Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-08-31

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 undoubtedly essential for human survival, and everyone should have access to a safe and reliable water supply. However, I do not completely agree that water should be provided free of charge to every household. In my view, governments should guarantee a basic amount of clean water for everyone, while charging for excessive consumption.

The main reason for providing free access to basic water is that it is necessary for life and public health. Poor families may struggle to pay water bills, and denying them access could lead to serious health problems and inequality. For example, governments can provide a minimum amount of water free of charge so that every household can meet essential needs such as drinking, cooking and personal hygiene. This would ensure that people are not deprived of a basic human necessity because of their financial situation.

On the other hand, making all household water completely free could encourage unnecessary consumption and place a considerable financial burden on governments. Water treatment, transportation and maintenance of supply systems are expensive. If people do not have to pay anything, they may be less careful about how much water they use. For instance, some households might waste large quantities of water by frequently washing cars, watering gardens or leaving taps running. A reasonable pricing system can therefore encourage responsible consumption and help fund the maintenance of water infrastructure.

In conclusion, I believe that every person should have guaranteed access to a basic quantity of clean water free of charge. However, households should pay for water used beyond this essential level. This approach would protect the right to clean water while also encouraging conservation and ensuring that water systems remain financially sustainable.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear, nuanced position from the introduction, arguing for a tiered system rather than a binary 'yes' or 'no'. The ideas are well-developed, with the first body paragraph focusing on the humanitarian aspect and the second on the economic and environmental necessity of conservation. The arguments are logical and supported by relevant examples, such as the mention of washing cars or watering gardens. The conclusion effectively synthesises your position, ensuring the response is balanced and fully satisfies the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, and the transition between the humanitarian argument and the economic argument is smooth, facilitated by the phrase 'On the other hand'. Cohesive devices such as 'For example', 'For instance', and 'In conclusion' are used naturally and effectively to guide the reader. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the internal structure of each paragraph is coherent, with clear topic sentences that set the stage for the supporting arguments provided.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'excessive consumption', 'financial burden', 'financially sustainable', and 'essential needs' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The word choice is precise and natural throughout the essay. While the vocabulary is consistently accurate and fits the register well, it stops just short of the 'wide, flexible, and skilful' range required for the highest band, but it is certainly more than sufficient for a high-level score.

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 people do not have to pay anything, they may be less careful...') and compound-complex sentences, with very few errors. Punctuation is used accurately to support the flow of ideas. The grammar is consistently error-free, and the few minor slips that might occur are non-systematic. The control over tense and modal verbs is particularly strong, contributing to the clarity and professional tone of the writing.

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