Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-26

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 safe drinking water is undeniably necessary for human survival, leading many to claim that governments should supply household water free of charge. I partly agree with this view because basic water needs should be accessible to everyone regardless of income, but I also believe that completely free water would lead to wasteful usage.

On the one hand, providing free water for essential daily needs ensures equality and protects public health. Water is required for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene, so treating it as a commercial product can put low-income families at a severe disadvantage. If poorer households cannot afford their utility bills, they may be forced to cut back on sanitation or rely on unsafe sources, which can cause widespread health problems. Therefore, offering a baseline amount of clean water at no cost is vital to uphold human dignity and prevent poverty-related health crises.

On the other hand, supplying unlimited free water to every residence creates serious practical issues. When consumers do not have to pay for what they use, they tend to take the resource for granted. For example, people might leave taps running, water large lawns excessively, or ignore minor home plumbing leaks, resulting in massive resource depletion. Furthermore, water treatment and pipe maintenance require continuous government funding. If no fees are collected, the financial burden on local authorities increases, which could lead to poorly maintained infrastructure and degraded water quality over time.

In conclusion, while I agree that clean water is a fundamental right that should be guaranteed to all citizens, providing unlimited water for free is financially and environmentally impractical. The most balanced approach is for governments to offer a basic volume of water free of charge while charging reasonable fees for excessive 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, acknowledging the human right aspect while introducing a nuanced counter-argument regarding sustainability. Each body paragraph develops a distinct, relevant idea: the social necessity of water versus the practical risks of unlimited free supply. The conclusion effectively synthesizes these points to offer a balanced solution. The ideas are well-supported with logical reasoning, such as the link between cost-free water and potential infrastructure neglect. The response is focused, relevant, and demonstrates a sophisticated 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 theme, introduced by effective transition signals such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices are used naturally and accurately, such as 'Furthermore' and 'In conclusion', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. There is a smooth flow between sentences, and the relationship between the ideas is always explicit, making the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression of your ideas. Phrases like 'undeniably necessary', 'poverty-related health crises', and 'infrastructure and degraded water quality' show a high level of lexical control. You use less common items effectively and maintain a formal, academic tone throughout. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and your vocabulary is well-suited to the topic, contributing to the overall fluency and impact of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'If poorer households cannot afford their utility bills, they may be forced to...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The variety of sentence types—ranging from simple statements to more complex, multi-clause arguments—demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence and flexibility.

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