Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-10

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 7.5)

Nowadays, an increasing number of people with health problems are choosing alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their regular doctors. While some people believe that these treatments can be beneficial, I believe that this is a negative development because they can delay proper medical care and may not always be effective.

One major disadvantage of using alternative treatments is that they can delay professional medical care. Many health conditions require early diagnosis and suitable treatment from a qualified doctor. However, people who rely on alternative medicines may avoid visiting a doctor and continue using these treatments instead. Consequently, their condition may become more serious because they do not receive the necessary treatment at the right time. For example, someone experiencing severe chest pain may choose to use herbal remedies rather than immediately consulting a doctor, which could delay the diagnosis and treatment of a serious illness.

Another problem is that some alternative medicines are not supported by sufficient scientific evidence. Although certain treatments may provide benefits, others may have little or no proven effect on particular health conditions. As a result, people may waste both their time and money on treatments that do not improve their health. For instance, a person suffering from a serious infection might rely on an unproven herbal remedy instead of taking medicine prescribed by a doctor. This could allow the infection to become worse and make further treatment more difficult.

In my opinion, alternative treatments should only be used as an additional option rather than as a replacement for professional medical care. Doctors are trained to identify the causes of illnesses and recommend appropriate treatment based on medical evidence. Although some alternative methods may be useful for minor health problems or general well-being, they should not replace medical advice when a person has a serious condition. Therefore, I believe that people should consult a qualified doctor before relying on alternative treatments.

In conclusion, although alternative medicines may have some benefits, I strongly believe that their increasing use instead of visiting doctors is a negative development. This is mainly because they can delay necessary medical treatment and encourage people to depend on treatments whose effectiveness may not be scientifically established

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with logical arguments regarding the risks of delayed diagnosis and the lack of scientific evidence for some alternative treatments. Each paragraph is supported by relevant examples, such as the mention of severe chest pain and serious infections, which effectively illustrate your points. The conclusion provides a clear summary of your stance, ensuring the task requirements are met with a high level of focus and relevance.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'consequently,' 'although,' 'for instance,' and 'in conclusion' to link your thoughts. The paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct arguments. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, which makes the text easy to follow for the reader.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'professional medical care,' 'scientific evidence,' and 'qualified doctor' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and appropriate for the task, it lacks the 'less common' or 'idiomatic' items that would push the score into the highest band. However, there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is consistently natural and precise throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'Although certain treatments may provide benefits, others may have little or no proven effect'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense is consistent. There are no major grammatical slips that impede communication. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate a wider variety of sophisticated sentence structures, such as inversion or more complex passive constructions, but the current level is very strong and accurate.

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