Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

Access to clean water is essential for human survival, and many people argue that every household should receive a free water supply because it is a basic human right. I strongly agree with this view, although I believe that free access should be limited to a reasonable amount of water for essential household needs.

First and foremost, clean water is indispensable for maintaining health and preventing disease. People need water for drinking, cooking and basic hygiene, and a lack of safe water can lead to serious health problems, particularly among children and vulnerable people. If households were required to pay for all the water they consumed, low-income families could struggle to afford a sufficient supply. Providing a basic amount of clean water free of charge would therefore help ensure that everyone can meet their essential needs regardless of their financial situation. For example, in poorer communities, families may have to reduce their water consumption when prices rise, potentially compromising hygiene and health.

Furthermore, treating clean water as a basic public service could reduce social inequality. Water is not a luxury product that people can simply choose to live without; it is necessary for everyday life. Governments therefore have a responsibility to ensure that all citizens have access to a safe and reliable supply. This could be achieved by providing every household with a free minimum allowance while charging for excessive consumption. Such a system would protect disadvantaged families while also encouraging wealthier households to avoid unnecessary waste.

However, providing unlimited water completely free of charge could have negative consequences. If people did not have to pay anything regardless of how much they used, some might consume water irresponsibly, leading to wastage and putting additional pressure on limited water resources. A reasonable solution would be to provide enough water free of charge for drinking, cooking and hygiene, while charging households for consumption above this basic level.

In conclusion, I strongly agree that every home should have access to free clean water because it is essential for health and human dignity. Nevertheless, governments should provide a reasonable free allowance rather than unlimited free water, as this would protect people's basic rights while encouraging responsible consumption.

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 and maintain it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between a 'basic allowance' and 'unlimited supply,' which adds depth to your argument. You provide relevant reasoning regarding health, social inequality, and environmental sustainability. The conclusion effectively synthesises your main points, ensuring the reader understands your nuanced stance. The response is balanced and directly answers the question posed, meeting all requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, starting with health, moving to social inequality, and then addressing the counter-argument. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'First and foremost,' 'Furthermore,' 'However,' and 'In conclusion,' which guide the reader smoothly through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the referencing is clear throughout. The flow of ideas is natural, and the relationship between the paragraphs is well-managed, contributing to a coherent and professional piece of writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic essay. Phrases such as 'indispensable for maintaining health,' 'compromising hygiene,' and 'social inequality' show a good command of topic-specific language. You use less common items with precision, and your word choice is consistently accurate. There are no noticeable spelling errors, and the vocabulary is used naturally to convey complex ideas. The range is sufficient to allow for precise expression, and you avoid repetition by using varied synonyms throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with conditional clauses ('If households were required to pay...', 'If people did not have to pay...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and syntax is excellent. You use modal verbs and passive voice appropriately to discuss policy and hypothetical situations. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication, and the overall accuracy is very high. The variety of sentence forms used contributes to the fluency and readability of the essay.

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