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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.

295 words AcademicTask 2
Task 2

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

Plan your answer

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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

There is a common belief that professionals like doctors and engineers should not be free to work in a different country than the one they did their training at. There is an opposing view that they should be required to work in the same country they studied in. From where I stand, restricting these professionals for a short period after qualification may be reasonable, but a permanent restriction is unfair. The first two positions above both support some form of compulsory service; the contrasting view is that graduates should be free to take jobs wherever they choose.

There are several reasons why a temporary work requirement might benefit the country that provides professional training. Governments and universities may invest considerable resources in preparing doctors and engineers, and these professionals are often needed to provide essential services. If all graduates immediately moved abroad, some communities could face difficulties filling important roles. A limited period of local service could therefore help ensure that training benefits the society that supported it. Such a policy should be clearly explained before students begin their courses and should apply fairly.

However, requiring people to remain in one country indefinitely would restrict their freedom and could harm their careers. Professionals may find better opportunities, specialist training or family support elsewhere. Allowing them to move can also help them develop new skills and gain experience that may be useful if they later return home. Countries can encourage graduates to stay by offering suitable salaries, good working conditions and career development rather than relying only on compulsory rules.

Overall, I believe a reasonable, time-limited service requirement can be justified, especially where public resources have supported training. After completing that commitment, doctors and engineers should be free to work in another country if they wish.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
State the two positions accurately in the introduction: one supports a service requirement, while the other supports freedom to work abroad.
2
Keep each body paragraph focused on one side, and support each main claim with a clear explanation of its likely effect.
3
Proofread collocations and linking phrases, especially expressions that describe where someone trained and whether an argument contrasts with the previous one.

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