Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-07
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 5.5)
Some people believe that professionals, such as doctors and engineers, should be required to work in the country where they did their training because they think that it is their responsibility to serve the people where they got training from while others argue they should be free to work in another country of their choice because they should be able to pursue the best opportunity available to them.
People in favor of making the professionals stay in the country where they did their training believe that it is the right of the people that they should be served by these professionals. Other than that, a country is providing its resources, facilities and other essential things to make these professionals especially doctors and engineers by taking taxes from the people living there.
Other people argue that these professionals should have the right to decide whether they want to work in the country where they got training or move to another country. People including the professional like doctors and engineers wish best for themselves so if a better opportunity is available they will consider that as an independent without the influence of others. Professionals had work hard during their study period and they want to be acknowledged by getting competitive salaries, good quality of life and basic necessities of life. If they think that they are not valued in the country then it should be their decision to work in another country.
In my opinion professionals including doctors and engineers should be independent in making decision to work in another country and it is their right to grap the best opportunity they get no matter if they have to move to another country.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention that countries provide resources and taxes, this point could be expanded with more specific examples or deeper analysis of the economic impact. Similarly, the argument for individual freedom is repetitive, focusing primarily on 'better opportunities' without exploring the broader implications, such as the 'brain drain' phenomenon. To reach a higher band, ensure that each paragraph provides a more thorough exploration of the underlying reasons rather than simply restating the core premise.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into clear paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of ideas. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. Transitions between sentences are often abrupt, and there is a lack of sophisticated linking words to connect ideas more fluidly. For instance, the transition between the second and third paragraphs could be smoother. Additionally, some referencing is slightly repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'these professionals' and 'doctors and engineers'. Improving the variety of cohesive devices would significantly enhance the flow of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the range and precision required for a higher band. You rely on basic phrasing such as 'best opportunity available' and 'good quality of life'. There are also some minor collocation errors, such as 'grap the best opportunity' (should be 'grasp') and 'independent without the influence' (should be 'independently'). To improve, try to incorporate more topic-specific vocabulary related to economics, professional development, and migration, and focus on using words in their correct collocations.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally affect the clarity of your message. Examples include 'People including the professional like doctors and engineers wish best for themselves' and 'Professionals had work hard'. There are also issues with article usage and subject-verb agreement. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for basic tense consistency and pluralisation would be a highly effective way to improve your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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