Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-24

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)

The right to clean water is considered as a fundamental human right and it is argued by many that it should be freely available. I partially agree with it because water is a basic necessity for survival, however, a reasonable charge should be taken from those who could afford.

To begin with, everyone need water for survival and it should be free. Without the access to clean water, human beings won't survive. The part of population that is unable to afford the charges, also require water for survival. If the water supply is cut because of the delay in the payment of its charges, then the financially weaker section would struggle. For instance, charging additional amounts for water would make it extremely difficult for the poor to pay them and it might even lead to several deaths . Thus, water should be free.

On the other hand, a considerable amount of money should be collected from the people who can afford it in order to maintain the supply channels and subsidize the water for the poor. Firstly, a large sum is necessary for the daily maintenance of the pipes and systems. As governments have limited resources, it should be collected from the people. Secondly, a certain proportion of the collected sum should be utilized for subsidizing the water to the poor people. For example, money that remains after covering the maintenance cost should be used for providing free water the poor people. In this way, everyone will have access to water.

In conclusion, water should be made freely available to everyone as it is mandatory for survival. In contrast, it should be charged a reasonable charge for covering the daily maintenance costs and to subsidize it for the economically weaker section.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have addressed all parts of the task by presenting a clear, balanced position. Your argument is well-structured, with the first body paragraph focusing on the necessity of free water for the poor, and the second body paragraph proposing a tiered system for those who can afford it. The ideas are relevant and sufficiently extended. To reach a higher band, ensure that your conclusion does not introduce new phrasing that contradicts your earlier points; for instance, you state in the conclusion that water should be 'freely available to everyone,' which slightly undermines your earlier argument that a 'reasonable charge' should be taken from those who can afford it.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central topic, and you use cohesive devices such as 'To begin with,' 'On the other hand,' and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and there are minor issues with referencing, such as the phrase 'the part of population' which lacks an article. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the overall flow is smooth, making the argument easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'fundamental human right,' 'subsidize,' and 'economically weaker section.' While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. There are some minor errors in word choice, such as 'charged a reasonable charge,' which is redundant. Expanding your range to include more precise collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing would strengthen this area.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this level. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'everyone need water' (subject-verb agreement) and 'providing free water the poor people' (missing preposition). Additionally, 'the part of population' should be 'a part of the population.' While these errors are present, they do not impede communication. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles, as these are recurring minor issues.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.