Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)
Access to clean water is essential for human survival, and some people believe that every household should receive a free water supply because it is a basic human right. I strongly agree with this view, as providing free access to clean water can protect public health and ensure equality among people.
The main reason why I support this idea is that clean water is necessary for maintaining good health. People need safe water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene, and a lack of access to it can result in serious diseases. For example, contaminated water can spread illnesses such as cholera and other infections, particularly among children. Therefore, governments should ensure that every household has access to a reliable supply of clean water, regardless of its financial situation.
Another important reason is that free basic water access can reduce inequality. Poor families may struggle to pay for essential services, especially when their income is insufficient to cover basic living expenses. If water were provided free of charge, these households would be able to meet their essential needs without facing additional financial pressure. For instance, low-income families could use the money they save on water bills for food, education or healthcare.
However, this does not necessarily mean that people should be allowed to use unlimited amounts of water for free. Governments could provide a reasonable amount of water free of charge and charge for excessive consumption. This approach would ensure that everyone has access to this essential resource while also encouraging people to avoid unnecessary waste.
In conclusion, I strongly agree that every household should have access to a free basic supply of clean water because it is essential for health and can help reduce social inequality. Nevertheless, excessive water consumption could reasonably be charged for in order to prevent waste.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
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 regarding public health and social equality are well-developed and supported with relevant examples, such as the mention of cholera and the financial burden on low-income families. The inclusion of a counter-argument regarding 'excessive consumption' adds depth and nuance to your position, demonstrating a sophisticated approach to the task. The ideas are logically extended, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points while acknowledging the practical limitations of your proposal.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'The main reason', 'Another important reason', and 'Nevertheless', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the referencing is clear throughout. The flow of information is natural, and the use of cohesive links is neither mechanical nor over-used, contributing to a coherent and well-structured response.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your ideas with precision. You use topic-specific terms such as 'personal hygiene', 'financial situation', 'excessive consumption', and 'social inequality' appropriately. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the context well, it remains largely functional. To reach the highest band, you could incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to add a greater sense of naturalness and flair to your writing. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task and shows good control over word choice.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If water were provided...') and relative clauses ('...that every household should receive...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that impede communication. The use of modal verbs like 'should' and 'could' is handled correctly to express obligation and possibility. Overall, your grammatical control is consistent and supports the clarity of your arguments effectively.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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