IELTS Causes and Solution Essay: Health Topics with Sample Answers
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In the Academic IELTS Writing section, health-related essay topics often focus on public health issues and lifestyle choices. Common subtopics may include: the impact of diet and exercise on health, the role of government in healthcare, mental health awareness, the effects of smoking and alcohol consumption, the challenges of an aging population, and the benefits of preventive healthcare measures.
Find useful IELTS vocabulary on health here.
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Essay Topics
Task
Stress-related illnesses are becoming increasingly common. What do you think are the causes of this? What solutions can you suggest?
Model Answer
Stress-related illnesses have become increasingly prevalent in modern society. This essay will explore the main causes of stress-induced diseases, including workplace pressures and lifestyle choices, while proposing effective solutions such as adopting a nutritious diet and engaging in regular physical activity.
In today’s fast-paced world, individuals experience unprecedented levels of job-related stress. The intense competition among companies necessitates that employees deliver results in increasingly shorter timeframes. For instance, many workers find themselves clocking in longer hours to meet their employers’ expectations, consequently sacrificing their leisure and rest time. Additionally, the absence of breaks often leads to unhealthy eating habits, with individuals resorting to fast food rather than nutritious meals. This combination of excessive work demands and poor dietary choices culminates in both mental and physical distress, as workers push themselves beyond their limits to keep their jobs.
To reduce the impact of stress-related illnesses, it is essential to adopt a balanced diet and do regular exercise. These practices support both physical and mental well-being. For example, engaging in physical exercise triggers the release of endorphins, hormones that alleviate stress and enhance overall well-being. Furthermore, a diet rich in wholesome foods has been shown to elevate mood and improve mental health. Consuming foods high in omega-3 fatty acids—such as salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds—has been linked to reduced anxiety and improved emotional stability.
In conclusion, the growing prevalence of stress-related health issues reflects the pressures of modern living. Tackling this problem requires a shift toward healthier routines that prioritize both mental resilience and physical care. With informed choices and sustained effort, individuals can better manage stress and safeguard their long-term well-being.
Commentary
Essay Question:
Stress-related illnesses are becoming increasingly common in today’s society. What are the main causes of this, and what solutions can be proposed to address the problem?
Introduction
Clarity:
• Topic introduced clearly with appropriate context.
Thesis:
• States both causes and solutions; writer’s focus is clearly established.
Body Paragraphs
Main Ideas (Causes):
• Intense workplace pressure due to competition and deadlines
• Long working hours and lack of leisure/rest
• Unhealthy eating habits caused by lack of time and poor routine
Main Ideas (Solutions):
• Regular physical exercise (endorphin release, stress relief)
• Nutritious diet (mental health benefits, omega-3 example)
Coherence:
• Ideas are logically sequenced.
• Smooth transitions between causes and solutions.
• Paragraphs are well-developed and balanced in length.
Conclusion
Summary:
• Effectively restates causes and solutions.
• Opinion is clear, aligns with the essay’s arguments.
• Concise and avoids unnecessary repetition.
Vocabulary & Grammar
High-Level Vocabulary:
• Flaxseeds – tiny, brown or golden seeds rich in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients
• Unprecedented – never experienced before
• Culminates – results in, leads to
• Wholesome – healthy, nutritious
• Alleviate – to reduce or relieve
Academic Phrases:
• “To reduce the impact of…”
• “This combination of…”
• “Has been shown to…”
Complex Sentences:
• “This combination of excessive work demands and poor dietary choices culminates in both mental and physical distress, as workers push themselves beyond their limits to keep their jobs.”
• “Furthermore, a diet rich in wholesome foods has been shown to elevate mood and improve mental health.”
TaskIt is difficult for people in cities to get enough physical exercise. What are the causes and solutions?
How to approach the essay:
• Understand the Task: This is a cause-and-solution essay. Explain why city dwellers lack exercise and suggest realistic solutions.
| Causes of Sedentary Lifestyles | Proposed Solutions to Encourage Activity |
|---|---|
| • Urbanization reduces green/public spaces • Increased car use discourages walking/cycling • Busy work schedules limit time for exercise | • Government investment in sports and recreation facilities • Media campaigns highlighting health risks of inactivity • Employers to provide time for physical activity during work hours |
• Stay Relevant: Use examples but avoid unrelated issues like diet or rural living.
• Thesis Tip: State that while city life limits exercise, effective action can fix this.
Model Answer
In recent years, the increase in sedentary lifestyles has surged across urban communities. This phenomenon can largely be attributed to a combination of time constraints and the scarcity of spaces conducive to physical activity. Nevertheless, both authorities and individuals can implement effective measures to counteract this trend.
The rapid migration from rural areas to urban centers has significantly increased city populations. As a result, the construction of skyscrapers has often replaced green spaces, reducing the availability of areas suitable for walking and other outdoor pursuits. Furthermore, as living standards have improved, a growing number of individuals have opted for private vehicles. The convenience of door-to-door travel by car has rendered cycling, walking, and public transportation less appealing. Additionally, the demands of modern work schedules leave many individuals with insufficient time to engage in sports or physical exercise.
To address these challenges, it is imperative that both government entities and the media take active steps to promote healthier habits among the public. For instance, governments should invest in high-quality sports facilities and community recreational centers, thereby encouraging greater participation in physical activities. The media also plays a vital role in raising public awareness about the serious health risks of a sedentary lifestyle, including obesity and various related health issues. Furthermore, workplaces should allocate a portion of working hours to physical activities, promoting a culture of health and well-being.
In conclusion, while the rise of sedentary lifestyles may seem inevitable in today’s fast-paced world, collaborative efforts between governments and individuals can effectively mitigate this issue and encourage a more active population — failing which, society may face a surge in chronic health conditions and reduced overall quality of life.
Commentary
Essay Question:
It is difficult for people in cities to get enough physical exercise. What are the causes and solutions?
Introduction
• Clarity: The issue is introduced clearly with a focus on sedentary lifestyles in urban areas.
• Thesis: The writer presents both causes and solutions, clearly expressing a stance that the issue can be addressed.
Body Paragraphs
Main Ideas (Causes):
• Urban overcrowding leading to loss of green spaces
• Preference for private cars over walking or public transport
• Time constraints from demanding work schedules
Main Ideas (Solutions):
• Government investment in sports and recreational facilities
• Media campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles
• Workplace initiatives for exercise during work hours
Coherence:
• Ideas are logically organized
• Smooth transitions between causes and solutions
• Each paragraph is clearly focused and supports the thesis
Conclusion
• Summary: Restates key causes and solutions without exact repetition
• Opinion: Offers a strong closing warning using a dire conditional to emphasize the importance of action
Vocabulary & Grammar
High-Level Vocabulary:
• Sedentary lifestyles – inactive way of living
• Conducive – suitable or favorable
• Recreational centers – places for leisure activity
• Chronic – long-lasting or persistent (e.g., chronic health conditions)
• Mitigate – reduce or lessen the impact
Academic Phrases:
• To address these challenges…
• It is imperative that…
• Raise public awareness…
• This phenomenon can largely be attributed to
Complex Sentences:
• “The convenience of door-to-door travel by car has rendered cycling, walking, and public transportation less appealing.”
• “While the rise of sedentary lifestyles may seem inevitable in today’s fast-paced world, collaborative efforts… can effectively mitigate this issue…”

