Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-09

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Doctors tell us that we can get all the vitamins we need from having a healthy diet. Despite this advice, some people continue to spend large sums of money on vitamin pills.

Why do you think some people spend a lot of money on vitamin pills?

How could people be persuaded to improve their diet instead of buying vitamin pills?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Doctors tell us that we can get all the vitamins we need from having healthy diet. Still some people choose to spend large sums of their money on vitamin pills.

There are many varieties available now a days for allopathy pills which can give faster results despite of consuming healthy diet. Also, there are many food options available which does not give much nutrients to the body which a person can receive through pills. Also, people now a days are very health concious that they prefer good diet but they cannot get good protein, fibres which usually a body requires. So, they prefer pills which helps them grow their muscles. For example, people who have joined gym needed alot of protein, zinc, multi vitamins but it cannot get through food. Yes, some of the protein can be consumed through chicken, eggs, paneer but still the amount of these needed to a body cannot be fulfilled by food, so people prefer pills that is why they spend alot on pills.

It can be persuaded through a good diet, as by consuming good diet people can remain healthy for a long term and body cannot be impacted, as it is sustainable for long run, whereas, vitamin pills gives faster results but it is for short run and also impact a littke to liver, as doctors never suggets to take pills. If people takes clean and good diet and do workout, then it can improve their skin, hair growth though it will take much time.

In conclusion, I would prefer to have a clean diet over buying vitamin pills, as firstly vitamin pills are too costly and it is not good for the body for a longer run. Having a healthy diet is sustainable and good for both in terms of money and body.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both questions and maintain a clear overall view that people choose pills for convenience or perceived nutritional benefits, while a healthy diet is preferable. The gym example, including protein, zinc and multivitamins, gives the first answer some relevant support. However, the explanation that pills produce “faster results” and that food cannot provide enough nutrients is asserted rather than carefully explained, and may overgeneralise. The second part is less fully developed: you recommend a clean diet and exercise and mention long-term health, but do not explain clearly how people could be persuaded—for example, through public health advice, nutrition education, or practical guidance on affordable meals. Develop this solution with a specific mechanism and example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, one paragraph on reasons, one on improving diet, and a conclusion. This makes the overall direction understandable. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow, particularly in the long explanation about gym-goers, food sources and the amount of protein the body needs. Repeated use of “Also” and repeated references to “pills” make the links feel mechanical, while “It can be persuaded through a good diet” has an unclear reference: people need to be persuaded, rather than the diet. Use clearer topic sentences and connect each supporting point explicitly to the question. Breaking the long first body paragraph into shorter, logically ordered sentences would also improve readability.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of topic vocabulary, including “vitamin pills,” “nutrients,” “protein,” “sustainable” and “long term,” so the main ideas are generally clear. There are also attempts at more specific language, such as “multi vitamins” and “clean diet.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise, including “allopathy pills,” “good protein,” and “impact a little to liver.” Spelling and word-form errors such as “concious,” “littke” and “suggets” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise, natural phrases and check spelling: for instance, distinguish supplements from medicines and describe the possible effects of excessive supplement use cautiously rather than making a broad claim.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses with “whereas” and “if,” and the reader can usually understand your main points. However, control is inconsistent, especially in longer sentences. Examples include “from having healthy diet,” “food options … which does not give,” and “people who have joined gym needed,” where articles, agreement and tense are not controlled. The sentence beginning “If people takes clean and good diet” also has subject–verb agreement and article problems. Some sentences combine several ideas with commas, making their grammatical relationships unclear. Practise accurate article use, plural agreement and consistent present-tense forms, then divide complex explanations into shorter sentences. This would make your range more effective and reduce errors.

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