Health Problems
Nowadays, an increasing number of people with health problems are using
alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their normal doctor.
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
In recent years, a growing number of unwell individuals have begun to adopt the use of
alternative medicines and treatments. In my opinion, though these can sometimes be
effective, this trend is negative overall due to the superiority of modern medicine.
Those who support alternative remedies argue there is historical evidence in favor of their
effectiveness. A pertinent example of this would be the popularity of traditional Chinese
medicine in Asia. Many of their medicines and treatments date back hundreds or even
thousands of years. Over that time, they have been tested and their effect verified in some
cases. Contemporary health researchers are often able to later identify the scientific
rationale but it is possible there are remedies in use today that we still do not understand.
This ignorance should not serve as a justification to question their overall importance.
However, the vast majority of viable medical treatment is modern. Scientists now
understand more rigorously the underlying structures of cells, viruses, bacteria, cancers,
and various other maladies. This has allowed for the creation of undeniably effective
procedures such as surgery and the discovery of crucial medicines like penicillin. There is
no doubt as to why these medicines work and therefore in the future they will only
become more refined and safe. In contrast, traditional medicine may be effective for
unknown reasons but its applicability is limited and it will not advance overtime.
In conclusion, with few exceptions, traditional medicine is a better alternative to less
verifiable treatments and pharmaceuticals. Individuals can attempt to use them but should
rely on their usual doctors.
Analysis
1. In recent years, a growing number of unwell individuals have begun to adopt the use of
alternative medicines and treatments. 2. In my opinion, though these can sometimes be
effective, this trend is negative overall due to the superiority of modern medicine.
1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those who support alternative remedies argue there is historical evidence in favor of
their effectiveness. 2. A pertinent example of this would be the popularity of traditional
Chinese medicine in Asia. 3. Many of their medicines and treatments date back hundreds
or even thousands of years. 4. Over that time, they have been tested and their effect
verified in some cases. 5. Contemporary health researchers are often able to later identify
the scientific rationale but it is possible there are remedies in use today that we still do
not understand. 6. This ignorance should not serve as a justification to question their
overall importance.
1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Short sentences can make your writing clearer.
6. Use complex and simple sentences.
1. However, the vast majority of viable medical treatment is modern. 2. Scientists now
understand more rigorously the underlying structures of cells, viruses, bacteria, cancers,
and various other maladies. 3. This has allowed for the creation of undeniably effective
procedures such as surgery and the discovery of crucial medicines like
penicillin. 4. There is no doubt as to why these medicines work and therefore in the
future they will only become more refined and safe. 5. In contrast, traditional medicine
may be effective for unknown reasons but its applicability is limited and it will not
advance overtime.
1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
5. Finish the paragraph strong.
1. In conclusion, with few exceptions, traditional medicine is a better alternative to less
verifiable treatments and pharmaceuticals. 2. Individuals can attempt to use them but
should rely on their usual doctors.
1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and
then check below.
In recent years, a growing number of unwell individuals have begun to adopt the use
of alternative medicines and treatments. In my opinion, though these can sometimes
be effective, this trend is negative overall due to the superiority of modern medicine.
Those who support alternative remedies argue there is historical evidence in favor
of their effectiveness. A pertinent example of this would
be the popularity of traditional Chinese medicine in Asia. Many of their medicines and
treatments date back hundreds or even thousands of years. Over that time, they have
been tested and their effect verified in some cases. Contemporary health researchers
are often able to later identify the scientific rationale but it is possible there
are remedies in use today that we still do not understand. This ignorance should
not serve as a justification to question their overall importance.
However, the vast majority of viable medical treatment is modern. Scientists now
understand more rigorously the underlying
structures of cells, viruses, bacteria, cancers, and various other maladies. This
has allowed for the creation of undeniably effective procedures such as surgery and
the discovery of crucial medicines like penicillin. There is no doubt as to why these
medicines work and therefore in the future they will only become
more refined and safe. In contrast, traditional medicine may be effective for unknown
reasons but its applicability is limited and it will not advance overtime.
In conclusion, with few exceptions, traditional medicine is a better alternative to less
verifiable treatments and pharmaceuticals. Individuals can attempt to use them but
should rely on their usual doctors.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you
remember the new vocabulary:
in recent years in the last few decades
growing increasing
unwell sick
begun started to
adopt start using
medicines pills, drugs, etc.
treatments ways to deal with illnesses
though despite
effective works well
trend pattern
negative overall bad in general
due to because of
the superiority of modern medicine how much better new medicine and doctors are
support alternative remedies favor less traditional doctors
argue point out
historical evidence examples from the past
in favor of supporting
effectiveness works well
A pertinent example of this would be a good instance of this is
popularity how common it is
traditional Chinese medicine older treatments from China
date back from a long time ago
Over that time as time passes
tested verified
verified proven true
in some cases sometimes
Contemporary health researchers are doctors today can
later identify after that figure out
scientific rationale good reasons
remedies in use today treatments now
ignorance not knowing about
serve as are the basis for
justification reason for
question doubt
overall importance how valuable they are in general
vast majority most of
viable medical useful treatment
rigorously intensively
underlying structures basic parts
cells fundamental component of life
viruses dangerous spreading diseases
bacteria cause disease
cancers a serious illness
various other maladies different diseases
allowed for made it possible
creation making of
undeniably effective procedures definitely work
surgery operating on someone
discovery finding of
crucial medicines key treatments
penicillin a drug for treating infections
There is no doubt as to it can’t be denied that
therefore thus
refined made better
safe not dangerous
In contrast however
unknown reasons ignorance of why
applicability how much it can be used in other cases
limited contained
advance move forward
with few exceptions not many other instances
better alternative to better way to
less verifiable treatments medicines that can’t be trusted
pharmaceuticals drugs
attempt try
rely on dependent on
usual doctors normal doctors
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write
down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
Nowadays, an increasing number of people with health problems are using
alternative medicines and treatments instead of visiting their normal doctor.
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
I__________________s, a g__________g number of u________l individuals
have b______n to a______t the use of alternative m______________s and t_____________s. In
my opinion, t______h these can sometimes be e___________e,
this t_____d is n____________________l
d_________________________________________e.
Those who s______________________________s a________e there
is h_______________________e i____________f their e____________s. A________________
____________________________e the p__________y of t___________________________e in
Asia. Many of their medicines and treatments d________k hundreds or even thousands of
years. O_______________e, they have been t______d and their effect v___________d
i______________s. C________________________________e often able
to l____________y the s________________e but it is possible there are r__________s
i_____________y that we still do not understand. This i_________e should
not s_________s a j________________n to q___________n their o_____________e.
However, the v________________________f v_______________l treatment is modern.
Scientists now understand
more r___________y the u_____________________s of c_____s, v_________s, b_________a,
c_________s, and v__________________s. This
has a________________r the c___________n of u_______________________________s such
as s___________y and
the d____________y of c_______________________s like p__________n. T_______________
______________s to why these medicines work and t____________e in the future they will only
become more r____________d and s___e. I______________t, traditional medicine may be
effective for u______________________s but
its a__________________y is l____________d and it will not a________e overtime.
In conclusion, w____________________s, traditional medicine is
a b____________________________o l_______________________________s and p________
____________s. Individuals can a___________t to use them but
should r_________n their u_______________s.