Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-05

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 instead of consulting their usual doctor. Although some alternative treatments may have certain benefits, I believe that relying on them instead of professional medical care is generally a negative development.

The main reason for this is that some alternative treatments may not have sufficient scientific evidence to prove their effectiveness. People who rely entirely on such treatments may therefore fail to receive appropriate medical care for their condition. This can be particularly concerning when an illness requires professional diagnosis or timely treatment. For example, a person may initially consider their symptoms to be minor and attempt to treat them using an alternative remedy, when professional medical attention may actually be necessary. Therefore, replacing medical advice entirely with alternative treatments can potentially create unnecessary risks.

Another significant concern is that individuals may receive unreliable information about their health. Doctors and other qualified healthcare professionals have undergone extensive training, whereas advice about alternative treatments can sometimes come from people without appropriate medical qualifications. As a result, patients may make decisions based on inaccurate or misleading information. Nevertheless, certain alternative approaches may be useful when used alongside appropriate medical care, particularly if a qualified professional considers them suitable. The main problem arises when they are treated as a complete replacement for professional healthcare.

In conclusion, although some alternative treatments may have benefits, I consider the growing tendency to use them instead of consulting a doctor to be a negative development. Professional medical advice remains important for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

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 and supported with logical reasoning, such as the lack of scientific evidence for alternative treatments and the risks of receiving unreliable information. The argument is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively summarises the main points. The response covers all parts of the task well, providing a balanced view by acknowledging that some alternative approaches can be useful when used alongside professional care, which adds depth to the discussion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'For example', 'Therefore', and 'Nevertheless' are used effectively to link sentences and ideas. 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 throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The writer uses a good range of topic-specific terms such as 'professional medical care', 'scientific evidence', 'qualified healthcare professionals', and 'accurate diagnosis'. The language is natural and demonstrates a good level of control. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient for a high-level score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a high level of grammatical accuracy. The writer uses a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses and concessive clauses (e.g., 'Although some alternative treatments may have certain benefits...'). Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over grammar is consistent throughout the piece, reflecting a strong command of English syntax.

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