Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-22

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)

Some people argue that professionals such as doctors and engineers should be required to work in the country where they received their education and training. Others believe that these professionals should have the freedom to work in any country they choose. I believe that professionals should be free to work abroad, although they should also consider their responsibility towards the country that trained them.

On the one hand, requiring professionals to work in their training country could help developing countries retain skilled workers. Governments often spend a large amount of money on education and professional training, particularly in fields such as medicine and engineering. If trained professionals leave immediately after completing their education, their home country may face a shortage of skilled workers. This can be especially serious in the medical sector, where a lack of doctors can affect the quality and availability of healthcare.

On the other hand, professionals should have the freedom to choose where they want to live and work. Working in another country can provide better career opportunities, higher salaries and access to advanced technology and facilities. In addition, doctors and engineers who work internationally can gain valuable experience and develop new skills. They may later use this knowledge to contribute to their home country through investment, training or professional collaboration.

In my opinion, forcing professionals to remain in the country where they were trained would be unfair because individuals should have the right to make decisions about their own careers. Instead, governments could encourage skilled workers to remain by offering competitive salaries, better working conditions and opportunities for career development.

In conclusion, although retaining trained professionals is important for a country's development, doctors, engineers and other professionals should be free to work in another country if they wish. Governments should focus on creating attractive working conditions rather than legally restricting their freedom to move.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—that professionals should stay in their training country and that they should be free to work abroad—while clearly stating the writer's position from the introduction through to the conclusion. The ideas are well-developed and supported with relevant explanations, such as economic investment in education versus career opportunities and international experience. For instance, the discussion on how brain drain impacts the medical sector in developing countries is well-reasoned and thoroughly explored. The position remains consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion neatly summarises the main arguments. Overall, this demonstrates a strong command of task requirements, aligning comfortably with a Band 7.5 or 8.0 descriptor profile for task response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay presents a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, beginning with a clear introduction, followed by body paragraphs addressing each view in turn, an opinion paragraph, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In addition' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the argument. Referencing is well-managed, with pronouns and demonstratives ('these professionals', 'This can be') accurately pointing back to previously mentioned ideas. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, contributing to an overall coherent piece of writing that meets the criteria for a strong Band 7.5 or 8.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient and generally precise range of vocabulary suitable for an academic essay. Terms such as 'retain skilled workers', 'professional collaboration', and 'career development' are used accurately. There is an attempt to incorporate less common vocabulary, such as 'brain drain' implications (expressed through phrases like 'shortage of skilled workers' and 'quality and availability of healthcare'). Word choices and collocations are natural for the most part, with only rare minor inaccuracies. Spelling and word formation are entirely accurate throughout the text, allowing the vocabulary score to reach a solid Band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional or concessive clauses such as 'If trained professionals leave immediately...' and 'although retaining trained professionals is important...'. There is good control of grammar and punctuation, with the majority of sentences being error-free. The punctuation is clean, and subject-verb agreement is maintained throughout. While the range of complex structures is somewhat standard rather than wildly diverse, the accuracy is high enough to support clear and fluent communication without any impediment. This performance sits comfortably at a Band 7.5.

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