Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

Access to clean water is undoubtedly one of the most fundamental necessities of human life. Some people argue that, because clean water is a basic human right, every household should receive an unlimited water supply free of charge. I partly disagree with this view because, although everyone should have access to a sufficient amount of safe water, charging households for their consumption can encourage responsible use and help governments maintain water infrastructure.

First and foremost, providing basic access to clean water is essential for protecting public health and ensuring a decent standard of living. Without safe water, people cannot maintain proper hygiene, prepare food safely or prevent the spread of many diseases. This issue is particularly serious for low-income families, who may struggle to pay for essential utilities. Therefore, governments should ensure that every household has access to a minimum quantity of clean water, regardless of its financial situation. For example, governments could provide a basic amount of water free of charge to every family and offer additional financial assistance to households experiencing poverty.

However, making the entire water supply completely free could create several problems. Water treatment, transportation and the maintenance of pipes require substantial financial resources. If consumers do not have to pay anything, they may also be less careful about how much water they use. This could result in unnecessary consumption, particularly in countries that already experience water shortages. For instance, people might leave taps running, frequently wash cars or use excessive amounts of water for gardening if there is no financial incentive to reduce consumption. A reasonable charge for water above a basic allowance could therefore encourage people to use this limited resource more responsibly.

Another important consideration is the long-term sustainability of public water systems. Water companies and governments need sufficient revenue to repair ageing pipelines, improve treatment facilities and respond to population growth. If all household water were provided without charge, governments would need to obtain this money entirely through taxation or other sources. This could place an additional burden on taxpayers. A more balanced approach would be to provide a free or heavily subsidised basic allowance while charging progressively higher rates for excessive consumption. Such a system would protect vulnerable households without encouraging waste.

In conclusion, I disagree with the idea that all household water should be completely free. Although access to a basic amount of clean water should be guaranteed as a human necessity, consumers should pay for excessive use. This approach would combine social responsibility with environmental sustainability and would help ensure that clean water remains available for future generations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

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 ideas are well-developed, with a logical distinction between the necessity of basic access and the economic/environmental arguments for charging for excess usage. You provide relevant examples, such as the mention of low-income families and the specific ways water might be wasted, which strengthens your argument. The conclusion effectively synthesises your main points, ensuring the response is balanced and persuasive. You have met all the requirements of the task with a well-structured and thoughtful argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organised, with a clear progression of ideas from one paragraph to the next. Each paragraph has a central theme, introduced by a clear topic sentence. You use a variety of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'First and foremost', 'However', 'Another important consideration', and 'In conclusion', which guide the reader through your argument smoothly. Referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct points. The flow of information is natural, and the relationship between ideas is always explicit, making the essay very easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows you to express your ideas with precision. You use topic-specific terminology such as 'infrastructure', 'sustainability', 'subsidised', and 'financial incentive' accurately. The collocation is generally natural, and you avoid repetitive language. While the vocabulary is strong and appropriate for an academic context, there is room to incorporate even more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to reach the highest band. Overall, your lexical control is excellent and contributes significantly to the clarity and professional tone of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

You display a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses and conditional forms. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation is excellent. You use modal verbs and passive constructions appropriately to discuss policy and hypothetical situations. There are no significant grammatical errors that impede communication. The sentence variety is good, alternating between simple and complex structures to maintain interest and clarity. Your command of grammar is consistent and demonstrates a high level of accuracy throughout the text.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.