Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-30
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 considered a basic human right, and some people might argue that the government should have the responsibility to provide free clean water to every household. Although I agree that every home should have at least basic access to clean water, I do not believe that all water consumption should be provided free of charge.
Firstly, it is essential for every household to have access to a basic amount of clean water as it is vital for human survival and health. Water is necessary for drinking, cooking, and maintaining personal hygiene. Without access to clean water, every home will be susceptible to health issues and illnesses. Having no access to clean water can expose families to poor living conditions. Furthermore, access to a basic resource such as clean water should be readily available regardless of the socio-economic status of a family. Everyone should have the right to obtain this basic necessity without facing financial hardship. Therefore, it is the obligation of the government to ensure that citizens receive an adequate supply of clean water so that they can live with dignity and maintain good health.
On the other hand, providing unlimited free clean water to all households can have negative impacts on the environment and the economy. Providing large amounts of clean water for free requires substantial investment in treatment facilities, maintenance, and labor. At first, governments may have the budget to shoulder the operating expenses, but eventually these funds may be exhausted. This can lead to governments finding alternative ways to cover these costs. Citizens might be forced to pay higher taxes, or other public services might be discontinued due to a lack of funds. In addition, people may become less aware of their consumption habits when they are given something for free, such as clean water. They will not feel accountable for conserving water as there are no consequences for their actions. As a result, unlimited access to free water may create more challenges than benefits in the long term, as it would lead to excessive consumption and unnecessary waste.
In conclusion, I partly agree with the statement. Although governments should provide a basic supply of clean water to households as it is essential for their health and survival, consumers should pay for any additional consumption to ensure the sustainable use of water resources and discourage them from wasting it.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 8.0 |
| 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 have taken a clear position from the introduction, arguing for a nuanced approach where basic water is a right but excessive consumption should be paid for. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on the humanitarian necessity of water and the second body paragraph addressing the economic and environmental consequences of free, unlimited supply. The arguments are logical and supported by relevant reasoning, demonstrating a strong grasp of the task requirements.
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 agreement (basic rights) and the disagreement (unlimited supply) is handled smoothly using cohesive devices like 'On the other hand' and 'In conclusion'. The use of linking words such as 'Furthermore', 'Therefore', and 'As a result' is effective and natural. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct arguments, ensuring the reader can easily follow your line of reasoning throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 8.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'socio-economic status', 'financial hardship', 'sustainable use', and 'excessive consumption' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The word choices are precise and contribute to the clarity of your arguments. While the vocabulary is consistently accurate and fits the formal tone well, it stays within a standard academic range rather than utilizing highly sophisticated or idiomatic expressions, which is perfectly sufficient for a high band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('if they are given something for free') and concessive clauses ('Although governments should provide...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and punctuation is used correctly throughout. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication, and the flow of the sentences is natural and mature. Your control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent and accurate.
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