Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-21

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)

yes i think it is a common factor these days.when people is suffering they do not go to visit the doctor .They find solution by themselves .it is very risky they use alternative medicines and treatment without visting doctor.for example; some patient suffring from goiter . they do not go to visit the doctor they use alternative medicines and treatment.so it is a negative effect on country .these diseases is very common in some country it is also effect negative effect on country .and it is also risky for health.we should consult to doctor their usual time .health problem is consult to doctor and follow their instruction stricly.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You state a clear view that relying on alternative treatments is negative, and the goitre example is relevant to the topic. However, the response addresses the question only minimally: it does not explain in detail how self-treatment can harm patients or why consulting a usual doctor is safer. The claim that this trend has a “negative effect on country” is repeated but not supported, and the task asks for reasons and relevant examples. The response is also 108 words, below the required 250 words, so important parts of the argument remain undeveloped. To strengthen your answer, explain one or two consequences, develop the example, and add a conclusion that restates your position.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The reader can identify your main position and follow a basic sequence: people avoid doctors, use alternative treatments, and this may be risky. The example about a patient with goitre also relates to your point. However, ideas are not arranged into clear paragraphs, and several points are repeated, especially that the trend has a negative effect on the country. Connections between claims are often unclear, so the response does not yet form a coherent progression. Use a simple structure with an introduction, a paragraph explaining the health risks with an example, and a conclusion. Linking phrases such as “For instance,” “As a result,” and “Therefore” can show how each idea supports your position.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use basic vocabulary relevant to the topic, including “alternative medicines,” “health problem,” “risky,” and “doctor,” so the general meaning is usually understandable. However, the range is narrow and several words or phrases are repeated, particularly “visit the doctor” and “negative effect on country.” Some choices are inaccurate or unclear, such as “common factor” and “health problem is consult to doctor,” which make parts of the message difficult to interpret. Spelling errors, including “visting” and “suffring,” also reduce accuracy. Build a small set of precise topic phrases and use them in complete, natural expressions—for example, describe patients as “seeking unproven treatments” or “delaying medical care.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

Your response mainly uses short, simple statements, and the reader can understand the central opinion. There is an attempt to connect ideas, for example, “when people is suffering they do not go to visit the doctor,” but sentence structures remain very limited and errors occur frequently. Subject–verb agreement is inaccurate in “people is” and “these diseases is”; articles and sentence boundaries are also often missing or unclear. The final sentence, “health problem is consult to doctor and follow their instruction stricly,” does not form a clear grammatical structure. Practise accurate simple sentences first, then add controlled clauses using “because” and “if.” Check agreement, articles, and punctuation when editing.

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