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

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to bring to your attention the litter problem which is left by the walkers in the countryside in my neighbourhood.

I enjoy walking in the countryside as it helps me get the needed break from my busy work schedule, helping me to relax and recharge myself. I believe it is one of the way to stay close to nature. However, for the past month, while walking in the countryside I have noticed the walkers are leaving litter such as plastic water bottles, snack packs and rappers. This is damaging the beauty of nature and is harmful for the environment and for species living nearby. I believe adding the extra trash bins along the walkway on the countryside can make a big difference. Additionally, educating the people about litter problem and putting fines on spreading waste and polluting environment can help in the solving this problem.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope my suggestions prove helpful.

Yours faithfully,

Ravi

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.0
Coherence and Cohesion7.0
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.5
Overall6.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The letter addresses all three points: you explain that walking gives you a break from work and helps you stay close to nature, identify examples of litter, and propose bins, education, and fines. Your concern is clear throughout, and the environmental impact adds relevant support. The suggestions are useful, but they are presented quite generally; for example, you could specify who should install or maintain the bins, or how the newspaper might help promote awareness. The location is described only as “the countryside in my neighbourhood,” so naming a particular path or area would make the account more specific. Overall, the task is covered clearly, with some ideas extended but room for more precise development.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information follows a clear progression: you introduce the litter problem, explain your enjoyment of walking, describe what you have observed, and then offer solutions. Linking expressions such as “However” and “Additionally” help signal the shift from the positive experience to the problem and recommendations. The closing is appropriate for a letter to a newspaper. The main limitation is that nearly all the content is placed in one long paragraph, which makes the different points less easy to scan. Divide the letter into short paragraphs—for example, one for your enjoyment and location, one for the litter and its effects, and one for proposed action. This would make the organisation more polished while preserving the clear progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for the topic, including “recharge,” “plastic water bottles,” “damaging the beauty of nature,” and “polluting the environment.” These choices make the issue and its effects clear. There are, however, some inaccurate or awkward word choices and collocations: “rappers” appears to mean “wrappers,” “the needed break” is unnatural, and “fines on spreading waste” does not express the intended action idiomatically. “Litter problem” and “litter” are also repeated, so a few alternatives would add flexibility. Aim for precise combinations such as “impose fines for littering” and “install bins along the walking route.” The meaning remains understandable, but more accurate phrasing would strengthen control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and more complex structures, including the reason clause “as it helps me get…” and the participle phrase “helping me to relax and recharge myself.” The sentence beginning “However” also combines observation and consequences effectively, and the message remains clear despite some errors. There are issues with agreement and sentence construction, such as “one of the way” instead of “one of the ways,” and “can help in the solving this problem,” where the structure is not grammatical. The phrase “the walkers are leaving litter” would be more naturally framed as “walkers have been leaving litter” to match the period of observation. Review plural forms and verb patterns, and check each sentence for a complete, natural construction.

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