Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-04
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)
Some people believe that information that is related to scientific research, business and academic world should be kept confidential, while other believe that it should be shared freely. From my perspective it should be shared with others. In this essay we will discuss some of the aspects of sharing data with each other.
According to some citizens, it is good to share as much information as possible in technological research, businesses and educational world. This is because, it could help people in a numerous way. When interacting with one another, we could enhance our practical skills and knowledge as everyone has a different perspective, exposure and experiences. For example, a professor from an educational institute and a person from a scientific background might have different experiences and together they could explore different ideas by sharing information.
On the other hand, some information is too important to be shared freely. It might indicate that while doing research on a specific topic, data should be kept confidential. This is because it contains sensitive data, and sharing it could breach a person's confidentiality. For instance, an individual is carrying research on the outcomes of childhood trauma which might include personal information of the participants. Moreover, some information regarding business is important too. This is because if data is leaked, it could have a negative consequence for the company. For example, revealing the privacy of the company's policies might have a negative outcome for business.
In conclusion, sharing necessary information could be beneficial for citizens as it could help in exploring different mindsets and perspectives, while privacy should be maintained regarding useful data.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| 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. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention that sharing information helps in 'a numerous way' and improves 'practical skills,' these points are not fully extended with deep analysis. The counter-argument regarding confidentiality is better supported with specific examples like childhood trauma research and business policy leaks. To reach a higher band, ensure that each main point is supported by a more detailed explanation or a more robust example, rather than just stating the benefit or risk. Your position is consistent throughout the essay.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each with a distinct focus. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'On the other hand,' 'For example,' and 'Moreover' to link your ideas. However, the progression between sentences can feel a bit mechanical at times. The introduction is quite brief and could be improved by paraphrasing the prompt more effectively rather than just listing the fields. The conclusion summarizes the main points well, but it could be more impactful by restating your position more firmly. Overall, the flow of information is easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'confidential,' 'breach,' and 'consequence.' However, there are some instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'in a numerous way' (should be 'in numerous ways') and 'revealing the privacy of the company's policies' (which is slightly awkward phrasing). You rely on some repetitive structures and basic vocabulary. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and avoid wordiness. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, but it lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While most of your sentences are clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'other believe' (should be 'others believe') and 'an individual is carrying research' (should be 'conducting research'). There are also minor issues with article usage and pluralization. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of prepositions and articles in academic writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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