Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-12

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)

Introduction:

It is undeniable that clean water is fundamental to human survival, and therefore many argue that it should be provided free of charge to every household. While I agree that governments have a responsibility to ensure all citizens have access to safe water, I do not believe that making it completely free is the best solution.

Those who support free water supply have strong arguments. Firstly, access to clean water is directly linked to public health. Without it, people suffer from waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, which are especially common in developing countries like Pakistan. For example, many rural communities still rely on contaminated sources because they cannot afford treatment. Secondly, water is a basic necessity, similar to air. Denying it to those who cannot pay would be a violation of human rights and would increase inequality between rich and poor families.

However, providing unlimited free water to every home is not practical. The main reason is cost. Purifying water, maintaining pipelines, and running treatment plants requires huge investment. If governments do not charge households, they will struggle to fund this essential infrastructure, and the quality of service may decline. Furthermore, if water is completely free, people are likely to waste it. We have seen this with electricity in some countries where free units lead to irresponsible consumption. A better approach would be to provide a basic minimum amount of water free per person each month, and then charge affordable rates for any additional usage. This system ensures no one is deprived while also promoting responsible use.

In conclusion, I believe that access to clean water should be guaranteed as a basic right. However, rather than being entirely free, it should be subsidized so that everyone can afford a basic supply, with charges applied only for excessive use. This balances both fairness and sustainability.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You clearly state your position in the introduction and maintain it consistently throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, with the first body paragraph explaining the necessity of water for health and human rights, and the second body paragraph providing a logical counter-argument regarding economic sustainability and waste. You support your points with relevant examples, such as the mention of waterborne diseases in Pakistan and the comparison to electricity consumption. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, offering a balanced solution that demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic sentence, and the transition between the arguments for free water and the practical limitations is smooth. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'However', and 'Furthermore', which guide the reader through your argument without feeling mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas, and referencing is clear throughout the text. The structure is coherent and supports the overall argument well.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic task. Phrases like 'undeniable', 'fundamental to human survival', 'essential infrastructure', and 'irresponsible consumption' show a strong command of language. You use collocations accurately, and there is no evidence of repetitive or basic vocabulary. While the range is sufficient and precise, incorporating a few more sophisticated, less common lexical items could elevate the score further. Overall, the vocabulary is natural and contributes to the clarity of your arguments.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If governments do not charge...') and relative clauses. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is consistent. There are no significant errors that impede communication. You demonstrate the ability to use a mix of simple and complex forms effectively to convey nuanced ideas. The writing is fluent and accurate, meeting the criteria for a high band score in this category.

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