Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-03
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)
People have different opinions about working in their own country or in another country. Some people said after completing professional training it is a good option to work abroad while other go against this saying that working in their own country is a good option. However I would suggest that it depends on your country economic condition if you belong to a well developed country with stable economy then working in your own country should give you more benefits and opportunities, but on the other hand if your living in an underdeveloped country with unstable economy than it is a good option for you to move to another country and explore their culture and secure your future.
So I want to share an example of my friend he was a senior in my university. After completing his nursing program he chooses to work in UK, he started preparation for his exams and then moved to UK as registered nurse now he is living there very happily. Because the working hour in UK are much less as compare to his own country and they also offer him a good salary package so now he is enjoying a work life balance. In a nutshell working abroad for better life and secure future is a good option.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a personal opinion. However, the essay is significantly under the 250-word minimum, which limits the depth of the discussion. The ideas are presented but remain underdeveloped; for instance, the argument regarding economic conditions is mentioned but not fully explored with sufficient supporting evidence. The example of the friend is relevant but lacks the analytical detail required for a higher band. Because the response fails to meet the length requirement and lacks full development of the arguments, it falls into the lower band range.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is divided into two paragraphs, which is a basic structure. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat disjointed. While there are some cohesive devices used, such as 'However' and 'In a nutshell', they are used in a limited and sometimes mechanical way. The transition between the general argument and the personal example is abrupt. The referencing is occasionally unclear, and the overall flow would benefit from more sophisticated linking words and a more logical arrangement of supporting points to guide the reader more effectively.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'good option' are used multiple times, which limits the range. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'your country economic condition' (should be 'your country's economic condition') and 'if your living' (should be 'if you are living'). To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise, academic vocabulary and demonstrate a better grasp of collocations and word forms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Common issues include subject-verb agreement, missing articles, and punctuation errors (e.g., 'he chooses to work' instead of 'he chose', 'working hour' instead of 'working hours', and 'as compare to' instead of 'compared to'). While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the essay from reaching a higher band. More attention to proofreading and sentence construction is necessary.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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