Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-12

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 5.5)

A large number of people with health issues are trying other medicines and treatments rather than visiting their usual doctor. This essay will discuss either this is a positive development or negative.

In this modern era, a large number of people are visiting other doctors to get treatment for their diseases. They tend to try other different medications and treatments for their health issues. There could be many reasons. For instance, there are numerous updates in healthcare profession. New doctors have more updated skills and practical knowledge. They can diagnose and prescribe treatment protocol much faster because of thier practical skills. Additionally, the healthcare is also getting indulge in artificial intelligence and other technology. New doctors and new treatment protocols are using such artificial intellegence and related softwares to diagnose and treat human health problems.

The other reason is that, usual family doctor rely on old medication. Usual doctor perscribe same treatment everytime. Due to the fact that medicine is not effective anymore. Moreover, in this new era people of this generation has keen interest in social media which shows numerous advertisemtn of different treatments and protocols. As a result people show interest and they are trying to get treatment from other doctors with alternative medications.

From my perspective, consulting new doctor is a positive development. Becuase new doctors have more practical skills due to the availability of resources. But there is also a fact that before trying any new treatment or medicine for health problems, people should have some knowledge about that protocol.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You give a clear view in the final paragraph that consulting a new doctor is positive, and you offer relevant reasons, including updated skills and technology. However, the response only partly addresses the central comparison: it discusses people visiting “other doctors” as well as trying alternative medicines, without clearly distinguishing these from alternative treatments used instead of a usual doctor. The claim that family doctors rely on old medication is asserted rather than supported with an example or explanation, and the conclusion adds only a brief caution about learning about treatments. Develop the risks and benefits of alternative medicine specifically, and support your position with a concrete example, so the argument is more fully explained.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs and a concluding viewpoint. Paragraphs generally group related points, and signposts such as “For instance,” “Additionally” and “Moreover” help show relationships. However, progression is not always clear. The first body paragraph shifts from alternative treatments to the advantages of new doctors and technology, while the second moves from family doctors’ prescribing habits to social-media advertising. These links need to be made explicit. The opening promises to discuss “either” a positive or negative development, but does not establish the writer’s position until the final paragraph. State your view in the introduction and use clearer topic sentences and transitions to connect each reason to the question.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “healthcare profession,” “diagnose,” “prescribe” and “treatment protocols,” which helps communicate the subject. However, the range is limited by repeated general phrases such as “health issues,” “treatment” and “new doctors,” and several choices are inaccurate or awkward, including “other different medications,” “healthcare is also getting indulge” and “advertisemt[n] of different treatments.” Spelling errors such as “thier,” “intellegence” and “Becuase” also reduce control. Aim for precise terms that distinguish alternative medicine from seeing a different doctor, and check spelling and collocations carefully. More varied, accurate vocabulary would make the argument clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex forms, including a reason clause beginning “because” and a sentence introduced by “Due to the fact that.” Meaning is generally recoverable, but errors recur in agreement, verb forms, articles and sentence construction. For example, “usual family doctor rely” needs a singular verb, while “people of this generation has” has a subject–verb agreement error. “This essay will discuss either this is…” is not a well-formed indirect question, and “Because new doctors…” is an incomplete sentence after the conclusion’s full stop. Practise combining clauses accurately and checking each sentence for a complete main clause, correct agreement and appropriate articles; this will improve control without sacrificing your attempts at complex structures.

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