NAME: __________________________________________
ID: _______________
SECTION: ______
LEVEL FOUR ENGLISH
CAUSE & EFFECT –
PROBLEM-SOLUTION
ESSAYS
CAUSE & EFFECT / PROBLEM-SOLUTION ESSAYS
CAUSE & EFFECT PHRASES: CAUSES
The main reason for global warming is the increased emissions of CO2.
The main reason for global warming is that cars, lorries and factories are producing increased emissions of CO2.
One cause of global warming is CO2 emissions from road vehicles.
One cause of global warming is that CO2 emissions from road vehicles are increasing.
One explanation of global warming is increased CO2 emissions from vehicles and factories.
A further / another cause of global warming is that powerful greenhouse gases known as fluorocarbons are
released by industrial processes into the atmosphere.
A further cause of global warming is the release by industrial processes of powerful greenhouse gases known as
fluorocarbons into the atmosphere.
An additional contributing factor is (that) ………
A further fact which explains global warming is (that) ……..
Global warming is due to …….
Global warming is (largely) the result of ……..
Other causes of global warming include ……
EFFECTS
This has led to the melting of the ice caps and a rise in the sea level.
This has resulted in …… This has been responsible for the ……….
This has meant a reduction in the size of the ice caps. This has caused a reduction in the size of the ice caps.
As a result, the ice caps have begun to melt. Consequently, …… As a consequence, …….
PROBLEM / SOLUTION – CAUSE / EFFECT ESSAY FORMAT
Paragraph One - Introduction
What is the problem? What happens? When / where does it happen?
Paragraph Two – Causes
What are the causes of this problem?
Paragraph Three – Effects
What are the effects of this problem?
Paragraph Four – Solution[s]
Give an example of a solution
What is the solution? Does this solution solve the problem? Why? Why not?
Paragraph Five - Conclusion
What are other possible solutions? Are these solutions good? Why? Why not?
CAUSE & EFFECT / PROBLEM-SOLUTION ESSAY TOPICS
1. Many people learning English have great difficulty with learning English. Explain why you think this is the case.
What particular problems do these speakers have? What are the causes and results of these problems? Finally,
how can we try to solve these problems?
2. Living in a large, modern city is very stressful, what are the causes and results of this stress? How can the effects
of stress be managed or reduced?
3. Travelling by plane is becoming increasingly dangerous. Discuss the causes and effects of this. Propose ways in
which these dangers can be reduced.
4. How did the invention of the car in the 1920's change the world and what positive and negative influences it has
had on society?
5. Why do teenagers take drugs? What effect does this have on their lives and their families? What can be done to
solve this problem?
6. What are the causes and effects of eating bad food and overeating and how can this problem be solved?
7. Why do people sometimes move to different countries, and how does it change their lives?
8. Discuss the causes of hunger (in separate countries, or in general), and its effects.
9. What are the causes and effects of sea pollution?
10. Why do wars happen? What are the results of war? Can wars be prevented? How?
11. Why do some people hunt and kill endangered animals? What effect does this have? How can this be
prevented?
12. Why do people smoke? What are the effects of smoking? What can be done to stop people smoking?