Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-04

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 rather than consulting their regular doctor. Although these approaches can sometimes be beneficial, I believe this is generally a negative development because they may delay proper diagnosis and treatment.

One reason for this view is that conventional doctors have the necessary medical training to identify serious illnesses and recommend evidence-based treatments. Doctors can also monitor a patient's progress and adjust medication when necessary, which is particularly important for chronic or potentially life-threatening conditions. If people rely entirely on alternative therapies, they may misunderstand their condition and allow it to become worse. For example, someone with persistent chest pain might use herbal remedies instead of visiting a doctor, even though the symptom could indicate a serious heart problem.

Another concern is that some alternative treatments are not scientifically proven to be effective and can occasionally cause harmful side effects. Moreover, choosing these methods instead of professional medical care can waste valuable time, particularly when a disease requires immediate treatment. Nevertheless, alternative medicine can have some positive aspects when it is used alongside conventional healthcare. Practices such as acupuncture or meditation may help some patients manage pain or stress, provided that they do not replace necessary medical treatment.

In conclusion, I consider the growing preference for alternative medicines to be a negative development overall. While certain therapies may provide additional benefits, people should consult qualified doctors for accurate diagnosis and use alternative treatments only as a complementary option.

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, particularly the argument regarding the risks of delayed diagnosis and the lack of scientific evidence for some alternative therapies. You also demonstrate a balanced approach by acknowledging the potential benefits of complementary practices like acupuncture, which adds depth to your argument. The response is well-structured and directly answers the question of whether this trend is positive or negative.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the risks of alternative medicine and its potential complementary role is handled smoothly. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Although', 'One reason for this', 'Moreover', and 'Nevertheless', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points, ensuring the overall flow is coherent and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'evidence-based treatments', 'chronic or potentially life-threatening conditions', and 'complementary option' show a good command of topic-specific language. The word choice is generally accurate and appropriate for an academic context. While the vocabulary is effective and clear, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common collocations could elevate the response further toward the highest band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('If people rely entirely...') and concessive clauses ('Although these approaches...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with almost no errors in punctuation or syntax. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over complex structures is consistent throughout the text. This level of accuracy and range is indicative of a high-scoring performance.

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