1) What a Ladder is and why it works

A ladder is a structured chain that starts with a surface symptom, drops step by step to root causes, then climbs back up with layered solutions. In Task 2, many prompts are problem focused or ask you to discuss causes and effects with your suggestions. Ladders help you avoid lists and produce logical flow.

Bangla notes

• symptom = বাহ্যিক লক্ষণ বা সমস্যা
• root cause = মূল কারণ
• layered solution = স্তরভিত্তিক সমাধান

Why ladders raise your band

• Task Response improves because every solution targets a cause you already proved.
• Coherence and Cohesion improve because the chain links each sentence.
• Lexical Resource improves as you use precise causal verbs and measured quantifiers.
• Grammar Range and Accuracy improves with conditionals and concessive clauses.

2) The CORE Ladder Blueprint

Use this four stage blueprint to plan any problem solution or cause effect essay in 6 minutes.

C = Classify the problem

• Define the domain and scope: where, who, when. Use one sentence.
• Mark whether the prompt asks for causes, effects, solutions, or all three.

O = Observe the evidence

• List two visible symptoms and one credible metric or indicator. Avoid guessing numbers. If you must generalise, use cautious words like roughly or in many cities.

R = Root down

• For each symptom, write one deeper cause using a specific verb. Then ask why once more and write a second layer cause.

E = Elevate with solutions

• Pair each root with a fix. Add delivery details: actor, mechanism, and a constraint to keep claims realistic.

Bangla quick notes

• scope = প্রয়োগ ক্ষেত্র বা সীমা
• indicator = সূচক
• mechanism = কার্যপ্রক্রিয়া

3) Six Ladder Types you can mix and match

Each type shapes the way you analyse causes and present fixes. Choose two at most in one essay.

1. Mechanism Ladder: how a process works from input to output.
   • Example chain: advertising pressure → impulsive buying → household debt. Fix: ad time caps and financial literacy units in schools.
   • Bangla: mechanism = কার্যপ্রক্রিয়া; impulsive = হঠাৎ সিদ্ধান্তমূলক।
2. Stakeholder Ladder: actor by actor responsibilities.
   • Example: government sets emissions caps → firms invest in clean tech → consumers shift to public transport.
   • Bangla: stakeholder = স্বার্থসংশ্লিষ্ট পক্ষ।
3. Scale Ladder: household → community → city → nation. Solutions at matching scales to avoid overreach.
4. Time Ladder: short term relief → medium reforms → long term redesign.
5. Barrier Ladder: identify blockers such as cost, information, habit, access. Pair each with a policy lever.
6. Evidence Ladder: observation → plausible mechanism → counter example → condition that explains both. Great for balanced essays.

4) Causal Grammar that examiners expect

Causal writing is not just because. Use a range of verbs and structures.

Causal verbs

• drive, trigger, fuel, undermine, enable, discourage, concentrate, disperse, displace, crowd out

Result verbs

• lead to, give rise to, result in, contribute to, culminate in

Balancing verbs

• offset, mitigate, outweigh, reinforce, compound

Structures

• Because and so are basic. Upgrade with so that, such that, in turn, thereby, hence, therefore, consequently.

Caution language

• tends to, is likely to, in many cases, on average, under these conditions

Bangla quick map

• mitigate = কমানো বা প্রশমিত করা
• compound (a problem) = সমস্যাকে আরও জটিল করা
• offset = ক্ষতি পুষিয়ে দেওয়া

5) The Problem Sentence and the Effect Sentence

Master two sentence types that anchor your paragraphs.

Problem Sentence

• Template: In many [places/groups], [symptom] has increased because [layer 1 cause], which in turn reflects [layer 2 cause].
• Example: In many big cities, peak hour congestion has increased because car trips are cheap relative to transit, which in turn reflects weak service frequency and free parking at offices.

Effect Sentence

• Template: This pattern [results in/has led to] [effect 1] and [effect 2], especially for [group], [place], or [time].
• Example: This pattern results in lost work hours and higher pollution, especially for commuters who have no rail access.

Bangla help

• frequency = নির্দিষ্ট সময়ে কতবার সেবা আসে
• commuter = যাত্রী যারা নিয়মিত যাতায়াত করেন

6) The Solution Sentence and the Safeguard Sentence

Link fixes tightly to causes and state conditions that keep them realistic.

Solution Sentence

• Template: To address [layer 2 cause], [actor] can [mechanism], which would [expected change].
• Example: To address weak service, city authorities can run ten minute buses on trunk routes, which would reduce waiting and make transit a default choice.

