Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-06
IELTS Writing Task 2 question
Nowadays many large international companies offer their staff the opportunity to spend a period of time living and working in another country.
Why might this opportunity be good for employees?
What advantages does this development have for companies?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Student answer (Band 8.0)
Nowadays, many multinational companies give their employees the opportunity to live and work in another country for a certain period of time. I believe this can be highly beneficial for employees because it helps them develop both personally and professionally. At the same time, companies can also gain considerable advantages from having staff with international experience.
For employees, one of the main benefits of working abroad is the opportunity to develop new professional skills. Employees have to adapt to different working methods, business practices and cultural expectations, which can make them more flexible and confident in their careers. In addition, living in another country can improve their communication skills, particularly if they need to use a foreign language on a daily basis. For example, an employee from Canada who spends two years working in Japan may learn not only how to communicate more effectively with Japanese colleagues but also how business relationships are developed in a different culture. This experience can make the employee more competitive when applying for future positions.
Companies can also benefit significantly from this development. Firstly, employees who have worked overseas can bring valuable knowledge and experience back to their home office. They may have learned about new markets, customer preferences and more efficient ways of doing business. Secondly, international assignments can strengthen cooperation between different branches of the same company. Employees who have built relationships with colleagues in other countries are often better able to communicate and collaborate across offices. For instance, a manager who has worked in both the Canadian and German branches of a company may be able to help these offices work together more effectively.
In conclusion, spending time working in another country can help employees gain valuable skills, cultural awareness and confidence. For companies, it can lead to better cooperation between international offices and provide useful knowledge about foreign markets. Therefore, I believe international work opportunities can be mutually beneficial for both employees and employers.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0
The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly identified why this opportunity is beneficial for employees, focusing on professional skill development and cultural adaptability, and you have provided logical advantages for companies, such as knowledge transfer and improved inter-office cooperation. The position is clear throughout the essay, and the ideas are well-developed with relevant examples, such as the Canadian employee in Japan and the manager working in both Canada and Germany. The response is balanced and directly answers both components of the question, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two distinct body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion. Each paragraph has a clear central topic, and the progression of ideas is smooth. You have used a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'In addition', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'For instance', which help guide the reader through your argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the benefits for employees from those for companies. The flow of information is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive linking.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for the task. Phrases such as 'multinational companies', 'professional skills', 'cultural expectations', and 'mutually beneficial' are used accurately. The vocabulary is precise and allows for a clear expression of your ideas. While the range is sufficient and effective, it could be pushed further toward a more sophisticated level to reach the highest band, perhaps by incorporating more nuanced collocations or idiomatic expressions related to international business environments. However, the current usage is natural and error-free.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('if they need to use...') and relative clauses ('Employees who have built relationships...'), with very high accuracy. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over verb tenses and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is polished and demonstrates a strong command of English syntax.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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