Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-25

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)

There is an ongoing debate about whether information should be shared freely in scientific research, business and academia. While some people argue that open access to information benefits society as a whole, others believe that certain information should be protected because of its value or sensitivity. In my opinion, information should generally be shared, but there are situations where restrictions are necessary.

On the one hand, sharing information can significantly contribute to progress and innovation. In science and academia, researchers can build on one another’s discoveries instead of repeating the same work. This can lead to faster solutions to major problems, such as climate change and serious diseases. For example, when scientists share research findings about new treatments, other researchers can test and improve these ideas, potentially allowing effective treatments to reach patients more quickly. Similarly, businesses can benefit from exchanging knowledge because cooperation can result in new technologies and more efficient methods of production.

On the other hand, not all information should be freely available. Some knowledge has considerable commercial value, and companies may spend years and large amounts of money developing new products or technologies. If competitors could immediately access this information, businesses might suffer significant financial losses and have less motivation to invest in research and development. In addition, some information is highly sensitive. For instance, governments and companies may need to protect personal data, security-related information and confidential business strategies to prevent misuse or harm.

In my view, the benefits of information sharing are greater when it is managed responsibly. Scientific and academic findings should be made as accessible as possible because they can improve knowledge and benefit society. However, valuable commercial information and sensitive personal or security data should remain protected. A balanced approach, involving appropriate copyright, patents and privacy regulations, can encourage innovation while preventing harmful or unfair use of information.

In conclusion, although sharing information can accelerate scientific and economic progress, some information is too valuable or sensitive to be distributed without restrictions. Therefore, information should be shared whenever possible, but reasonable safeguards are essential.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both perspectives—the benefits of open information sharing and the necessity of protecting sensitive or valuable data—and provided a clear, consistent personal opinion throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with relevant examples such as climate change research and commercial intellectual property. The structure is logical, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments presented. The response is balanced and demonstrates a strong understanding of the task requirements, maintaining a clear focus from the introduction to the final sentence.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two opposing views is handled smoothly using cohesive devices like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Referencing is clear, and the use of linking words such as 'Similarly', 'In addition', and 'Therefore' ensures that the flow of the argument is natural and easy to follow. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different stages of the discussion, contributing to an overall sense of coherence throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'ongoing debate', 'significantly contribute', 'commercial value', and 'reasonable safeguards' show a level of precision and flexibility. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common academic terminology to reach the highest band. However, the current range is sufficient to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively without any noticeable errors in word choice or spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You utilize a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If competitors could immediately access this information...') and subordinate clauses ('Although sharing information can accelerate...'), with high accuracy. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your arguments. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-systematic. The control over tense and modal verbs is consistent, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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