Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-17
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 and safe water is undoubtedly a basic human necessity, and some people argue that every household should receive a free water supply. I largely agree with this view because clean water is essential for health and hygiene. However, I believe that completely free water without any limits could lead to unnecessary wastage.
First and foremost, clean water is essential for maintaining a healthy life. People need it for drinking, cooking, bathing and cleaning. If water is provided free of charge to every household, even low-income families will be able to meet their basic needs without worrying about their financial situation. This could also help reduce health problems caused by contaminated or insufficient water supplies. Therefore, governments should ensure that every citizen has access to a minimum amount of safe drinking water.
On the other hand, providing unlimited water completely free of cost could encourage people to waste this valuable natural resource. For instance, some households might leave taps running or use excessive amounts of water for gardening and washing vehicles. In many parts of the world, water scarcity is already a serious problem, so unrestricted free access could make the situation worse. A reasonable solution would be to provide a basic quantity of water free of charge and charge households for excessive consumption.
In conclusion, I agree that every home should have access to a free supply of clean water because it is essential for human survival and dignity. Nevertheless, governments should introduce reasonable limits so that people are encouraged to use water responsibly and conserve this precious resource.
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, acknowledging the importance of water as a human right while balancing it with the practical necessity of preventing wastage. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between a 'basic quantity' and 'excessive consumption'. The argument is consistent throughout, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes your main points. The response is well-structured and directly answers the question, showing a good understanding of the complexities involved in the topic.
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 the benefits of free water and the potential for wastage is smooth, using appropriate cohesive devices like 'On the other hand' and 'Nevertheless'. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The flow is natural, and the referencing is clear throughout, making the argument easy to follow for the reader.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases such as 'basic human necessity', 'natural resource', 'water scarcity', and 'human survival and dignity' are used accurately and effectively. While the vocabulary is precise and fits the context well, it remains somewhat standard. To reach the highest bands, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items to add further nuance to your arguments. However, the current range is sufficient and used with good control.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional sentences ('If water is provided... even low-income families will be able to...') and concessive clauses ('Although...'). The grammar is highly accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is used correctly to support the clarity of your arguments. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent. The writing is fluent and professional, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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