Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)

The global distribution of knowledge has become a central point of contention in the modern era. While many advocates argue that open-source information in science, business, and academia drives collective human progress, others contend that certain valuable or sensitive data must be strictly safeguarded. This essay will examine both perspectives, concluding that while unrestricted sharing maximizes global advancement, selective confidentiality is indispensable for protecting national security and commercial viability.

On the one hand, proponents of radical transparency argue that sharing information freely accelerates innovation and fosters global collaboration. In the scientific and academic communities, progress is cumulative; breakthroughs are achieved by building upon existing research. For instance, during the development of vaccines for global crises, international cooperation and the open sharing of genetic data allowed scientists worldwide to engineer solutions in record time. If researchers work in silos, it leads to a redundant duplication of effort and significantly delays critical advancements. Furthermore, in business, open-source software and shared industry standards can catalyze entire sectors, driving healthy competition and making technology more accessible to developing nations.

On the other hand, there are compelling reasons why certain information must be restricted, primarily concerning national security and intellectual property rights. In scientific fields such as biotechnology or nuclear physics, unrestricted dissemination of research findings could accidentally provide rogue actors or malicious entities with the blueprints for catastrophic weapons. Additionally, from a corporate standpoint, proprietary knowledge and trade secrets are foundational to economic survival. Companies invest billions of dollars into research and development; if they were mandated to share their findings freely, the economic incentive to innovate would collapse, as competitors could simply replicate their products without any financial risk.

In my opinion, both approaches possess valid merits, meaning a nuanced, balanced paradigm is required. A dual approach should be implemented where foundational academic knowledge and public-interest science remain widely accessible, while highly sensitive militaristic technologies and commercial intellectual properties are afforded robust legal protections, such as patents and copyrights. This ensures that humanity continues to benefit from collective wisdom without compromising safety or stifling corporate motivation.

In conclusion, although the free exchange of data undeniably acts as a catalyst for worldwide innovation, it is unrealistic and potentially dangerous to abolish intellectual privacy entirely. A structured framework that encourages collaboration while protecting high-stakes information remains the most sustainable path forward.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by discussing both views—the benefits of open-source knowledge and the necessity of safeguarding sensitive data—while clearly presenting and defending a personal opinion throughout. The student introduces a strong, well-developed position in the introduction, stating that 'while unrestricted sharing maximizes global advancement, selective confidentiality is indispensable for protecting national security and commercial viability.' Each body paragraph thoroughly extends and supports these ideas with relevant, sophisticated examples, such as vaccine development during global crises and intellectual property rights in biotechnology. The ideas flow logically from one perspective to the other before culminating in a nuanced synthesis. The response meets all criteria for the highest bands in this category, showing no signs of over-generalisation or under-development.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

Cohesion and logical organisation are managed with a high degree of skill throughout the essay. The progression of ideas is completely natural and clear, moving smoothly from the background and thesis statement to the opposing viewpoints, the author's synthesis, and a concise concluding summary. Paragraphing is used expertly, with each paragraph having a distinct, clear central topic. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand,' 'On the other hand,' 'Furthermore,' and 'Additionally' are employed flexibly and appropriately without ever feeling mechanical or intrusive. Referencing throughout the text is precise, ensuring that the reader can easily follow the complex arguments presented.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide, flexible, and sophisticated vocabulary resource, easily satisfying the requirements for Band 8.0 or higher. Less common lexical items and collocations are used with a high degree of precision and natural control, such as 'radical transparency,' 'cumulative progress,' 'redundant duplication,' 'proprietary knowledge,' and 'commercial viability.' Word choice and phrasing are consistently appropriate for an academic context. There are virtually no lexical errors, and the vocabulary choices contribute directly to the fluency and impact of the argument, showing a mature command of nuance and register.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.5

The writing exhibits a wide range of complex grammatical structures used with full flexibility and accuracy. The student effortlessly incorporates advanced structures, such as conditional clauses ('if they were mandated to share...'), participial phrases, and nominal clauses. Punctuation is handled flawlessly to guide the reader through intricate sentence architectures. The vast majority of sentences are completely error-free, with only rare, negligible slips if any are present at all. Control over tense consistency, subject-verb agreement, and clause subordination is exemplary, fully matching the descriptors for the highest grammar band.

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