Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-18

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 7.5)

Some people argue that professionals, such as doctors and engineers, should be obliged to work in the country where they received their training, while others believe that they should be free to pursue their careers elsewhere. Although requiring skilled workers to contribute to their home country can be justified, I believe that individuals should ultimately have the freedom to decide where they want to build their future.

On the one hand, professionals may have a responsibility to contribute to the country that trained them. In many cases, governments invest substantial amounts of public money in educating and training doctors, engineers and other specialists. As these individuals have benefited from the country's resources, it is reasonable to expect them to give something back by using their expertise to serve the local population. This can be particularly important in developing countries, where the loss of highly trained professionals can create serious shortages in essential services. For instance, if a government heavily subsidises medical education, retaining trained doctors can help ensure that adequate healthcare is available to the public.

On the other hand, professionals should have the right to make their own career decisions. They invest considerable time, effort and, in some cases, personal money in their education, and therefore should not be forced to remain in one country for the rest of their careers. If they believe that another country offers better employment opportunities, higher salaries or a superior standard of living, moving abroad may be a rational choice. For example, an engineer might relocate to a country with a more advanced technology sector in order to develop specialised skills and achieve greater career progression. Such experience may also benefit their home country if they eventually return with enhanced knowledge and expertise.

In conclusion, although professionals have a legitimate responsibility to contribute to the country that provided their training, I believe they should ultimately be free to choose where they work. Personal career goals and the pursuit of better opportunities should not be restricted by where an individual received their education.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the obligation to the home country and the right to individual career freedom—while maintaining a consistent and well-supported personal opinion throughout. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the argument regarding government investment in education versus the individual's right to pursue better opportunities. The introduction and conclusion effectively frame your position, and the body paragraphs provide logical, relevant examples such as the impact on developing countries and the potential for returning with enhanced expertise. The response is balanced, insightful, and directly answers the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two opposing views is smooth, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. Referencing is clear, and the flow of arguments is natural. The paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints, which helps the reader follow your line of reasoning without any confusion. The use of cohesive devices is skillful and unobtrusive, contributing to the overall clarity of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision and naturalness. Phrases such as 'obliged to work', 'substantial amounts of public money', 'rational choice', and 'legitimate responsibility' show a high level of lexical control. You successfully incorporate topic-specific terminology related to professional development and economic migration. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary is sophisticated enough to convey your arguments effectively. The language is varied and contributes significantly to the professional tone of the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use complex sentences, such as conditional structures ('If they believe that...') and concessive clauses ('Although requiring skilled workers...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The variety of sentence forms, ranging from simple to complex, is well-managed, and the overall grammatical quality is consistent throughout the piece, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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