Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-10

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 8.0)

While access to safe water is essential for human survival and dignity, I disagree with the idea that households should receive an unlimited water supply entirely free of charge. Instead, a balanced system where a baseline allowance is free or subsidized, while excessive usage is billed, is far more sustainable.

Admittedly, water is a fundamental human necessity required for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene. Without reliable access to clean water, public health declines dramatically, leading to waterborne diseases and reduced quality of life, particularly for vulnerable populations. From an ethical standpoint, governments have a duty to ensure that no citizen is deprived of this essential resource due to an inability to pay. Providing a minimal free allowance guarantees that basic human needs are met.

However, offering completely unrestricted, free water to every household creates severe financial and environmental challenges. Treating, testing, and distributing clean water through public infrastructure requires massive financial investment and continuous maintenance. If water were entirely free, local authorities would struggle to fund pipe repairs, purification facilities, and network expansions. Furthermore, unmetered free access frequently leads to widespread waste, as consumers lack a financial incentive to conserve water when filling swimming pools, washing vehicles, or leaving taps running.

A tiered pricing strategy offers a practical middle ground. By offering a basic daily volume cost-free and charging for consumption beyond that threshold, governments can protect low-income households while discouraging wasteful consumption and generating funds to maintain utility networks.

In conclusion, although clean water is a basic right, making it entirely free without limits is economically and environmentally impractical. A quota-based system best balances human rights with resource conservation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the distinction between a 'basic human right' and the economic reality of 'unlimited' supply. You provide logical reasons for your stance, such as the financial burden on infrastructure and the environmental impact of waste. The ideas are extended with relevant examples like 'washing vehicles' or 'filling swimming pools', which effectively support your argument. The conclusion provides a concise summary that reinforces your position, demonstrating a high level of task response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the acknowledgement of the opposing view, followed by the practical challenges of free water, and finally, your proposed solution. Cohesive devices are used effectively and naturally, such as 'Admittedly', 'However', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion'. The transition between the ethical argument and the economic reality is smooth, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, making the text easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and sophisticated range of vocabulary, which is used with precision. Phrases such as 'fundamental human necessity', 'vulnerable populations', 'unrestricted, free water', and 'tiered pricing strategy' show a high level of lexical control. The collocation is natural throughout, and you successfully avoid repetitive language. There are no spelling errors, and the vocabulary choice is consistently appropriate for an academic context. The use of terms like 'infrastructure', 'purification', and 'utility networks' adds to the professional tone of the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex sentence structures with high accuracy. You effectively use conditional structures, participial phrases, and varied clause types. For instance, the sentence 'By offering a basic daily volume cost-free and charging for consumption beyond that threshold, governments can protect low-income households...' is grammatically complex and error-free. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-existent here, reflecting a very high level of grammatical control.

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