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)

Access to clean drinking water is essential for human health and well-being. While some people argue that every household should receive water free of charge because it is a fundamental human right, I partly agree with this view. Although everyone should have access to safe water, unlimited free supplies may not be a practical or sustainable solution.

Providing free access to a basic amount of clean water would ensure that every individual can meet their essential daily needs. Safe water is necessary for drinking, cooking and maintaining hygiene, all of which help prevent the spread of diseases and improve public health. For example, in many low-income communities, families struggle to afford clean water, increasing the risk of waterborne illnesses. Consequently, guaranteeing a basic water supply would improve living standards and protect vulnerable members of society.

However, supplying unlimited water without charge could encourage wasteful consumption and place a significant financial burden on governments. Water treatment, storage and distribution require substantial investment, and these services must be maintained to ensure a reliable supply. For instance, households may use excessive amounts of water for activities such as watering gardens or washing cars if there is no cost involved. As a result, valuable water resources could be depleted, particularly in countries experiencing droughts or water shortages. Charging for excessive usage would therefore encourage responsible consumption while helping authorities maintain essential infrastructure.

In conclusion, I believe that access to a basic quantity of clean water should be provided free of charge because it is a basic human necessity. Nevertheless, households should pay for additional consumption to promote conservation and ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it consistently throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on the necessity of water for health and the second addressing the economic and environmental implications of unlimited free supply. The ideas are logically extended and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of low-income communities and the potential for wasteful consumption. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your balanced view, ensuring the task requirements are met with a high level of clarity and focus.

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 arguments is smooth. You have used a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Consequently', 'However', and 'Nevertheless', which help guide the reader through your reasoning. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each section serving a distinct purpose in the overall structure. The relationship between ideas is clear, and the flow of the argument is natural and easy to follow throughout the entire response.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'fundamental human right', 'wasteful consumption', 'financial burden', and 'long-term sustainability' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The word choice is precise and contributes to the overall clarity of your argument. While the vocabulary is consistently accurate and fits the context well, there is room to incorporate even more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to reach the highest band. Overall, the lexical range is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision and style.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You have used a variety of complex sentence structures effectively, such as the use of 'While' and 'Although' clauses to introduce contrasting ideas. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is accurate throughout. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over verb tenses and modal verbs is consistent, and the sentence variety keeps the writing engaging. Your ability to construct complex, error-free sentences is a significant strength of this piece.

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