Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-01
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 believed that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and that every household should receive it free of charge. I strongly agree with this view because clean water is essential for human survival and public health, and it should be available to everyone regardless of their financial situation.
Firstly, clean water is necessary for life and good health. People need safe drinking water for cooking, cleaning, and maintaining personal hygiene. Without it, the risk of serious diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea increases significantly. Providing free access to clean water would improve public health and reduce medical expenses for both individuals and governments. Furthermore, it would ensure that low-income families are not forced to choose between buying water and meeting other basic needs.
Secondly, access to clean water helps reduce social inequality. In many developing countries, poor families struggle to afford a reliable water supply, while wealthier households have no such problem. If governments guarantee free basic water services, everyone can enjoy the same minimum standard of living. For example, in rural areas of Pakistan, many people still rely on unsafe water sources. Supplying clean water free of charge could improve children’s health, increase school attendance, and enhance the overall quality of life.
In conclusion, I completely agree that every home should receive a basic supply of clean water free of charge because it is a basic human right, promotes public health, and creates a fairer society. Charging only for excessive usage is a balanced solution that protects both people and water resources.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 8.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 8.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.5 |
| Overall | 8.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the link between water access and public health, and the social inequality argument. You have provided a relevant example regarding rural Pakistan to support your point. The conclusion effectively summarizes your stance and even introduces a nuanced 'balanced solution' regarding excessive usage, which adds depth to your argument. The response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth, using cohesive devices like 'Firstly,' 'Furthermore,' and 'In conclusion.' The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct arguments. The flow of ideas is natural, and the use of cohesive devices is neither mechanical nor over-used, contributing to a coherent and easy-to-follow argument throughout the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'fundamental human right,' 'reliable water supply,' and 'minimum standard of living' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is appropriate and conveys your meaning clearly, it stays within a relatively standard range. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or less common collocations or idiomatic expressions. However, there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication, and the tone remains consistently academic.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5
The essay displays a good variety of complex structures, such as conditional sentences ('If governments guarantee...') and relative clauses. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms effectively to convey your arguments. There are no significant grammatical errors that cause confusion. The writing is accurate and demonstrates a solid command of English grammar, which allows for clear and fluent communication of your ideas.
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