Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-07

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)

The question of whether professionals like doctors and engineers should be mandated to work in the country where they received their training or have the freedom to work internationally elicits diverse opinions.

Advocates for mandatory local service argue that professionals owe a debt to the communities that supported their education. They contend that requiring individuals to work in their home country ensures that the skills and knowledge gained during training are directly applied to address local needs. This approach is seen as a way to address shortages of skilled professionals in certain regions, particularly those underserved or in need of specific expertise. Mandatory service is also perceived as a means of giving back to the community that invested resources in the individual's education.

On the other side of the spectrum, proponents of professional freedom emphasize the benefits of a globalized workforce. Allowing professionals to work in different countries fosters collaboration and the exchange of ideas, ultimately contributing to advancements in various fields. Professionals gain exposure to diverse working environments, expanding their skill set and fostering a more interconnected and innovative global community.

In my opinion, a balanced approach is crucial. While mandatory local service ensures a return on the investment made by the community, complete restriction may impede professional growth and limit global collaboration. Implementing a system that combines a mandatory service period with the option for professionals to work internationally would strike a balance, allowing individuals to contribute to their home country while fostering a globally interconnected professional community. This way, both local and global interests can be harmonized for the benefit of professionals and the societies they serve.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both perspectives and providing a clear, personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the argument regarding the 'debt' owed to the community versus the benefits of 'globalized workforce' and 'professional growth'. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more concrete examples, such as mentioning specific countries or industries, to further substantiate the arguments. However, the current level of development is sufficient for a strong score as it directly answers the prompt with logical reasoning.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two viewpoints and the conclusion is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'On the other side of the spectrum', 'While', and 'This way' are used effectively to link ideas. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the reader is guided through the argument without confusion. The use of referencing is accurate, ensuring the text remains cohesive throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The student uses a range of topic-specific terminology such as 'mandated', 'underserved', 'globalized workforce', and 'harmonized'. The control of word choice is good, and there are no instances where vocabulary errors impede communication. While the range is sufficient, the essay could benefit from a few more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic academic phrases to reach the highest band. Overall, the lexical resource is flexible and demonstrates a good awareness of style.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a wide range of complex structures, including conditional-like reasoning and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'While mandatory local service ensures..., complete restriction may impede...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used correctly to manage complex ideas. There are no significant grammatical errors that hinder the reader's understanding. The control over sentence structure is consistent, and the writer shows the ability to combine simple and complex forms effectively. The grammar is accurate and supports the clarity of the arguments presented.

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