Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-27

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)

In this age, where health problems are increasing in number, most people are trying other medical options rather than going to their usual consultant. This essay shall review whether it is a neagtive or a positive approach.

The world has become a global village where every person have an easy access to internet. Many people with different health problems browse safari to lookup their symptoms instead of going to a doctor. For example, a person having a cold or a flu can find a suitable medicine online or even an ai agent can also helps in determining their problem.

In addition, some indidviduals believe that visiting a doctor can be expensive sometimes as they charge large amount for consultaion, and other treatment charges. Instead of going to a doctor , they shifts toward a homeopethic treatment which is comparatively much cheaper and safer or sometimes, they opt for home remedies.

One the other side, a person with extreme health problems such as cancer or aids need a proper treatment and care. They can not afford to change their doctor or treatment midway as it can be proved fatal sometimes. For instance, a usual doctor knows a history of their patient with svere health problems. They tries their best to give a proper medicine or a treatment and prescribe a suitable diet plan to a patient.

Although there are some positive developments by changing a treatment or medicines interm of expense and time-saving but it also holds a neagtive impact on patient especially if they are going through svere problems

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the question by considering both the convenience and lower cost of alternatives and the risks for people with serious illnesses. The example of a patient with cancer needing consistent care is relevant, and your final paragraph indicates that you see the development as having both benefits and drawbacks. However, the task asks whether it is positive or negative, and your overall position remains unclear: the introduction says you will review both sides, while the conclusion does not state which view you support. Several points, such as finding medicine online and using home remedies, are mentioned but not sufficiently explained or supported. State a clear judgement and develop the strongest reasons with specific explanation or examples.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall arrangement: an introduction, two paragraphs presenting different considerations, and a concluding paragraph. Linking phrases such as “In addition” and “On the other side” help signal shifts in focus, and the examples generally follow the points they illustrate. However, the progression is not always smooth. The first body paragraph moves from internet searches to AI without clearly connecting these to alternative treatments, and the conclusion introduces “time-saving” without developing that idea earlier. Some references, including “they” in the discussion of doctors and patients, are not fully clear. Use more precise links between claims and examples, and make the conclusion directly reflect the position established in the introduction.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a range of vocabulary relevant to health and treatment, including “symptoms,” “home remedies,” “treatment midway,” and “diet plan.” These choices make the main subject clear, and you attempt some less common expressions such as “global village.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or informal, including “browse safari,” “usual consultant,” and “large amount for consultation.” Spelling errors such as “neagtive,” “indidviduals,” and “homeopethic” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise, natural phrasing and check spelling carefully; for example, refer to searching online rather than naming a particular browser, and use standard terms such as “alternative therapies” or “consultation fees.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a relative clause in “a person with extreme health problems such as cancer or aids need…” and a concessive structure beginning “Although there are some positive developments…”. The overall meaning is usually understandable, but errors in agreement, articles, and sentence construction are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward. For example, “every person have” should use a singular verb, and “they shifts” should be “they shift.” The final sentence begins with “Although” but does not complete a clear main clause, leaving the conclusion grammatically incomplete. Practise checking subject–verb agreement and ensure each complex sentence has a complete, logically connected main clause.

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