Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-15

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 7.0)

Nowadays, an increasing number of people with health problems are choosing alternative medicines and treatments instead of consulting their regular doctors. Although alternative treatments can have some benefits, I believe that relying on them instead of professional medical care is generally a negative development.

One advantage of alternative medicine is that some treatments may help people manage minor health problems and improve their overall well-being. For example, practices such as yoga, meditation, massage and acupuncture can sometimes reduce stress, muscle pain and anxiety. In addition, many people prefer these treatments because they are viewed as more natural and may have fewer side effects than certain medicines. Therefore, alternative therapies can be useful when they are used alongside appropriate medical treatment.

However, avoiding doctors completely can be dangerous, particularly when someone has a serious or long-term illness. Doctors are trained to diagnose diseases accurately and can recommend treatments based on scientific evidence. If people rely only on alternative remedies, they may delay receiving necessary treatment, which could allow a condition to become worse. For instance, a person with symptoms of diabetes or heart disease might try herbal remedies instead of seeking medical advice, potentially resulting in serious complications. Furthermore, some alternative medicines may interact negatively with prescribed medication.

In conclusion, alternative medicines can be beneficial for certain minor conditions and may complement conventional treatment. However, replacing professional medical care with unproven treatments can create significant risks. Therefore, I believe this trend is more negative than positive, and people should consult qualified doctors when they experience persistent or serious health problems.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both the benefits of alternative medicines and the dangers of abandoning professional medical care, presenting a clear position that the trend is a negative development. The writer establishes a strong stance in the introduction and maintains it throughout the essay. Ideas are well developed and supported with relevant examples, such as mentioning yoga and meditation for stress relief, as well as the risks of delaying treatment for serious illnesses like diabetes or heart disease. The arguments are well-reasoned and logical, providing a balanced consideration of alternative therapies before concluding firmly. This demonstrates the qualities of a strong performance under the official band descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, starting with an introductory overview, followed by a body paragraph on the advantages of alternative treatments, then a contrasting paragraph highlighting the dangers of avoiding conventional doctors, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively and flexibly, such as 'In addition', 'Therefore', 'However', and 'For instance'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately to separate distinct aspects of the argument, ensuring the reader can follow the writer's line of reasoning without difficulty.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The writer demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary with good flexibility and precision. Less common lexical items are used appropriately, such as 'consulting their regular doctors', 'overall well-being', 'diagnose diseases accurately', and 'interact negatively with prescribed medication'. Word choices and collocations are generally natural and accurate. While the vocabulary is not overly sophisticated in a way that targets Band 8 or 9, it is entirely adequate for the task and allows the writer to convey precise meanings smoothly without any noticeable spelling or word-choice errors impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay exhibits a good variety of complex structures alongside simple sentence forms. The writer successfully employs subordinate clauses and conditional constructions, such as 'Although alternative treatments can have some benefits, I believe that...' and 'If people rely only on alternative remedies, they may delay receiving necessary treatment...'. There is a high proportion of error-free sentences, and punctuation is handled well throughout. Grammar and punctuation are tightly controlled, with only minor slips, indicating solid command appropriate for a high band.

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