Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

In today’s modern society, there is an ongoing debate about whether professionals, such as doctors, nurses, engineers, and teachers, should be obliged to work in the country where they completed their training or if they should have the freedom to seek employment in another country. This essay will explore both perspectives and offer a reasoned opinion.

Advocates of mandatory domestic employment argue that skilled professionals are crucial for the advancement of a nation. By utilizing the knowledge and experience gained from their training within their own country, they can contribute to its development. Furthermore, many governments invest substantial resources in the education and training of these individuals, with the expectation that they will use their expertise to benefit their home country. Nevertheless, if such professionals choose to work abroad, the nation may not see a return on its investment, leading to a shortage of skilled workers. Additionally, these professionals serve as role models for the younger generation, and their departure may have a discouraging impact on local talent.

On the other hand, supporters of international mobility argue that allowing professionals to work in foreign countries can broaden their skill sets and knowledge. The expertise gained abroad can ultimately be utilized to benefit their home country upon their return. Moreover, working abroad often presents opportunities for starting one’s own business, and may offer better compensation relative to their skills and qualifications. Many individuals also seek improved job security, higher salaries, and better quality of life, which they perceive as lacking in their home country.

In my view, while professionals should have the freedom to choose their place of work, they should be encouraged to utilize their skills for the betterment of their own nation. Despite the lure of higher salaries and benefits overseas, individuals should remain dedicated to contributing to the progress of their home country.

In conclusion, while retaining professionals within a country offers numerous benefits, such as the continuity of skills and knowledge, working abroad provides individuals with new opportunities, experiences, and potentially superior financial rewards. Consequently, it is essential for professionals to carefully consider their working environment based on their personal aspirations and professional goals.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both views and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the arguments regarding government investment and the benefits of international experience. The position is consistent throughout the essay. To reach a higher band, the student could provide more specific, concrete examples—such as mentioning a specific country or a particular field of study—to further illustrate the points made. The conclusion effectively summarizes the main arguments while reinforcing the writer's stance, ensuring the task requirements are fully met.

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 is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore,' 'Nevertheless,' 'On the other hand,' and 'Consequently' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each perspective, a personal opinion paragraph, and a conclusion. The flow of information is natural, and the reader can easily follow the writer's line of reasoning throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'mandatory domestic employment,' 'international mobility,' 'skilled professionals,' and 'professional goals.' There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, and the word choices are generally accurate. While the range is good, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions to demonstrate a higher level of lexical flexibility. Overall, the language is precise and contributes to a clear, professional tone throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'If such professionals choose to work abroad...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is controlled throughout. Punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of the arguments. There are no significant errors that impede communication. To achieve a higher score, the student could experiment with more diverse grammatical structures, such as inversion or more varied passive voice constructions, to further showcase their command of English grammar.

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