IELTS Writing Task 2 – Band 8.0 Sample

Natural resources such as water are essential for human survival, yet people disagree about who should control their use. Some believe individuals should be free to consume as much as they wish, whereas others argue for strict government limits. I believe that some degree of regulation is necessary.

Those who support individual freedom make several reasonable points. They argue that people who pay their bills have the right to decide how much water or energy they use, and that government interference in private homes restricts personal liberty. Moreover, strict limits would be difficult and expensive to enforce, requiring constant monitoring of households and businesses. Farmers, in particular, may need large quantities of water to grow crops and could lose their livelihoods if supplies were cut sharply.

On the other hand, many people believe that natural resources are a shared asset that must be protected for everyone. Water supplies are finite, and climate change is making droughts more frequent in many regions. If individuals use resources wastefully, poorer communities and future generations will bear the consequences. For instance, when Cape Town faced a severe water shortage in 2018, strict daily limits helped the city avoid running out of water completely.

In my opinion, the second view is more convincing, although regulation should be flexible rather than rigid. Governments could introduce tiered pricing, so that basic needs remain affordable but heavy users pay much more, and impose stricter limits only during periods of shortage.

In conclusion, although individual freedom matters, natural resources are too important to be left entirely to personal choice. Sensible government regulation is needed to ensure that they are used fairly and sustainably.