Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-26
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 5.5)
The advancements in scientific or research field has been carried out from past failed or successful researches.
For an instance, the discovery of hydrogen which was done by mistake.But today, that same hydrogen element is being used as a renewable fuel to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Hence, if the discovery of hydrogen never got out we would still rely on fossil fuels.
Similarly, relevant information has helped grow business and academic sector.For example, nowadays the social media has become a vital platform for online businesses to grow.One can also find information not only for education purposes but also for receiving business advices.For example, there are various accounts on social media that covers the sustainable solutions, geopolitical issues and many more. Thus, if social media platforms had never been launched one could never have access to all the information around the globe.
There is a famous saying that every coin has two sides.This means although the relevant information has been shared freely some, misuse it in the wrong way.One of the most popular example is the discovery of radioactive substances by Marie Curie.Those substances are very harmful but useful.Various researches are going on around the globe to use radioactive substances as a power source.To some, they misuse these substances for destruction like nuclear bomb, like the nuclear bombings which occurred in cities of Japan which had caused destruction to millions of people.
Another very important yet harmful discovery is web.Most of the people use it to find information, research even use for business opportunities but for some they misuse it like, creation of dark web where a lot of illegal crimes happen like planning of robbery or murder or hacking into common people's accounts.
Thus, an information should be shared considering both of its pros and cons.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion in the conclusion. However, the development of ideas is somewhat uneven. While the benefits of sharing information are supported by examples like hydrogen and social media, the discussion on the risks is slightly less focused, relying on broad examples like the 'web' and 'radioactive substances'. The position is clear, but the depth of analysis could be improved by exploring the nuance of 'valuable' information versus 'harmful' information more thoroughly. The essay meets the requirements of the prompt but remains at a general level of discussion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, each with a clear focus. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Similarly', 'Thus', and 'Although', but they are sometimes used in a mechanical or repetitive way. The transition between ideas is generally clear, though some sentences feel disjointed, such as the abrupt start to the second paragraph ('For an instance...'). Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two viewpoints and the conclusion. To improve, you should focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that the flow between sentences is smoother and less formulaic.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. You use some relevant terms like 'renewable fuel', 'geopolitical issues', and 'sustainable solutions', which is positive. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'discovery of hydrogen which was done by mistake' (should be 'discovered by accident') and 'discovery is web' (should be 'the internet'). There is also some repetition of basic vocabulary. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and academic terminology related to research and ethics.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('the discovery of hydrogen', 'the social media', 'an information') and subject-verb agreement ('advancements... has been carried out'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after periods in several places. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for basic article usage and ensuring consistent punctuation would significantly improve the quality of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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