Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)

Access to clean water is indispensable to human survival, yet millions of people worldwide still lack a reliable supply of safe drinking water. While I strongly agree that access to clean water should be regarded as a fundamental human right, I do not believe that every household should receive an unlimited supply completely free of charge.

There are compelling reasons why governments should guarantee free access to a basic quantity of clean water. Most importantly, water is essential not only for drinking but also for food preparation, sanitation and personal hygiene. Denying people access to it simply because they cannot afford it could expose vulnerable communities to waterborne diseases and perpetuate existing inequalities. In addition, ensuring universal access to safe water can generate substantial public-health benefits, as fewer people would be forced to rely on contaminated rivers, wells or other unsafe sources. Governments therefore have a moral and social responsibility to ensure that no household is deprived of the water required to meet its basic needs.

Nevertheless, providing an unlimited amount of water free of charge would be neither economically sustainable nor environmentally responsible. Supplying and treating water requires substantial investment in infrastructure, including reservoirs, pipelines, treatment plants and sewage systems. If consumers were permitted to use water without paying anything, there would also be little financial incentive to conserve it, potentially encouraging unnecessary consumption at a time when many regions already face water scarcity. A more sustainable approach would be to provide every household with a free or heavily subsidised basic allowance and impose reasonable charges on consumption beyond that level. Such a system would protect people's fundamental right to water while encouraging responsible use and generating revenue for maintaining the water infrastructure.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that clean water is a basic human right and that governments should guarantee every household sufficient water to meet essential needs. However, this principle does not require unlimited consumption to be free. A system that provides a basic quantity at no cost while charging for excessive use would be a fairer, more sustainable and economically viable solution.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear, nuanced position from the outset, arguing that while water is a right, unlimited free access is not economically or environmentally sustainable. Your ideas are well-developed, with logical arguments provided for both sides of the debate. The distinction between a 'basic allowance' and 'excessive use' demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the topic, moving beyond a simple agree/disagree binary. The response is well-structured and directly answers the prompt with relevant, extended arguments.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the argument for free access and the counter-argument regarding sustainability is seamless, using effective cohesive devices such as 'Nevertheless' and 'In addition'. The use of referencing is precise, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow of the argument is smooth throughout, making the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, using precise terms such as 'indispensable', 'perpetuate', 'economically sustainable', and 'heavily subsidised'. The collocation is natural and sophisticated, and there are no errors in word choice. You successfully use academic vocabulary to convey complex ideas without any repetition or awkward phrasing. The language is highly appropriate for an academic task of this nature.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.5

The essay displays a wide range of complex sentence structures, including conditional clauses ('If consumers were permitted...') and sophisticated relative clauses. The grammar is highly accurate, with no noticeable errors in punctuation, tense, or agreement. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over complex structures is consistent throughout the text. The writing is polished and demonstrates a high level of grammatical competence.

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