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?
Sample Response
Since ancient times, people have sought to heal themselves using herbs and other natural products. Today, this practiceIn modern times, this approach is referred to as alternative medicine. Nowadays, an increasing number of people with a range of health conditionsvarious ailments are choosing alternative medicine over conventional medical treatments. In this essay, I will discuss the pros and cons. In my view, the disadvantages of using alternativetraditional medicine outweigh the advantages. The primary concern is the uncertainty regarding their clinical safety and efficacyuncertainty surrounding how these treatments will affect an individual's health. Numerous cases have been reported where herbal remedies triggered allergic reactions, resulting in fatal outcomesfatalities. Another issue is that individuals without professional medical qualificationswithout medical training often self-prescribe untested remediesexperiment with alternative medicines. They are unaware of the potential outcomes and hopeoptimistically hope for positive results, which are not always guaranteed. Despite these drawbacks, certain advantages persuade some people to bypass conventional medical practitioners. One perceived advantageThe foremost benefit is that herbal treatments are perceived to carry fewer chemical side effectsusing herbs does not contribute to environmental issues such as air pollution or chemical waste. Many pharmaceutical companies use chemicalsutilize substances that adversely affect the environment. Another advantage is the cost-effectiveness of alternative medicines; they are often much more affordable than conventional treatments, as there is no need to purchase expensive medications from pharmacies. In conclusion, alternative treatments will always have a place because they offer benefits that some people believe can outweigh the negatives. However, I disagree. I believe that conventional medicine, which is advancing rapidly, will eventually eclipse other forms of treatmenteclipse other forms of treatment in the future.
Why this response received Band 6.5
The essay presents a well-structured argument with strong control of grammar and a relevant range of vocabulary. However, the response falls slightly below the required word count and contains a confusing terminology slip that obscures the overall position on whether this is a positive or negative trend. To improve, ensure key terms are used accurately and expand main points to meet the word count fully.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Response
The task is addressed by discussing both sides, but a misstatement regarding traditional versus alternative medicine weakens the clarity of the overall position.
Ensure key terms from the prompt are used consistently and expand arguments sufficiently to exceed the minimum word requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion
Paragraphing is clear and logical, with effective progression between the main body paragraphs and the conclusion.
Use cohesive devices more naturally to connect contrasting viewpoints within and between paragraphs.
Lexical Resource
A good range of topic-specific vocabulary is used accurately, though an imprecise choice of medical terminology creates momentary confusion.
Maintain precise distinction between terms such as conventional, traditional, and alternative medicine throughout the essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Sentence structures are varied and show high grammatical precision with very few minor errors.
Continue practicing complex sentence patterns while ensuring full clarity when framing conditional or comparative statements.
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IELTS Writing Task 2
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?
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.