Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

Clean water is widely recognised as a essential human right, leading many to argue that governments ought to provide free household water supplies to all citizens. While I agree that ensuring access to safe drinking water is a fundamental duty of the state, I disagree with the idea that unlimited domestic water should be delivered completely free of charge.

On the one hand, providing basic water access is crucial for public health and human dignity. Clean water is required daily for drinking, cooking, and maintaining personal hygiene. If utility fees become a burden for low-income families, they may be forced to rely on untreated water sources, which significantly increases the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery. When governments guarantee affordable or cost-free water for basic needs, it protects vulnerable populations, prevents health crises, and reduces overall public healthcare costs.

A practical solution is to implement a tiered pricing scheme. Under this system, a baseline volume of water necessary for essential daily living is provided free or heavily subsidized, while higher consumption beyond this quota incurs progressive charges. This ensures that every individual's fundamental rights are safeguarded while simultaneously promoting resource conservation and generating revenue to maintain water infrastructure. Households are more likely to waste it on non-essential activities, such as washing cars or watering lawns, which accelerates the depletion of natural freshwater reserves.

In conclusion, although clean water is indispensable for survival, making household supplies entirely free for everyone is financially unsustainable and leads to waste. A managed allocation system represents a more balanced approach to fulfilling human rights while maintaining environmental and economic stability.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear position from the introduction, arguing for a nuanced approach rather than a binary 'yes' or 'no'. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between basic needs and non-essential consumption. The argument is logical and supported by relevant reasoning regarding public health and economic sustainability. The tiered pricing solution is a sophisticated way to extend the argument, showing a deep understanding of the complexities involved in the topic. The position is consistent throughout the essay, and the conclusion effectively synthesises the main points.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the acknowledgement of the human right, moving to the health implications, and finally proposing a practical solution. Cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'While', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. The transition between the problem (the need for water) and the solution (tiered pricing) is smooth and natural. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct stages of the argument, making the text easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary. Phrases such as 'fundamental duty', 'untreated water sources', 'heavily subsidized', and 'indispensable for survival' show a high level of precision and natural collocation. The language is sophisticated and contributes to the academic tone of the essay. There are no noticeable errors in word choice, and the vocabulary is used with a high degree of accuracy to convey complex ideas. The range of vocabulary is more than sufficient for the task and is used with great control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The essay displays a wide range of complex structures, including conditional sentences ('If utility fees become...'), participial phrases, and well-constructed subordinate clauses. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the grammar is highly accurate. Punctuation is used correctly to manage the flow of information. There is a high level of control over complex sentence forms, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-systematic and do not impede communication in any way. The grammatical control is consistent throughout the entire piece.

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