Plan this discussion essay about health with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people believe that traditional and herbal medicine is better for treating illness. Others think that modern medicine is more effective.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
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Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Some people believe that traditional and herbal remedies are the best way to treat illness, whereas others consider modern medicine more effective. I will discuss both views, and I will argue that modern medicine should be the main approach, with traditional methods playing a supporting role.
Supporters of traditional treatments point out that they have been used for centuries and are often cheaper and more accessible, particularly in rural areas where hospitals are far away. Herbal remedies are seen as natural and gentle, with fewer side effects than strong drugs, and practices such as acupuncture or massage can relieve pain and stress. Many patients also appreciate the personal attention and holistic approach of traditional practitioners, who treat the whole person rather than a single symptom. In addition, some modern drugs, including aspirin, were originally derived from plants.
On the other hand, modern medicine is based on rigorous scientific testing. Treatments are tested in clinical trials to check that they work and are safe, and the results have been dramatic: vaccines have wiped out smallpox, antibiotics treat infections that once killed, and surgery can repair organs. Many herbal products have never been properly tested, so their dose and effect can be uncertain, and relying on them for serious conditions such as cancer or diabetes can be fatal. Some traditional remedies may even interact dangerously with prescribed drugs.
In my opinion, patients should rely on modern medicine for serious or life-threatening illness, while traditional therapies can be used alongside it for mild complaints and to improve comfort, as long as doctors are informed. Governments should also fund research to test which traditional treatments are truly effective.
In conclusion, modern medicine is more reliable, but traditional approaches can complement it when used carefully.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| herbal remedy | medicine from plants |
| side effects | unwanted results of a medicine |
| scientific evidence | proof from research |
| holistic approach | treating the whole person |
| conventional medicine | standard modern medicine |
| effective treatment | therapy that works |
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