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 PRESENT TIME, NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH HEALTH PROBLEM ARE TRYING TO SHIFT TO ALTERNATIVE MEDICINIES AND TREATMENTS INSTEAD OF VISITING THEIR USUAL DOCTOR. I BELIEVE IN SOME PROBLEM ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES CAN HELPS TO IMPROVE HEALTH BUT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

FIRSTLY, BY THE HELP OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES IT CAN BENIFICAL AT FIRST BECAUSE IT IS HAS CHEAPER PRICE AND CAN HELPS PEOPLE IN SMALL HEALTH PROBLEM. IT CAN BE IN THE LOCAL AREA AND LOCAL SHOPS WHICH IS EASY TO FOUND FOR PEOPLE. FOR SOME PEOPLE WHO HAS LONG TERM OF HEALTH PROBLEM CAN HELP IN EMOTIONAL AT THE TIME. IN SOME ALTERNATIVE CAN BE POINT OUT BENEIFICIAL

SECONDLY, SOME POINT CAN SEEN IT IS OKAY TO TOOK ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES BUT SOME POINT DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE OTHER PROBLEM HEALTH PROBLEM PEOPLE CAN NOT UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH IT IS RISKY TO TOOK ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT. ALTRERNATIVE MEDICINES HAS NO INFORMATION THAT WHAT TYPES PEOPLE SHOULD TOOK THE MEDICINES FOR THEIR PROBLEM. WHEREAS PROFESSIONAL DOCTOR HA S THE SKILL TO IDENTIFITY THE PROBLEM PATIENT HAS. DOCTOR CAN IDENIFITY THE DISEASE OR PROBLEM THE PEOPLE HA SCAN BE CURE FASTER BEFORE IT'S TO LATE.

IN MY OPINION, ALTERNATIVE CAN BE HELPFUL FOR THE SMALL PORBLEM CAN ALSO CURE BUT IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT FULLY DEPEND ON THE ALTERNATIVE MEDICIBES AND TREATMENT. DOCTOR CAN BE VERY MUCH HELPFUL IN PROBLEM PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT. SO, PEOPLE SHOULD NEVER STOP VISITING THE DOCTOR FOR HEALTH BECAUSE IT CAN SAVES LIVES.

IN CONCLUSION, I CONSIDER THIS TREND TO BE PREDOMINANTLY NEGATIVE BECAUSE POTENTIAL RISKS OF AVOIDING QUALIFIED MEDICAL CARE OUTWIGHT THE BENEFITS OF ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS. THE BEST APPROACH IS TO USE SCIENTIFICALLY SUPPORT.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

Your position is clear: you recognise that alternative treatments may help with minor problems, but argue that relying on them instead of doctors is mainly negative. You address both benefits and risks, including affordability and access on one side, and the danger of missing professional diagnosis on the other. The conclusion reinforces this view. However, some points are only briefly stated or unclear, particularly the claim that alternative treatments can provide emotional help and the unfinished idea, “In some alternative can be point out beneficial.” Develop these with a specific explanation or example, and make the distinction between complementary use and replacing medical care explicit. The final recommendation, “use scientifically support,” also needs completion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, two body paragraphs, a personal view and a conclusion. “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “In conclusion” help signal the stages of the argument, and the ideas broadly move from possible benefits to risks. However, connections within paragraphs are sometimes mechanical or unclear. For example, “some point can seen it is okay” does not clearly link to the following contrast, and the repeated use of “problem” makes the progression difficult to follow. Some sentences appear incomplete, which interrupts the flow. To strengthen organisation, give each paragraph one clear controlling idea, connect each supporting point explicitly to it, and use pronouns or precise references so readers can easily identify what “it” and “this” refer to.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “alternative medicines,” “long term,” “professional doctor,” “identify the problem,” and “potential risks.” These choices show an attempt to discuss both access and medical safety. However, the range is limited and several spelling, word-form and collocation errors make parts difficult to understand, such as “medicinies,” “benifical,” “outwight,” and “scientifically support.” Repetition of “problem,” “helpful” and “alternative” also limits precision. Build a more accurate set of topic phrases and check spelling and natural combinations of words. For instance, distinguish “alternative treatments” from “conventional medical care,” and use specific terms such as “diagnosis” or “side effects” where they fit your meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, including a contrast with “Whereas professional doctor…” and a reason introduced by “because.” This gives the response some structural variety, and the main position can generally be understood. However, there are some errors in sentence formation, verb forms and agreement. Examples include “people with health problem are,” “alternative medicines can helps,” and “people should never stop visiting the doctor … because it can saves lives.” The sentence beginning “For some people who has long term…” is also difficult to follow because its clause structure is incomplete. Practise subject–verb agreement, modal verb patterns (“can help,” “should take”), and complete sentences with clear subjects and main verbs. These changes would make your meaning more consistently clear.

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