Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-18

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)

It has become increasingly common for people to use medicines and undergo treatments to recover their health without any scientific or medical recommendation from certified medical personnel. I perceive this trend as a strongly negative development because it can further worsen their health and place a substantial financial burden on them in the long run.

Taking medication without proper medical assessment is essentially a matter of guesswork. If the underlying health problem is not properly diagnosed, it may worsen over time, causing considerable suffering and, in severe cases, putting patients' lives at risk. Inappropriate medicines can also produce adverse effects and create new health complications that may be more difficult to treat. Moreover, the causes and nature of these side effects may remain unknown. For example, in the treatment of a snake bite, one individual applied neem juice to the wound, which resulted in his death. Had he gone to hospital, his life might have been saved.

In addition to the physical and psychological distress experienced by patients as a result of inappropriate treatment, substantial amounts of money may subsequently be spent on prolonged healthcare. If the medicine and treatment procedure were appropriate, the health problem could be treated effectively at an early stage and would not require repeated expenditure. However, the long-term persistence of health problems resulting from inappropriate remedies can continue to place a substantial financial burden on individuals and their families.

Hence, people must make informed decisions about medicines and treatments and seek professional medical advice to protect their health and avoid unnecessary financial hardship.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response clearly addresses the prompt by taking a firm stance that the trend is negative. The position is maintained consistently throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the argument regarding the financial implications of ineffective treatment, which is a sophisticated point. The example of the snake bite is relevant and effectively illustrates the potential dangers of avoiding professional medical care. The response covers all parts of the task well, providing logical reasons and supporting examples. The conclusion effectively summarises the main points and provides a clear final recommendation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the physical risks and the financial consequences is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'In addition to', and 'Hence' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the reader can easily follow the writer's line of reasoning without any confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The writer uses a good range of topic-specific language, such as 'underlying health problem', 'adverse effects', and 'prolonged healthcare'. There is evidence of collocation awareness, such as 'substantial financial burden' and 'informed decisions'. The language is natural and sophisticated, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling. The range is sufficient to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively throughout the response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with conditional clauses ('Had he gone to hospital, his life might have been saved') and passive constructions. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. The use of modal verbs and conditional structures adds depth to the argument. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the writing is consistently accurate throughout the text.

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