Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-22

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)

Arguments are out stating that individuals holding professional degrees should only work in their home country, where they received their training. Contrary to others stating that they should be free to work as per their will. Personally, I believe that one should be free to work in the country of their choice be it for the betterment of the society or their own personal benefits. In this essay we will discuss both the views.

Generally, when the professionals are getting trained a lot of the country's funds, resources and time is spent on them. So it is expected that they should reciprocate it for the betterment of that society and the country. For instance, in Government medical universities in Pakistan the fees taken from the students is almost negligible compared to the funding which is usually required to study. Therefore, it is expected from the graduates to utilise their knowledge and the gained skills for the betterment of their country.

However, a lot of other things come into the account when a professional tends to move abroad, be it for the betterment of their skills or aiming for a better lifestyle given the better opportunities available elsewhere. Similarly, professionals also move abroad to do volunteer work or to aid the underdeveloped countries where the resources are limited. So, the ability to work as per their wish will not only help them become content but also make their nations proud.

To conclude, even though a country invests significant funding and time in their professionals, the autonomy to work freely can help them become better not only in their skills but also for the upbringing of the society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The essay addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention the investment made by countries in training professionals, the counter-argument regarding personal freedom and global contribution could be more deeply explored with specific examples beyond general statements. The introduction is slightly weak, as the first two sentences are fragments rather than full, grammatically correct sentences. To reach a higher band, ensure that each paragraph provides a more thorough explanation of the 'why' behind your points, rather than just stating them. The conclusion is clear but could be more robust in summarising the main arguments presented.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas from the introduction to the conclusion. You use some cohesive devices such as 'However', 'For instance', and 'To conclude' to link your thoughts. However, the connection between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and better referencing. For example, the transition between the first and second paragraphs is a bit abrupt. Improving the use of cohesive devices to create smoother transitions between sentences would help elevate your score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'reciprocate', 'underdeveloped', and 'autonomy'. However, there are some instances of slightly unnatural word choices or phrasing, such as 'Arguments are out stating' and 'upbringing of the society'. The latter is not the most precise collocation for the context of societal development. To improve, focus on using more sophisticated collocations and ensuring that your vocabulary is used in the most appropriate context. While your vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, it lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher band scores.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. For instance, the opening sentences are fragments: 'Arguments are out stating that...' and 'Contrary to others stating that...'. These should be integrated into complete sentences. Additionally, there are minor errors in subject-verb agreement and article usage, such as 'a lot of the country's funds... is spent' (should be 'are spent'). While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding your message, they are frequent enough to limit your score. Focus on proofreading for basic sentence structure and subject-verb agreement.

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

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