Band 9 model answer
Access to clean fresh water, long taken for granted, is now under acute strain across much of the globe. This essay will identify the chief causes of water scarcity and outline the responsibilities of both governments and individuals in conserving this precious resource.
Several forces are depleting the world's water supplies. Foremost among them is climate change, which disrupts rainfall patterns and intensifies droughts in already arid regions. Rapid population growth and urbanisation place additional strain on finite reserves, while agriculture, which consumes the overwhelming share of fresh water through inefficient irrigation, exacerbates the shortfall. Pollution further shrinks the usable supply by contaminating rivers and aquifers that communities depend upon.
Addressing this crisis demands coordinated action at every level. Governments hold the most powerful levers: they can invest in modern infrastructure to curb leakage, promote drip irrigation among farmers, build desalination plants where feasible, and price water to discourage waste. Public campaigns can also reshape behaviour over time. Individuals, meanwhile, can make a meaningful contribution by fixing leaks promptly, installing water-efficient appliances, harvesting rainwater and abandoning wasteful habits such as over-watering lawns.
In summary, water scarcity arises from a confluence of climatic, demographic and agricultural pressures, yet it is by no means insoluble. Provided governments lead with bold investment and individuals embrace mindful consumption, humanity can safeguard its most indispensable resource for generations to come. The stakes could scarcely be higher, for no society can flourish without reliable access to clean water.
Examiner’s notes
- Task Response: the prompt's dual demand, causes plus the roles of governments and individuals, is fully addressed, with the solution paragraph explicitly separating the two actors.
- Coherence and Cohesion: cohesion is reinforced through referencing ('this precious resource', 'this crisis') and ordered listing ('Foremost among them', 'meanwhile'), avoiding repetition.
- Lexical Resource: accurate technical terms such as 'aquifers', 'desalination plants' and 'drip irrigation' alongside 'a confluence of... pressures' show flexible, precise vocabulary.