Academic Task 2 · Advantages / disadvantages
Remote medical appointments
An original IELTS practice question with a planning route and a sample answer to learn from.
Aim for at least 250 words in about 40 minutes. Suggested practice level: advanced, not a predicted band.
Your writing task
More medical consultations are taking place by video or telephone instead of in person. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?
How to approach this question
Develop both benefits and drawbacks. If asked whether one outweighs the other, compare their importance and decide.
Advantages and disadvantages: learn how to weigh the two sides →
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Advantage: a remote consultation can save travel for a routine follow-up and improve access for people far from a clinic. Keep the claim to suitable appointments.
Disadvantage: a clinician cannot perform every physical examination remotely, and some patients lack privacy or reliable technology. Weigh convenience against clinical limitations.
These are possible directions, not required opinions or facts to memorise. Develop your own response and check every claim against the task.
A possible plan
- Introduction: identify the development and state whether its advantages outweigh its disadvantages if asked.
- Body 1: develop the strongest advantages with examples.
- Body 2: examine the disadvantages and compare their importance with the benefits.
- Conclusion: give an explicit overall judgement, not just a list of both sides.
Vocabulary you can use precisely
Choose language that fits your meaning. You do not need to include every phrase.
- routine follow-up
- A later appointment that checks progress after earlier care.
A routine follow-up may not require a long journey to the hospital.
- physical examination
- A clinician's direct check of a patient's body for medical signs.
Persistent pain may require an in-person physical examination.
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