Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-04

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)

In an increasingly globalised world, professionals such as doctors and engineers frequently seek employment outside the countries where they were trained. While some argue that they should be obliged to serve the country that invested in their education, others believe that they should have the freedom to pursue opportunities abroad. Although both perspectives have merit, I strongly believe that professionals should ultimately be free to decide where they work.

On the one hand, requiring skilled professionals to remain in their training country can protect public investment and address shortages of essential workers. In many developing nations, governments subsidise medical and engineering education through public universities and scholarships. If graduates immediately relocate to wealthier countries, the benefits of this investment may be lost, while the country that trained them continues to suffer from a shortage of expertise. This is particularly problematic in healthcare, where the departure of doctors can leave rural and underprivileged communities without adequate medical services. Therefore, requiring graduates to contribute to their home country's development for a limited period could be considered reasonable.

On the other hand, professionals should not be treated as resources that governments can control indefinitely. Individuals invest considerable time, effort and personal resources in obtaining their qualifications, and they should have the right to seek better career prospects and living conditions. Working overseas can provide access to advanced technology, higher salaries, specialised training and international experience. Moreover, migration does not necessarily mean that professionals abandon their countries. Overseas workers often send remittances to their families and may eventually return with valuable knowledge and expertise.

In my view, therefore, professionals should be free to work abroad, although governments can introduce fair and limited conditions for publicly funded education. For example, scholarship recipients could be asked to work domestically for a specified period, provided that this requirement was clearly communicated beforehand. At the same time, governments should improve salaries, working conditions and career opportunities to encourage skilled workers to remain voluntarily.

In conclusion, compulsory domestic service may protect public investment and reduce labour shortages, but restricting professional freedom is neither fair nor sustainable. Governments should retain talent through attractive opportunities rather than coercion.

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 argument for mandatory domestic service to protect public investment and the argument for professional freedom—while maintaining a consistent personal position throughout. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of rural healthcare shortages and the role of remittances. The conclusion effectively synthesises the arguments and reinforces your stance. The response is balanced, logical, and directly answers the task requirements, demonstrating a high level of task engagement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints is smooth, facilitated by effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In my view.' The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is appropriate, ensuring the reader can follow your argument without difficulty. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is clearly established throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is used with precision. Phrases such as 'increasingly globalised world,' 'public investment,' 'address shortages,' and 'coercion' show a sophisticated command of language. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also appropriate for an academic context. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the range is sufficient to convey complex ideas fluently and naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and conditional structures (e.g., 'If graduates immediately relocate...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense is excellent. The writing is highly accurate, with only rare, minor slips that do not impede communication. The variety of sentence forms contributes to a professional and academic tone throughout the piece.

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