Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
It is widely argued that because clean water is fundamental to human survival, every household should be provided with a water supply free of charge. While I acknowledge the humanitarian arguments supporting universal access to basic necessities, I completely disagree with the notion that water should be entirely free for domestic use due to the risks of resource mismanagement and the immense financial burden on public infrastructure.
It is widely argued that because clean water is fundamental to human survival, every household should be provided with a water supply free of charge. While I acknowledge the humanitarian arguments supporting universal access to basic necessities, I completely disagree with the notion that water should be entirely free for domestic use due to the risks of resource mismanagement and the immense financial burden on public infrastructure.
On the other hand, I believe that making domestic water completely free would lead to severe negative consequences, primarily concerning conservation. When a vital resource carries no financial cost, it is rarely valued or conserved. If households faced no charges for their water consumption, excessive waste, negligence, and over-consumption would likely skyrocket. In many parts of the world already grappling with severe droughts and depleting aquifers, pricing mechanisms are crucial for encouraging water-saving behaviors, such as fixing leaks or installing efficient appliances.
In conclusion, while clean water is undeniably a fundamental human right, making residential water supplies universally free would likely result in rampant waste and unsustainable infrastructure costs. Therefore, governments should instead ensure affordability and equitable access through targeted subsidies rather than entirely abolishing water tariffs.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response presents a clear position throughout, acknowledging the humanitarian aspect while firmly arguing against free water due to economic and conservation concerns. The ideas are relevant and well-supported, particularly the argument regarding resource mismanagement. However, the essay is significantly underdeveloped. The introduction is repeated verbatim in the second paragraph, which wastes space and indicates a lack of structural planning. Furthermore, the essay lacks a second body paragraph to fully explore the 'financial burden' mentioned in the introduction, leaving the argument somewhat one-sided and incomplete. To reach a higher band, you must expand your points into distinct, well-developed paragraphs rather than repeating content.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'While I acknowledge', 'On the other hand', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, the repetition of the entire introductory paragraph as the second paragraph is a major flaw in cohesion and flow, making the text feel disjointed and mechanical. While the paragraphing is technically present, the internal structure is compromised by this redundancy. To improve, ensure that each paragraph introduces a new, distinct idea and avoid repeating text, as this disrupts the logical progression of your argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary, using terms such as 'humanitarian arguments', 'resource mismanagement', 'public infrastructure', and 'depleting aquifers' appropriately. The language is precise and fits the academic tone required for this task. There are no significant spelling or word-choice errors that impede communication. To move into the higher bands, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic academic expressions to show greater flexibility. Currently, the vocabulary is sufficient and accurate, but it lacks the 'wide and flexible' range required for a band 8 or 9.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The essay displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('If households faced no charges...') and subordinate clauses ('While I acknowledge...'). The grammar is generally accurate, with very few errors in punctuation or syntax. The majority of your sentences are error-free, which is a strong indicator of good control. To achieve a higher score, ensure that you maintain this level of accuracy while experimenting with a wider variety of complex structures, such as passive voice or inverted conditionals, to demonstrate full flexibility.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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