Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-16

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 4.5)

Trying alternative medicines are not good for health. In my contend, they cause allergic reactions, for example, if you use gabica for stomach problems, it can cause addiction to your body or allergic reactions. Use of alternative medicines are safe if you safe for minor health issues otherwise it can major issues with your health. I argue that taking alternative medicine istead of visiting doctor can be detrimental to overall health. Furthermore, For instance, taking other medicine can cause serious issue with stomach which can lead to death or kidney failure.

A major drawback is that it can cause infections in your stomach

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You take a clear position that using alternative medicine instead of seeing a doctor is harmful, and you give relevant concerns such as allergic reactions, addiction, stomach problems, and kidney failure. However, the response addresses the question only minimally: it does not explain the overall consequences in enough detail or consider when, if ever, alternative treatments might be appropriate. The example involving “gabica” is difficult to assess because the treatment and its connection to stomach problems are not explained. The response is also substantially below the required 250 words, leaving the argument and supporting examples underdeveloped. To strengthen your answer, explain each main reason, give a clear and relevant example, and develop your position across a complete essay.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

Your response stays broadly focused on the risks of alternative medicines, and linking phrases such as “Furthermore” and “For instance” show an attempt to connect ideas. However, the ideas are not arranged into a clear progression: the opening moves from allergies to safety, then to visiting a doctor, and then to severe outcomes without explaining how these points relate. The final sentence about stomach infections is isolated rather than developed as part of a paragraph. There is also no clear introduction that frames the issue or conclusion that restates your position. Organise the response into paragraphs, with one main point in each, and use linking expressions to show the relationship between claims and examples rather than simply adding another point.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “alternative medicines,” “allergic reactions,” “addiction,” and “kidney failure,” so the reader can identify the general subject and your concerns. However, the range is basic and several choices or forms are inaccurate or unclear, which sometimes strains understanding. For example, “In my contend” does not express your opinion naturally, and “safe if you safe for minor health issues” is difficult to interpret. “Other medicine” is also vague, while “serious issue with stomach” lacks natural phrasing and number agreement in the expression. Aim to use precise terms and familiar collocations, and check spelling, including “instead.” Explaining what a treatment is would also make your example more meaningful.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, including a conditional construction beginning “if you use gabica,” and the main position is generally understandable. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, and errors in agreement and sentence construction occur in several places. For example, “Trying alternative medicines are” has a subject–verb agreement problem, as does “Use of alternative medicines are.” The sentence “Use of alternative medicines are safe if you safe for minor health issues otherwise it can major issues” is incomplete and joins ideas without a clear grammatical structure. The opening example also combines several clauses in a confusing way. Practise building complete sentences with clear subjects and verbs, and use full stops to separate claims before attempting longer structures.

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