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)
In this period of modernity, many people believe that access to clean water is a basic human right and every household should have a free water supply. Although clean water is essential for human survival, I strongly disagree with the idea that it should be provided completely free of charge. In my opinion, governments should ensure affordable access to clean water while charging reasonable fees for its supply and maintenance.
Supporting my disagreement with the given statement, I firmly believe that providing and maintaining a water supply requires a considerable amount of money. Governments have to construct pipelines, water treatment plants and storage facilities, as well as pay for regular repairs and maintenance. If water services were completely free, governments might not have sufficient funds to maintain these systems. To cite an example, large cities require continuous investment to repair old pipelines and ensure that drinking water remains safe. Moreover, reasonable water charges can help governments improve the quality and reliability of water services.
Explaining another supporting point against this statement, it is true that completely free water may encourage people to waste it. As a result, households may leave taps running or use excessive amounts of water because they do not have to pay for their consumption. For instance, people may use large quantities of clean water for washing cars or watering gardens. Therefore, charging for excessive consumption can encourage responsible use and help conserve limited water resources.
In conclusion, although clean water is an essential human necessity, I strongly disagree that every household should receive an unlimited water supply completely free of charge. I believe that governments should provide affordable access to clean water and offer financial assistance to low-income families while charging reasonable fees to other households.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
You have clearly addressed all parts of the prompt, maintaining a consistent position throughout the essay. Your argument is well-developed, with two distinct, logical supporting points: the financial burden of infrastructure maintenance and the issue of water wastage. Each paragraph provides a clear topic sentence and relevant supporting details, such as the mention of pipelines and the example of washing cars. The conclusion effectively summarises your stance while adding a nuanced suggestion regarding financial assistance for low-income families, which demonstrates a thoughtful approach to the topic. The response is fully relevant and addresses the prompt comprehensively.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a single central theme, and the transition between paragraphs is smooth. You make effective use of cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'Moreover', 'As a result', and 'For instance', which help guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is appropriate, with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The referencing is clear throughout, and the flow of information is natural and easy to follow, meeting the requirements for a high band score in this criterion.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to discuss the topic with precision. Phrases such as 'period of modernity', 'essential human necessity', and 'financial assistance' are used accurately. You successfully incorporate topic-specific vocabulary like 'infrastructure', 'consumption', and 'maintenance'. While the vocabulary is accurate and appropriate for the task, it stays within the realm of standard academic English. To reach a higher band, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or idiomatic expressions, but the current level is well-suited for clear, effective communication without any noticeable errors in word choice.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
Your writing displays a good variety of complex sentence structures, such as the use of conditional clauses ('If water services were completely free...') and concessive clauses ('Although clean water is essential...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and grammar is strong. There are no significant errors that impede communication. The structure is varied enough to maintain interest and demonstrate a high level of proficiency. The grammatical accuracy is consistent throughout the essay, reflecting a solid command of English syntax.
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