Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-08-27

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)

There is ongoing debate over whether doctors, engineers and other highly trained professionals should be obliged to work in the country where they received their education, or whether they should have the freedom to pursue employment wherever they choose. Although requiring graduates to serve the country that trained them may help governments recover their investment in education, I believe professionals should ultimately be free to work abroad.

Those who support compulsory service argue that many professional training programmes are heavily subsidised by governments. Medical education, for example, can require substantial public expenditure on universities, hospitals, equipment and teaching staff. If newly qualified doctors immediately leave for countries offering higher salaries, the country that funded their education may receive little benefit from that investment. This can be particularly damaging in developing countries, where the loss of doctors and engineers can create serious shortages of essential expertise. Requiring graduates to work domestically for a limited period could therefore ensure that public investment produces a direct benefit for the wider population.

On the other hand, there are strong arguments for allowing professionals to choose where they work. Freedom of employment is an important principle, and highly skilled individuals may have legitimate reasons for moving abroad, including better career opportunities, higher salaries or access to more advanced facilities. Furthermore, preventing professionals from leaving does not necessarily solve the underlying problem of low wages or inadequate working conditions. Governments may instead retain talent by improving salaries, research opportunities and professional development. In addition, professionals who move abroad can still contribute to their home countries indirectly through international collaboration, investment or by returning later with valuable experience.

In my view, professionals should not be legally forced to remain in the country where they trained. While governments have a reasonable interest in ensuring that publicly funded education benefits society, this can be addressed through less restrictive measures. For instance, students who receive substantial financial support could voluntarily agree to work in their home country for a specified period, while those who do not accept such funding would remain free to leave. This would balance the public interest with individual freedom.

In conclusion, requiring professionals to remain in their training country can help address skill shortages and ensure that public investment in education benefits society. Nevertheless, I believe that compulsory employment is too restrictive, and governments should focus instead on creating conditions that make skilled professionals want to remain.

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 argument for compulsory service based on public investment and the argument for professional freedom based on individual rights and market conditions. Your own position is clearly stated in the introduction and consistently maintained throughout the essay, supported by a balanced and logical argument. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the suggestion of a middle-ground solution involving voluntary service agreements, which demonstrates a high level of critical thinking. The response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt with relevant examples and reasoning.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression throughout. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and ideas are sequenced effectively. You make excellent use of cohesive devices such as 'Although,' 'Furthermore,' 'In addition,' and 'Nevertheless,' which help to guide the reader through your argument without feeling mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints and your own conclusion. The transition between the discussion of the two views and your own synthesis in the final paragraphs is smooth and professional, contributing to a coherent and well-organized piece of writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the academic nature of the task. You use precise terminology such as 'subsidised,' 'public expenditure,' 'essential expertise,' and 'legitimate reasons' with natural control. The collocations are accurate, and there is a clear awareness of style. While the vocabulary is sophisticated, it remains accessible and serves the argument well. There are no noticeable errors in word choice, and the range of vocabulary allows for the expression of nuanced ideas, which is characteristic of a high-level response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with multiple clauses, conditional structures, and passive voice constructions. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You use a variety of sentence lengths and types, which keeps the writing engaging and fluent. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication; the few minor slips that might exist are rare and do not detract from the overall clarity or professional tone of the essay. Your command of grammar is highly consistent.

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