Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-04

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people believe that professionals, such as doctors and engineers, should be required to work in the country where they did their training. Others believe they should be free to work in another country if they wish.

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.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Some people argue that skilled professionals, including doctors and engineers, should be obligated to work in the country where they received their education and training. Others believe that these individuals should have the freedom to seek employment in any country they choose. Although both views have valid arguments, I believe professionals should ultimately have the right to decide where they work.

On the one hand, requiring professionals to serve the country that trained them can provide significant benefits to society. In many countries, particularly developing nations, governments spend considerable amounts of money on educating and training specialists. If these professionals leave immediately after completing their studies, their home countries may experience shortages of essential workers. For example, when a large number of doctors migrate abroad, local healthcare systems may struggle to provide adequate medical services to citizens.

On the other hand, there are strong reasons why professionals should be allowed to work overseas. Firstly, individuals have the right to pursue better career opportunities and improve their standard of living. Many professionals move abroad because they can access higher salaries, better working conditions, and advanced facilities. Furthermore, international experience can help them develop new skills and knowledge, which may benefit the global community and even their home country if they eventually return.

In my opinion, while countries should create incentives to encourage skilled workers to remain and contribute locally, forcing them to stay is not a fair solution. Professionals invest years of effort in gaining qualifications and should have the freedom to make decisions about their own careers.

In conclusion, although retaining trained professionals is important for national development, I believe that individuals should be free to work in any country they prefer.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the obligation to serve the home country and the right to personal freedom—and provided a clear, consistent opinion throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the argument regarding the economic investment made by governments in training specialists and the counter-argument regarding individual career progression. The conclusion effectively synthesises your position. To reach a higher band, you could provide a more specific example of a country or a particular policy to further illustrate the tension between national needs and individual rights, which would add more depth to your analysis.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two opposing views is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of linking words like 'Furthermore', 'Although', and 'In conclusion' helps guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. The cohesion is managed well, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive usage, making the text easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases such as 'significant benefits', 'adequate medical services', and 'national development' are used accurately. You also successfully incorporate less common items like 'incentives' and 'obligated'. The vocabulary is precise and contributes to the formal tone of the essay. While the range is sufficient and flexible, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic academic expressions could elevate the response further. There are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('If these professionals leave...') and concessive clauses ('Although both views have valid arguments...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is strong. You maintain a high level of accuracy throughout the text. To achieve a higher band, ensure you continue to experiment with a wider variety of complex sentence forms, such as inversion or more advanced relative clauses, while maintaining the high level of accuracy you have already established.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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