Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-25

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 5.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am requesting to writing a letter about noticing litter problems in our neighbourhood. I am Manasa Chindam, I have been living here for 10 years, as am a coordinator of Habsiguda street.

In addition,daily I walk around the street at dawn and dusk time because this walk not only helps me to stay healthy, but also do my duty as a coordiantor and best way to socialise to my neighbours.

As far as I am concerened, there are a plethora of problems in the countryside near by home. Firstly, litter on the road. secondly, the roads and paths uneven. Eventually, street lights are also not working properly.These problems lead to health issues to the citizens and it creates environmental pollution.

I am not compaining about these issue, I am requesting to the local newspaper reporters should address these problems and do necessary changes as soon as possible. If you could do needful, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you for your time and assistance, I look forward to your positive response.

Yours faithfully,

Manasa Chindam

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The letter gives a reason for walking—health and socialising—and identifies the general area as the countryside near your home. However, the first point is not clearly or fully answered: “around the street” and “Habsiguda street” do not establish where you enjoy countryside walks. The description of the litter is also very limited; “litter on the road” does not say what kinds of rubbish you have seen. Most of the remaining problems mentioned, such as uneven paths and broken street lights, are not litter, so they distract from the task. The proposed action is vague: asking newspaper reporters to address the problems does not explain what practical measures should be taken. Focus on all three requested points and give specific details and solutions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter has a recognisable structure, with an opening, separate paragraphs for your walking and local concerns, and a polite closing. This helps the reader follow the general purpose. You also use some linking expressions, including “Firstly,” “Eventually,” and “If you could…”. However, progression is weakened because the paragraph about countryside litter shifts to unrelated issues such as road surfaces and street lights. The list-like sequence “Firstly… secondly… Eventually…” is not consistently logical, and the final request does not clearly connect to a specific solution. Improve the flow by grouping the three task points into focused paragraphs and using links that show the relationship between the litter problem and your proposed actions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt some less common vocabulary, such as “plethora,” “environmental pollution,” and “appreciate,” and the reader can generally understand your concerns. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, including “requesting to writing,” “dawn and dusk time,” “do my duty,” and “do necessary changes.” Spelling errors such as “coordiantor,” “concerened,” and “compaining” also reduce accuracy. Some expressions are too general to describe the issue precisely: “litter on the road” does not identify what rubbish is present. Use straightforward, natural phrases and specific nouns—for example, describe discarded bottles, food wrappers, or plastic bags, and refer to practical “measures” rather than “changes.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

There are attempts to combine ideas in longer sentences, for example, “this walk not only helps me to stay healthy, but also do my duty…”. However, the structure is faulty: the verbs after “not only…but also” are not parallel, and the sentence lacks a clear grammatical connection to the preceding clause. Other errors include “I am requesting to writing,” “as am a coordinator,” and “I am requesting to the local newspaper reporters should address…”. The list “Firstly, litter on the road. secondly, the roads and paths uneven” contains incomplete sentences and missing verbs. Punctuation and capitalisation are also inconsistent, particularly after “In addition” and “secondly.” Practise complete clauses, accurate verb forms, and parallel structures; these changes will make your meaning easier to follow.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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