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.

Same questionCompare 7 different answers (Band 7.5–8)

Sample Response

1

In this modern era, restricting information to protect public and national securityfor the sake of public security and national importance seems irrational to many while others argueopine that information should be available only when the authorities deem itthe authority deems them suitable for access. Both views will be examined in this essay. I personally believe that scientific studies, the academic arena, and businesses can greatly benefit if the information is made openly availablemade open to them without restrictions.

2

The proponents of restricting sensitive information believe that unrestricted access to information could underminepenetrate state security, lead to public outcry, place technologies in terrorists’ handshand over technologies to terrorists, and facilitate corporate monopoliesmonopoly. Therefore, informationSo information has to be properly scrutinized before it is made publicbefore making it public. In this digital era, information spreads like wildfire and for the sake of maintaining global peace, its dissemination should be limitedit should be delimited, according to this group of people. For instance, if nuclear technology is shared with all nations for scientific studies, the world will soon face catastrophic consequencesstand on the verge of obliteration, despite the incredible possibility this technology possesses to facilitate the citizens' energy demands.

3

On the contrary, those who advocate for unobstructed access to information say that scientific research largely depends on available data and previous findings. If valuable information and past findings are not shared openly with academics and researchers, global progress will come to a standstill. For instance, the Internet is probably the most significant invention the modern world has produced and if this technology had not been shared by the US military, we would still be living in the pre-internet era. Moreover, restrictedclandestine information has no value if it is not implemented in the real world and thus restricting itcurbing them is like destroying its potential to support progressslaughtering the potential for progress. World history suggests that the human race has advanced due to discoveries and inventions shared with the world as each finding underwent substantial refinementwent through profound modification and advancement. I thus personally favour the ideology that supports "free information for all".

4

In conclusion, information has limited value when it is constrained and not shared with great minds. For true global progress, restrictions on valuable information should be removeddebarred and let people know the truth instead of keeping them in the dark.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 7.5

The essay presents both perspectives clearly, sustains a definite preference for open access, and supports each side with relevant explanations and examples. Its structure is strong, but precision is reduced by repeated overstatement and several misused or strained expressions, while the conclusion contains an awkward coordinated construction. Retain the balanced argument while choosing more exact academic vocabulary and explicitly reconcile unrestricted sharing with the security risks acknowledged earlier.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TR

Task Response

8.0
Scoring rule

Both views are directly discussed through developed reasons and examples, and the writer's preference for sharing information remains clear throughout.

Next step

Qualify the final support for unrestricted sharing by explaining how genuinely dangerous information should be handled.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

8.0
Scoring rule

The response progresses logically through a clear introduction, one paragraph for each view, and a consistent conclusion, with cohesive devices generally well managed.

Next step

Tighten the longer pro-sharing paragraph so each supporting point contributes directly to the central argument.

LR

Lexical Resource

7.0
Scoring rule

A broad academic vocabulary conveys complex ideas, but expressions such as ‘penetrate state security’, ‘slaughtering the potential’, and ‘restrictions should be debarred’ are strained or inaccurate.

Next step

Prefer precise conventional collocations, such as ‘compromise national security’, ‘limit progress’, and ‘remove restrictions’.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

7.0
Scoring rule

A wide variety of complex structures is used with generally good control, though pronoun agreement and coordination errors appear in several sentences.

Next step

Check reference to the uncountable noun ‘information’ and ensure coordinated verbs share a grammatically compatible subject.

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IELTS Writing Task 2

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.

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