Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-03
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 I agree that everyone should have reliable access to it. However, I do not believe that providing an unlimited household water supply completely free of charge is the most practical approach.
On the one hand, governments have a responsibility to ensure that all citizens can obtain clean and safe water. Water is necessary for drinking, cooking and maintaining basic hygiene, and denying people access to it can have serious consequences for both public health and living standards. In poorer communities, particularly, some families may be unable to afford regular water bills. Therefore, governments should provide free or heavily subsidised water to low-income households so that nobody is deprived of this essential resource.
On the other hand, providing unlimited water free of charge to every household could place a considerable financial burden on governments and encourage unnecessary consumption. If people do not have to pay anything for water, they may be less likely to conserve it, leading to excessive use and greater pressure on already limited supplies. A more sustainable system would be to provide every household with a basic amount of water either free of charge or at a very low cost, while charging for consumption beyond this essential level. This would protect people's basic needs while also encouraging responsible use.
In conclusion, I strongly believe that access to clean water should be guaranteed as a basic human right. Nevertheless, rather than making unlimited water completely free for everyone, governments should provide a sufficient basic supply free or at a subsidised rate and charge households for excessive consumption.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 8.0 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
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 arguments are well-developed, particularly the distinction between basic human rights and the economic reality of resource management. You provide a balanced view by acknowledging the government's responsibility while also highlighting the risks of unlimited free supply. The ideas are extended logically, and the conclusion effectively synthesises your main points. The response is well-structured and directly answers the question posed.
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 appropriate cohesive devices such as 'On the one hand', 'On the other hand', and 'Nevertheless'. Referencing is clear, and the flow of information is natural. The paragraphing is used effectively to separate the different stages of your argument, making the essay very easy to follow. There is no evidence of mechanical or repetitive use of linking words.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary that is appropriate for an academic context. Phrases such as 'financial burden', 'excessive consumption', 'subsidised rate', and 'deprived of this essential resource' show a high level of control. The word choices are precise and contribute to the clarity of your argument. While the vocabulary is accurate and fits the topic well, there is room to incorporate slightly more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to reach the highest band, but the current range is more than sufficient for a high score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0
The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'If people do not have to pay anything for water, they may be less likely to conserve it'). The control over punctuation and sentence construction is excellent, and there are virtually no grammatical errors. The use of modal verbs and conditional structures is accurate and helps to convey the nuance of your argument. The writing is fluent, and the grammatical accuracy is consistent throughout the entire piece.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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