Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-18
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 6.5)
Access to clean water is essential part of human life and everyone should have the right to use it. I completely agree that every household should be provided with a clean water supply free of charge because water is necessary of basic survival and free access can improve public health and reduce inequality.
Firstly, clean water is vital for maintaining good health and preventing diseases. People need water for drinking, cooking, bathing and cleaning , so charging households for this basic necessity can create difficulties for low-income families. If clean water is provided free of cost, poor people can meet their essential needs without worrying about whether they can afford it. For example, in developing areas, some families may have to spend a significant part of their limited income on buying drinking water. A free and reliable water supply would allow these families to use their money for other necessities such as food, education and healthcare.
Secondly, providing water free of charge can promote equality and benefit society as a whole. Wealthier households can easily pay water bills, whereas disadvantaged families may reduce their water consumption because of financial problems. This could result in poor hygiene and the spread of water-related diseases. Governments can therefore treat clean water as a basic public service and cover the cost through taxation or public funds. For instance, if every home in a community receives a safe water supply regardless of its financial situation, people are more likely to maintain proper hygiene and live healthier lives.
In conclusion, I strongly agree that every household should receive a free supply of clean water. Since water is indispensable for survival, health and hygiene, governments should ensure that all citizens have access to it, particularly those who cannot afford to pay for this essential resource.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The response fully addresses all parts of the task by presenting a clear, well-supported position agreeing that clean water should be provided free of charge. The introduction clearly states the writer's stance, and the body paragraphs present well-developed arguments regarding public health benefits and the reduction of socioeconomic inequality. For example, the student explains how low-income families might struggle to afford water and how free access would allow them to redirect funds toward food and education. The ideas are extended logically with relevant examples, such as the comparison between wealthier households and disadvantaged families. Overall, the task response demonstrates a strong, coherent argument that meets all requirements for this criterion, earning a solid band 7.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The essay displays a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus, moving smoothly from the introduction to two well-structured body paragraphs and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader, such as 'Firstly,' 'Secondly,' and 'For instance.' Paragraphing is used appropriately, ensuring that each main idea is handled in its own section. Although referencing is generally clear and logical, the use of cohesive markers is at times slightly formulaic, which prevents the essay from reaching the highest band. Nevertheless, the overall arrangement is coherent and easy to follow, easily satisfying the descriptors for band 7.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, allowing for some flexibility and precision. Phrases like 'basic necessity,' 'public hygiene,' 'indispensable for survival,' and 'socioeconomic inequality' show an awareness of appropriate style and collocation. There are some minor slips or awkward phrasings, such as writing 'essential part of human life' instead of 'an essential part,' but these do not impede communication. Less common lexical items are attempted with reasonable success, such as 'disadvantaged families' and 'financial situation.' Overall, the vocabulary is adequate and precise enough to convey the intended meaning clearly, aligning well with the band 7.0 descriptor.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, demonstrating good control of grammar and punctuation. The writer successfully employs conditional and relative clauses, such as 'If clean water is provided free of cost, poor people can meet their essential needs...' and '...families may have to spend a significant part of their limited income on buying drinking water.' There are occasional minor errors, such as missing articles ('essential part' should be 'an essential part' and 'necessary of basic survival' should be 'necessary for basic survival'), but frequent error-free sentences are present. These minor inaccuracies do not impede communication, reflecting a solid band 7.0 level of grammatical competence.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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