Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-01

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)

It is often argued that access to clean water is a basic human right and, therefore, every household should have a free water supply. While I agree that everyone should have access to clean and safe water, I disagree that unlimited water should be provided completely free of charge to every household.

To commence with, clean water is essential for human health and survival. To elaborate, governments should ensure that every person has access to a sufficient amount of safe drinking water, particularly people from low-income families who may not be able to afford basic utilities. For example,in developing countries, poor households may struggle to pay for clean water, which can force them to use unsafe sources and increase the risk of waterborne diseases. Consequently, providing a basic amount of clean water free of charge can protect vulnerable people and ensure that nobody is deprived of this essential resource.

In other words, although access to clean water should be guaranteed, providing unlimited water completely free of charge could encourage unnecessary consumption. To explicate this point, when people do not have to pay for water, they may be less careful about how much they use, which could lead to considerable wastage. A clear example of this can be seen in households where water is used excessively for activities such as washing cars or watering gardens, even when water resources are limited. Hence, a better solution would be to provide a basic amount of water free of charge while charging households for excessive consumption.

In conclusion, I believe that clean water should be accessible to everyone because it is essential for human life. However, providing an unlimited supply completely free of charge is unlikely to be sustainable. A basic free allowance combined with charges for excessive use would be a more practical approach.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The response addresses all parts of the task thoroughly, presenting a well-developed and clear position throughout. The student successfully navigates the nuance of the prompt by distinguishing between absolute free access and a practical tiered approach. Ideas are extended and supported effectively, as seen in the discussion of waterborne diseases in developing countries and the specific examples of excessive consumption like washing cars. While there is a slight tendency to overgeneralise in places, the central arguments are fully sustained and logically supported, comfortably securing a strong performance in this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The essay demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information and ideas are coherently linked, with the writer employing a range of cohesive devices flexibly, such as 'To commence with', 'Consequently', and 'To explicate this point'. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the argument. Although some transitional phrases are a little mechanical, referencing and progression remain clear and easy to follow from start to finish, maintaining a smooth flow of ideas.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The vocabulary used is more than adequate for the task, showing a sufficient range for flexibility and precision. The student successfully incorporates less common lexical items with some awareness of style and collocation, such as 'vulnerable people', 'unnecessary consumption', and 'sustainable'. There are only occasional minor inaccuracies or less natural phrasings, but overall word choice allows the writer to convey precise meanings smoothly and effectively without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.5

The writing features a good variety of complex structures alongside frequent error-free sentences, demonstrating strong control of grammar and punctuation. Complex clauses are integrated smoothly, as observed in sentences like 'While I agree that everyone should have access to clean and safe water, I disagree that unlimited water should be provided completely free of charge to every household.' While a few minor punctuation or structural slips persist, such as the missing space after the comma in 'For example,in developing countries', these errors are rare and do not interfere with overall comprehension.

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