, and take cars away from people who speed too much. 18) Because everybody s life is precious, we should all drive safely. 16. Problem & Thesis statement again 17. Summary of solutions 18. Advice
Today, speeding on roads is a major problem in the UAE. What are some solutions to this problem? The UAE has an excellent system of roads and motorways, but many people drive much too fast. This is a problem because speeding causes terrible accidents that injure and kill many people. However, there are several solutions for this problem. The first solution is that the government should start an education program that teaches people about the dangers of driving too fast. For example, schools could have special lessons where students go to hospitals to visit people who have been in traffic accidents. If those students see the horrible results of accidents, they may understand the risks of speeding. Consequently, they might be more careful about their speed when they are driving. A second solution to the problem of speeding is that the government should have more speed cameras and higher fines for speeding. If everyone who drives too fast is caught by the speed cameras, they will have to pay a lot of money to the government in fines. For instance, on the Al Ain to Dubai motorway, there are many speed cameras, so most people don t drive too fast because they don t want to lose their money. Finally, the government should take cars away from people who drive too fast. Because some people don t seem to care about money or other people s lives, neither fines nor education will change their driving. The government needs another way to keep them off the roads, such as removing their cars. As a result, the number of speeders on the roads would decrease and everybody could travel by car more safely. In conclusion, although some people drive much too fast, there are solutions to this problem. The government should educate people about the risks of speeding, put in more speed cameras with higher fines, and take cars away from people who speed too much. Because everybody s life is precious, we should all drive safely. (312 words)