Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-27

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 8.5)

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.

In an increasingly interconnected world, the question of how freely information should circulate within science, commerce and academia has become a matter of considerable debate. While open access to knowledge undoubtedly accelerates collective progress, there are compelling reasons why certain information warrants protection. This essay will examine both perspectives before concluding that a balanced approach, favouring openness but permitting selective restriction, is the most sensible course.

Advocates of unrestricted information sharing point to the extraordinary gains that openness has historically produced. In scientific research, the rapid international collaboration seen during the development of COVID-19 vaccines demonstrated how freely shared data can compress years of work into months, ultimately saving countless lives. Similarly, in academia, open-access journals and shared datasets allow researchers across the globe to build upon one another's findings rather than duplicating effort, which accelerates the pace of discovery considerably. Proponents argue that knowledge, unlike physical resources, is not depleted by sharing; rather, its value often multiplies as more minds engage with it.

Nevertheless, those who favour restricting certain information raise legitimate concerns. In the business world, companies invest enormous sums in research and development, and without the ability to protect trade secrets or patents, firms would have little financial incentive to innovate at all. A pharmaceutical company that freely published its drug formulas immediately after discovery, for instance, would struggle to recoup its investment, potentially discouraging future research into life-saving treatments. Beyond commercial interests, there are also matters of security and safety: certain scientific knowledge, such as the technical details of biological or nuclear weapons, could cause catastrophic harm if disseminated without restriction. In such cases, controlled access is not merely justifiable but essential.

In my view, the ideal approach is one of default openness tempered by targeted, justifiable exceptions. Information should be freely shared unless there is a clear and specific reason for withholding it — whether to protect public safety, allow reasonable commercial return on investment, or safeguard sensitive personal data. This nuanced position avoids the pitfalls of both extremes: unchecked openness that discourages investment or endangers the public, and excessive secrecy that stifles innovation and collaboration. Governments and institutions already apply this principle imperfectly through mechanisms like patent systems, which grant temporary exclusivity before knowledge enters the public domain, striking a workable compromise between reward and eventual openness.

In conclusion, while the free flow of information offers substantial benefits for scientific and academic progress, certain categories of knowledge justifiably require protection for commercial, safety or ethical reasons. A carefully calibrated balance, rather than adherence to either extreme, best serves the long-term interests of society.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly discussed both sides of the argument—the benefits of open information sharing and the necessity of protecting certain data—while maintaining a consistent and well-supported personal position. Your ideas are logically developed with relevant examples, such as the COVID-19 vaccine collaboration and the role of patents in business. The position is clear from the introduction and is maintained throughout the essay, culminating in a balanced conclusion. The depth of analysis is excellent, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is exceptionally well-structured. Each paragraph has a clear central theme, and the progression of ideas is logical and easy to follow. You use a wide range of cohesive devices, such as 'In an increasingly interconnected world,' 'Similarly,' 'Nevertheless,' and 'In my view,' which connect your arguments seamlessly. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different viewpoints and your own opinion. The flow of the essay is natural, and the relationship between sentences is always clear, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

Your vocabulary is sophisticated and precise, demonstrating a wide range of academic and topic-specific language. Phrases such as 'accelerates collective progress,' 'compelling reasons,' 'recoup its investment,' and 'carefully calibrated balance' show a high level of lexical control. You use uncommon lexical items naturally and accurately, fitting the formal tone of an academic essay perfectly. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary contributes significantly to the clarity and impact of your arguments.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex grammatical structures, including conditional sentences, relative clauses, and varied sentence beginnings. The grammar is highly accurate, with almost no errors throughout the text. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance readability and clarify meaning. The control over complex structures is consistent, and the majority of sentences are error-free. This level of grammatical precision is indicative of a high-level user who can manipulate language with great flexibility and accuracy.

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