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 provide relevant examples, such as the mention of public health data and the specific consequences of water wastage like 'overwatering lawns'. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position by proposing a balanced solution, which demonstrates a sophisticated engagement with the topic.

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 humanitarian argument and the practical/economic argument is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Consequently', 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Furthermore'. These markers guide the reader through your argument without being repetitive or mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion, ensuring the structure is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 9.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'fundamental human right', 'disproportionately affected', 'financially unsustainable', and 'tiered pricing system' show a high level of lexical control. The vocabulary is not only accurate but also appropriate for an academic context. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the language flows naturally throughout the text. The use of topic-specific terminology is excellent and contributes to the clarity and authority of your argument.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You successfully use complex sentences, such as 'While I agree that governments must guarantee that water is universally accessible, I disagree that it should be completely free...', which demonstrates good control over subordinate clauses. Punctuation is used correctly to enhance readability. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few complex structures you employ are handled with ease. There is a consistent level of grammatical control throughout the entire response.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.