Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-30

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)

The sharing of information has become increasingly important in modern society, particularly in scientific research, business and education. While some people argue that information should be shared as widely as possible, others believe that certain knowledge is too valuable or sensitive to be made freely available. This essay will discuss both views before explaining why I believe information should generally be shared, although appropriate restrictions are sometimes necessary.

On the one hand, sharing information can lead to significant progress in science and education. When researchers exchange their findings, other scientists can build on existing knowledge instead of repeating the same experiments. This can accelerate the development of new medicines, technologies and solutions to global problems. Similarly, students and academics benefit greatly from access to research papers, educational resources and previous studies. For example, international cooperation and the sharing of scientific data have enabled researchers to develop treatments and understand diseases more quickly.

On the other hand, there are situations in which information should not be shared freely. In the business world, companies invest substantial amounts of money and time in developing new products, technologies and strategies. If competitors could immediately access this information, businesses might lose their competitive advantage and suffer financial losses. For instance, a company developing a new software product may need to keep its technology confidential until the product is officially launched. In addition, some information involves privacy, national security or personal data, meaning that unrestricted access could cause serious problems.

In my opinion, information should be shared whenever doing so can benefit society and does not create significant risks. However, valuable commercial secrets, confidential personal information and sensitive security-related data should be protected. A balanced approach is therefore preferable: researchers and institutions should share knowledge openly where possible, while using copyright, patents, confidentiality agreements and data-protection measures when necessary.

In conclusion, sharing information can encourage scientific progress, educational development and cooperation, whereas unrestricted disclosure can harm businesses and create security or privacy risks. Therefore, information should be shared as widely as possible, but reasonable limits should be placed on information that is genuinely sensitive or commercially valuable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by discussing both views—the benefits of open information sharing and the necessity of confidentiality—and clearly presents a well-developed personal opinion. The introduction outlines the writer's stance, which is maintained consistently throughout the essay. Each main body paragraph presents clear, extended ideas supported by relevant examples, such as medical research collaboration and commercial software development. The ideas are thoroughly explored without any irrelevant digressions, meeting all the requirements of Band 8.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

Ideas are logically sequenced and progress naturally from the introduction through the two contrasting viewpoints to the balanced conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'In my opinion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument without being obtrusive. Paragraphing is managed sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct central theme. Reference pronouns and substitution are handled skillfully throughout the text, ensuring a smooth and cohesive flow of information that aligns well with the Band 8 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary suited to an academic context. Expressions like 'significant progress', 'accelerate the development', 'competitive advantage', and 'unrestricted disclosure' show a strong command of less common lexical items. Word choice and collocation are generally accurate and natural, with only occasional minor imperfections. Spelling and word formation are flawless throughout, allowing the reader to navigate the sophisticated arguments smoothly and justifying a solid Band 7.5 or 8.0 performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex sentence structures, including conditional and participial clauses, used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, demonstrating excellent control of grammar and punctuation. Complex structures such as 'When researchers exchange their findings, other scientists can build on existing knowledge instead of repeating the same experiments' and 'If competitors could immediately access this information, businesses might lose their competitive advantage' are handled with precision. Minor errors are practically absent, meeting the criteria for Band 8.

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