Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-30

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 turning to alternative medicines and treatments rather than consulting their regular doctors. Although some alternative therapies can provide additional benefits, I believe that relying on them instead of conventional medical treatment is generally a negative development.

One potential advantage of alternative medicine is that it can offer people additional ways to manage certain health problems. Treatments such as acupuncture, massage therapy and some traditional remedies may help relieve pain, reduce stress or improve general well-being. Moreover, some people prefer these approaches because they are perceived as more natural and may have fewer side effects than certain pharmaceutical drugs. For example, a person suffering from mild muscular pain might benefit from physiotherapy or acupuncture alongside appropriate medical advice. Therefore, alternative treatments can have a useful role when they are used carefully and as a complement to conventional medicine.

However, the increasing tendency to replace doctors with alternative treatments can have serious consequences. The main concern is that many health conditions require an accurate diagnosis and evidence-based treatment. If patients rely solely on unverified remedies, they may delay receiving appropriate medical care, allowing a condition to become more severe. This is particularly dangerous in cases involving serious illnesses such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease, where early diagnosis and timely treatment can be crucial. In addition, some alternative products may interact with prescribed medicines or cause harmful effects if they are used without professional guidance.

In my view, the most sensible approach is not to reject alternative medicine entirely but to use it responsibly. Patients should consult qualified medical professionals when they experience significant or persistent symptoms and should regard alternative therapies as complementary rather than automatically replacing conventional treatment. This approach allows people to benefit from potentially useful traditional or alternative practices without compromising their access to scientifically established medical care.

In conclusion, while alternative treatments may offer certain benefits, the growing tendency to use them instead of visiting a doctor is, in my opinion, a negative development. The safest approach is to combine appropriate alternative therapies with professional medical advice rather than allowing one to replace the other.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both sides of the issue—acknowledging the minor benefits of alternative medicine while presenting a clear and well-supported argument that relying on it over conventional medicine is a negative development. The position is maintained consistently throughout the essay. Ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as acupuncture for mild muscular pain and the risks of delaying treatment for serious illnesses like cancer or diabetes. The arguments flow logically from the advantages to the potential dangers, leading to a balanced and reasoned conclusion. The requirements of the task are met thoroughly, demonstrating a high level of task response that aligns well with the Band 8 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with a clear introduction, moving through well-structured body paragraphs that address advantages and disadvantages, and ending with a concise summary of the writer's position. Cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'Moreover', 'However', and 'In addition' are used effectively to link ideas and guide the reader smoothly through the text. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each new paragraph introducing a logical shift in focus. Referencing is clear and precise throughout, maintaining strong cohesion without mechanical overuse, fitting comfortably into the Band 8 criteria.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student exhibits a sufficient and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic discussion on healthcare. Less common lexical items and collocations are used with good awareness of style, such as 'conventional medical treatment', 'evidence-based treatment', 'complementary rather than automatically replacing', and 'scientifically established medical care'. Word choices are precise, and spelling is accurate throughout the text. While the vocabulary is fluent and appropriate for achieving a Band 7, it occasionally stops short of the fully flexible and sophisticated lexical control seen in Band 8, as some phrasing relies on standard academic templates rather than truly distinctive or idiomatic expressions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response features a wide variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional clauses, participial phrases, and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'If patients rely solely on unverified remedies, they may delay receiving appropriate medical care...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and control of grammar and punctuation is strong throughout. The writer handles complex syntax with confidence, and any minor slips are extremely rare and do not impede communication in the slightest. The structural variety and accuracy observed throughout the 358 words clearly satisfy the descriptors for Band 8.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.