Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

Nowadays, an increasing number of people with health issues are trying alternative medicines and treatments rather than visiting their usual doctors. I largely believe this is a negative development because it may affect human health and worsen health conditions, however if used with cautions, may provide convenience and short term relief.

To begin with, a significant number of people these days are using alternative medicines and treatments. This is because technology has brought many changes in the society. Advancement in medical and technological products have made people's lives easier by providing alternative sources. These days people may have access to several medicines at different department stores without going to doctors. However, if these alternative sources are used with cautions, they may provide people convenience and save doctor's fees at the same time. For instance, some doctors charge a lot from patients, which leads to avoiding visits and trying alternatives instead.

By contrast, I believe this growing trend may have negative consequences on people who are suffering from chronic diseases such as heart problems and cancer. These patients should not use alternative treatments because this can worsen their health conditions. Despite many alternative medicines available in the market, they should consider professionals only for certain health issues. Furthermore, this trend might affect doctors profession as the majority of people are trying their own ways without getting routine check-ups. For instance, some health issues can not be resolved without the prescription of authentic medicines and laboratory tests. Therefore, people should value their life and avoid getting alternative medicines for such risky problems.

In conclusion, although trying alternative medicines and treatments provide convenience and a temporary relief, I believe this development may affect people with serious illness and conditions. However, medicines should be prescribed under certain rules and doctor's signature.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

Your position is clear: you regard the trend as mainly negative, while acknowledging that alternatives can be convenient and offer short-term relief. You address both sides and give relevant examples, including the cost of consultations and the risks for people with chronic illnesses. This meets the task well, but the support is uneven. The benefits paragraph focuses largely on access and doctors’ fees, while the claim that alternatives can worsen serious conditions would be stronger with a specific explanation or example of delayed diagnosis or ineffective treatment. The point about effects on doctors’ profession is also less directly connected to whether the development is positive or negative for patients. Develop these ideas more fully and keep the patient impact central.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction states your view, the body paragraphs present contrasting considerations, and the conclusion restates your position. Linking phrases such as “To begin with,” “By contrast,” and “In conclusion” help readers follow the progression. However, some connections are mechanical, and the first body paragraph moves from technological change to access to medicines and then to consultation costs without fully explaining how these points relate. The contrast between convenience and health risks could be signposted more precisely, and “However” in the conclusion introduces a new recommendation rather than neatly summarising the argument. Use clearer links between each claim and its explanation, and make sure each paragraph develops one main line of reasoning.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “alternative treatments,” “chronic diseases,” “routine check-ups,” and “laboratory tests,” which makes the subject clear. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “negative consequences” and “temporary relief.” Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise, however: “alternative sources” is unclear in this context, “authentic medicines” is not a natural way to describe medically approved treatment, and “affect doctors profession” needs a more suitable expression. Repetition of “alternative medicines and treatments” and “health conditions” also limits flexibility. Aim for precise collocations and vary repeated terms—for example, refer to “complementary remedies” or “conventional medical care” where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including a conditional clause (“if these alternative sources are used…”) and a relative clause (“which leads to avoiding visits”). Most sentences communicate the intended meaning, but some grammatical errors remain. In the opening, “however if used with cautions, may provide” lacks a clear subject and needs punctuation around the contrast. Subject–verb agreement is incorrect in “Advancement … have made,” and the conclusion’s “trying … provide” should agree with its singular gerund subject. Articles and possessives also need attention in phrases such as “in the society” and “doctors profession.” Review agreement, sentence boundaries, and article use, while retaining the complex structures you are already attempting.

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