iBT Speaking Materials | Problem-Solution Task Question

The Fifth Question you're going to encounter in the TOFEL iBT Speaking Section is The Problem/ Solution Task Question. In this question, you will hear a conversation between two speakers (two students, a student and a professor, a student and an adviser, or a student and an administrator). One of them has a problem related to university life, and they both discuss two possible solutions to that problem. Your job is to summarize the problem and the two possible solutions. Then, you have to make a recommendation illustrating which of the two solutions you think is best, and you have to support your recommendation with reasons. Below you'll find some useful phrases that will help you do that.

Stating the Problem 

1. The man's problem is + (n/ that + S)
2. The woman's problem is + (n/ that + S)
3. The problem is that + (Sentence)
4. The man has a problem with + (noun)
5. The woman has a problem with + (noun)

Stating the First Solution

Advise & Suggest 

1. The man suggests that + (Sentence)
2. The woman suggests that + (Sentence)
3. The man advises that + (Sentence)
4. The woman advises that + (Sentence)
5. The man advises the woman to + V1
6. The woman advises the man to + V1

Think & Say

1. The man thinks that the woman should + V1
2. The woman thinks that the man should + V1
3. The man says that the woman ought to + V1
4. The woman says that the man ought to + V1

Tell & Urge

1. The man tells the woman that + (Sentence)
2. The woman tells the man that + (Sentence)
3. The man tells the woman to + V1
4. The woman tells the man to + V1
5. The man urges the woman to + V1
6. The woman urges the man to + V1

Stating the Second Solution

1. The man then suggests that + (Sentence)
2. The woman then suggests that + (Sentence)
3. The man's second suggestion is that + (Sentence)
4. The woman's second suggestion is that + (Sentence)

Reactions to Suggestions(Solutions) and Reasons for the Reactions

Positive Reaction 

1. The man likes this suggestion/advice because……..
2. The woman likes this suggestion/advice because........

Not sure Reaction

1. The man thinks the woman's idea is a good one but that+ (Sentence)
2. The woman thinks the man's idea is a good one but that+ (Sentence)
3. The man is not sure if this is a good idea because.........
4. The woman is not sure if this is a good idea because.........
5. The man doesn't know if he can afford to follow this suggestion/advice because.........
6. The woman doesn't know if she can afford to follow this Suggestion/advice because..........

Negative Reaction

1. The man doesn't want to follow the woman's advice because.........
2. The woman doesn't want to follow the man's advice because.........

Recommendations & Reasons for them (Your opinion)

1. In my opinion, (Sentence) because..........
2. I think the man should follow the woman's first suggestion because.........
3. I think the woman should follow the man's first suggestion because .........
4. I think the man's second suggestion is better because..........
5. I think the woman's second suggestion is better..........
6. I agree with the man's suggestion that + (Sentence).
7. The reason I think so is that + (Sentence)
8. I agree with the woman's suggestion that + (Sentence).
9. The reason I think so is that + (Sentence)

Rejecting Both Solutions & Proposing your Own

1. Personally, I wouldn't follow either of these two suggestions. Instead I would......
2. I don't like either of these two suggestions. Here's what I would do. I would......

If you are preparing for the TOFEL IBT test, I highly recommend the following book: