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User-written IELTS example

Writing Academic Task 2 Band 6.0 Example

Original task prompt, user essay, band score, and related examples in the same report workspace.

275 words AcademicTask 2
Task 2

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

Ideas to explore

  • Publicly funded professional training may create a reasonable expectation that graduates contribute to local services, especially where skilled workers are scarce.
  • Freedom to work abroad can support career development and may bring expertise back through return migration or international collaboration.
  • A choice between a defined period of service and proportionate repayment can balance public investment with individual mobility.

Suggested structure

  1. Introduce the disagreement and state a qualified position.
  2. Explain the argument for requiring local service, linking public funding to shortages and taxpayer benefit.
  3. Present the case for freedom of movement, including professional opportunity and possible benefits to the home country.
  4. Give your own balanced solution and explain why it is fair.
  5. Conclude by restating the principle that retention is better supported by good opportunities than by excessive restrictions.
Useful vocabulary & examples
public investment
Government or taxpayer spending intended to benefit the public.

A period of local service could help ensure that public investment in medical training benefits the community.

skilled-worker shortages
A lack of qualified people available to fill important jobs.

Skilled-worker shortages may worsen if many newly trained professionals leave immediately.

a proportionate share
A fair amount that reflects the size or level of something.

Graduates could repay a proportionate share of heavily subsidised training costs.

freedom of movement
The ability to choose where to live or work without unreasonable restrictions.

A balanced policy should recognise professionals’ freedom of movement.

Task Prompt

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 that they should be free to work in another country if they wish. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

User Essay Analysis

Review the public answer with report-style highlights.

Band 6.0

With the world entering the globalisation of the workforce, we live in a world that is open to all. Many people argue that professionals like engineers and doctors must not leave their countries. Some may argue that they are free to leave their country of origin. I believe this is more of a personal liberty than an obligation, although governments should take steps to ensure that local communities are not left without essential services.

On the one hand, requiring professionals to remain in the country where they trained could benefit the public. Their education is often funded, at least partly, by taxpayers, so working locally may be seen as a way to give something back. This is particularly important in places where hospitals lack doctors or infrastructure projects need qualified engineers. If many graduates leave, shortages may become more serious and public investment in training may not benefit the community that paid for it.

On the other hand, professionals should be able to choose where they work. They may move abroad for better salaries, safer working conditions or opportunities to develop specialist skills. The freedom to move can also help them gain experience that they may later use in their home country. In addition, forcing people to stay could be unfair, especially if their home country cannot offer suitable jobs or career development.

In my view, individuals should generally be free to work abroad, because this is an important personal liberty. However, governments can encourage graduates to stay through fair pay, good working conditions and career opportunities rather than imposing a compulsory restriction. This approach respects personal choice while also helping countries retain skilled workers.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Replace the broad opening claim with a precise sentence introducing international professional mobility.
2
In each body paragraph, explain one main reason and show its consequence—for example, how graduates leaving can affect local healthcare staffing.
3
Make the final recommendation more concrete by naming one or two incentives, such as competitive salaries or opportunities for specialist training.

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Band 9.0

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 Band 5.0

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 Band 4.0

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