Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-02

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 and safe water is undoubtedly an essential human necessity, and some people argue that it should therefore be provided to every household free of charge. I partly agree with this view, because governments should guarantee access to a basic amount of clean water, but charging for excessive consumption is necessary to prevent waste and maintain the water supply system.

On the one hand, providing a basic water supply free of charge would ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, can meet their essential needs. Water is required for drinking, cooking and maintaining basic hygiene, so denying access to it because of poverty could have serious consequences for public health. For example, low-income families may struggle to pay utility bills during periods of unemployment, and free access to a minimum quantity of safe water could protect them from dehydration and poor sanitation. Therefore, governments have a responsibility to ensure that no household is deprived of this fundamental resource.

On the other hand, making all water completely free could encourage excessive consumption and place a considerable financial burden on governments. Water treatment, purification, storage and distribution require substantial investment, and these costs have to be covered in some way. If households could use unlimited amounts without paying anything, people might be less careful about their consumption, leading to unnecessary wastage. A more practical approach would be to provide every household with a reasonable amount of water free of charge and charge users for consumption above this limit. This would protect people’s basic rights while also encouraging responsible use of water.

In conclusion, I believe that clean water should be freely available to every household for essential needs, but unlimited consumption should not be free. A system that guarantees a basic supply while charging for excessive usage would be both socially fair and economically 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 position from the introduction and maintained it throughout the essay. The ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between basic needs and excessive consumption, which provides a balanced and logical argument. Each paragraph is well-supported with relevant reasoning and examples, such as the mention of public health and the economic burden of infrastructure. The conclusion effectively synthesises your position, ensuring the task requirements are met with a high level of clarity and focus.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the transition between the two sides of the argument is smooth, using effective cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand' and 'On the other hand'. The use of referencing is precise, and the flow of information is natural. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the two body paragraphs, and the conclusion. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words, making the overall structure very coherent.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the academic nature of the task. Phrases such as 'financial burden', 'economically sustainable', and 'fundamental resource' show a high level of control. The word choices are precise and contribute to the clarity of your argument. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and you successfully use less common items to convey your points with sophistication. The vocabulary is consistently accurate and enhances the overall quality of the writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with high accuracy. You effectively use complex sentences, such as conditional structures ('If households could use...') and subordinate clauses, without any significant errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the punctuation is handled correctly throughout. The control over verb tenses and modal verbs is consistent, which helps in expressing your nuanced position clearly. There are no grammatical slips that impede communication, reflecting a high level of proficiency.

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