Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-09
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 7.0)
In todays knowledge driven world, there is a debate about whether information should be shared freely or kept confidential. Both views have valid argument, which will be discussed in this essay.
On one hand, sharing information freely has many benefits. In scientifics research, if scientists share their data and findings, it can accelerate progress. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing of virus genetic informatiom helped scientists around the world to develop vaccines quickly. Similarly, in the academic world, free access to research papers allows students, especially from developing countries like Pakistan,to learn and innovate. It promotes collaboration and prevents duplication of work.
On the other hand, some information is too valuableor sensitive to be shared without restriction. In the business world, companies spend millions on reseaech and development. If they share their formulas or business strategies for free, they will lose their competitive advantage. For instance, the formula of Coca-Cola or the technology of Apple is kept secret for this reasons. Furthermore, in scientific research, sharing dangerous information, such as how to make biological weapons or nuclear technology, could be a serious threat to global security. Therfore, some control is necessary.
In my opinion, althrough open sharing is generally positive, a balanced approach is required.Non- sensitive and benefical knowledge, especially related to health, education, and environment, should be shared freely. However, information that involves national security, business trade secrets, or could be misused should be pretected by patents and laws.
To conclude, while sharing knowledge fosters progress,it is equally important to protect valuable and sensitive information for economic and security reasons.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5
The response addresses both sides of the discussion and gives a clear, consistent position: open sharing is generally beneficial, but sensitive or commercially valuable information needs protection. The examples of COVID-19 research, access for students in Pakistan, trade secrets, and dangerous technologies make the main points relevant and support the argument. The essay also explains why sharing can accelerate progress and why unrestricted disclosure may create economic or security risks. To develop the discussion further, explain one or two examples in greater depth—for instance, how patent protection can balance commercial incentives with public access. Some claims, such as that sharing helped vaccines develop quickly, are persuasive but could be qualified or explained more precisely.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5
The essay has a clear progression: an introduction frames the debate, separate body paragraphs present each view, and the conclusion restates the balanced position. Signposting such as “On one hand,” “On the other hand,” and “In my opinion” makes the structure easy to follow, while examples are placed alongside the points they support. This is a strong, logical organisation. To make cohesion more flexible and polished, vary the transitions rather than relying mainly on explicit paragraph openers, and connect related ideas within paragraphs with clearer referencing. For example, the move from commercial secrecy to security risks could be linked by explaining that both involve potential harm from unrestricted disclosure. Correct spacing after punctuation would also improve the presentation.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.5
The response uses an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “competitive advantage,” “collaboration,” “duplication of work,” “national security,” and “trade secrets.” These expressions help communicate the discussion clearly, and the writer attempts more specific language such as “virus genetic information.” However, several spelling errors and inaccurate word forms or collocations reduce precision: “scientifics research,” “informatiom,” “reaesech,” “althrough,” and “benefical.” Phrases such as “for this reasons” also sound unnatural. These slips do not prevent understanding, but careful proofreading and more accurate collocations would strengthen control. Aim to use precise terms consistently, especially when discussing scientific data, commercial intellectual property, and information that may be misused.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5
There is a useful mix of sentence forms, including conditional structures (“If they share their formulas… they will lose…”) and complex clauses explaining consequences. Most ideas remain clear, and the response handles several longer sentences successfully. Some grammatical errors persist, particularly with agreement, articles, and sentence boundaries. For example, “Both views have valid argument” needs a plural noun, while “the formula of Coca-Cola or the technology of Apple is kept secret for this reasons” has an awkward subject construction and a number mismatch in “this reasons.” The opening “In todays knowledge driven world” also needs possessive punctuation and clearer hyphenation. Review agreement and punctuation, then check each sentence for a complete, correctly connected structure.
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