Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-05
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 4.0)
Nowadays , a increasing number of individual with health issues are trying different medicines and treatments instead of visiting their usual physician . I think both affects pros and cons development .
On the one hand , there are many affects a growing the number of people related health issues are trying related to alternative methods . firstly , the main affects individual to use the medicines on the organs . there are more medicines dangerous related to human bodies . such as , morphine , antihistamine . Secondly , some people daily use the high doses medicine while effect the sleeping so people very disturb . People feel not good for example , individual suffer shortness of breath . Finally , day by day increase diseases to create the problems on the health . the growing the number of the diseases . for example , hypertension , asthma .
On the other hand , there are many positive reasons to increase the number of individual related health issues are trying the different way of the medicines and treatment . Moreover , many people suffer from high risk diseases . So people use to help to decrease the medicine different ways . While , medicine help to loss of the tiredness and people feel to fresh . Medicines the good method to use the alternative treatments . For example , people feel better the use of the medicines related to high risk of diseases .
In conclusion , there are more merits and demerits to the devel
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response attempts to address the prompt but fails to develop a clear position. While the introduction mentions both pros and cons, the body paragraphs lack coherent arguments. The ideas presented, such as the mention of 'morphine' or 'antihistamine' as dangerous medicines, are confusing and do not clearly support a stance on alternative medicine. The essay is underdeveloped, and the conclusion is incomplete, cutting off mid-sentence. To improve, you must clearly state your position in the introduction and provide logical, well-explained arguments for each point, ensuring each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and supporting evidence.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0
The essay lacks logical progression. While there are attempts at paragraphing and basic cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'Secondly', the internal structure of the paragraphs is chaotic. Sentences often do not follow logically from one another, making it difficult for the reader to follow your train of thought. Referencing is frequently unclear, and the lack of a finished conclusion further disrupts the overall coherence. To improve, focus on linking ideas with appropriate transition words and ensuring that each sentence builds upon the previous one to create a unified argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.0
The vocabulary is very limited and often used incorrectly. There is frequent repetition of words like 'medicines', 'people', and 'diseases', and many collocations are unnatural, such as 'loss of the tiredness' or 'feel to fresh'. The misuse of medical terminology (e.g., listing antihistamines as inherently dangerous) suggests a lack of precision. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use a wider range of vocabulary, including less common words and phrases, and focus on using them in the correct context. Avoid repeating the same basic nouns and verbs throughout the essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The essay contains frequent grammatical errors that impede communication. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'a increasing number of individual'), article usage, and sentence structure. Many sentences are fragmented or lack a clear main verb, making them difficult to parse. Complex structures are attempted but are almost always inaccurate. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction—ensuring every sentence has a clear subject and verb—before attempting more complex grammatical forms. Proofreading for basic errors like pluralization and verb tense consistency is essential.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.