Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-22

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 undeniably essential for human survival and well-being. Some people argue that, because it is a basic human right, every household should receive a water supply completely free of charge. I agree with this view, although I believe that people should pay for excessive consumption.

Firstly, providing a basic amount of clean water free of charge would protect public health and ensure greater social equality. Water is necessary not only for drinking and cooking but also for maintaining personal hygiene and sanitation. If low-income families were unable to afford water, they could be forced to use unsafe sources, increasing the risk of diseases. For example, families in poorer communities may have to rely on contaminated rivers or untreated water when they cannot afford a reliable supply. Therefore, governments have a responsibility to ensure that everyone can access a minimum amount of safe water.

However, making all water completely free could encourage unnecessary consumption and place a considerable financial burden on governments. Water treatment, storage and distribution require substantial investment, and these costs ultimately have to be covered by taxpayers. Moreover, some households might waste water if there were no financial consequences for excessive use. A more practical approach would therefore be to provide every household with a reasonable amount of water free of charge while charging for consumption beyond this limit. This could encourage conservation while still protecting people’s basic needs.

In conclusion, I agree that every home should have access to a free basic supply of clean water because it is essential for health and human dignity. Nevertheless, charging for excessive usage would help prevent waste and make the system more sustainable

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The student fully addresses all parts of the task by presenting a clear position right from the introduction ('I agree with this view, although I believe that people should pay for excessive consumption'). The main body paragraphs are well-developed and explore both sides of the argument, discussing public health and social equality in the second paragraph, and government financial burdens and water conservation in the third. The ideas are extended logically and supported with relevant explanations and examples, such as low-income families relying on contaminated rivers. The position is maintained consistently throughout the essay, meeting the criteria for a high band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response features a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic, with appropriate paragraphing used sufficiently and effectively. Cohesive devices are managed well, using words and phrases like 'Firstly', 'Moreover', 'Therefore', and 'In conclusion' to signal logical relationships and guide the reader smoothly through the argument. Referencing is clear, and the overall structure feels natural and cohesive without appearing mechanical or overused.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

The writer demonstrates a wide, fluent, and flexible lexical range suitable for an academic task. Less common vocabulary items are used with good awareness of style and collocation, such as 'undeniably essential', 'personal hygiene and sanitation', 'financial burden', and 'sustainable'. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies, but word choice is generally precise and natural throughout the essay. The language successfully conveys sophisticated ideas with appropriate academic tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The student utilises a wide range of complex sentence structures with a high degree of accuracy. Sentences such as 'If low-income families were unable to afford water, they could be forced to use unsafe sources, increasing the risk of diseases' demonstrate excellent control over conditionals and participial phrases. The majority of sentences are error-free, with only very occasional minor slips or punctuation issues that never impede communication. Control of grammar across both simple and complex forms is consistently strong.

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