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 clean water is essential for human life, and many people argue that every household should receive a free water supply. Although clean water is undoubtedly a basic necessity, I disagree with the idea that it should be provided completely free of charge to every household. In my view, governments should ensure affordable access to clean water, while reasonable charges can be applied to control consumption and maintain the water system.
One major reason for charging households is that providing and maintaining a reliable water supply requires substantial financial resources. Governments need to build pipelines, treatment plants and storage facilities, as well as pay workers for maintenance and repairs. If water were completely free, governments might struggle to generate enough revenue to maintain these systems. For example, in large cities, ageing pipelines require regular repairs, and the money collected from water bills can contribute to these essential services.
Another important reason is that completely free water could encourage unnecessary consumption. When people do not have to pay for something, they may be less careful about how much they use. This could lead to water shortages, particularly in countries that already suffer from limited water resources. However, governments can protect poorer households by providing a certain amount of water free of charge or offering subsidies to low-income families. At the same time, higher consumption could be charged at a higher rate, encouraging responsible use.
In conclusion, although clean water is a fundamental human right and governments have a responsibility to make it accessible to everyone, I do not believe that unlimited water should be completely free. A reasonably priced system, combined with free basic supplies or financial assistance for disadvantaged families, would be a fairer and more sustainable solution.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
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 consistently throughout the essay. The arguments regarding financial sustainability and the prevention of resource wastage are well-developed and supported with logical reasoning. You also provide a nuanced perspective by suggesting that while water should not be free, there should be protections for low-income families, which demonstrates a sophisticated approach to the task. The ideas are relevant and extended well, meeting the requirements for a high band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'Although,' 'One major reason,' 'Another important reason,' and 'In conclusion' to guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the internal structure of each paragraph is coherent, ensuring that the flow of information is easy to follow throughout the response.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'substantial financial resources,' 'unnecessary consumption,' and 'sustainable solution' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used with precision and contributes to the clarity of your arguments. While the range is sufficient and effective, incorporating a few more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations could elevate the response further, but the current usage is accurate and natural throughout the text.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a high level of grammatical control. You use a variety of complex sentence structures, such as conditional clauses ('If water were completely free...') and concessive clauses ('Although clean water is...'), with high accuracy. Punctuation is used correctly to support the structure of your sentences. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and there are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over tense and modal verbs is consistent and appropriate for the formal tone of the essay.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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