Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-01
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 5.5)
Living life was easier when basic necessities were free of cost. When essentials werenot charged and werenot taxed just because they were peoples need. When man came into this world the creator didnot demand payment for the world's access, but somehow we humans think so highly of ourselves that charging money for whats not even rightfully ours to claim seems right. I am born anad raised in Karachi, at the age of 12 I started observing that my father used to buy water from stores and pay for it rather than using tap water, when I inquired as to why he did so, I was welcomed by a small smile. That smile made me realise that this is the reality of life. What made me more intrigued was, it wasn't just us who paid but people from all over the world were doing the same.They were paying for water and paying to the ones who had no right to claim it theirs. Water is basic necessity of life, we need it for washing purpose,for drinking and,for cooking;we need it for almost everything. If it was meant to be charged then why has the creator of this world just let it be there for free? and not just let it be there to exist,why has the creator been so generous to even make it flow around the world for it to be used by everyone no matter the place and region they exist in? The world needs to think of their actions again, and we should start questioning right and wrong, water shouldn't be charged rather it should exist as the God wants it to exist.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
Your position is clear: you disagree with charging households for water, and the memory of your father buying bottled water gives the response a personal, relevant example. You also explain why water matters for drinking, washing and cooking. However, the argument is only partially developed. The discussion relies mainly on the claim that water is a gift from the Creator, rather than explaining practical reasons for free household supply or addressing how water treatment, delivery and conservation could be funded. The opening also makes broad claims about necessities being free without supporting them. To strengthen the response, develop two clear reasons and consider a counterargument before explaining why your position remains preferable.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response has a recognisable line of thought, moving from a general belief about basic necessities to a personal example and then to a conclusion about water as a shared resource. The personal anecdote helps connect the topic to your position. However, the whole response is presented as one paragraph, so the stages of the argument are not clearly separated. Several ideas are joined in long sentences, and repeated references to the Creator make the progression feel circular rather than cumulative. Some links, such as “What made me more intrigued,” do not clearly introduce a new reason. Use separate paragraphs for your position, supporting reasons and conclusion, and make each paragraph advance one distinct point.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use relevant vocabulary such as “basic necessity,” “tap water,” “washing,” “drinking” and “cooking,” which makes the subject clear. There are also attempts at more expressive language, including “rightfully ours to claim” and “generous.” However, the range is limited and several phrases are awkward or imprecise, such as “washing purpose,” “the ones who had no right to claim it theirs,” and “the place and region they exist in.” Repetition of “free,” “paying” and “water” also limits flexibility. Aim for more precise topic vocabulary and natural collocations, for example, discussing access, supply, treatment costs and public services. Check spelling and spacing in forms such as “were not” and “did not.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt a range of sentence forms, including conditional questions such as “If it was meant to be charged then why…” and longer sentences that explain your personal experience. However, many sentences are incomplete or difficult to control. “When essentials were not charged…” and “When man came into this world…” are dependent clauses presented as sentences, while “I am born anad raised” has an incorrect verb form. There are also recurring problems with articles, agreement and punctuation, including “Water is basic necessity” and the run-on construction near the end. These errors sometimes make the reader work to follow your meaning. Build complete sentences first, then use shorter, accurately punctuated sentences alongside more complex structures.
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