Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-10-21

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)

Doctors and engineers are the most important professions, which cover the major area and serve the society. These are the key professions that lead the current and the future.

Firstly, it is very beneficial for the country that, after they complete their training, they gain experience in that country. This will help them to use their knowledge and refine their skills in the same country. For instance, those professionals who had undergone some training, where they learned the rules and regulations on how the system work, and for that they need to do their practice in the same country where they took their training.

Second aspect can be that doctors and engineers are pursing their careers abroad, this is because some wants to broaden their knowledge and enhance their skills globally. They want to learn and see things from different perspective too. They should not be tied to a rope of confinement. In terms of good package, good knowledge and better opportunities, if one is getting they should be free enough to make their own decisions.

Finally, I want to conclude that doctors and engineers must be free in making their own choices for the betterment of their future. Knowledge is like an ocean; wherever one can get better opportunities, they must not be hesitant in grasping them. If I want to choose between both options, I want to be free in deciding my choices without any limitations, and if it means getting a good career in my home country, then I will pursue my career there only.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.5
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You discuss both views and make your preference clear: professionals should be free to choose where they work. The points about applying training locally and seeking broader experience, better pay, and opportunities abroad are relevant. However, the first view is not fully explained: you mention learning local rules and systems, but do not develop why this should require professionals to remain in the country or how society would benefit. The opposing view is also supported mainly by general claims rather than a specific example. Your final point about choosing to work at home if the career is good is relevant, but could be connected more explicitly to your overall reasoning. Develop each side with a clear explanation and a concrete example.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from the case for local work to international opportunities and then to your opinion. Paragraphing helps distinguish these stages, and signposts such as “Firstly,” “Second aspect,” and “Finally” make the sequence visible. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear. The first paragraph’s example is difficult to follow, particularly the sentence beginning “For instance,” which does not clearly show how the example supports the point. Some links are mechanical, and “Second aspect” does not connect smoothly to the previous discussion. Use clearer topic sentences and make each supporting sentence explicitly explain or illustrate the paragraph’s main idea.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “training,” “refine their skills,” “broaden their knowledge,” and “better opportunities.” These phrases help communicate the main ideas, and the ocean metaphor adds a personal touch. However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “cover the major area,” “lead the current and the future,” and “tied to a rope of confinement.” “Good knowledge” and “good package” are also vague in this context. These choices sometimes make the intended meaning less clear, even though the overall message can be understood. Aim for precise, natural collocations and avoid metaphors that do not fit the formal discussion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, and the overall meaning is generally recoverable. However, complex sentences are often not controlled successfully. For example, “those professionals who had undergone some training, where they learned…” has an unclear clause structure, while “if one is getting they should be free enough” lacks a clear object and has inconsistent pronoun reference. There are also errors in agreement and verb forms, as in “the system work” and “some wants,” and the opening sentence has an awkward relative clause after “professions.” These problems recur and sometimes slow the reader. Practise building complex sentences around one clear main clause, then check subject–verb agreement, pronoun reference, and punctuation.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.