Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-02

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 7.0)

It is a matter of considerable ongoing debate whether doctors and engineers should pursue employment in the country where they received their professional training, or whether they should be free to work independently. I agree with both perspectives to a certain extent. While working in their home country can contribute to national development, working independently can provide professionals with greater opportunities to develop their expertise.

Getting engaged in the workforce in their own country offers several advantages for their nation and themselves. At first, professionals who prefer to get a job in their own country can contribute to creating an expert workforce for their nation. As a result, their knowledge and skills can be utilised to improve important sectors such as healthcare and engineering. This can ultimately contribute to the economic and social development of the country. Moreover, these professionals can better understand local needs and problems, allowing them to provide more suitable solutions for their communities.

Furthermore, by observing highly skilled professionals in key fields, young people can be inspired to follow similar career paths and gradually develop their own expertise. In the long term, this can help make their country more developed and prosperous, as well as enhance its reputation globally.

On the other hand, allowing professionals to work independently can also have positive effects on both individuals and the nation. When doctors and engineers have the freedom to choose where and how they work, they are more likely to feel satisfied and motivated in their careers. Working at their own pace can create a happier and more contented workforce, as independence and freedom often encourage individuals to work with greater dedication. For example, professionals who are given greater autonomy in their workplace are more likely to take responsibility for their tasks and work enthusiastically towards achieving their career goals. Consequently, greater professional freedom can improve both individual satisfaction and overall productivity.

In conclusion, although encouraging doctors and engineers to work in their own country can strengthen the national workforce and contribute to development, giving professionals greater freedom to choose where and how they work can also increase their motivation and productivity. Therefore, I believe that both approaches have considerable benefits, and a balance between national needs and professional freedom would be the most effective solution.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.0
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy7.0
Overall7.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all parts of the prompt by discussing both perspectives and providing a clear personal opinion. Your ideas are relevant and well-developed, particularly the arguments regarding national development and individual professional satisfaction. To reach a higher band, ensure that your opinion is more explicitly integrated throughout the body paragraphs rather than just in the introduction and conclusion. For example, you could explicitly state how your view aligns with the benefits of professional freedom in the second body paragraph. Overall, the response is well-structured and directly answers the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and you use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', and 'Consequently' to link your points effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between ideas is clear throughout the text. To improve further, ensure that the transition between the two main body paragraphs is even more seamless to enhance the overall cohesion of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'national development', 'expert workforce', and 'professional autonomy' are used correctly. There is an attempt to use less common lexical items, which adds to the academic tone of the essay. While the vocabulary is generally accurate, there are a few instances where word choice could be more sophisticated to elevate the writing. For instance, instead of 'get a job', using 'secure employment' would be more appropriate for an academic context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and the majority of your sentences are error-free. Your control over punctuation and grammar is strong, which allows for clear communication. There are no significant errors that impede understanding. To aim for a higher band, try to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or more advanced passive constructions, to demonstrate greater flexibility and control over your writing.

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.