Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-15
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
You enjoy walking in the countryside near your home. However, you are noticing that there is more and more litter left there by other walkers.
Write a letter to your local newspaper. In your letter
say why you enjoy walking and where
describe the litter you have seen on your walks
suggest what might be done about the problem
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,
Student answer (Band 6.5)
Dear Madam,
I hope you are doing well. I am writing this letter to express my concern about increasing amount of waste left by other walkers those who walk by this countryside area.
As this countryside area is very close to my home, I usually visit this every morning for a walk. The walk consist of circular path around the lake with the trees surrounding it. I generally enjoyed walking here because it is full of fresh air and a pleasant place to start the morning.
However, these days I have found that there is an increase number of waste thrown by the other walkers ruining the beauty of this countryside place. I have seen number of empty plastic bottles of water that are thrown on the ground and also some wrappers of food as well.
I would suggest, the government can increase the number of dustbins at this area alongwith the notice board mentioning not to throw the garbage elsewhere or he would be charged a fine of $100.
I hope you would bring this concern to public and government by your newspaper.
Thank you so much.
Best regards,
Akshay
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0
The letter addresses all three points and maintains a clear, appropriate purpose: you explain that you walk near the lake close to home, describe plastic bottles and food wrappers, and recommend more bins and warning signs with a fine. The details about the circular path, trees and fresh air help explain why you enjoy the location, while the specific examples make the litter problem clear. Your request for the newspaper to raise the issue also suits the audience. To strengthen the response further, develop the proposed measures a little more—for example, explain where bins should be placed or how fines could be enforced. The ideas are relevant and supported, though the solution is presented quite briefly.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0
The letter has a clear progression: purpose, description of your walks, the litter problem, and suggested action. Paragraphing separates these stages effectively, and linking expressions such as “However” and “I hope” help guide the reader. The opening and closing also make the format recognisable as a letter to a newspaper. Some connections are less smooth because phrases such as “this countryside area” and “this” are repeated, and the transition into the recommendation is abrupt. You could improve flow by referring back more precisely to the location and linking the litter examples directly to the need for bins and enforcement. Overall, the organisation is logical and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use enough vocabulary to communicate the topic, including “circular path,” “fresh air,” “plastic bottles” and “wrappers of food.” These details make the setting and litter understandable. However, several word choices and collocations are noticeably unnatural or imprecise, such as “increasing amount of waste,” “increase number of waste,” and “bring this concern to public.” Repetition of “countryside area” and “walkers” also limits flexibility. Aim to use more natural combinations and vary references to the place and problem. For example, “rubbish left by visitors” and “raise this issue with the public” would express your meaning more idiomatically and precisely.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response includes both simple sentences and attempts at more complex structures, such as “because it is full of fresh air” and the relative clause “with the trees surrounding it.” The main message remains understandable, but errors occur across sentence forms and agreement. For instance, “The walk consist” should be “The walk consists,” and “I generally enjoyed” does not fit the present routine as well as “I generally enjoy.” In “I would suggest, the government can increase,” the punctuation and clause structure are faulty; a clearer form is “I would suggest that the government increase…” Articles and plural forms also need attention, as in “an increase number.” Practise checking agreement, tense consistency and sentence boundaries.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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