Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-29

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 5.5)

Most people argue that access to clean water is a basic human right and it should be available to every single home free of cost. I completely agree with this statement because it is a basic human right that every human deserves.

First of all, the main reason why i agree with this point of view is mainly because water is essential for life and all living beings both for drinking and other uses like cleaning, cooking and washing especially to maintain proper hygiene in adults and children.

Most of the harmful bacteria and other substances can be washed away by means of water which is why it is important. For example, if we stop taking showers it may cause a lot of skin disorders which we don't want to happen in todays society when everyone cares about looks and hygiene.

Furthermore, about sixty percent of our bodies are water and both animals and plants are composed of some amount of water. Water is an essential nutrient for proper functioning of body especially for the skin and brain, digestion, and transportation of waste, thermoregulation. It provides important nutrients to the body. Water is called a universal solvent because its ability

to dissolve and transport nutrients effectively.

For example, oil unlike water can not be dissolved as easily as water therefore water is the better choice compared to it.

In conclusion, Water should be available to everyone in homes at schools and other places free of course because its a natural resource and everyone has the right to avail it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the prompt by taking a clear position in favor of free water. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. While you mention hygiene and biological necessity, the arguments remain quite general and repetitive. To reach a higher band, you should explore the economic or social implications of 'free' water—such as how governments might fund this or the potential impact on conservation—rather than focusing primarily on the biological properties of water. The conclusion is a bit abrupt and introduces new locations (schools) that were not previously discussed in the body paragraphs. Expanding on the 'human right' aspect with more depth would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression of ideas. You use some cohesive devices like 'First of all', 'Furthermore', and 'In conclusion' to signal the structure. However, the connection between sentences is sometimes mechanical. For instance, the transition between the biological importance of water and the example about oil is abrupt and lacks a clear logical link. Additionally, the use of referencing is occasionally weak; for example, 'it' is used frequently, but the antecedent is not always immediately clear. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to express your ideas clearly. You use some topic-specific terms like 'hygiene', 'thermoregulation', and 'universal solvent'. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'free of course' (which should be 'free of charge') and 'avail it' (which is not used in this context). The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simple, repetitive phrasing. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations and avoid informal phrasing to better suit the academic tone required for this task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors throughout the text. For example, 'i' should be capitalized, and there are issues with article usage (e.g., 'in todays society' should be 'in today's society'). There are also minor punctuation errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'its ability to dissolve' (missing 'is' or 'due to its ability'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent punctuation will help improve your accuracy.

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

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