Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-28

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)

Professional workers are the major workforce of a country. They play a very important role in determining the GDP growth of a country. There are two view points regarding the service. Some people urge that professionals must serve in their country where they did their training. Others oppose this belief by saying that they should be free to go to the country of their choice. In my opinion, people should have a choice to practice their profession in the place of their interest.

According to first school of thought, the professionals should stay in their country. They have utilized the resources of the state and the state has also invested in their making. Now it becomes an obligation for them to serve their country and its people. For instance, China is the country, where most of their professionals serve their nation and do not leave their country.

In contrast, the second school of thought holds that people should be free to go their place of interest. Professionals should move to other countries for their career growth and professional development. It is necessary for their personality growth and personal development. It also gives them a necessary exposure to the advanced technologies and methodologies. For example, through talent exchange programmes among the countries, the professionals move to different countries and acquaint themselves with vast knowledge.

In conclusion, I will say that professionals should be allowed to move to different countries. As there are some under-developed countries, where the professional could not get enough training due to lack of facilities. The exposure to developed states and technologies help them in their professional development alongwith financial support.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.0
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.5
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—that professionals should stay in their home country and that they should be free to work abroad—and provides a clear personal opinion in the introduction. The ideas are relevant and supported with examples, such as mentioning China's retention of professionals and talent exchange programmes. However, some arguments, such as the discussion on personality growth, could be extended further for a higher band. Overall, the task is well-addressed with a clear position maintained throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response exhibits a clear overall logical organization with a conventional four-paragraph structure. Paragraphs have clear central topics, moving logically from introduction to the first view, the second view, and the conclusion. Cohesive devices are used adequately, such as 'According to first school of thought', 'In contrast', and 'In conclusion'. However, referencing and transitions are at times slightly mechanical or repetitive in structure. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate each main idea.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The lexical range is adequate for the task. The student attempts some less common vocabulary such as 'obligation', 'acquaint themselves', and 'professional development'. However, there are some word choice and collocation inaccuracies, such as 'urge' instead of 'argue', 'in their making' instead of 'their education', and 'personality growth and personal development' which is repetitive. Spelling is generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at varied structures through relative clauses and conditional ideas. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'in their country where they did their training' (unnecessary prepositional overlap), 'go to their place of interest' (missing preposition 'to'), and 'help them ... alongwith financial support' (plural/singular agreement). Despite these errors, they rarely impede communication, allowing the reader to follow the argument clearly.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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