Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)
It is often argued that the primary purpose of academic education is to prepare individuals to make a positive contribution to society, whereas others believe that education should mainly enable people to fulfil their personal ambitions. Although both perspectives have merit, I believe that academic education should serve both individual and societal purposes.
On the one hand, academic education plays a crucial role in developing responsible and productive members of society. Universities and other educational institutions provide students with specialised knowledge and practical skills that can later be used to improve the economy and solve social problems. For example, graduates in fields such as medicine, engineering and technology can develop innovative solutions that improve people's quality of life. Furthermore, education can foster social awareness by teaching individuals about their responsibilities, ethical behaviour and the importance of respecting others. Consequently, an educated population is more likely to contribute positively to the development of a stable and prosperous society.
On the other hand, education is also an important means of achieving personal goals. People pursue higher education for a variety of reasons, including obtaining well-paid employment, developing their talents and achieving greater financial independence. Academic qualifications can provide individuals with access to better career opportunities and allow them to pursue professions that match their interests and abilities. For instance, a student who is passionate about pharmacy may undertake a university degree in this field and subsequently build a successful career. Therefore, education can significantly enhance an individual's confidence, independence and overall quality of life.
In my view, these two purposes are not mutually exclusive. When individuals receive a high-quality education and achieve their personal ambitions, they can often make a greater contribution to society. A successful professional, for instance, can create employment, pay taxes, develop new ideas and provide valuable services to the community. Thus, personal development and social progress can reinforce each other.
In conclusion, while academic education helps people become responsible contributors to society, it also enables them to achieve their personal aspirations. I believe that the most effective education system should balance both objectives, as individual success can ultimately contribute to wider social development.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 3.0
The response is completely off-topic. The prompt specifically asks about whether professionals (doctors/engineers) should be required to work in their home country versus having the freedom to work abroad. Your essay discusses the general purpose of education (societal contribution vs. personal ambition). Because you failed to address the specific prompt regarding the migration of trained professionals, the task response is severely compromised. While the ideas are well-developed in a vacuum, they do not answer the question asked.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is well-structured with clear paragraphing and logical progression. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion', which guide the reader through your argument. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the flow between ideas is smooth. Despite the content being irrelevant to the prompt, the structural integrity of the writing is high, demonstrating a clear ability to organize an academic argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms like 'specialised knowledge', 'innovative solutions', 'mutually exclusive', and 'aspirations' appropriately. The language is natural and precise, showing an ability to use less common lexical items to convey complex ideas. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors, and the vocabulary is consistently academic in tone, which is appropriate for this task type.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses ('Although both perspectives have merit, I believe that...') and conditional structures. The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and syntax is strong. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a high level of grammatical accuracy, which would be very effective if applied to the correct topic.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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