Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-24

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 8.5)

Some people believe that since clean water is a fundamental human right, it should be supplied to every household without charge. In my opinion, while I agree that everyone deserves access to clean water, I do not think it should always be free, as this could lead to wastage and financial problems for governments.

On one hand, there are strong reasons to support free water supply. Clean water is essential for survival, health, and hygiene, and no person should be denied it simply because they cannot afford it. In many developing countries, poor families struggle to pay for basic utilities, and a lack of clean water can lead to serious diseases such as cholera and typhoid. By providing water free of charge, governments can protect public health and reduce the gap between rich and poor citizens. For example, some countries provide a minimum free quota of water per household each month, which ensures that even low-income families have enough for drinking and cooking.

On the other hand, making water completely free for everyone could create serious problems. Firstly, water treatment and distribution require significant investment in infrastructure, staff, and maintenance, and this money usually comes from water bills. If water were free, governments would need to find other sources of funding, which could increase taxes. Secondly, when a resource is provided without any cost, people tend to use it carelessly. For instance, in cities where water is heavily subsidised, water wastage through leaking taps and excessive garden watering is often higher than in areas where people pay according to usage. This is problematic, especially as global water shortages are becoming more common due to climate change.

In conclusion, although I firmly believe that access to clean water is a basic right that should never be denied to anyone, I believe a fairer system would be to provide a certain amount of water free for essential needs, while charging for usage beyond that. This approach would protect vulnerable families without encouraging wasteful consumption.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with a balanced discussion of both the humanitarian necessity of water and the practical economic consequences of providing it for free. You provide relevant examples, such as the mention of a 'minimum free quota' and the impact of subsidies on consumption, which effectively support your arguments. The conclusion provides a clear synthesis of your position, offering a nuanced solution that demonstrates a high level of critical thinking.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the arguments is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'On one hand', 'On the other hand', 'Firstly', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your reasoning. The paragraphing is appropriate, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The flow is natural, and the relationship between ideas is consistently logical, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'fundamental human right', 'heavily subsidised', 'wasteful consumption', and 'vulnerable families' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The word choice is precise, and there are no significant errors in collocation or spelling. While the vocabulary is effective and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common idiomatic expressions could elevate the response further toward the highest band, but the current range is more than sufficient for a high score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and conditional forms. Your control over grammar is excellent, with the majority of sentences being error-free. Punctuation is used accurately to manage the flow of information. There are no noticeable grammatical slips that impede communication. The use of varied sentence lengths and structures contributes to a professional and academic tone. Your ability to construct complex arguments while maintaining grammatical precision is a significant strength of this piece.

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