Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · 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 9.0)

Access to clean water is widely considered a fundamental human right. Consequently, many argue that every household should be provided with a domestic water supply entirely free of charge. While I agree that governments must guarantee that water is universally accessible, I disagree that it should be completely free due to infrastructure costs and the risk of resource wastage.

On the one hand, ensuring everyone can access clean water is essential for safeguarding public health and maintaining social equity. When water is treated strictly as a paid commodity, low-income families are disproportionately affected. This often forces them to resort to contaminated, unsafe sources, leading to the rapid spread of waterborne diseases. For instance, public health data shows that subsidizing basic utility access in developing regions directly lowers child mortality rates. Therefore, securing a baseline amount of clean water is vital for human survival and dignity.

On the other hand, providing unlimited water completely free of charge is financially unsustainable and environmentally risky. Treating and piping safe drinking water to millions of homes requires massive infrastructure and continuous maintenance. If water utilities generate zero revenue, these critical distribution networks can quickly fall into disrepair. Furthermore, when a precious resource has no financial cost, consumers lose the incentive to conserve it. Free access would inevitably lead to negligence, such as overwatering lawns or ignoring leaks, which exacerbates global water scarcity.

In conclusion, although access to clean water is an undeniable human right, it should not be provided without financial regulation. A superior approach is a tiered pricing system, where a baseline amount for essential daily needs is free, while excess consumption is charged to promote conservation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on the humanitarian aspect and the second on the economic and environmental implications. You have provided relevant examples, such as the mention of child mortality rates and specific instances of water wastage like overwatering lawns. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position by proposing a balanced solution, which demonstrates a high level of critical thinking and task fulfillment.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme that is well-supported. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Consequently', 'On the one hand', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is skillful, with each section serving a distinct purpose in the overall structure. The flow between sentences is natural, and there is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive transitions, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary, using terms like 'fundamental human right', 'disproportionately affected', 'financially unsustainable', and 'tiered pricing system' with precision. The collocation is natural throughout the text, and there are no noticeable errors in word choice. You successfully use less common lexical items to convey complex ideas, which shows a high level of control. The language is academic and appropriate for the task, reflecting a strong command of English vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The essay exhibits a wide range of complex grammatical structures, including conditional sentences, participial phrases, and well-constructed subordinate clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is used accurately to enhance clarity. You demonstrate excellent control over verb tenses and agreement. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication, and the overall sentence variety keeps the writing engaging and professional. The grammatical accuracy is consistent throughout the entire response.

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