Safeguard Sentence

• Template: However, this should be [funded/limited/timed] by [constraint] to avoid [risk].
• Example: However, this should be funded by a small parking levy to avoid across the board tax rises.

Bangla

• safeguard = সুরক্ষামূলক শর্ত
• levy = নির্দিষ্ট উদ্দেশ্যে আরোপিত কর

7) Build your Ladder Toolkit in notes

Create a quick page with four lines per ladder and fill from practice.

• Problem → Layer 1 cause → Layer 2 cause → Effects → Solution → Safeguard
• Actor → Action → Mechanism → Expected change → Metric to check
• Short term → Medium → Long term
• Cost barrier → Info barrier → Habit barrier → Access barrier

Bangla tip: এক পাতায় কিট রাখলে পরিকল্পনার সময় কম লাগে।

8) Topic Bank with ready to use Ladders

Here are compact ladders you can adapt. Keep the verbs and swap the nouns.

A) Public health and sugary drinks

• Symptom: rising obesity among teenagers.
• Layer 1 cause: high calorie beverages in schools and shops.
• Layer 2 cause: weak labelling and aggressive promotion at checkout.
• Effects: early diabetes risk and reduced concentration in class.
• Solutions: front of pack labels with sugar in teaspoons; limits on checkout displays; school vending set to water and milk by default.
• Safeguard: use a revenue neutral tax swap to protect low income households.

Bangla notes

• label = পণ্যের গায়ে তথ্য
• revenue neutral = মোট করের বোঝা না বাড়িয়ে

B) Housing affordability in large cities

• Symptom: young workers cannot rent near jobs.
• Layer 1 cause: supply is capped by outdated zoning.
• Layer 2 cause: local objections ignore city wide needs.
• Effects: long commutes and talent drain.
• Solutions: allow mid rise near transit stops; convert empty offices to apartments.
• Safeguard: set tenant protections and fund noise control around new sites.

C) Plastic waste leakage

• Symptom: litter in rivers after rain.
• Layer 1 cause: mixed collection and weak recycling markets.
• Layer 2 cause: cheap single use packaging and no deposit incentive.
• Effects: clogged drains and flood risk.
• Solutions: deposit return for bottles; ban problematic items; fund reuse pilots with industry.
• Safeguard: exemptions for essential medical packaging with strict disposal rules.

D) Exam pressure in secondary schools

• Symptom: burnout and anxiety peaks before finals.
• Layer 1 cause: high stakes single day tests.
• Layer 2 cause: narrow teaching to tests.
• Effects: shallow learning and lost creativity.
• Solutions: add coursework share; offer low stakes mock cycles; train teachers in study planning.
• Safeguard: keep external moderation to prevent grade inflation.

Bangla

• burnout = অতিরিক্ত চাপের কারণে ক্লান্তি
• moderation = বাইরের পর্যালোচনা

9) Cause Effect Phrases with Bangla help

Use these to vary language.

• stems from = আসে বা উৎসাহিত হয়
• is rooted in = মূল কারণ লুকিয়ে আছে
• cascades into = ক্রমান্বয়ে ছড়িয়ে পড়ে
• feeds back into = আবার নিজেই সমস্যা বাড়ায়
• sets off = শুরু করে
• acts as a brake on = গতি কমিয়ে দেয়
• crowds out = অন্যটিকে ঠেকিয়ে দেয়

10) Paragraph Blueprints using Ladders

Pick one and practice until natural.

Blueprint 1: Two cause two solution

• Topic sentence sets scope.
• Cause 1 explained to layer 2 then Effect.
• Solution 1 tied to layer 2 with safeguard.
• Cause 2 explained to layer 2 then Effect.
• Solution 2 tied to layer 2 with safeguard.
• Micro conclusion links back to question.

Blueprint 2: Stakeholder sequence

• Topic sentence sets roles.
• Government action → Firm response → Citizen behaviour, each with mechanism and measure.
• Closing sentence on coordination risk if one part fails.

Blueprint 3: Time ladder

• Immediate relief, medium reform, long redesign. Each step states risk if skipped.

Bangla tip: এক ব্লুপ্রিন্ট ধরুন এবং সেটাই অনুশীলন করুন যতক্ষণ না মনে বসে।

11) Measuring Impact so claims sound real

Attach a simple metric to each solution. Do not invent exact numbers. Use direction or threshold words.

