Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-13

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)

Nowadays, an increasing number of people who have health problems are choosing alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their regular doctor. There are several reasons for this trend, although I believe that alternative treatments can be useful in some situations, they should not completely replace modern medical care.

One main reason why people choose alternative medicine is that they believe it has fewer side effects. For example, some people prefer herbal medicines, acupuncture or traditional treatments because they think these methods are more natural. Another reason is the cost of treatment. In some countries, visiting a doctor and buying prescribed medicines can be expensive. Therefore, people may choose cheaper alternative treatments. In addition, some people have had bad experiences with doctors and hospitals, so they may have more trust in traditional or alternative methods.

However, relying too much on alternative medicine can be dangerous. Some serious diseases require proper medical tests and treatment from qualified doctors. For example, conditions such as heart disease or serious infections cannot always be treated successfully with herbal medicines or other traditional methods. If people avoid doctors, their health problems may become worse because they do not receive the correct treatment at the right time. Furthermore, some alternative medicines may not have enough scientific evidence to prove that they are effective.

In my opinion, alternative treatments can be helpful for some minor health problems and can sometimes be used together with modern medicine. However, people should consult a qualified doctor when they have serious or long-term health problems. This approach can help people get the benefits of alternative treatments while avoiding unnecessary risks.

In conclusion, people are increasingly using alternative medicines because they can be cheaper, more natural and sometimes have fewer side effects. Nevertheless, modern medical treatment is still essential for serious health conditions, and alternative medicine should not completely replace doctors.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student addresses all parts of the task by discussing both why people choose alternative medicines and the potential negative consequences of this trend, presenting a clear position throughout. The introduction outlines the writer's stance that alternative treatments should not completely replace modern medical care. Ideas are well developed with relevant examples, such as mentioning herbal medicines, acupuncture, financial costs, and specific serious conditions like heart disease. The arguments are extended and supported effectively, meeting the criteria for Band 7.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, starting with the introduction of the trend and the writer's position, followed by reasons for the trend, potential dangers, personal opinion, and a logical conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'One main reason', 'Another reason', 'In addition', 'However', and 'Furthermore' are used effectively to guide the reader through the arguments. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, reflecting a solid command of Coherence and Cohesion at Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses an adequate and sufficient range of vocabulary for the task. Words and phrases such as 'alternative medicines', 'qualified doctors', 'scientific evidence', and 'long-term health problems' demonstrate a good control of topic-specific vocabulary. There are occasional attempts at less common lexical items, and word choices are generally accurate and appropriate. Spelling and word formation are completely accurate throughout the text, allowing it to meet the Band 7 requirements comfortably.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The writer demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional or concessive clauses such as 'although I believe that alternative treatments can be useful in some situations, they should not completely replace modern medical care' and 'If people avoid doctors, their health problems may become worse'. There is a high frequency of error-free sentences, and punctuation is handled well. Grammatical control is strong, placing the response securely in the Band 7 range.

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