Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-11-05

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 4.0)

Nowadays, a large number of population have a healthe issues are increasing become common and also people are trying treat themselves by using medicines rather than visting the doctor. This development has both positive and negetive however I believe that disadavtages are greater than advantages because it cause serious problems in the nation.

On the one hand, the most significant drawback is that people have only basic knowledge about using medicines. This means that a large number of individual are used medicines instead of visitind the doctor bewcause their fee is high and normal people cannot afford it.As a result, citizens are also die used a different types of medicines in the nation.

On the other hand, another negetive is that

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You state a clear overall view: “disadvantages are greater than advantages,” and you give a relevant reason, namely that people may lack medical knowledge and avoid doctors because of cost. However, the response addresses the question only minimally. The positive side is not explained, and the second body paragraph stops after “another negative is that,” so the argument is incomplete and no examples or consequences are developed. The conclusion is also missing. The response is 129 words below the required minimum, which leaves too little space to address both sides and support your position. To improve, explain at least two consequences with specific examples, consider the potential benefits, and finish with a clear concluding statement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an opening paragraph is followed by body paragraphs introduced with “On the one hand” and “On the other hand.” This gives the reader some indication of the intended structure. However, the progression is incomplete: the second body paragraph ends mid-sentence, and there is no conclusion to bring the argument together. The contrast markers are also confusing because both paragraphs present drawbacks, despite “On the one hand” usually introducing one side and “On the other hand” the contrasting side. Develop each paragraph around one distinct point, use linking phrases to show cause and result, and ensure every paragraph is complete.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “alternative medicines,” “basic knowledge,” “afford,” and “serious problems,” so the general subject is identifiable. However, the range is limited and several spelling and word-choice errors make the writing less clear, such as “healthe issues,” “negetive,” “disadavtages,” and “citizens are also die.” Some phrases are also unnatural, including “a large number of population” and “a different types of medicines.” Aim for accurate, natural collocations and check spelling carefully. More precise terms such as “self-medicate,” “medical advice,” and “adverse effects” would help you express the argument more clearly and appropriately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt both simple and more developed sentence forms, including a cause-and-effect structure beginning “This means that” and a result clause introduced by “As a result.” However, errors in sentence construction and verb forms frequently make the meaning difficult to follow. For example, “a large number of population have a healthe issues are increasing become common” combines several structures without a clear grammatical relationship, while “people are used medicines instead of visitind the doctor” has incorrect verb patterns. There are also agreement and article problems, as in “a large number of individual.” Practise building one clear main clause at a time, then add subordinate clauses, and check subject–verb agreement and verb forms.

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