Hustlers IELTS | Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic (Test 4) | Band 7–9 Problem–Solution Essay
This is a problem–solution task, and the wording matters.
The question is not “Why do people go hungry?”
It is: Why do people still go hungry despite major agricultural advances?
That forces you to go beyond basic answers and discuss barriers like conflict, climate disruption, and poverty—then propose realistic solutions.
The Task
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?
The Hustlers IELTS Planning Logic (What to Cover)
Causes (the “why”)
- War → displacement + disrupted farming/harvests
- Climate change → droughts + floods destroying crops and livestock
- Extreme poverty → people cannot buy food (especially in cities) and cannot invest in farming
Solutions (the “what can be done”)
- Short-term: emergency food relief (WFP, food banks)
- Long-term: farmer education + improved techniques + nutrient-rich crops
- Long-term (controversial): GM crops resistant to drought/disease
Band 7–9 Model Essay
Hunger continues to be a problem around the world despite agricultural advances such as improved crop yields and new harvesting technologies. This essay will consider some reasons for this, along with both short and long-term solutions.
One of the main causes of extreme hunger is war, which tends to displace thousands and sometimes millions of people as they flee conflict, making it difficult for them to get access to food. War can also make it difficult for farmers to engage in daily farming or to gather in the harvest, which can exacerbate food shortages.
Climate change is an additional cause of hunger. Drought makes irrigation impossible, causing crops to die off and livestock to die, while flooding caused by heavy rains can destroy plants.
Urban inhabitants, even in developed countries, can be victims of hunger. Those in extreme poverty may find it hard to feed themselves more than once a day because of increased prices, and the fact that they live in cities means they can’t grow their own food.
One obvious solution is to provide emergency food supplies to the hungry. The UN’s World Food Programme is one organisation that has provided effective emergency famine relief in regions affected by war and drought, while food banks can provide assistance to people living in urban areas. However, these are only short-term solutions.
Longer term solutions include better training for farmers, especially in the developing world. This could include advice on how to implement more efficient agricultural techniques as well as on how to grow more nutrient-rich crops. Although controversial, the increased use of genetically-modified foods may provide another long-term solution, as it could lead to the cultivation of crops more resistant to drought and disease.
In summary, global hunger is caused by a number of factors, including war, climate change and poverty, but emergency food supplies, education and GM foods can be used to help alleviate the worst of the problems.
(321 words)
Why This Essay Scores High
1) It Answers the Real Question
It explains hunger despite agriculture advances—meaning the causes are not “lack of farming knowledge,” but barriers that prevent food from being produced, transported, or afforded.
2) It Separates Causes and Solutions Clearly
This makes it very easy for the examiner to award strong Task Response.
3) It Offers Layered Solutions
Short-term relief + long-term structural changes. That’s exactly what “what can be done” demands.
Band 9 Vocabulary & Collocations (Use These)
- improved crop yields
- new harvesting technologies
- short and long-term solutions
- extreme hunger
- displace thousands / flee conflict
- get access to food
- gather in the harvest
- exacerbate food shortages
- drought makes irrigation impossible
- crops die off / livestock die
- flooding caused by heavy rains
- victims of hunger
- emergency food supplies
- World Food Programme
- effective emergency famine relief
- regions affected by war and drought
- food banks
- implement efficient agricultural techniques
- nutrient-rich crops
- genetically-modified foods
- cultivation of crops resistant to drought and disease
- alleviate the worst of the problems
Hustlers IELTS Final Word
Problem–solution essays are where you can score very high—if you stay disciplined:
- Explain causes, not effects
- Give short-term and long-term solutions
- Use clear paragraphing
- Finish with a direct summary