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 self-medicate or undergo treatment without seeking advice from qualified medical professionals. I regard this trend as a negative development because inappropriate treatment can aggravate health conditions, create complications, and impose a financial burden in the long term.

Taking medication without proper medical assessment is essentially a matter of guesswork. When an underlying condition is not accurately diagnosed, inappropriate medication may fail to address the actual problem and could even exacerbate it, potentially resulting in suffering or, in severe cases, life-threatening consequences. Furthermore, unsuitable medicines can cause adverse reactions and give rise to health complications that may be more difficult to treat. For example, a person suffering from a snake bite might rely on a traditional remedy rather than seeking emergency medical attention, delaying appropriate treatment and putting their life at risk.

In addition to physical distress, self-medication can also result in financial hardship. If a health condition is diagnosed and treated at an early stage, it is more likely to be resolved efficiently, reducing the need for medical care and repeated expenditure. By contrast, when an illness persists or deteriorates because of inappropriate remedies, patients may require additional consultations, diagnostic procedures, medication, or hospitalisation. Consequently, what initially appears to be a cost-saving approach can ultimately place financial strain on individuals and their families.

In conclusion, using medicines or undergoing treatment without professional guidance is a negative development. People should seek qualified medical advice before taking medication to prevent unnecessary complications and financial hardship.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by taking a clear position that the trend is negative. The ideas are well-developed, with two distinct body paragraphs focusing on the medical risks and the financial implications of self-medication. The arguments are logical and supported by relevant examples, such as the snake bite scenario, which effectively illustrates the danger of delaying professional care. The position is maintained consistently throughout the essay, and the conclusion provides a concise summary of the main points. The response meets all requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'In addition to', and 'By contrast' are used effectively to link ideas and sentences. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the distinct arguments. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between the ideas is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic essay. The student uses a good range of topic-specific terminology, such as 'underlying condition', 'exacerbate', 'adverse reactions', and 'diagnostic procedures'. The language is natural and demonstrates a high level of control. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the range of vocabulary 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 and conditional forms. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The use of varied sentence structures, such as 'If a health condition is diagnosed..., it is more likely to be resolved...', shows a high level of grammatical competence and flexibility.

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