Mini case, then lessons learned

Case: Adnan keeps writing, Traffic is a big issue, government should do more. His teacher marks vague verbs and weak solutions. Adnan builds a 24 item bank, cause congestion, pose a safety risk, enforce standards, pilot bus lanes, set a target, monitor outcomes. In the next draft he writes, Peak hour queues pose a safety risk and reduce productivity. The city should pilot bus lanes on two corridors and set a target to cut travel time by 15 percent in six months. His coherence and task response improve.

Lessons

1. Name the problem with a precise pair.
2. Offer a remedy that includes who, what, and how.
3. Add a measurement line to prove success.

Collocation sets with mini templates

1) Naming the problem

• pose a risk, create pressure on, cause delays, lead to overcrowding
  Template: Peak hour traffic causes delays and poses a safety risk for pedestrians.

2) Showing scope and evidence

• widespread issue, rising trend, clear pattern, limited data
• provide evidence, cite estimates, report figures
  Template: Local surveys provide evidence of a rising trend in short car trips.

3) Causes and mechanisms

• stem from, result from, is driven by, is linked to
  Template: Congestion stems from short urban trips and is driven by unreliable buses.

4) Impacts

• reduce productivity, undermine health, increase costs, erode trust
  Template: Unreliable services erode trust and reduce productivity for workers.

5) Proposing solutions

• enforce standards, introduce a charge, offer incentives, expand capacity, upgrade infrastructure
  Template: The city should enforce fuel standards and offer incentives for cleaner buses.

6) Implementation and scale

• pilot a scheme, phase in a policy, roll out a programme, allocate resources, coordinate agencies
  Template: Authorities can pilot a scheme on one route, then phase in changes citywide.

7) Risk control

• address concerns, mitigate risks, set safeguards, establish oversight
  Template: To address concerns from shop owners, the plan will set safeguards for delivery hours.

8) Measurement and evaluation

• set a target, track indicators, monitor outcomes, assess impact, report progress
  Template: The council will set a target of 15 percent faster peak trips and monitor outcomes monthly.

Two worked examples

Example 1, environment prompt
Problem: Plastic waste creates pressure on landfills and harms wildlife.
Solution: Supermarkets should offer incentives for refills and enforce waste segregation with clear bins.
Implementation: Pilot a scheme in three wards and phase in the policy across markets.
Measurement: Track indicators such as refill sales and bin contamination rates.

Example 2, health prompt
Problem: Low health literacy leads to poor medicine use.
Solution: Clinics should launch a campaign and provide simple leaflets in Bangla.
Implementation: Coordinate agencies so pharmacies roll out the same message.
Measurement: Assess impact by checking correct dosage rates after eight weeks.

Paragraph frames you can paste

Problem paragraph
X poses a risk to Y, mainly because A and B are driven by C. As a result, D and E increase costs.

Solution paragraph
The government should pilot M and enforce N. To mitigate risks, the plan will set safeguards. Success will be shown if we meet the target of Z by month six.

Measurable drills

• Bank size: build 24 collocations, four from each set above.
• Quota: use one collocation per sentence in your body paragraphs, maximum eight per essay.
• Time test: write a full solution sentence in 60 seconds using pilot a scheme, phase in a policy, set a target.
• Edit pass: underline two vague verbs, replace with precise pairs, for example do → enforce standards, make → introduce a charge.

Mistakes to avoid

• Double linkers, therefore, as a result, keep one.
• Over formal pairs, commence an initiative. Prefer launch a programme.
• Unnatural mixes, heavy evidence is wrong, use strong evidence.
• Solutions without actors, always name who will act, the council, schools, clinics.
• Targets without units, add numbers or time, 10 percent in three months.

Edge cases

• If evidence is weak, use accurate hedges, limited data suggest, not fake numbers.
• If a solution depends on context, say so, is feasible if funding is ring fenced.
• If you must choose between two remedies, weigh the costs against the benefits and add a conditional close.

Mini glossary

• Collocation: a natural word pair, for example pilot a scheme.
• Hedge: a softener used for accuracy, for example to some extent.
• Indicator: a measurable sign of progress, for example on time trips.
• Phase in: introduce in stages rather than all at once.
• Safeguard: a rule that reduces risks or harms.

Actionable closing
Create a 24 item bank today. Draft two paragraphs on a local problem using one frame above. In each body sentence, include one collocation, name who acts, and add one target with numbers. Run the edit pass, replace two vague verbs, and record a 60 second read out loud to check flow. Apply the same routine to your next essay this week.