Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-07-31

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.

Advice for Next Attempt

Your essay is excellent and demonstrates a high level of proficiency. You have a clear, balanced argument that is well-supported by logical reasoning. Your structure is sound, and your language is both accurate and appropriate for the task. To push your score even higher, focus on incorporating more 'uncommon' lexical items or nuanced collocations that demonstrate a deeper mastery of English. For example, instead of 'negative impacts', you could use 'detrimental repercussions' or 'adverse environmental consequences'. Additionally, try to vary your sentence beginnings even more to enhance the flow. Overall, you have a very strong grasp of the requirements for this task, and your ability to present a balanced view is a significant strength. Continue reading high-quality academic articles to further refine your vocabulary and sentence variety.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear, nuanced position by distinguishing between 'basic access' and 'unlimited consumption'. The ideas are well-developed, with logical arguments provided for both sides of the issue. You effectively balance the humanitarian perspective with economic and environmental considerations. The conclusion is consistent with the position established in the introduction, and the overall development of the argument is logical and thorough throughout the essay.

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 use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'Furthermore', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion'. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the referencing is clear throughout. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between the ideas is easy to follow, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'socio-economic status', 'financial hardship', 'operating expenses', and 'sustainable use' show a strong command of topic-specific language. While the vocabulary is accurate and precise, it could be elevated further by incorporating more sophisticated collocations or less common academic synonyms to reach the highest band. However, the current range is sufficient to convey your ideas with precision and clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and conditional forms. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. There are no significant errors that impede communication. The use of modal verbs and subordinate clauses is handled with confidence, contributing to the overall academic tone of the response. The grammatical control is consistent and demonstrates a high level of proficiency.

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