Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-21

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 required to work in the country where they received their education and training. Others believe that they should have the freedom to work in any country they choose. Although there are valid reasons for encouraging skilled professionals to remain in their home countries, I believe that they should ultimately be free to decide where they wish to work.

On the one hand, requiring professionals to work in the country where they were trained could benefit society significantly. In many cases, governments spend large amounts of public money on universities and professional training. Therefore, it can be argued that doctors, engineers and other skilled workers have a responsibility to contribute to the development of the country that supported their education. Furthermore, many developing countries suffer from a shortage of qualified professionals. For example, if a large number of doctors leave a country immediately after completing their training, the healthcare system may struggle to provide adequate medical services to its population.

On the other hand, I believe that professionals should have the freedom to choose where they live and work. Individuals may decide to move abroad because of better salaries, improved working conditions or greater career opportunities. In addition, working in another country can allow professionals to gain international experience and access advanced technology. An engineer, for instance, may develop valuable skills while working on major projects overseas, which could eventually benefit their home country if they return or share their knowledge. Instead of forcing skilled workers to stay, governments should offer competitive salaries, good working environments and attractive career opportunities to encourage them to remain.

In conclusion, although keeping trained professionals in their home countries can help repay public investment and reduce skill shortages, I believe that forcing people to work in a particular country would be unfair. Governments should therefore encourage professionals to stay by improving opportunities rather than restricting their freedom of choice.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the obligation to serve the home country due to public investment and the individual right to professional freedom—while maintaining a consistent personal position throughout. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the point regarding the 'brain drain' in developing nations versus the potential for knowledge transfer through international experience. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, suggesting a balanced approach where governments incentivize retention rather than enforcing it. The ideas are relevant, well-supported, and logically extended, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

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 viewpoints is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In addition.' The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the argument. Referencing is precise, and the flow of information is natural. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, and the structure supports the reader's understanding of your position from the introduction to the final conclusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. You successfully use topic-specific terminology such as 'public investment,' 'qualified professionals,' 'healthcare system,' and 'international experience.' The word choice is generally natural and accurate. While the vocabulary is effective and clear, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common idiomatic expressions to reach the highest band. However, the current range is more than adequate for a high-level response, and there are no errors in word choice that impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, including conditional clauses ('if a large number of doctors leave...') and concessive clauses ('Although there are valid reasons...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage complex ideas. There are no significant grammatical slips that distract the reader. The control over tense and modal verbs is consistent, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a sophisticated command of English syntax.

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