Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-23

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 5.0)

In the present, a surging number of people are not serious about their health issues. They are using medicines with their own perspective and doing treatments at home without gaining help from their regular doctor. As far as concerned with my opinion, It is a negative development because it can be harmful and sometimes life threatening.

To begin with, people who are using alternative medicines, they are making mistake and harming themselves. Some people think that visiting doctor is not necessary, when they have medicines at home. Moreover, using medicines and doing treatments at home can be very dangerous for them. Doctors give their precious years and lot of money to get "MBBS" degree that is not a simple or easy career to choose.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You state a clear view that this is a negative development and give a relevant reason: self-treatment may be dangerous or life-threatening. However, the response addresses the task only minimally. The claim that people are “not serious about their health issues” is not explained, and the point about doctors’ years of study and expense does not show specifically why alternative treatment is harmful. There is no developed example or discussion of possible consequences, such as delayed diagnosis or harmful interactions with prescribed medicines. The response is also 126 words below the required minimum, leaving the argument substantially incomplete. To improve, explain and support two relevant reasons, include a specific example, and develop a conclusion that reinforces your position.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall shape: an opening paragraph gives your position, followed by a paragraph beginning “To begin with” that introduces a reason. This makes the main direction understandable. However, there is no conclusion, and the ideas do not progress beyond the initial claim that self-treatment is dangerous. Some linking is mechanical, particularly “To begin with” and “Moreover,” while the relationship between doctors’ qualifications and the risks of alternative treatments is not made clear. The sentence beginning “Some people think…” could lead into an explanation or example, but that development is missing. Use separate paragraphs for distinct reasons, connect each claim to its explanation, and finish with a brief summary of your view.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary, including “alternative medicines,” “life threatening,” “harmful,” and “regular doctor,” so the topic is generally clear. There are also attempts at more specific language, such as “precious years” and “MBBS degree.” However, the range is limited and several phrases are inaccurate or unnatural, including “with their own perspective,” “gaining help,” and “Doctors give their precious years.” These choices make parts of the argument less clear and weaken precision. Aim for natural collocations and vocabulary that directly describes the issue, such as self-medication, medical advice, qualified professionals, and delayed treatment. More varied and accurate wording would help you explain your reasons without repeating general terms such as “dangerous.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

Your writing includes simple statements and an attempt at a longer sentence with “because,” and the main position can be understood. However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and errors recur. For example, “As far as concerned with my opinion” is not a complete, correctly formed expression; “people who are using alternative medicines, they are making mistake” has faulty clause structure and is missing an article; and “when they have medicines at home” needs clearer sentence punctuation and construction. Capitalisation is also inconsistent in “It.” Practise forming clear subject–verb sentences and combining them with accurate subordinate clauses. Check articles, punctuation, and clause structure when editing, while keeping sentences direct enough to control accurately.

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