Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-05

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 a fundamental human necessity, and some people argue that every household should receive a free water supply because clean water is a basic human right. While I agree that everyone should have access to safe drinking water, I disagree that unlimited household water should be provided completely free of charge.

Firstly, governments have a responsibility to ensure that all citizens can obtain sufficient clean water, particularly those who are poor or living in areas with inadequate infrastructure. Providing a basic amount of water free of charge could help prevent serious health problems and reduce inequality. For example, low-income families may struggle to pay utility bills, and guaranteeing a minimum supply would ensure that they can maintain basic standards of hygiene and sanitation. Therefore, free access to a reasonable quantity of water can be justified on humanitarian grounds.

However, making all household water completely free could lead to excessive consumption and place a significant financial burden on governments. Water treatment, purification, storage and distribution require substantial investment, and these costs must ultimately be paid by someone. If people do not have to pay anything for water, they may be less careful about their usage, resulting in unnecessary waste. A better approach would therefore be to provide every household with a free basic allowance while charging for consumption above this level. This system would protect people's fundamental needs while encouraging responsible use of a limited natural resource.

In conclusion, although I strongly support the idea that everyone should have access to clean water, I do not believe that unlimited household water should be free. Governments should guarantee a basic amount of safe water at no cost and use reasonable charges for additional consumption. This would balance human rights with environmental and economic sustainability.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have clearly stated your position in the introduction and maintained it consistently throughout the essay. The arguments are well-developed, particularly the distinction between a 'basic allowance' and 'unlimited' usage, which demonstrates a sophisticated approach to the task. You have provided relevant reasons and logical support for your stance, such as the mention of infrastructure costs and the need for environmental sustainability. The ideas are extended and supported effectively, meeting the requirements for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a central theme, starting with the acknowledgement of the human right to water, moving to the government's role, and concluding with a balanced solution. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'However', 'Therefore', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader through your argument. The paragraphing is logical and contributes to the overall clarity of the response. The flow between sentences is smooth, and the relationship between ideas is always clear.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a wide and flexible range of vocabulary, which allows for precise expression. Phrases such as 'fundamental human necessity', 'inadequate infrastructure', 'humanitarian grounds', and 'environmental and economic sustainability' show a high level of lexical control. The word choices are natural and appropriate for an academic context. There are no noticeable errors in word choice or collocation, and the vocabulary used is sophisticated enough to convey complex ideas clearly and effectively throughout the essay.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures with a high degree of accuracy. You successfully use complex sentences, such as conditional structures ('If people do not have to pay...') and concessive clauses ('While I agree that...'). Punctuation is used correctly to manage sentence flow, and there are no significant grammatical errors. The majority of sentences are error-free, and the control over tense and aspect is consistent. The writing is fluent and demonstrates a strong command of English grammar.

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