Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-03

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 6.0)

Nowadays, health problems are increasing rapidly across the world. It is believed that a growing number of people with health problems are trying alternative medicines and better treatments instead of visiting their usual doctors. I think this trend has both positive and negative aspects. This essay will discuss both sides of this argument.

To commence with, people can try alternative medicines because they may help to reduce minor illnesses. As a result, they may not need to visit health clinics or doctors for every minor health problem. This is because some people cannot afford the high cost of medical treatment in hospitals. Moreover, they may prefer to use medicines and take care of themselves. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people suffered from serious health problems, while doctors and medical staff helped patients despite the risks to their own safety.

On the other hand, the government should invest a large amount of money in hospitals, modern medical equipment, and better healthcare facilities. This can help people receive affordable and effective medical treatment. In addition, individuals should have regular health check-ups to prevent serious diseases and maintain good health. For example, in India, the government helps needy people by providing better healthcare facilities and medical policies. These measures can benefit the community and improve people's overall well-being.

To conclude, this trend has both positive and negative aspects. Alternative medicines can be useful for minor health problems and can sometimes reduce medical expenses. However, people should also have regular check-ups and avoid unhealthy food and products. I firmly believe that people should visit hospitals and doctors when necessary because they can provide useful information about health problems and suitable treatments.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by discussing both sides of the argument. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the argument regarding alternative medicine reducing minor illnesses is not fully explored, and the example provided about the COVID-19 pandemic is not clearly linked to the core topic of alternative versus conventional medicine. While a position is stated in the introduction, it remains balanced throughout, which is acceptable, but the supporting arguments lack depth and specific evidence. To improve, you should provide more detailed explanations of why people choose these alternatives and more concrete examples of the risks or benefits involved.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized with clear paragraphing. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is generally easy to follow. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'Moreover', and 'On the other hand' effectively. However, the transition between the discussion of alternative medicine and the government's role in the second body paragraph is somewhat abrupt. To reach a higher band, ensure that your linking phrases are more varied and that the connection between sentences is smoother, avoiding a slightly mechanical feel in the way ideas are introduced.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks sophistication. You rely on common terms like 'health problems', 'good health', and 'medical treatment'. While these are accurate, they do not demonstrate a wide range of vocabulary. There are no significant errors in word choice, but the language is quite repetitive. To improve, try to incorporate more precise terminology related to the medical field, such as 'holistic approaches', 'conventional medicine', 'preventative care', or 'efficacy'. Expanding your range of collocations will help you achieve a higher score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a good control of basic sentence structures and your grammar is generally accurate. There are very few errors, and those present do not impede communication. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'This is because some people cannot afford the high cost of medical treatment in hospitals.' However, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To improve, try to incorporate more varied subordinate clauses, conditional sentences, or passive voice constructions to demonstrate greater flexibility. Overall, your writing is clear and grammatically sound.

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