Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-13

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)

Skilled professionals such as doctors or engineers are an invaluable asset to a country. As such many critics around the world argue that these people should be hold onto at all costs even at the expense of their freedom. While their opinions can be reasonable, in my opinion the benefits of not restricting these experts massively outweighs the disadvantages. In this essay I will discuss my views regarding why I believe these professionals should have the freedom to excercise their skills in whichever country they wish to work in despite the risks it carries.

One of the most common stances that critics allude to can be summarized as fear of losing a talented individual. To be more precise, all the resources that the country expended on that individual would be all for naught if he suddenly decided to work in another country. It is natural to assume that after all that investment in that individual, the country should be able to reap the rewards when that person in question uses his skills to serve the country in question and its citizens. This fear is justified for there are several known cases where individuals abandoned the place that made them who they are and never looked back. For instance, many Indian Engineer graduates nowadays pursue higher education abroad never to return again. Thus the country is experiencing rapid brain drain and if left unchecked there may not be enough professionals left in the country to serve the people.

However, these individuals choose to go abroad in the first place in search of better opportunities. Had he received adequate support or seen that his potential was not capped by staying in the place that trained them, then they might not have done so. Furthermore, by allowing these individuals to pursue better opportunities, their skills will be developed further and they might even gain recognition around the world. Their elevated status will certainly inspire the citiezens of the country where his foundations took root. Moreover, there is always the chance that these people might return to their country of origin, much more developed and skilled and provide a higher quality service which otherwise might not have been possible had they been restricted. For instance, many renowned researchers from developing countries managed to greatly elevate their research portfolio by choosing to go to places like the USA, Germany etc. After their return to the country they have inspired a generation of youths and guided them towards research which might not have been introduced to the country without their inputs.

Overall, while there will always be an overarching fear for a country of losing an individual that they painstakingly crafted, restriction of freedom is not the answer. Such actions will only stunt the growth of said individuals, rather letting them have the choice will eventually benefit the country on one way or another.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

Your response addresses both views and maintains a clear opinion: you acknowledge the concern that countries may lose professionals they have trained, but argue that individuals should be free to work abroad. The examples about Indian engineering graduates and researchers returning with greater expertise help extend your reasoning. The discussion is relevant and generally supported, which fits this level. To strengthen the response further, develop the opposing view beyond the investment and brain-drain argument—for example, explain more specifically how shortages affect public services—and make the return-benefit example less general by showing how it could work in practice. Your position is clear, though some claims, such as that freedom will benefit the country “one way or another,” are broader than the evidence provided.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay has a clear progression: an introduction states your position, the second paragraph presents the case for requiring professionals to stay, the third counters it, and the conclusion restates your view. Connectors such as “However,” “Furthermore,” and “Moreover” help signal the shifts between ideas, while examples are placed where they support the discussion. This logical organisation is effective. At times, though, the linking is somewhat formulaic, and some sentences carry several related points at once. For instance, the paragraph beginning “However” moves from reasons for leaving to skill development, inspiration, possible return, and research examples. Grouping these into clearer stages and using more precise references instead of repeated “these individuals” would make the progression smoother and cohesion less noticeable.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

You use a good range of vocabulary for the topic, including “invaluable asset,” “brain drain,” “adequate support,” “potential,” and “elevated status.” These choices allow you to discuss both national investment and individual opportunity with some precision. There is also an attempt to use less common expressions, such as “reap the rewards” and “painstakingly crafted.” However, occasional word-choice, collocation, and spelling problems reduce naturalness: “should be hold onto” is not idiomatic, “excercise” and “citiezens” are misspelled, and “elevate their research portfolio” is an awkward fit for the intended meaning. Aim for accurate, natural collocations rather than ornate phrasing, and proofread spelling carefully; this would make your vocabulary more consistently precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

You demonstrate a range of sentence forms, including complex clauses and conditional structures: “Had he received adequate support … then they might not have done so” and “if left unchecked there may not be enough professionals…” show ambition and generally clear control. Many sentences are accurate and punctuation usually supports the meaning. A few grammatical errors persist, particularly in agreement and pronoun consistency. In “Had he received … then they might not have done so,” the singular “he” shifts to plural “they”; “these people should be hold onto” also has an incorrect verb form, and “the country … should be able to reap the rewards when that person … uses his skills to serve the country” contains awkward shifts in reference. Check subject–verb patterns and keep pronouns consistent, especially in longer sentences.

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