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 the positive and negative aspects of alternative medicine. However, the development of ideas is somewhat superficial. For instance, the argument regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is not clearly linked to the topic of alternative versus conventional medicine, making the connection to the prompt weak. While a position is stated, it lacks depth and specific examples that directly support the argument. To improve, you should focus on explaining 'why' these trends are positive or negative with more logical depth rather than listing general statements. The conclusion is clear, but the overall response would benefit from more detailed exploration of the implications of these health choices.

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' to link your points. However, the use of these devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. To reach a higher band, try to vary your linking words and ensure that the transition between sentences is smoother. The referencing is generally clear, but the connection between the example about India and the main argument could be more explicitly stated to improve the flow of the paragraph.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use some relevant terms like 'medical treatment,' 'healthcare facilities,' and 'well-being.' However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simple, repetitive phrasing. There is little evidence of less common or idiomatic vocabulary. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and topic-specific terminology. For example, instead of 'trying alternative medicines,' you could use 'exploring holistic therapies' or 'complementary medicine.' Expanding your vocabulary will help you convey your arguments with more nuance and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this level. Most of your sentences are grammatically correct, and errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. However, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited; you tend to rely on straightforward sentence patterns. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate a wider variety of subordinate clauses and more sophisticated grammatical structures, such as passive voice or conditional sentences, to add variety to your writing. Your punctuation is generally accurate, which helps maintain clarity throughout the essay.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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