Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-20

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 7.5)

Some people argue that information should be shared as widely as possible in scientific research, business, and academia, while others believe that certain information is too valuable or sensitive to be freely available. Although open access to knowledge brings many benefits, I believe that some restrictions are necessary to protect security, privacy, and intellectual property.

On the one hand, sharing information freely can promote innovation and accelerate progress. In scientific research, open access enables researchers from different countries to collaborate and avoid duplicating efforts. For example, the rapid development of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic was partly due to the exchange of medical data among scientists worldwide. Similarly, in academia, students and researchers benefit from unrestricted access to studies and publications, which enhances education and contributes to new discoveries. In business, the sharing of ideas and technological advances can also stimulate competition and economic growth.

On the other hand, not all information should be made available to the public. Some data are highly sensitive and could be misused if they fall into the wrong hands. For instance, details related to national security, military technology, or personal medical records should remain confidential. Moreover, businesses invest significant amounts of money and effort in developing products and innovations. If competitors could freely access such information, companies would lose their competitive advantage and have less incentive to invest in research and development.

In my opinion, information should generally be shared to encourage cooperation and progress, but reasonable limits are essential. Sensitive information that threatens security, privacy, or intellectual property rights must be protected. Therefore, a balanced approach is the most effective way to ensure both innovation and respo

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the prompt, discussing both sides of the argument and providing a clear personal opinion. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the examples regarding vaccine development and the protection of intellectual property. The position is consistent throughout the essay. However, the conclusion is incomplete, ending abruptly with 'respo', which prevents a fully developed final thought. Despite this minor omission, the main arguments are well-supported and relevant, meeting the requirements for a high band score. To improve, ensure that the final sentence is fully articulated to provide a sense of closure to the argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and ideas flow smoothly from one to the next. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'Similarly', 'Moreover', and 'Therefore' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the progression of ideas is clear. The abrupt ending slightly affects the overall cohesion of the final paragraph, but the structure remains logical and easy to follow throughout the rest of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. The student uses a range of topic-specific terms such as 'unrestricted access', 'intellectual property', 'competitive advantage', and 'incentive to invest'. The language is natural and demonstrates a good level of control. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede meaning. To reach a higher band, the student could incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic academic collocations to demonstrate a wider, more flexible range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a good command of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('If competitors could freely access...') and concessive clauses ('Although open access...'). The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is generally accurate. The grammar is sophisticated enough to support the complex arguments presented. While there is an incomplete sentence at the very end, the overall grammatical control remains strong throughout the essay. The student shows a clear ability to use a variety of structures with high accuracy.

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