Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-07-26
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Nowadays, a growing number of people with health problems are trying alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their usual doctor.
Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 8.5)
Nowadays, many people who suffer from health problems choose alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting qualified doctors. Although these therapies may offer some benefits, I believe this is a negative development because they are not always scientifically proven and may delay proper medical treatment.
On the one hand, alternative medicine can be helpful in certain situations. Many treatments, such as herbal remedies, yoga, and acupuncture, are believed to have fewer side effects than conventional medicines. As a result, they can be suitable for people with minor health issues or those who want a more natural approach to improving their health. In addition, alternative therapies often focus on the overall well-being of patients rather than treating only the symptoms. This holistic approach can reduce stress, improve mental health, and encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyle.
On the other hand, relying entirely on alternative medicine can have serious consequences. One major drawback is that many of these treatments lack strong scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness. Consequently, patients may spend time and money on therapies that do not actually cure their illnesses. More importantly, avoiding professional medical advice may lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment of serious diseases such as cancer or heart disease. In such cases, postponing proper medical care can significantly reduce the chances of recovery. Furthermore, some herbal medicines may interact negatively with prescription drugs or cause unexpected side effects if they are not used correctly.
In conclusion, while alternative medicine may be useful as a complementary treatment for improving general well-being, it should not replace modern medical care. I believe that depending on alternative therapies instead of consulting qualified doctors is a negative trend because it may put people's health at unnecessary risk.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You clearly state your position in the introduction that this is a negative development and maintain this stance consistently throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph acknowledging the benefits of alternative medicine before the second paragraph provides a strong, logical argument for why relying on it exclusively is dangerous. You support your points with relevant examples, such as the mention of cancer and heart disease, which adds depth to your argument. The conclusion effectively summarises your position, ensuring the task requirements are met with a clear, logical progression of thought.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The essay is logically organised with a clear structure. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, and the transition between the benefits and the drawbacks is handled smoothly using cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. You use a variety of linking words such as 'consequently', 'more importantly', and 'furthermore' to connect ideas effectively. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is natural, making the argument easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of cohesive devices, and the progression of ideas is logical throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'holistic approach', 'delayed diagnosis', and 'complementary treatment' show a good command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for an academic context, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or less common lexical items to reach the highest band. The word choices are natural, and there are no spelling or collocation errors that impede communication. The language used is consistently formal and well-suited to the task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use complex sentences effectively, such as 'Although these therapies may offer some benefits, I believe this is a negative development because they are not always scientifically proven'. The grammar is highly accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your arguments. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The grammatical range is sufficient to convey complex ideas clearly and accurately.
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