Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-23
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)
Drinking clean water is a basic human necessity; while I agree that everyone should get free access to clean water, but unlimited free water may lead to excessive wastage. This essay will discuss the both the views.
In many countries, governments charge fees to provide clean and drinkable water to their citizens. Apart from drinking, pure water is also used for cooking and hygiene. Contaminated water can be dangerous to health, leading to various diseases and health concerns. Clean water should not only be accessible to the privileged or a higher socioeconomic group of our society. While many people can afford the bills, many low-income and homeless people could be denied this basic right, and they may be forced to drink water from unsafe sources. For example, many homeless people drink water from open streams which can poise health risks.
On the other hand, the world’s water resources are being depleted, and some regions might face severe shortage of clean water in the future. Charging for water can discourage people from unnecessary consumption and reduce waste. In addition, governments and associated water management boards require substantial funding to maintain pipes, pumping systems and reservoirs. If water were completely free, some people might use it excessively and the governments might increase taxes to cover the cost.
In my opinion, government should provide each household with a limited amount of clean water free of charge, so people can be mindful of their consumption. Once this allowance is exceeded, consumers should be charged according to their usage. This would protect access to an essential resource while still encouraging responsible consumption.
To conclude, people deserve free access to water and every household should receive enough water to meet basic needs. However, charging for an additional use is a fair solution as it will prevent overconsumption and help governments maintain a reliable water supply.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, presenting a clear position that balances the right to water with the need for conservation. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between basic needs and excessive usage. The essay maintains a consistent stance throughout, and the conclusion effectively synthesizes the arguments presented. The response is well-structured and directly answers the question, demonstrating a strong understanding of the task requirements.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and the transition between the arguments for free water and the arguments for charging for excess usage is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'On the other hand', and 'To conclude' are used effectively to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different viewpoints and the writer's personal opinion.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The vocabulary is sufficient and appropriate for the task. The student uses relevant terminology such as 'socioeconomic group', 'depleted', 'unnecessary consumption', and 'essential resource'. While there is a minor error in the phrase 'poise health risks' (should be 'pose'), the overall range is good, and the meaning is always clear. The student demonstrates an ability to use less common lexical items to express complex ideas effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay demonstrates a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('If water were completely free...') and contrastive structures ('While many people can afford...'). There are occasional minor errors, such as the redundant 'the' in 'discuss the both the views' and the incorrect verb form 'poise'. However, the majority of sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is generally accurate, which does not impede communication.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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