Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-20

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 6.5)

It is widely acceptable that clean water is essential for human survival. While i agree that access to clean water is fundamental human right, I disagree that i should be provided completely free of charge to every household.

The main argument for free water is that it is vital for health and dignity. Without clean water people suffer from diseases, poor sanitation and poverty. For this reason, governments have a responsibility to ensure that no one is denied access because they cannot afford it. For example, in many developing countries, NGOs and governments provides free public tabs and wells so that every poorest family have a basic water supply.

However, there are many disadvantage of giving water free of cost also. It would create serious problems. First, water treatment, pipes and maintenance are very expensive. If there is no charge governments would struggle for fund and unable to maintain the infrastructure, leading to shortages and poor quality. Second, when resource is free, people tend to waste it. In countries where water is free consumption is often much higher, especially in places like Pakistan where water quality is decreasing rapidly.

A better solution is hybrid system. A basic minimum amount of clean water could be provided free to every home to meet their drinking and cooking needs. This ensure that everyone basic right is protected, while also encouraging conservation and generating money to maintain the system.

In conclusion, while access to clean water must be guaranteed as a human right, providing unlimited free water to every home is not practical.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response addresses the task effectively by stating a clear position: the writer agrees that access to clean water is a fundamental human right but disagrees with the notion that it should be provided completely free of charge. Main arguments are presented with relevant examples, such as the role of NGOs in providing clean water in developing countries. Some discussions of alternatives, like a hybrid system, enhance the response. However, a more detailed exploration of potential counterarguments could strengthen the overall argument. Overall, this response effectively meets the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is quite coherent, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Ideas are logically organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific point. However, some transitions between ideas could be smoother; for instance, linking statements between the second and third paragraphs could enhance flow. Additionally, the use of connectors like "however," “first,” and “second” helps maintain a logical progression, but varying transitions could add sophistication. Overall, coherence is strong, but minor improvements could enhance the overall cohesiveness of the essay.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate and conveys the intended meaning effectively, demonstrating a good range of lexical resource. However, there are instances of awkward phrasing, such as "provides free public tabs" which should be "provides free public taps," and the term "disadvantage" should be pluralized as "disadvantages." The use of terms like "basic right" and phrases such as "hybrid system" shows a greater lexical range, yet the work would benefit from more precise vocabulary and less repetition. Overall, the language is generally effective but could be refined in terms of variety and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

Grammatical Range and Accuracy is decent, but several errors detract from clarity. Examples include the incorrect use of lowercase letters, such as in "i agree" which should be "I agree," and incorrect pluralization in "the poorest family" (should be "families"). The sentence structure is mostly correct, and complex sentences are attempted, though minor punctuation errors exist. Despite these mistakes, meaning is usually clear. Improvements in grammatical accuracy would elevate the response. Overall, while the range is adequate, accuracy needs attention.

Overall feedback

Your essay presents a clear argument regarding clean water as a human right, adequately covering both sides of the debate regarding free access. You've provided relevant examples and explored alternatives, which strengthens your response. To improve, focus on enhancing the variety of your vocabulary and fixing grammatical errors, such as capitalization and pluralization issues, which can detract from your overall clarity. Additionally, varying your sentence structure and transition phrases will help elevate your writing to a higher band score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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