Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-12

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Access to clean water is a basic human right. Therefore every home should have a water supply that is provided free of charge.

Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Acces to clean water is a basic human want and I beleive that every household ought to have water supply at no charge. I strongly agree with the opinion that every household should have water at no cost at all. Conversely, it may be costly to supply the water into this homesteads.

First and foremost, I beleive that water is life. Every activity that we undertake in our homes often involves the use of water. From domestic uses such as cooking,washing as well as drinking to the agricultural sector where by we use them to irrigate the crops. Doctors often reccomend drinking atleast six glasses of water a day as they keep the body hydrated and healthy at all times. To illustrate this, the government of kenya through the county governments has been digging up boreholes and bringing in pipes in order to transport water to peoples' homesteads. Morever, there has been construction of tanks and reservoirs to strore this water.

On the other hand, I think water should not be made entirely free. The government might inturn want to employ individuals who guard this water projects so as to avoid vandalism. In doing so, there is need for them to set up little charges to the beneficiaries of this projects so that money collected can be used in repair and maintainance of this sources. To demostrate this the government has been employing plumbers to repair damages and blockages that happens to water pipes.

To conlude, in as much as water should not be made entirely free as it might create jobs to some individuals. It is important to note that some individuals live below poverty line and so it will disadvantage them if they were to be charged to use the water.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You give a clear general view that water should be available without charge, and you include relevant reasons about household needs, health, and access for people living in poverty. The Kenya example also helps connect the argument to a real context. However, the position becomes inconsistent: you first strongly support free water, then argue that it “should not be made entirely free,” and the conclusion repeats this qualification without resolving how charges could coexist with the stated right. The discussion of maintenance and jobs is relevant but not fully explained, and the response does not clearly distinguish free access to a basic amount from charges for higher use. Develop that distinction and make your final position consistent throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs presenting different considerations, and a conclusion. Sequencing phrases such as “First and foremost” and “On the other hand” help signal the shift between points. However, the overall progression is weakened by the unresolved change in position: the introduction supports free water, while the second body paragraph and conclusion argue against making it entirely free. Some links are also mechanical or unclear, particularly “To illustrate this,” which introduces government infrastructure rather than directly illustrating the health claim. The conclusion begins with a concessive phrase but does not complete the contrast clearly. Organise the paragraphs around one consistent argument and use references and transitions that show precisely how each example supports it.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a relevant range of topic vocabulary, including “irrigate,” “boreholes,” “reservoirs,” “vandalism,” and “beneficiaries.” These choices show an attempt to discuss water provision beyond basic household terms. However, several spelling errors and imprecise or unnatural combinations reduce control, such as “Acces,” “beleive,” “reccomend,” and “strore.” Some phrases are also awkward, including “bringing in pipes,” “water projects,” and “repair and maintainance of this sources.” Aim for accurate spelling and more natural collocations, for example, “laying water pipes” and “maintaining water sources.” Greater precision in describing charges and public provision would also make the argument clearer and demonstrate more flexible vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex forms, including the purpose clause “in order to transport water” and the conditional “if they were to be charged.” These structures help express reasons and consequences. However, errors in sentence construction, agreement, articles, and punctuation recur. For example, “this homesteads” and “this projects” have mismatched demonstratives and nouns; “the government … has been employing plumbers … that happens” shifts from a plural subject to a singular verb; and the final sentence beginning “To conlude, in as much as…” is not a complete, clearly controlled sentence. Commas are also missing in places such as “cooking,washing.” Review agreement, singular and plural forms, and sentence boundaries, then proofread punctuation so complex ideas remain easy to follow.

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