ATHS-RAK
Unit 5 – Building Academic Writing Skills
G10
A Problem-Solution Essay
“Water shortage is becoming a problem for the Middle East.” Discuss this problem and
suggest some solutions.” Write 150 words.
How to write a problem/solution essay?
Write 4 paragraphs

Paragraph 1
Introduce the topic. Write a thesis statement

Paragraph 2
Identify the reasons for the problems and
Give examples

Paragraph 3
Suggest possible solutions with examples

Paragraph 4
Conclusion: summarize in 2 sentences
Now read the example ‘Water shortage is becoming a problem in the Middle East’.
Answer these questions:
1. What are the main reasons for the water shortage?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. What are the four possible solutions mentioned?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. Highlight the expressions used to introduce the problems and solutions.
Yasmeen Shakoor
Source: http://www.admc.hct.ac.ae/hd1/english/probsoln/water2.htm Page 1
ATHS-RAK
Unit 5 – Building Academic Writing Skills
G10
Topic:
“Water shortage is becoming a problem for the Middle East.” Discuss this problem
and suggest some solutions.” Write 150 words.
We need water to live. When there is a water shortage, there is a serious
problem. This problem is now facing many countries in the Middle East.
The main reason for this problem is the growing population in the region. This
means there are more demands on the water supply. For example, more land is
used to supply food and so more water is needed for irrigation. Some of this
water comes from desalination plants, but some comes from underground
reserves. These resources are difficult to replace, as little rain falls in this region.
An additional problem is water pollution. With increased industrialisation comes
the increased use of chemicals. Another reason for water shortage is that as
countries become richer people use more and more in their homes. For instance,
people like to bath or shower every day.
One solution is to make more water available. This can be done by building more
desalination plants. However, this is very expensive and some countries could not
afford to do this. Another possibility is to educate people so they do not waste
water. Another solution is to protect existing water supplies like underground
supplies and take steps to prevent them becoming polluted. Also, recycled water
could be used for irrigating farms.
These are some ideas to help solve the problem. Saying that, it is essential that
everyone must become involved, including governments, if a lasting solution is
going to be found. Otherwise, the problem could become a disaster.
Yasmeen Shakoor
Source: http://www.admc.hct.ac.ae/hd1/english/probsoln/water2.htm Page 2
ATHS-RAK
Unit 5 – Building Academic Writing Skills
G10
A Problem-Solution Essay: Water Shortages in the UAE
“Water shortage is becoming a problem for the United Arab Emirates. Why is this
and
cangaps
we do
about
Writeword
150 words.
Fillwhat
in the
using
a it?”
suitable
Sample Essay:
For the last thirty years Emirati people have taken their water
supply for granted, using hundreds of gallons everyday.
Nowadays, UAE government is facing a water shortage
problem. In this essay I will discuss the lack of water in the UAE and outline
some solutions.
Since the UAE is located in the desert, it has a very small amount of
underground water, little rain and no rivers. Because of that the government
has to rely on other water resources like desalination the sea water. The
high consumption of water by the people in their houses and the farmers in
their farms is the main reason of this water shortage. Because they get the
water supply for free people in the UAE don’t care about the amount of
water that gets wasted, which is nothing compared to the amount of water
that gets wasted in the farms.
UAE water shortage has several solutions. One of them is installing meters in
the houses. Another solution is growing crops that can flourish in salty water
and survive lack of water. However, the government can also try pumping
wasted water into the ground after cleaning it to raise the underground
water level. One of the most obvious solutions is educating the people about
this serious problem.
In conclusion, water shortage is a very serious problem exists not only in the
UAE but also in the other gulf cooperation council states. UAE government is
trying to stop it from becoming worse using highly developed techniques.
Yasmeen Shakoor
Source: http://www.admc.hct.ac.ae/hd1/english/probsoln/water2.htm Page 3
ATHS-RAK
Unit 5 – Building Academic Writing Skills
G10
A Problem-Solution Essay: Water Shortages in the UAE
“Water shortage is becoming a problem for the United Arab Emirates. Why is this
Fillwhat
in the
using
a it?”
suitable
and
cangaps
we do
about
Writeword
150 words.
Write your essay here:
One of the biggest problems facing the United Arab Emirates today is the
shortage of water. People always using too much of water. Water is
important for people life. This essay will examine the problem of shortage
and suggest some possible solutions for it.
There are many problem associated with shortage of water in uae One
problem is that the uae located in the desert . However It has a very small
amount of underground of water. Another issue is that a lot of water is
used by the people in the houses and farm is their farm Because they get
the water supply people in the use don’t care about the amount of water
that gets wasted.
There are many ways to solve the problem of shortage of water. One
solution is to make water available . Building desalination plant can do
this. In additions some countries could not afford to do this. Another
solution is to educate people so they don’t waste water. However this will
help to keep the water clean
In conclusion, educate people is the best solution because this will make water
clean and safe for people life.
If we work together, we can overcome this serious threat.
Yasmeen Shakoor
Source: http://www.admc.hct.ac.ae/hd1/english/probsoln/water2.htm Page 4
ATHS-RAK
Yasmeen Shakoor
Unit 5 – Building Academic Writing Skills
G10
Source: http://www.admc.hct.ac.ae/hd1/english/probsoln/water2.htm Page 5