Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-03

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)

Accessibility of clean water is a basic human right and every household need to have a water supply free of cost. I disagree to the statement, as free of charge could lead individuals to waste water and government could have less money for further water development projects.

The water supply with no charge could lead to wastage of water, as most people may think if its free why close it. This thinking could lead to shortage of water when necessary. Even though clean water is a basic human right and providing it for free to every home may seem to be a good idea, but to those people who do not own a house, they are not benefitted through this scheme. For example, a person is running late to go to work, and he lefts the water tap running because it is easily accessable and free to use, however this method could lead to wastage of water and not enough for other people. There are even evidences regarding the matter that proves that wasting water could lead to shortage of water when needed.

Generally, government charges certain amount for water supply, which is one source of income for them. If they provide water to every household for free, this income are lost that makes the later water development difficult. In particular, providing free water is a charity work, and the world government is not yet ready to provide free things to every one even if it is water. The government providing candies to the whole city for free could lead the citizens to come by again and again, which leads to increase of expenses of government could be an example for this matter.

In conclusion, even though clean water is necessary for every human being, providing it for free could lead to wastage of water and higher the bills for government in future development plan.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

Your position is clear from the introduction and conclusion: you disagree because free provision may encourage waste and reduce funds for water projects. Both points are relevant, and the example of a tap being left running illustrates the first. However, the response only partly develops the task: it does not explain how a basic right could be protected while still charging for use, or distinguish essential household access from excessive consumption. The claim that people without homes would not benefit is also introduced but not explored. The comparison with free candies is less convincing because it does not closely match water provision. Develop the main arguments with more precise reasoning and relevant examples to make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The essay has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and the two main reasons are separated clearly. Linking expressions such as “For example,” “Generally,” and “In conclusion” help signal the stages of the argument. However, progression within paragraphs is sometimes unclear or repetitive. The first body paragraph moves from waste to people without homes, then back to waste, while “There are even evidences regarding the matter” repeats the point without adding support. The second paragraph shifts from government income to charity and then to candies, which weakens the line of reasoning. Use clearer topic sentences and make each example directly explain the paragraph’s central claim; ensure references such as “this method” have an unmistakable antecedent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic-related vocabulary to communicate the main ideas, including “water supply,” “wastage,” “shortage,” and “water development projects.” There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “basic human right” and “providing it for free.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations sound unnatural, sometimes making the meaning less precise: “Accessibility of clean water,” “free of cost,” “not benefitted through this scheme,” and “higher the bills” are examples. “Evidences” is also an incorrect plural form, and “accessable” is misspelled. Aim for more natural academic combinations and avoid repeating “free” and “water” where a precise alternative is available. The message remains understandable, but these inaccuracies limit flexibility and clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “as,” “even though,” and “which,” and the overall meaning can generally be followed. However, complex structures are often faulty, and errors recur in agreement, verb forms, articles and sentence construction. For example, “every household need” should use a singular verb, while “this income are lost” has a subject–verb agreement problem. In “a person … and he lefts the water tap running,” the verb form is incorrect; “Even though …, but …” also combines two contrasting structures unnecessarily. The long sentence beginning “The government providing candies” is difficult to parse because its clauses are not clearly connected. Practise building accurate complex sentences and check agreement and clause boundaries.

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