Problem-Solving & Opinions — Part 2
The Celpip Plus team
Written and reviewed against the official CELPIP scoring criteria
What you'll learn: the adjective + noun collocations that let you evaluate problems, solutions, and arguments with precision — replacing generic words like "good idea" or "big problem" with more natural, exam-ready alternatives.
Why descriptive precision matters here
When comparing solutions or defending an opinion, learners often lean on the same handful of adjectives — "good," "bad," "big," "important" — regardless of what they're actually describing. Native speakers instead select an adjective that fits the specific noun: a viable option is not the same as a compelling argument, and a pressing issue is not the same as a minor drawback. This lesson builds that more precise descriptive vocabulary for problem-solving and opinion tasks.
Grouping the adjectives by function
The pairs below cluster into three functions: describing the urgency or size of a problem (pressing issue, minor drawback), describing the strength of a solution or argument (viable option, compelling argument), and describing the outcome of a decision (mutual benefit, unintended consequence). Sorting them this way makes it easier to reach for the right word depending on what stage of your response you're in.
Word bank: descriptive problem-solving & opinion collocations
| Collocation | Meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| pressing issue | a problem that urgently needs attention | Traffic congestion remains a pressing issue in the downtown core. |
| viable option | a realistic, workable choice | Remote work is a viable option for many office employees now. |
| compelling argument | a persuasive, convincing point | She made a compelling argument for extending the deadline. |
| minor drawback | a small, relatively unimportant disadvantage | The plan has a minor drawback: it takes slightly longer to set up. |
| mutual benefit | an advantage shared by both sides | The new arrangement offers mutual benefit to both departments. |
| unintended consequence | an unplanned, often negative, side effect of a decision | The tax cut had an unintended consequence for small businesses. |
| valid point | a reasonable, well-supported observation | He raised a valid point about the cost of the proposal. |
| practical solution | a workable, realistic fix to a problem | We need a practical solution, not just an ideal one. |
| widespread problem | an issue affecting many people or areas | Food waste is a widespread problem in most large cities. |
| balanced perspective | a viewpoint that considers multiple sides fairly | Her essay offered a balanced perspective on the debate. |
| short-term fix | a solution that works temporarily but not permanently | Hiring temporary staff was only ever a short-term fix. |
| long-term impact | an effect that persists well into the future | Few people consider the long-term impact of their spending habits. |
Worked example — Writing Task 2 opinion
Prompt: Some people prefer quick fixes to problems, while others prefer long-term solutions. Which do you prefer?
"I believe that while a short-term fix can relieve a pressing issue quickly, it rarely addresses the root cause, which is why I favour a more practical solution with lasting effects. Take traffic congestion, a genuinely widespread problem in most cities: adding a single new lane might seem like a viable option, but research shows this often creates an unintended consequence — more cars are drawn onto the road, and congestion returns within a few years. A more compelling argument, in my view, is investing in public transit, even though it comes with a minor drawback: higher upfront cost. Weighing both sides gives a more balanced perspective, and considering the long-term impact of each choice, I would rather accept short-term inconvenience for a solution that offers real mutual benefit to the whole city."
This response uses nine adjective + noun collocations to build a well-reasoned, evaluative argument — precisely the analytical depth CELPIP Writing Task 2 raters look for.
Common mistakes
- "Big problem" instead of pressing issue or widespread problem — "big" is vague; native speakers specify whether the issue is urgent or common.
- "Good option" instead of viable option or practical solution — "good" doesn't explain why the option works, while these collocations do.
- "Small problem" instead of minor drawback — when describing a downside of an otherwise good plan, "drawback" is the more natural noun choice.
- "Bad effect" instead of unintended consequence — this phrase captures both the unexpectedness and the specificity that "bad effect" lacks.
Recap
Adjective + noun collocations sharpen how you evaluate problems and solutions, moving your language beyond generic judgments toward the kind of nuanced assessment CELPIP raters expect. Practice by describing a recent decision you made using three collocations from the table, explaining both its benefits and its drawbacks.