• ridership rises within two months
• complaint rate falls below last year’s peak
• waiting time halves at peak hours
• energy loss reduced in older buildings after insulation
• reoffending drops among program graduates

Bangla

• metric = পরিমাপক
• threshold = সীমা

12) Counter cause thinking for balance

Before you finalise, ask what else could explain the symptom. This builds credibility and prevents overclaiming.

• Alternative driver: For congestion, rising deliveries could be the hidden cause.
• Your response: add a freight window policy or curbside loading zones.

Bangla

• overclaiming = বাস্তবের চেয়ে বড় করে দাবি করা

13) Annotated Mini Sample 1

Prompt: Many cities face increasing congestion. What are the causes and what measures could be taken to tackle this problem.

Plan using CORE

• Classify: large cities with weak rail networks.
• Observe: slow peak speeds and long queues at junctions.
• Root: cheap parking at workplaces and low bus frequency driven by fragmented operators.
• Elevate: parking levy that funds ten minute bus corridors and unified ticketing.

Paragraph extract
In many large cities, peak hour congestion has worsened because cheap workplace parking encourages solo driving, which in turn reflects policies that ignore the full cost of road space. This pattern results in lost time and higher emissions. To address the policy gap, city authorities can introduce a modest parking levy that is earmarked for high frequency bus corridors, thereby shifting the price signal and the service at the same time. However, the levy should exempt night shift workers to avoid unfair burden.

Why it works

• Clear chain from policy to behaviour to effect.
• Solution directly targets the deepest cause and adds a safeguard.

14) Annotated Mini Sample 2

Prompt: The use of single use plastics has increased. What problems does this cause and what can be done.

Plan using Barrier Ladder

• Cost barrier: alternatives cost more.
• Info barrier: consumers cannot see life cycle impact.
• Habit barrier: convenience at checkout.
• Access barrier: reuse options rare.

Paragraph extract
Single use plastics persist because they are cheap to supply and easy to place at checkout, which encourages automatic choices. This convenience drives litter and clogged drains after rain. A workable response combines deposit returns for bottles with clear on pack labels that translate grams of plastic into visible icons. Shops can place cheaper refill stations near entrances. To prevent cost shocks for low income households, the deposit should be refundable in cash or mobile credit.

Why it works

• Each barrier has a matching lever.
• Language stays cautious and practical.

15) Advanced Connectors for Ladder Logic

Use these in topic and linking sentences.

• at the surface, deeper down, at the base
• taken together, in isolation, by contrast
• if this constraint holds, if resources allow, if enforcement fails
• in the short run, in the longer run, ultimately

Bangla

• enforcement = বাস্তবায়ন বা প্রয়োগ

16) Common mistakes with ladder writing and fixes

1. List without links: Fix by adding in turn or which in turn to show the chain.
2. Vague causes: Replace people are careless with missing bins in side streets or unclear rules.
3. Misaligned solutions: Do not propose public campaigns for a problem caused by price signals. Fix the price first.
4. Overclaiming: Add under these conditions or in many cases.
5. No safeguard: Add a clause to protect a vulnerable group or to prevent unintended effects.

Bangla notes

• unintended effects = অনিচ্ছাকৃত ফলাফল

17) Phrase bank for Problems, Causes, Effects, Solutions

Problems

• faces a surge in, is struggling with, suffers from, is constrained by

Causes

• is driven by, stems from, is rooted in, is reinforced by, is compounded by

Effects

• gives rise to, results in, imposes costs on, worsens, crowds out

Solutions

• can be tackled by, calls for, requires, is best addressed by, should be paired with

Bangla

• constrained by = সীমাবদ্ধতায় আটকে

18) Practice set: Build two ladders from one prompt

Prompt: Young people are moving away from traditional news sources. Discuss the causes and effects, and suggest solutions.

Task

• Ladder A: Mechanism. Algorithms prioritise engagement → sensational headlines → distrust → switch to influencers. Fix: platform transparency and user controls for source diversity.
• Ladder B: Time. Short term media literacy classes → medium term public service content on mobile → long term trust building through independent audits.

