Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

In recent years, an increasing number of people with health problems have chosen alternative medicines and treatments instead of consulting their regular doctors. Although this trend can provide some benefits, such as giving patients an additional treatment options, I believe that its disadvantages outweigh its benefits because it may delay proper diagnosis and treatment.

One positive aspect of this trend is that alternative therapies can provide patients with additional treatment options and may offer relief from certain health problems. This is because some herbal remedies can help individuals manage particular symptoms and may be less invasive than some conventional medical treatments. Moreover, having different treatment options can give patients greater choice in managing their health. For instance, some people use acupuncture or traditional therapies alongside modern medical treatment to manage certain long-term symptoms. Therefore, when used appropriately, alternative therapies can complement conventional medicine and provide patients with additional ways of managing their health.

I believe that this is a negative development for several reasons. Firstly, relying on natural remedies instead of visiting a doctor can delay the accurate diagnosis and treatment of serious dseases. This occurs because individuals who rely on alternative treatments may postpone seeing a doctor, meaning that serious conditions could be detected later and become more difficult to treat. Furthermore, some alternative remedies may be ineffective for particular diseases. Not all herbal therapies have been scientifically tested or proven to be effective, and some people choose these treatments based on recommendations from family members, friends or information found online. In addition, certain remedies may interact negatively with prescribed medications, potentially causing complications or preventing patients from receiving the treatment they actually need. For example, someone with a bacterial infection may choose a traditional therapy instead of seeking medical care. If the therapy does not treat the infection, the person's condition could deteriorate.

In conclusion, while this development can provide certain advantages, such as giving patients additional treatment options, I am of the opinion that its disadvantages outweigh its benefits because relying on alternative therapies may delay accurate diagnosis and result in inappropriate treatment for certain diseases.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the discussion regarding the risks of delayed diagnosis and the potential for ineffective treatments. You provide relevant examples, such as the mention of acupuncture and the scenario of a bacterial infection, which support your arguments effectively. The essay is balanced, acknowledging the potential benefits of alternative medicine before providing a strong, well-reasoned argument for why it is a negative development overall. The response is cohesive and meets the requirements of the task comprehensively.

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 benefits and the drawbacks is smooth. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Moreover', 'For instance', 'Firstly', and 'In addition', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical and appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. The referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of information is natural and easy to follow, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'less invasive', 'scientifically tested', and 'deteriorate' show a level of precision and sophistication. There is only one minor spelling error ('dseases'), which does not impede communication. You use collocations effectively, such as 'consulting their regular doctors' and 'manage particular symptoms'. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more idiomatic or less common academic collocations, but the current range is sufficient to convey your ideas with clarity and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'If the therapy does not treat the infection, the person's condition could deteriorate'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that impede meaning. The use of modal verbs like 'may' and 'could' is appropriate for expressing opinions cautiously in an academic context. Overall, the grammatical control is consistent and supports the clarity of your arguments.

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