Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-18

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 7.0)

Access to clean water is essential for human life, and everyone should have the right to use it. Some people believe that every household should receive a free water supply because it is a basic human need. I partly agree with this view because people should have access to enough water for their basic needs, but providing unlimited water for free is not practical.

First of all, clean water is necessary for drinking, cooking, washing and maintaining good health. Poor families may struggle to pay their water bills, especially in developing countries. If they cannot afford clean water, they may use unsafe sources, which can cause diseases. Therefore, governments should make sure that all citizens can get a minimum amount of clean water either for free or at a very low cost. For example, families with low incomes could receive free basic water from the government.

However, I do not believe that all water should be free. If people do not have to pay for water, they may use it carelessly and waste large amounts. This could become a serious problem in countries where water resources are limited. In addition, governments need money to maintain pipes, treatment plants and other parts of the water system. Charging people a reasonable amount can help pay for these services and encourage responsible use of water.

In conclusion, I believe that clean water should be available to everyone, particularly for basic needs. However, unlimited water should not be completely free. A system that provides a basic amount of water at no cost or at a low price, while charging for excessive use, would be a fairer and more practical solution.

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, acknowledging the human right to water while introducing a nuanced counter-argument regarding sustainability and infrastructure costs. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on the humanitarian aspect and the second on the practical and economic implications. The conclusion effectively synthesizes these points to offer a balanced solution. The argument is consistent throughout, and the examples provided, such as the mention of low-income families and the maintenance of treatment plants, are relevant and support your position well.

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 humanitarian argument and the economic argument is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'However', 'In addition', and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow is natural, and the relationship between sentences is clear, making the text easy to follow from start to finish.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases like 'basic human need', 'unsafe sources', 'maintain pipes', and 'excessive use' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it lacks some of the more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations that would push the score into the 8.0+ range. However, there are no errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication, and the language used is appropriate for an academic context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The essay displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You use conditional sentences ('If they cannot afford...', 'If people do not have to pay...') and compound-complex sentences effectively. Grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors. Punctuation is handled correctly throughout. While the range of structures is solid, incorporating a slightly wider variety of advanced grammatical forms, such as passive voice constructions or more varied subordinate clauses, would further enhance the quality of the writing.

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