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)

In today’s globalised world, working professionals are highly aware of market trends and career opportunities. Doctors, engineers and other skilled workers know which countries offer better salaries and professional opportunities. Some people believe that skilled professionals should work in the country where they completed their education and training, while others believe that they should be free to work in any country they choose. This essay will discuss both views and present my opinion.

To begin with, some people believe that professionals such as doctors and engineers should work in the country where they received their education and training. Governments often heavily subsidise medical, transport and educational services. If many qualified professionals leave the country, it can face a shortage of skilled workers. Moreover, these professionals have local knowledge and can use their skills to benefit the society that supported their education. For example, developing countries spend huge amounts of money on training doctors and engineers, but rural hospitals may still lack medical staff because many doctors move abroad. Therefore, governments could require such professionals to work in their home country for a limited period after completing their training.

On the other hand, others believe that professionals should be free to work in any country based on their own choices. Many individuals choose to work abroad because this provides them with higher salaries, better professional status and hands-on experience with advanced technologies and practices. Restricting their movement can be unfair because individuals may have personal or family reasons for moving to another country. For example, a skilled professional who moves to Canada or Germany may gain advanced expertise and international experience, which they could later use to benefit their home country. Therefore, individuals should have the freedom to choose where they want to work based on their career goals, job satisfaction and family circumstances.

In conclusion, I believe that professionals should generally be free to work abroad because choosing where to work is a personal right. However, governments can reasonably expect graduates who received heavily subsidised education to contribute to their home country for a limited period.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both viewpoints and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of developing countries and the potential for international experience to benefit home nations. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the arguments while offering a balanced perspective. The response is well-structured and directly answers the task requirements, demonstrating a strong understanding of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

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 like 'To begin with', 'Moreover', and 'On the other hand'. The paragraphing is effective, and the referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow of information is natural, making the argument easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the overall structure supports the development of the argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The student uses a good range of topic-specific terminology, such as 'heavily subsidise', 'skilled workers', 'professional status', and 'advanced expertise'. The word choice is generally accurate and natural, contributing to the clarity of the argument. While the vocabulary is effective, it could be slightly more sophisticated to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient to convey complex ideas with precision and flexibility. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If many qualified professionals leave...') and relative clauses. The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance readability. The control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. While the range of structures is solid, a slightly wider variety of advanced grammatical forms could further elevate the score, but the current level is very strong and demonstrates a high degree of control.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.