Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-03

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)

While access to clean water is undeniably a fundamental human right as recognized by the United Nations, the assertion that every home should receive free water supply requires careful consideration of practical sustainability and equitable resource management. I disagree with the absolute proposal of universal free water, believing instead that a balanced approach combining affordability, government responsibility, and conservation is more effective in fulfilling this right.​

First, framing water as an entirely free commodity risks encouraging waste and inefficient use, particularly in regions facing growing water scarcity. Economic theory and real-world examples demonstrate that when resources are priced at zero, consumers have fewer incentives to conserve. Free water could also strain public budgets, diverting funds from critical infrastructure upgrades needed to ensure consistent clean water supply, especially in developing nations where pipelines and purification systems are often inadequate.​

However, this does not mean denying the human right to water. The key lies in establishing a tiered pricing system that guarantees a basic monthly water allocation - sufficient for drinking, cooking, and hygiene - nearly free of charge, while charging progressively for excessive usage. This model ensures vulnerable populations are protected without promoting waste. Governments must also prioritize subsidizing water services for low-income families and investing in renewable water sources like wastewater recycling to expand accessibility without compromising fiscal stability.​

In conclusion, while the ideal of free water aligns with the moral imperative of human rights, its implementation must account for environmental sustainability and economic viability. A targeted approach that combines subsidized basic access, price signals for conservation, and robust public investment strikes a necessary balance, ensuring clean water remains a universal right without compromising the long-term capacity to deliver it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by taking a clear position and supporting it with well-developed arguments. You effectively balance the moral argument for water as a human right against the practical economic and environmental realities of resource management. The introduction clearly states your disagreement with the 'absolute' proposal, and the body paragraphs provide logical, extended reasoning. You successfully propose a nuanced alternative—a tiered pricing system—which demonstrates a high level of critical thinking and task engagement. The ideas are relevant, well-supported, and consistently focused on the prompt 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, moving from the introduction of the position to the economic risks of free water, the proposed solution, and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices such as 'While', 'First', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used naturally and effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used skillfully to separate distinct arguments. The flow of information is smooth, and there is a clear sense of progression from the problem to the proposed solution, making the text very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary, using terms like 'fundamental human right', 'equitable resource management', 'commodity', 'fiscal stability', and 'moral imperative' with precision. The collocation is natural throughout, and there is a clear awareness of style and register appropriate for an academic essay. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or spelling, and the vocabulary is used to convey complex ideas with clarity and nuance. This level of lexical control is indicative of a high band score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay exhibits a wide range of complex grammatical structures, including conditional clauses, participial phrases, and sophisticated subordination. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. For example, the sentence 'A targeted approach that combines subsidized basic access, price signals for conservation, and robust public investment strikes a necessary balance' is grammatically complex yet perfectly executed. There are no significant errors that impede communication or distract the reader, and the overall grammatical accuracy is very high.

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