Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-11

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 undoubtedly essential for human survival, and it is often regarded as a fundamental human right. However, I disagree with the view that every household should receive an unlimited water supply completely free of charge. I believe that governments should ensure affordable access to clean water while charging households a reasonable amount for their consumption.

One major reason for my view is that providing water entirely free of charge could encourage wasteful consumption. Water is a limited natural resource, and people are more likely to use it irresponsibly if they do not have to pay anything for it. For example, households may leave taps running, take excessively long showers or use large amounts of water for gardening. In contrast, a reasonable water bill can encourage people to monitor their consumption and avoid unnecessary waste. This is particularly important in countries that regularly experience droughts or water shortages.

Another important consideration is the financial burden on governments. Supplying, treating and maintaining water infrastructure requires considerable investment. If all domestic water were provided free of charge, governments would have to cover the entire cost through taxation or reduce spending on other essential services such as healthcare and education. A better approach would be to provide a certain basic amount of clean water at a very low cost or free of charge to low-income families, while charging higher rates for excessive consumption. This would protect vulnerable people without placing an unnecessary financial burden on the state.

In conclusion, although access to clean water should be guaranteed to everyone, I do not believe that unlimited household water should be completely free. A fair pricing system, combined with free or heavily subsidised basic supplies for disadvantaged people, would be a more sustainable and responsible solution.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses the prompt by taking a clear position and supporting it with well-developed arguments. You effectively balance the concept of water as a human right with the practical necessity of a pricing mechanism to prevent waste and manage infrastructure costs. The ideas are logically extended, particularly the suggestion of a tiered pricing system for low-income households, which adds depth to the argument. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion provides a concise summary of your stance. You have successfully met all requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the introduction of your position, followed by two distinct body paragraphs—one focusing on environmental conservation and the other on economic viability—and a final conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'In contrast', 'Another important consideration', and 'although' are used effectively to link sentences and paragraphs. The flow is natural, and the paragraphing is appropriate, making the argument easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a strong command of vocabulary, using precise and topic-specific terms such as 'fundamental human right', 'wasteful consumption', 'water infrastructure', and 'heavily subsidised'. The language is natural and sophisticated, fitting the academic tone required for this task. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey complex ideas clearly and accurately. Your ability to use collocations like 'financial burden' and 'sustainable and responsible solution' is particularly commendable.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'If all domestic water were provided free of charge, governments would have to...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with no significant errors that impede communication. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and the sentence variety keeps the reader engaged. You demonstrate a high level of control over both simple and complex sentence forms, which is consistent with the requirements for a high band score.

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