Bangla tip: একই প্রম্পটে দুই লেন্স দেখান, কিন্তু এক লেখায় একটিকে প্রধান রাখুন।

19) Mini glossary with Bangla help

• incentive = প্রণোদনা
• disincentive = নিরুৎসাহ
• coordination = সমন্বয়
• benchmark = তুলনার মানদণ্ড
• retrofit = পুরনো কিছুর উন্নত সংস্কার
• congestion charge = ট্রাফিক ভিড় কমাতে ফি
• equitable = ন্যায্য
• surcharge = অতিরিক্ত ফি
• pilot program = পরীক্ষামূলক কর্মসূচি
• uptake = গ্রহণের হার

20) Timing plan for the 40 minute essay

• 1 minute: read and underline task words such as problem, causes, effects, solutions.
• 3 to 4 minutes: plan with CORE. Pick ladder types and write one chain.
• 20 to 24 minutes: write 4 paragraphs using a blueprint.
• 6 to 8 minutes: edit for linkage and safeguards.
• Last minute: check that each solution answers a cause.

Bangla

• linkage = সংযোগ বা যুক্তি ধারাবাহিকতা

21) Self check rubric before you submit

• Does the introduction set scope and preview the chain.
• Does each body paragraph follow one ladder without jumping.
• Does each solution connect to a deep cause not just a symptom.
• Are there cautious words where data is uncertain.
• Is there at least one safeguard per solution.
• Does the conclusion recommend a practical path rather than slogans.

22) Extended Sample Outline with topic sentences you can adapt

Prompt: Many countries face shortages of skilled health workers in rural areas. What problems does this cause and how can they be solved.

Intro
Rural clinics often lack trained staff, which weakens core services and forces patients to travel. This essay traces the chain from placement and pay rules to outcomes, then proposes linked fixes.

Body 1: Mechanism Ladder
Placement policies channel new graduates to cities because urban hospitals offer better supervision and private work at weekends, which in turn raises income and professional status. As a result, rural clinics close early and complex cases are referred late. A workable fix is a bonded scholarship that pays fees in exchange for two years of rural service under a rotating mentorship program. To prevent burnout, contract terms should guarantee housing and annual city rotations.

Body 2: Barrier Ladder
Even when posts exist, three barriers block uptake: housing shortages, safety concerns during night calls, and limited continuous training. These constraints produce high turnover and inconsistent care. Governments can provide secure housing near clinics, fund shared transport for night shifts, and deliver monthly tele mentoring with visiting specialists. To avoid waste, funding should be tied to verified service hours and patient outcomes rather than headcount.

Conclusion
On balance, rural staffing will improve only when pay, training, and safety align. Scholarships with service duties, protected housing, and ongoing mentoring create a package that addresses the real causes rather than the surface symptoms.

23) Drill deck to automate ladders

Use these quick exercises four days in a row.

1. Write one Mechanism Ladder and one Solution pair for food waste in supermarkets.
2. Write a Stakeholder Ladder for road safety with roles for city, schools, and drivers.
3. Write a Time Ladder for carbon reduction: immediate, medium, long.
4. Turn an overclaim into a cautious claim by adding a condition, place, or group.

Bangla tip: প্রতিদিন অল্প করে অনুশীলন করলে দক্ষতা স্থায়ী হয়।

24) High value connectors and quantifiers list

• in most cities, in many households, for younger learners, among low income groups
• a modest rise, a sharp fall, a slight increase, a marked decline
• a fraction of, a share of, a majority of, a minority of, roughly half

Bangla

• modest = ছোট কিন্তু পরিষ্কার
• marked = স্পষ্ট

25) Error catalog with quick repairs

• Symptom only paragraphs: Repair by adding a cause layer with which in turn.
• One size fits all solutions: Repair by matching actor to cause and adding safeguards.
• Free floating statistics: Repair by naming source type or by using relative phrases like roughly half.
• Harsh tone: Repair by replacing blame words with system words like incentives and constraints.

26) One page Worksheet to print

• Topic words in the prompt: ______________________
• Scope: place, group, time: ______________________
• Symptoms: 1) ______ 2) ______
• Ladder type: Mechanism or Stakeholder or Time or Barrier: ______
• Layer 1 cause: _________________________________
• Layer 2 cause: _________________________________
• Effects: _______________________________________
• Solution linked to layer 2: ______________________
• Safeguard: ____________________________________
• Metric or sign of success: ______________________

27) Final recap and action plan

Problem solution and cause effect essays reward structure and precision. Ladders give you both. Define the scope, show the chain from symptom to root, pair each root with a targeted fix, and add a safeguard. Use cautious language where evidence is uncertain and attach simple metrics to claims. Practice with the drills, keep a phrase bank, and reuse the blueprints until they feel natural.

You now have a complete ladder based system for Task 2. Apply it to your next practice set and measure improvement in clarity and logic.