Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-09
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 7.0)
While access to clean water is undeniably a fundamental human right, I disagree with the assertion that it should be provided entirely free of charge to every home. Although essential for survival, a completely free water supply presents severe environmental and economic challenges.
Firstly, making water entirely free often leads to reckless consumption. Human psychology dictates that we rarely value what we do not pay for. If households face no financial penalty for excess usage, they are less likely to conserve it—whether by taking excessively long showers or failing to fix leaks. In an era of escalating global water scarcity, pricing acts as a crucial deterrent against waste.
Secondly, the infrastructure required to deliver safe drinking water is immensely expensive. Water treatment plants, extensive pipe networks, and sewage management require continuous investment. If water is universally free, governments must shoulder this massive financial burden, often resulting in degraded infrastructure. For instance, in several global municipalities where water tariffs are heavily subsidized or non-existent, the lack of revenue directly correlates with crumbling pipes and frequent supply interruptions.
In conclusion, while no one should be denied water due to poverty, a blanket policy of free water for all is unsustainable. A more practical solution is a tiered billing system: providing a basic, free water allowance to cover essential daily human needs, while charging for any consumption beyond that threshold. This guarantees the human right to water while simultaneously encouraging conservation and funding vital public infrastructure
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The essay presents a clear and consistent position throughout. The arguments regarding environmental impact and economic sustainability are well-developed and logical. However, the response is 243 words long, failing to meet the 250-word minimum requirement. This under-length issue results in a penalty, as the task instructions were not fully satisfied. While the ideas are strong and the conclusion provides a nuanced solution, the brevity prevents a more thorough exploration of the topic, which is necessary for a higher band score.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has a central theme, and the progression of ideas is smooth. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'In conclusion' are used effectively to guide the reader. The referencing is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate. The flow of the argument is natural, and the relationship between the ideas is easy to follow, demonstrating a good command of organizational structure.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an academic context. Phrases like 'reckless consumption', 'escalating global water scarcity', and 'blanket policy' demonstrate a strong command of language. The student uses collocations effectively, such as 'financial burden' and 'supply interruptions'. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling. The range is sufficient to convey complex ideas with clarity and precision, meeting the criteria for a high band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences and conditional clauses. The punctuation is accurate, and the sentence construction is varied. There are no noticeable grammatical errors, and the writing is fluent and error-free. The control over complex structures is consistent throughout the text, which is a hallmark of a high-level response. The clarity of the writing is excellent, and the grammatical accuracy supports the overall coherence of the argument.
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