Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-21

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 5.5)

Dear Sir /Ma,

I, Lydia Ola, is writing on behalf of the community about the Litter that is being piled up by walkers every day at Yorkshire Road.

For me, passing through this road on my way to and from work gives me a sense of belonging to the area where I grew up in which I can not comfortably beat my chest about now. The litter being piled up daily here is so disgusting and gives the environment a form of awkward look which can easily transition to diseases for people who inhabit in this particular area especially children who are easily susceptible to sicknesses because of their fragile nature.

I am suggestting the Local council to look into this urgently and solution proffered by discarding all the pile of litter in order for the environment to be habitable for people living within.

Further to this, I believe the government can also be contacted so they can use their power of authority to bring solution so as to eradicate this as soon as possible.

Thank you in anticipation to your response.

Yours Faithfully,

Lydia Ola

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the location, Yorkshire Road, explain its personal significance, describe the litter as a growing and unpleasant problem, and call for action. However, the response only partly fulfils the task: the reason for enjoying walking is expressed indirectly through your commute and childhood connection, rather than clearly describing what you enjoy about walking in the countryside. The litter description is also general; “all the pile of litter” does not tell readers what kinds of rubbish you have seen. Your proposed actions—asking the council to act and contacting the government—are relevant but under-developed. Specify practical measures, such as providing bins, arranging regular clean-ups, or putting up signs, to make your suggestions clearer and more persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter has a recognisable structure, with an opening, separate paragraphs for the situation and proposed action, and a polite closing. The ideas are generally understandable, and “Further to this” signals an additional suggestion. However, progression is not always clear: the first paragraph introduces the litter, while the next combines your personal connection, the effects of rubbish, and health concerns in one long sentence. The two action paragraphs also repeat the general call for authorities to respond without developing distinct steps. Use clearer paragraph focus and connect each point directly to the task—for example, one paragraph on why you walk and what you see, followed by a focused paragraph of practical solutions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some topic-relevant vocabulary, including “litter,” “walkers,” “environment,” and “susceptible,” and you attempt more formal expressions such as “on behalf of the community.” However, several choices are unnatural or imprecise, which limits clarity: “a form of awkward look,” “solution proffered,” and “bring solution” do not express your meaning naturally. “Piled up” is repeated and may suggest a single heap rather than litter scattered along a route. There are also spelling and word-form issues, including “suggestting.” Aim for straightforward, accurate collocations such as “rubbish is accumulating,” “the area looks unsightly,” and “the council should provide more bins.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a sentence explaining the effect of litter on local residents and children. However, errors are frequent, and some long constructions are difficult to follow. For example, “I … is writing” has incorrect subject–verb agreement, while “I am suggestting the Local council” uses an incorrect verb form and awkward sentence structure. In “where I grew up in which I can not comfortably beat my chest about now,” the relative clauses are not joined clearly. The sentence beginning “The litter being piled up daily” also lacks a clear main clause before “is so disgusting.” Use shorter sentences, check agreement and verb forms, and punctuate complex ideas so each sentence has a clear subject and main verb.

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