Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-29

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 and safe water is essential for human health and well-being. Some people therefore argue that every household should receive a free water supply. I agree that everyone should have access to a basic amount of clean water, but I do not believe that unlimited household water should be provided entirely free of charge.

There are several reasons why governments should ensure free or affordable access to basic water. First, clean water is necessary for drinking, cooking and maintaining personal hygiene, so a lack of access can have serious consequences for people's health. This is particularly important for low-income families, who may struggle to pay for essential services. Providing a minimum amount of water free of charge could therefore help ensure that no one is deprived of this basic necessity. In addition, governments have a responsibility to provide essential public services, especially to vulnerable members of society.

However, making all household water completely free could create financial and environmental problems. Water must be collected, treated, stored and transported, all of which require substantial investment and ongoing maintenance. If consumers were not required to pay anything, some people might also use water unnecessarily, for example by wasting large quantities on gardening or other non-essential activities. A better approach would be to provide every household with a sufficient basic allowance at no cost or at a highly subsidised rate, while charging for consumption beyond this level. Such a system could protect people's basic needs while encouraging responsible use of water.

In conclusion, I strongly support the principle that everyone should have access to clean water, but I disagree with the idea that unlimited household water should be completely free. Providing a free basic allowance, combined with reasonable charges for excessive consumption, would be a more sustainable solution.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response fully addresses all parts of the prompt by presenting a nuanced position on whether clean water should be provided free of charge. The writer's stance is clear throughout: while basic access should be free or subsidised, unlimited household water should not be entirely free. The ideas are well developed and supported with relevant reasoning, such as the distinction between basic human needs and non-essential activities like gardening. The arguments regarding government responsibility and economic sustainability are logically extended without significant over-generalisation. The response meets all task requirements effectively, demonstrating a strong understanding of the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The essay is logically sequenced, with a clear progression of ideas from the introduction through to the balanced body paragraphs and conclusion. Each paragraph has a distinct central topic; for instance, the second paragraph outlines arguments for free basic water, while the third shifts smoothly to the financial and environmental challenges of completely free provision. Cohesive devices such as 'First', 'In addition', 'However', and 'In conclusion' are used appropriately to guide the reader through the argument. Paragraphing is skilfully handled, ensuring the text is cohesive, easy to follow, and cohesive referencing is well managed throughout.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student demonstrates a wide and flexible vocabulary range suited to an academic discussion. Less common items such as 'subsidised rate', 'ongoing maintenance', 'vulnerable members', and 'sustainable solution' are used accurately. Word choice and collocations are generally precise, for example, 'deprived of this basic necessity' and 'excessive consumption'. While the vocabulary does not quite reach the sophisticated, highly natural control required for a Band 9, it exceeds Band 7 standards by consistently maintaining precision and flexibility without noticeable errors in word formation or spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The response features a wide range of grammatical structures, successfully blending simple and complex sentences. The majority of sentences are error-free, showcasing excellent control of complex clauses, such as conditional and concessive structures ('If consumers were not required to pay anything, some people might also use water unnecessarily...'). Punctuation is accurate, and punctuation boundaries are well maintained. Only very occasional minor slips occur, but these do not impede communication in any way. The grammatical control strongly reflects the descriptors for Band 8.

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