Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-01

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)

In this modern era, an increasing number of individuals faces health issues and they are trying alternative medicines and treatments instead of consulating their usual practioners. I think there is a negative development. The following essay will discussed the whole things.

To begin with, alternative medicines and treatments would be some negative effect of people life such as delayed proper treatment, financial loss and lack of professional guidance. To emphasis, one major drawback is that it would be delayed for some serious health issues. As these treatment and medicines are not proved scientically. As a result, patients could not receive proper treatment timely and their life will be threatened of serious health problems. In addition, by investing money alternative medicines and treatments, people can lose a huge amount of money. For example, some people believe that can reduce their sickness. But herbal or other remedies that are not appropriate of health disease. Therefore, by expending money this things it can hamper financially.

Moreover, Another important cons is that it can destruct people's lives. As people lack of proper guidance, people can be

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You state a clear view—“I think there is a negative development”—and give relevant reasons, including delayed treatment and financial loss. However, the response addresses the task only partially: the points are introduced but not sufficiently explained or supported with a specific example, and the final paragraph breaks off at “people can be,” leaving the argument incomplete. The response is also 174 words, below the required minimum of 250; the eight words copied from the prompt are not included in that count. Develop each reason by explaining how it affects patients, and complete the discussion with a conclusion that restates your position.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic structure: an introduction, a paragraph beginning “To begin with,” and a further point introduced by “Moreover.” These signals help the reader identify the intended sequence of ideas. However, progression is limited because the second body paragraph ends mid-sentence, and several ideas within the first body paragraph are difficult to follow or connect clearly. For example, the move from delayed treatment to financial loss is abrupt, while “For example” introduces a general claim rather than a clear illustration. Use complete paragraphs, make each paragraph focus on one reason, and connect claims to explanations or examples. A brief concluding paragraph would also give the response a clearer overall shape.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some topic-relevant vocabulary, including “alternative medicines,” “proper treatment,” “professional guidance,” and “financially.” This gives the response enough basic language to communicate its main concerns. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate word choices or collocations make meaning less clear, such as “negative effect of people life,” “destruct people's lives,” and “expending money this things.” There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “consulating,” “practioners,” and “scientically.” Aim for more precise phrases such as “delay access to effective treatment” and “place a financial burden on patients,” and check spelling carefully. Avoid repeating the task’s key terms without adding more specific vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a conditional idea in “As a result, patients could not receive proper treatment timely” and a subordinate clause beginning “As these treatment and medicines are not proved…”. However, the range remains limited, and attempts at longer sentences are often faulty or incomplete. Examples include “an increasing number of individuals faces,” where the subject and verb do not agree, and “The following essay will discussed,” which uses an incorrect verb form. Several sentence fragments begin with “As,” and the final sentence is unfinished. Practise building complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check agreement, verb forms, articles, and sentence boundaries before submitting.

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