Cambridge IELTS 17 Test 4 Writing Task 2: Alternative Medicine
Cambridge IELTS 17 · Test 4 · Academic Writing Task 2Opinion (agree or disagree)Culture & lifestyle
The question states that a growing number of people with health problems are trying alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their usual doctor. Candidates must say whether they think this is a positive or a negative development and support their view.
The question
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. 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? Write at least 250 words.
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How to read the question
- This is an opinion essay: Do you think this is a positive or a negative development asks for a clear judgement, which should appear in the introduction and be kept throughout.
- The key word is instead. The trend is people using alternative treatments in place of their doctor, not alongside conventional medicine, and this distinction can be the centre of your argument.
- Alternative medicines and treatments covers practices such as herbal remedies, homeopathy, acupuncture and traditional medicine, so give one or two specific examples rather than staying vague.
- You may accept that the trend has some positive aspects, such as longer consultations or relief for stress and pain, but you still need to decide whether it is positive or negative overall.
- Avoid writing a general essay about the healthcare system or the cost of medicine; focus on the effects of patients choosing alternative treatments over their usual doctor.
- Be careful with claims about effectiveness: say that many treatments lack scientific evidence rather than inventing statistics or claiming that all alternative therapies are useless.
Suggested position
Although some alternative treatments may help people to feel better, I believe it is largely a negative development that patients are using them instead of consulting their doctor, mainly because it can delay effective treatment.
Paragraph plan
- 1
Introduction
Paraphrase the trend of people with health problems turning to treatments such as herbal remedies and acupuncture rather than their family doctor, then state that this is mainly a negative development.
- 2
Body paragraph 1: why the trend appeals and its limited benefits
Explain that alternative practitioners give patients more time and attention, that some therapies may relieve stress or pain, and that people with long-term conditions may feel more in control, so used alongside conventional care they can do little harm.
- 3
Body paragraph 2: why it is mainly negative
Argue that many alternative products are not tested in clinical trials and are poorly regulated, that relying on them can delay diagnosis of serious illness, that some remedies interact with prescribed drugs, and that money is wasted on unproven treatments.
- 4
Conclusion
Repeat that the development is negative overall, and add that alternative therapies should at most complement evidence-based medicine and that people should see a doctor first.
Ideas and arguments
- Alternative practitioners often spend much longer with each patient than busy doctors, which makes people feel listened to.
- Some therapies, such as massage or acupuncture, may relieve stress or pain for certain conditions.
- Patients with long-term or incurable conditions may feel more in control when they explore different options.
- Conventional medicines must pass strict clinical trials, while many alternative products have little scientific evidence that they work.
- Relying on alternative remedies can delay the diagnosis and treatment of serious illnesses such as cancer, when early treatment is most effective.
- Some herbal remedies interact dangerously with prescribed medication, especially if patients do not tell their doctor.
- Money spent on unproven treatments can be wasted, which particularly affects people on low incomes.
- Alternative therapies used alongside, rather than instead of, conventional medicine may offer comfort with less risk.
Band 8+ model answer
294 words · An original model answer written for ieltswrites, not an official answer. It stays in English, as in the exam.
A growing number of people with health problems are now turning to alternative medicines and therapies, such as herbal remedies, acupuncture and homeopathy, rather than consulting their family doctor. Although some of these treatments may help people to feel better, I believe this trend is largely negative, mainly because it can delay effective treatment.
It is easy to understand why alternative approaches appeal to patients. Practitioners often spend far longer with each person than a busy doctor can, and many patients value being listened to and treated as a whole person rather than as a set of symptoms. Some therapies, such as massage or acupuncture, may also relieve stress or pain, and people with long-term illnesses may feel more in control when they explore different options. When used alongside conventional care, such treatments can do little harm.
However, the dangers of replacing a doctor's care are serious. Unlike conventional medicines, which must pass strict clinical trials before they are approved, many alternative products have never been shown to work, and some are poorly regulated. A person who relies on herbal remedies for persistent chest pain or an unexplained lump may lose valuable time, allowing a treatable illness to become life-threatening. In addition, some natural remedies interact dangerously with prescribed drugs, and patients may not tell their doctor that they are taking them. Finally, money spent on unproven therapies cannot be spent on effective care, which is especially worrying for people on low incomes.
In conclusion, while alternative treatments may offer comfort and occasionally some relief, I consider it a negative development that people are using them instead of seeing their usual doctor. Such therapies should at most complement, not replace, evidence-based medicine, and anyone with a health problem should seek proper medical advice first.
Why this answer scores highly
- Task Response
- The answer gives a clear judgement that the development is mainly negative, acknowledges the appeal of alternative treatments, and develops the main argument with specific risks, staying consistent from the introduction to the conclusion.
- Coherence and Cohesion
- The concession comes first and the main argument second, so the essay builds logically towards the writer's position, with linkers such as however, in addition and finally signalling each new point.
- Lexical Resource
- Precise vocabulary such as clinical trials, poorly regulated, evidence-based medicine, persistent and life-threatening is used accurately, and the key terms of the question are paraphrased throughout.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy
- The essay uses complex sentences with relative clauses, concessive clauses, passive forms and modal verbs such as may and should, and maintains accurate grammar and punctuation.
Useful vocabulary
- alternative medicine
- treatments that are used instead of standard medical treatment, such as herbal remedies or homeopathy
- conventional medicine
- standard medical treatment based on scientific research and given by doctors
- evidence-based
- supported by scientific research and testing
- herbal remedies
- medicines made from plants
- clinical trials
- carefully controlled tests of a medicine or treatment on patients
- unproven
- not shown by evidence to be effective
- poorly regulated
- not properly controlled by official rules or authorities
- complement
- add to something in a way that improves it, rather than replace it
- seek medical advice
- ask a doctor or health professional for help
- delay diagnosis
- cause an illness to be identified later than it should be
- life-threatening
- serious enough to cause death
- side effects
- unwanted effects of a medicine in addition to its intended effect
- holistic approach
- treating the whole person, including mind and lifestyle, not only the symptoms
Common mistakes
- Ignoring the word instead and writing as if people were simply using alternative treatments alongside their doctor's care.
- Failing to decide whether the development is positive or negative, or changing position in the conclusion.
- Making extreme claims, such as all alternative medicine is dangerous, which are difficult to defend and weaken the argument.
- Writing about healthcare costs or hospital waiting times in general instead of the effects of this particular trend.
- Giving no concrete examples of alternative treatments or of the risks involved.
- Overusing the word medicine instead of paraphrasing with treatments, remedies, therapies and conventional care.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Cambridge book is this question from?
- This question about people trying alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their usual doctor is Writing Task 2 of Test 4 in Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic, published in 2022.
- Can I argue that this is a positive development?
- Yes. Either view is acceptable if it is clearly stated and well supported, for example by arguing that patients benefit from more choice and a more holistic approach. What matters is a consistent and developed position.
- Do I need to mention the positive side if I think it is negative?
- It is not required, but briefly acknowledging the other side and then explaining why your view is stronger often makes the argument more convincing.
- How many words should I write for this Task 2?
- Write at least 250 words; about 270-310 words is usually enough to develop a clear position in 40 minutes.
Free and timed, with a live word count, just like the computer-delivered test. Then get an instant AI band score.
The exam simulator runs on a computer. Open this page on a laptop or desktop to practise.