Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-07

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 6.5)

These days, the interest in using alternative medicines and treatments rather than visiting a regular doctor has become increasingly common among people. Although some individuals might consider it positive, I strongly believe it to be negative. It is not a positive development because it can lead to further serious complications in patients. On the positive side, the alternative treatments such as diet control, exercise, and regular workouts are beneficial for patients, because in this way they usually have more control on their treatment. They design their medication procedure according to their health issues and the way in which they feel more comfortable. Thus, some individuals think that this is a positive change. However, I personally believe that this is a negative development for some reasons. Firstly, the use of other medicines can cause various health challenges, because these medicines are not guaranteed. If they use a medicine that is not verified by a pharmacist or a doctor, it can affect their bodies, and it can lead to further complications. For instance, the Healthcare Department of England surveyed in 2004, which revealed that the death rate of patients who were using alternative medicines and methods was 7% higher than that of other patients. Hence, it is not a better approach. Secondly, this method can lead to an increase in the severity of patients' health issues, which sometimes becomes the cause of their death. When patients delay the treatment of their health problems, ultimately the disease becomes more serious and incurable. To illustrate, research conducted by King Edward Medical College in 2017 found that the severity of these patients increased by 19%. Thus, this change is not beneficial. In conclusion, although this approach has some advantages, I believe its drawbacks in terms of increased severity and negative effects are more significant. Therefore, it is a negative development.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt and maintains a clear position throughout. You have presented a balanced view by acknowledging the potential benefits of alternative treatments before firmly arguing that the drawbacks are more significant. The ideas are relevant and supported by specific, albeit invented, examples. To reach a higher band, ensure that your supporting arguments are more deeply explored; for instance, instead of just stating that alternative medicines are 'not guaranteed,' you could elaborate on the lack of clinical trials or the risk of harmful interactions with conventional medicine. Overall, the development is logical and the position is consistent.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. You use cohesive devices such as 'Although,' 'Firstly,' 'Secondly,' and 'To illustrate' to guide the reader through your argument. However, the transition between the acknowledgement of benefits and your counter-argument could be smoother. Some of the cohesive devices feel slightly mechanical. To improve, try to vary your linking words and ensure that each paragraph focuses on a single, well-developed idea. The paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the overall clarity of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas clearly. Phrases like 'serious complications,' 'incurable,' and 'verified by a pharmacist' are used accurately. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, particularly the use of 'positive' and 'negative' to describe the development. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more sophisticated synonyms or collocations related to the topic, such as 'holistic approaches,' 'conventional medical practitioners,' or 'potential health risks.' While your word choice is generally precise, there is room for more variety to demonstrate a wider lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and grammatically sound, which ensures that communication is never impeded. There are some minor errors, such as 'the Healthcare Department of England surveyed in 2004, which revealed...' where the relative clause structure is slightly awkward. Additionally, ensure consistent use of articles and prepositions. You have a good grasp of basic grammar, but to reach a higher band, you should aim to use a wider variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, with greater precision and fewer minor slips.

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