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)
Access to clean water is a basic human right. Therefore, some people argue that every household should receive a free water supply. I partly agree with this view because although everyone should have access to clean water, providing unlimited water without any cost may create financial and environmental problems.
On the one hand, clean water is essential for human survival, and nobody should be prevented from accessing it because of their financial situation. In many developing countries, poor families struggle to obtain safe drinking water, which can lead to serious health problems. If governments provide a basic amount of free water, it can ensure that all citizens are able to meet their essential needs. For example, many countries offer free or heavily funded water services to low-income households to protect vulnerable groups.
On the other hand, making all water supplies completely free could have negative consequences. Firstly, maintaining water systems requires a large amount of money for treatment, transportation, and repairs. If governments cover all costs, this could place a heavy burden on taxpayers. Secondly, people may waste water if they do not have to pay for it. For instance, some individuals might use excessive amounts of water for unnecessary activities, which could contribute to shortages, especially in areas affected by drought.
In my opinion, everyone should have access to a certain amount of free clean water to satisfy their basic needs. However, charging reasonable fees for additional usage would encourage people to use water responsibly and help maintain the infrastructure needed to provide it.
In conclusion, while clean water should be considered a fundamental right, I do not believe that all household water supplies should be completely free. A system that provides essential water at no cost while charging for excessive use would be a more practical solution.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it consistently throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, with a balanced discussion of both the humanitarian necessity of water access and the practical, economic, and environmental arguments against making it entirely free. Each paragraph provides relevant examples, such as the mention of low-income households and the potential for water wastage, which effectively support your arguments. The conclusion provides a clear summary that aligns with your initial stance, demonstrating a thoughtful and logical progression of ideas.
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 'on the one hand' and 'on the other hand' sections is smooth and effective. You have used a variety of cohesive devices, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'For instance', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument without being repetitive. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the logical flow from the introduction to the body paragraphs and finally the conclusion is well-managed, ensuring the essay is easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'fundamental right', 'vulnerable groups', 'negative consequences', and 'practical solution' show a level of precision and sophistication. The word choice is generally accurate and natural, contributing to the clarity of your arguments. While the vocabulary is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more topic-specific collocations or slightly more advanced synonyms could elevate the response further. Overall, the lexical range is more than adequate for the task and supports clear communication throughout.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The essay displays a good command of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as the conditional structure 'If governments cover all costs, this could place a heavy burden on taxpayers.' Punctuation is used correctly, and there are no significant errors that impede communication. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and you show good control over complex sentence forms. The writing is fluent and accurate, meeting the criteria for a high band score in this area.
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