Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-19

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)

At present, large number of people having health issues are trying altrnative medicines and treatments instead of visiting doctors. It has both advantages and disadvantages. But its drawbacks outweigh its benefits.

In one hand, the use of other methods have numerous pros because it cures their disorder without any drugs as drugs have alot of negative impacts on our body.For instance, Holistic remedy Yoga, used to t loss mental stress and excercise regularly treats several cardio disorders like myocardial infraction. The other unconventinal methods are cost effective. Furthermore, Herbal medicines don't demand finance and this method of treatment is effective and budget friendly. The major importance of non conventinal method is that it is safe and have not any side effect.

On the other hand, it causes various hurdles. The utilization of natural medicines leads to liver as well as numerous heart disease.For instance, Kidney failure is widely spread disease that was caused due to misuse of herbal medicines. The non synthetic drugs are biologically tested while the synthetic drugs are not tested in laboraties. Sometimes, these naturally synthesized drugs make person dependent on them For example, Opium is a drug that is obtained from plants long term exposure to opium makes person addict.

Currently, it is a common trend that individuals prefer a substituitional medicines instead of visiting medical proffesional and it leads to several ailments releated to brain and liver.In conclusion, relying on altrnative medicine may offer pyschological comfort and more holistic approach fgor minor ailments, relying on it instead of medical advice is negative development.Ideally, it will not replace doctors in near future.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both sides of the issue and make your position clear: although alternative treatments may have benefits, you conclude that relying on them instead of medical advice is negative. The examples of yoga, herbal remedies and opium are relevant to the topic. However, some claims are unclear or insufficiently explained—for example, the link between natural medicines and kidney failure is asserted without showing how this supports your argument, and the claim that herbal medicines have no side effects conflicts with the later discussion of harm. Develop the reasoning more carefully and distinguish complementary treatments from replacing a doctor. This would make your position and supporting examples more convincing.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a paragraph presenting benefits, a paragraph on risks, and a conclusion. The contrast signalled by “On the other hand” helps readers follow the change in viewpoint, and the final paragraph restates your position. However, some connections between ideas are abrupt, and the conclusion introduces brain and liver ailments without clearly linking them to the preceding points. Several sentences also combine claims that would be clearer if separated and explained. Use referencing and transitions to show how each example supports the paragraph’s main point, and ensure the conclusion synthesises the argument rather than adding a new claim.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt topic-specific vocabulary, including “alternative medicines,” “herbal medicines,” “holistic approach,” and “medical professional,” which gives you a useful range for this subject. Some less common expressions are not used accurately or naturally, however: “substituitional medicines” and “non conventinal method” are awkward, while “t loss mental stress” makes the intended meaning difficult to identify. Spelling errors such as “altrnative,” “proffesional,” and “releated” also reduce precision. Choose familiar, accurate collocations where possible, and check spelling and word forms carefully. More precise language would help you express the health risks and benefits without relying on vague or confusing claims.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You use both simple statements and attempts at longer structures, such as “Although” is not used, but the contrast between benefits and risks is expressed across several sentences. Some sentence patterns are understandable, yet errors in agreement, articles, verb forms and punctuation recur. For example, “the use of other methods have” should use a singular verb, and “it is safe and have not any side effect” has problems with agreement and sentence construction. The sentence beginning “For example, Opium is a drug…” also needs clearer punctuation or a conjunction to join its clauses. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement and build complex sentences with clear clause boundaries.

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