Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-11
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 basic human necessity, and some people argue that every household should receive a free water supply because it is a fundamental human right. I partly agree with this view, as everyone should have access to a minimum amount of safe water, but I do not believe that unlimited household water should be provided free of charge.
On the one hand, providing free access to clean water can protect people's health and ensure a basic standard of living. Water is essential for drinking, cooking, bathing and maintaining hygiene, so low-income families should not be denied access because they cannot afford it. If governments provide an amount of water free of charge, the needy households can meet their essential needs without having to sacrifice other necessities such as food or medicine. For example, in rural areas, free or heavily subsidised water supplies could reduce the risk of diseases caused by the consumption of contaminated water.
On the other hand, making all household water completely free could lead to excessive consumption and place a significant financial burden on governments. Water treatment, transportation and infrastructure require huge investments, and these costs ultimately have to be paid by someone. Moreover, when people do not have to pay for water, they may be less careful about wasting it. This may raise concerns in regions that already experience water shortages. A reasonable charging system may encourage responsible use while still protecting poorer citizens.
In conclusion, I agree that everyone should have access to a basic quantity of clean water free of charge because it is essential for human health. However, I disagree that households should receive an unlimited water supply without payment. A combination of free basic provision and charges for excessive consumption would be fair.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.5 |
| Overall | 7.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt. You have taken a clear, nuanced position by arguing for a tiered system rather than a binary 'yes' or 'no'. Your ideas are well-developed, particularly the distinction between basic human needs and the risk of excessive consumption. The arguments are supported by relevant reasoning, such as the mention of infrastructure costs and the potential for water wastage. The conclusion effectively synthesizes your position, ensuring the response remains focused and relevant throughout. The development of ideas is balanced and logical, meeting the criteria 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, and the transition between the 'on the one hand' and 'on the other hand' arguments is smooth and effective. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Therefore', and 'In conclusion' are used naturally to guide the reader. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the two main body arguments, and the conclusion. The flow of information is consistent, and the relationship between ideas is always clear, demonstrating a high level of control over the structure of the essay.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task. Phrases such as 'fundamental human right', 'heavily subsidised', 'excessive consumption', and 'financial burden' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used naturally and with precision. While the range is sufficient and effective, it could be pushed further into more sophisticated or idiomatic territory to reach the highest band. However, the current usage is accurate, and there are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede communication or detract from the professional tone of the essay.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5
The essay displays a wide range of grammatical structures, including complex sentences with subordinate clauses (e.g., 'If governments provide an amount of water free of charge, the needy households can meet their essential needs...'). The majority of your sentences are error-free, and your control over punctuation and tense usage is excellent. There are no noticeable grammatical slips that interfere with meaning. The variety of sentence types—ranging from simple statements to more complex, multi-clause arguments—demonstrates a high level of grammatical flexibility and accuracy, which is consistent with the requirements for a high band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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