Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-31

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)

Some people feel that scientists, businesses and universities should share almost all their information, while others think certain knowledge is too valuable or sensitive to be made public. Both sides have strong points, and I believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Those who support open sharing say it helps everyone move forward faster. During the coronavirus pandemic, for instance, countries that quickly shared virus genetic data helped the world develop vaccines in record time. In universities, free access to research papers and lectures gives students from poorer backgrounds a real chance to learn and succeed. Even in business, companies that share some technology, like through open‑source software, often end up with better and safer products because thousands of people can improve them.

However, others argue that not everything should be free for all. Businesses need to protect their ideas and secrets; otherwise, they won't spend money on research if competitors can just copy them immediately. Also, some information is simply dangerous or private. Medical records, for example, must stay confidential to protect patients. Details about making biological weapons or advanced military technology should never be posted online. Too much openness can actually put people at risk.

In my view, we should share as much as possible, but with smart limits. Normal research, textbooks and most business knowledge ought to be open, while truly sensitive, private or harmful information must be protected with clear rules. This way, society gains the most without creating unnecessary danger.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The essay addresses both sides of the argument and provides a clear personal opinion. The ideas are relevant and well-supported with examples like the COVID-19 vaccine development and open-source software. However, the response is 246 words long, failing to meet the 250-word minimum requirement. This under-length impacts the depth of development, as the arguments, while logical, could have been expanded further to reach a more comprehensive level. Because the task was not fully completed in terms of length, the score is capped.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the progression of ideas is logical. Cohesive devices such as 'for instance', 'however', and 'in my view' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The structure is coherent, and the paragraphing is appropriate for the task. The flow of the argument is smooth, making it easy for the reader to follow the writer's line of reasoning throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the topic. The writer uses terms like 'confidential', 'sensitive', and 'open-source' correctly. While the range is adequate, it does not consistently demonstrate the 'less common' or 'sophisticated' lexical items required for higher bands. The language is natural and precise enough to convey the intended meaning without any errors that impede communication. To improve, the writer should incorporate more academic collocations and varied synonyms to demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. For example, the use of conditional structures ('if competitors can just copy them') and complex sentences ('Those who support open sharing say it helps everyone move forward faster') is handled well. Punctuation is used correctly throughout. The writing is clear and demonstrates a solid command of English grammar, with only rare, minor slips that do not affect the clarity of the message.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.