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 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
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.5 |
| 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 clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, balancing the human rights perspective with the practical and environmental concerns of infrastructure and resource management. You provide relevant examples, such as the mention of public health data and the specific consequences of water wastage like 'overwatering lawns'. The conclusion offers a nuanced solution that synthesizes your arguments effectively. The ideas are extended and supported logically, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
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' arguments is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Consequently', 'While', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion'. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different facets of the argument. The flow of the text is natural, and the relationship between sentences is easy to follow throughout the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.5
You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which is used with precision and natural control. Phrases such as 'fundamental human right', 'disproportionately affected', 'financially unsustainable', and 'tiered pricing system' show a sophisticated command of the language. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation. The vocabulary is well-suited to the academic tone of the task, and you successfully incorporate less common items to express complex ideas clearly and concisely.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The response exhibits a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You use complex sentences effectively, such as the conditional structure 'If water utilities generate zero revenue, these critical distribution networks can quickly fall into disrepair.' Punctuation is used correctly to enhance clarity. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and there are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over tense, aspect, and sentence variety is consistent throughout the essay, reflecting a high level of grammatical competence.
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