Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-05

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Write about the following topic: Some people believe that it is good to share as much information as possible in scientific research, business and the academic world. Others believe that some information is too important or too valuable to be shared freely. 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 6.5)

Opinions are divided on whether information in science, business, and academic should be shared globally or tightly controlled. While open data accelerates human progress, I believe that critical intellectual property and sensitive corporate or national security information must be protected.

On the one hand, open information sharing serves as a catalyst for innovation and academic advancement. In scientific research , collaboration across international borders prevents duplicate efforts and significantly reduces the time required to solve global crises. For instance, the rapid development of life saving medical treatments often relies on researchers openly sharing genetic sequences or experimental results. Furthermore, accessible academic papers allow scholars in developing nations to build upon existing knowledge without facing democratizing education and technical literacy globally.

On the other hand, certain types of proprietary data are too valuable or hazardous to distribute freely. In the commercial world, business survival often depends on keeping trade secrets, unique algorithms, or manufactured formulas private. Without patent protections and corporate secrecy, companies would have no financial incentive to fund multi-million dollar research and development projects, as competitiors could instantly copy their work. More critically ,free access to highly specialized scientific knowledge , such as advanced biochemical research or nuclear technology, poses severe global security risks if obtained by malicious actors.

In my opinion, while public health data should reman open source, a boundary must be drawn regarding commercial property and state security. Intellectual breakthroughs require massive investments, and protecting them ensures continued progress. Ultimately , complete openness is commercially unsustainable structurally dangerous in today's competitive climate.

In conclusion, while free data exchange fosters research synergy, I maintain that proprietary business data and hazardous scientific research must remain strictly regulated to preserve economic incentives and ensure safety.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives regarding information sharing and provided a well-supported personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and logically extended, particularly the distinction between public health data and proprietary commercial information. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments presented. To reach a higher band, ensure that the development of the 'academic world' aspect is as robust as the business and scientific examples, as it was slightly less detailed in the second paragraph.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. The transition between the benefits of open data and the risks of proprietary information is smooth. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the distinct viewpoints. The flow is natural, and the referencing is clear throughout the text, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, including sophisticated terms such as 'catalyst,' 'proprietary,' 'malicious actors,' and 'synergy.' The word choice is generally precise and appropriate for an academic context. There are no significant spelling errors, and collocations are used naturally. While the vocabulary is strong, incorporating a few more nuanced idiomatic expressions or academic collocations could further enhance the sophistication of the writing. Overall, the range is sufficient to convey complex ideas with precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses and participial phrases. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. However, there are a few minor slips, such as the missing word in 'without facing democratizing education' and the missing conjunction in 'structurally dangerous.' Despite these rare slips, your control over punctuation and complex grammar is strong, and these minor errors do not impede communication or detract from the overall clarity of your argument.

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