Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-16

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)

Essay:

Access to clean water is widely considered a fundamental human right essential for survival and public health. While some argue that this means water should be supplied to every household completely free of charge, I disagree with a blanket free-supply policy because it risks severe resource depletion and strains municipal infrastructure, though governments must ensure that basic needs are heavily subsidized for vulnerable populations.

The primary argument against making residential water entirely free is the inevitability of waste and overconsumption. When a critical natural resource has no financial cost attached to it, consumers lose the economic incentive to conserve it. In many cities worldwide, completely unmetered or free water systems have led to catastrophic leakages, excessive garden watering, and high per-capita usage that drains local reservoirs. Furthermore, purifying, treating, and pumping water through vast pipe networks requires continuous capital investment, energy, and maintenance. Without revenue generated from utility bills, municipal water authorities would lack the funds necessary to repair aging infrastructure or upgrade purification technology, ultimately leading to compromised water quality and systemic supply failures.

Nevertheless, because clean water is vital for human dignity, a completely unregulated commercial market is equally unacceptable. A more balanced and sustainable approach is the implementation of a targeted lifeline tariff. Under this system, every household is allocated a specific, non-negotiable volume of water required for basic drinking, cooking, and sanitation either free of charge or at a heavily subsidized rate. Any consumption exceeding this essential threshold is then charged at progressive commercial rates. This framework successfully protects low-income families and upholds the humanitarian right to water while penalizing excessive use and generating the revenue needed to maintain public utilities.

In conclusion, while treating water as a fundamental human right is crucial, making every drop of residential water completely free is economically and environmentally impractical. A structured lifeline pricing model offers a much more viable solution by balancing universal access with resource conservation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the task by taking a clear and well-developed position on whether water should be provided completely free of charge. The introduction establishes a nuanced stance, disagreeing with a blanket free-supply policy while acknowledging the need for heavily subsidized basic needs. The body paragraphs extend and support this position effectively with relevant arguments concerning resource depletion, infrastructure maintenance, and the practical alternative of a targeted lifeline tariff. Ideas are thoroughly explored without irrelevant digressions, aligning well with the Band 8 descriptor for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The essay demonstrates a clear logical progression and a well-managed structure from start to finish. Paragraphing is used skillfully, with each body paragraph dedicated to a distinct aspect of the argument—the first addressing the consequences of free water and the second proposing a viable alternative. Cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Nevertheless', and 'Under this system' are employed flexibly and naturally without being mechanical. Referencing and substitution are handled adeptly, maintaining seamless transitions between sentences and paragraphs, thereby meeting the criteria for a high band in coherence and cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The student uses a wide, fluent, and flexible range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic context. Less common lexical items such as 'resource depletion', 'unmetered', 'catastrophic leakages', 'lifeline tariff', and 'progressive commercial rates' are utilized skillfully and accurately. Word choice and collocations are generally natural, with only very occasional minor lapses. The vocabulary deployed allows the writer to convey precise meanings smoothly and effectively, satisfying the requirements for a strong Band 8 performance in lexical resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The writing exhibits a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of control and accuracy. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, featuring sophisticated subordinate clauses and participial phrases, such as 'When a critical natural resource has no financial cost attached to it...' and 'Without revenue generated from utility bills...'. Punctuation and grammar are handled with precision, and any minor slips do not impede communication in the slightest. The grammatical flexibility demonstrated easily secures a Band 8 score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.