Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)
Access to clean water is considered one of the most basic human needs. Some people believe that every household should receive a free water supply because it is a fundamental human right. I partly agree with this opinion because everyone should have access to safe drinking water, but providing unlimited water free of charge may cause problems.
On the one hand, clean water is essential for people's health and survival. Without safe water, people can suffer from serious diseases and poor living conditions. Therefore, governments have a responsibility to ensure that every citizen has enough clean water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene. For example, in many developing countries, free access to clean water has helped reduce the spread of diseases and improve public health. This shows that providing basic water services can greatly benefit society.
On the other hand, making all water completely free may encourage people to waste it. Water treatment and distribution require large amounts of money for equipment, maintenance, and workers. If people do not pay anything, governments may struggle to cover these costs, especially in poorer countries. In addition, free water could lead to unnecessary consumption, which may increase water shortages in the future. Charging a reasonable fee can encourage people to use water more carefully.
In conclusion, I believe that every person should have access to a basic amount of clean water without charge because it is necessary for a healthy life. However, households should pay for any additional water they use. This system would protect human rights while also encouraging responsible water consumption.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The ideas are relevant and well-supported; for instance, you provide a logical argument for the necessity of water for health, followed by a balanced counter-argument regarding the economic implications of free supply. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, proposing a nuanced solution that addresses both the human right aspect and the need for conservation. The development is consistent and logical, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the two sides of the argument is smooth, using phrases like 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices are used effectively to link sentences and ideas, such as 'Therefore', 'In addition', and 'However'. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'fundamental human right', 'unnecessary consumption', and 'responsible water consumption' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and appropriate for the task, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations that would push the score into the 8.0+ range. However, there are no significant errors in word choice, and the language used is consistently natural and clear throughout the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional structures ('If people do not pay...') and relative clauses effectively. The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your arguments. While the sentence structures are competent, they are somewhat standard; incorporating a wider variety of more complex grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions or more varied subordinate clauses, would enhance the range further.
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