Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-27
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)
Introduction
It is often argued that because clean water is a basic human right, every household should receive a free water supply. I mostly agree with this opinion because water is essential for survival and public health, although reasonable limits should be applied to prevent unnecessary waste.
Body Paragraph 1
The main reason why I agree is that clean water is necessary for human life. Every person needs safe drinking water for cooking, drinking, and maintaining personal hygiene. Families with low incomes may struggle to pay expensive water bills, which can affect their health and quality of life. For example, in many developing countries, people suffer from diseases because they cannot afford or access clean water. Therefore, providing free basic water can improve people's health and living standards.
Body Paragraph 2
Another important reason is that free access to water benefits society as a whole. When people have enough clean water, they are less likely to spread diseases, which reduces pressure on hospitals and healthcare services. Moreover, children can live healthier lives and attend school regularly instead of spending hours collecting water. As a result, free basic water supply creates a healthier and more productive community.
Other Side
However, some people believe that water should not be completely free because consumers may waste it if they do not have to pay. They also argue that governments need money to maintain pipelines, treatment plants, and water systems. Although this concern is reasonable, a basic amount of water could be provided free, while additional usage should be charged. This would ensure both fairness and responsible use.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I agree that every household should receive a basic supply of clean water free of charge because it protects public health and supports people's basic needs. However, charging for excessive water consumption is a practical way to prevent waste and maintain water services.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 8.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
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 regarding public health and economic feasibility are well-developed and supported with logical reasoning. By acknowledging the counter-argument and proposing a nuanced solution (a 'basic amount' free, with charges for excess), you demonstrate a sophisticated approach to the task. The ideas are relevant and extended well, 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 topic sentence, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'The main reason why', 'Moreover', 'As a result', and 'However', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the structure is coherent throughout. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive usage, and the flow of information is natural and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases like 'maintaining personal hygiene', 'excessive water consumption', and 'practical way to prevent waste' show a solid command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is accurate and conveys your meaning clearly, it could be elevated further by incorporating more precise or less common collocations to reach the highest band. Nevertheless, the range is sufficient for the task, and there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional and concessive clauses (e.g., 'Although this concern is reasonable, a basic amount of water could be provided free'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is consistent. There are no significant errors that cause confusion. To move to a higher band, you could experiment with a wider variety of complex structures and more sophisticated linking techniques, but your current control is already very strong.
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