Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-28

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)

It is widely argued that access to clean water represents a fundamental human right, and that governments should therefore be obligated to provide free water supply to every household. I completely agree with this viewpoint, as clean water is essential for human survival and its provision reflects the core responsibilities of any government towards its citizens.

First and foremost, clean water is an absolute necessity for human life. Unlike luxury goods or optional services, water is indispensable for drinking, cooking, and maintaining basic hygiene. Without reliable access to clean water, individuals face severe health risks, including waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever. In developing nations, communities that lack adequate water infrastructure suffer disproportionately high mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. Therefore, treating water as a commodity that must be purchased places an unfair burden on low-income households who may be unable to afford it.

Furthermore, providing free water supply is a fundamental duty of any responsible government. Just as governments provide free access to education and emergency healthcare in many countries, clean water should be regarded as a public service rather than a private commodity. For instance, countries such as Scotland have successfully implemented policies ensuring free water access for all residents, resulting in improved public health outcomes and reduced socioeconomic inequality. This demonstrates that such policies are not only morally justified but also practically achievable.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that every household deserves access to a free water supply, as clean water is an irreplaceable human necessity and its provision represents a core governmental responsibility. Failure to guarantee this right risks deepening social inequality and compromising public health on a widespread scale.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

You have fully addressed the prompt by clearly stating your position in the introduction and maintaining it throughout the essay. Each paragraph provides relevant, well-developed arguments. You support your points with logical reasoning, such as the health risks associated with water scarcity and the comparison to other public services like education. The inclusion of a specific example regarding Scotland adds depth to your argument, demonstrating a clear understanding of the task requirements. Your ideas are extended and supported effectively, meeting the criteria 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 paragraphs is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'First and foremost', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion'. The referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural. You have managed cohesion well, ensuring that the reader can easily follow your line of reasoning from the introduction to the final summary. The structure is professional and contributes significantly to the overall clarity of your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'disproportionately high mortality rates', 'irreplaceable human necessity', and 'socioeconomic inequality' show a sophisticated command of language. Your word choice is precise, and you use collocations accurately throughout the response. There are no noticeable errors in spelling or word formation, and the vocabulary used is varied enough to maintain the reader's interest while clearly conveying complex ideas. This is a strong performance in terms of lexical range and accuracy.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

Your writing displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and varied sentence beginnings. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You use modal verbs and conditional structures effectively to express your arguments. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall accuracy is high. The complexity of your sentence construction demonstrates a high level of proficiency, fitting the criteria for a band 8 score.

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