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

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it consistently throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the distinction between water as a necessity versus a commodity, and the comparison to other public services like education. The inclusion of a specific example (Scotland) adds weight to your argument, demonstrating a good level of support. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points without introducing new information. The response is well-focused and directly answers the question asked.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, starting with the necessity of water and moving to the government's role. Cohesive devices such as 'First and foremost', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Referencing is clear, and the flow between sentences is smooth. The paragraphing is appropriate, with each paragraph serving a clear purpose in the overall structure of the essay. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good 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 strong command of topic-specific language. The word choice is precise and natural throughout the text. There are no noticeable errors in collocation or spelling. While the vocabulary is consistently accurate and fits the formal tone well, it could potentially be slightly more varied to reach the highest band, but it is certainly sufficient for a high-level score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and subordinate clauses, used with high accuracy. For example, the sentence 'Unlike luxury goods or optional services, water is indispensable for drinking, cooking, and maintaining basic hygiene' is well-constructed and error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and there are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. Your control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the entire piece.

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