Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-01
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 6.5)
Access to clean water is very important for every human being. Some people believe that every home should get a free water supply because clean water is a basic human right. I partly agree with this statement because people need water for their basic needs, but providing unlimited water for free can also create some problems.
Firstly, clean water is necessary for a healthy life. People need water for drinking, cooking, washing and cleaning. Poor families may find it difficult to pay for water, especially when their income is low. If the government provides a basic amount of water for free, it can help these families to live a better and healthier life. Therefore, I believe that everyone should have access to a certain amount of clean water without paying.
However, giving unlimited water completely free to every home may lead to unnecessary use. Some people may waste water because they do not have to pay for it. For example, they may leave taps running or use too much water for washing cars and gardens. This can create water shortages in areas where water is already limited. Also, governments need money to clean and supply water, so completely free water may increase the financial burden on them.
In conclusion, I agree that clean water should be available to everyone as a basic human right. However, I do not think unlimited water should be completely free. A basic amount should be provided free of charge, while people can pay for extra usage.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response addresses all parts of the prompt, clearly stating a 'partly agree' position. The arguments are relevant and well-developed, particularly the distinction between a basic human right and the potential for waste if supply is unlimited. The ideas are logically extended, such as the suggestion of a tiered pricing model to balance affordability with conservation. The response is balanced and maintains a clear position throughout, meeting the requirements for a Band 7.0 performance.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is used appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a central theme. The flow of ideas is smooth, and the progression from the necessity of water to the economic implications of free supply is logical and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The vocabulary is sufficient for the task and allows for some precision, such as 'financial burden', 'unnecessary use', and 'water shortages'. While the range is adequate, it lacks the more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations that would push the score into the 8.0 range. The word choices are accurate and appropriate for the context, and there are no spelling errors that impede communication. The student demonstrates a good grasp of topic-specific vocabulary.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The essay demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate throughout. There is good control over punctuation and sentence construction, such as in the sentence: 'If the government provides a basic amount of water for free, it can help these families to live a better and healthier life.' While the range of complex structures is not highly varied, the accuracy is high, which is consistent with a Band 7.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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