Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Dear Sir/Madam,

i am writing this letter to you to inform the beautiful walking area nerar my home is bthiecoming dirty very fastly. i want informing you this is situated in the right side of of our colony Golden avenue by a small canal . it has very suitable and calm place for morning walk and jogging aside this . it has plenty of vegitation and residence of different types of birds which makes it unique and enjoyable. so i start my day with strolling here and do some light exercise daily.

I noticted that , from last few months somepeople staeted to scatered the liteer near by the cannal.It consists plastic wastage and stale food which spreads foul smell inti the air .i found very difficulty to walk there even sometimes it is tough to take a breath here. today i found a pile of old clothes and shoes which occupied near about mre than half way.

it is suggested that this problem shloud be come into the attention of public as soon as possible by publish in an a popular newspaper like yours. it will aware the public to save this place for future in good conidition and will stop the person who is spoiling this .

I am eagerly waiting for your promprt reply,

your sincerely,

Parwinder

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address all three points: you explain that you walk beside a canal near Golden Avenue for the birds, greenery and exercise; describe plastic waste, stale food, clothes and shoes; and suggest publicising the issue in a newspaper. These details make the letter relevant and give the reader a clear sense of the problem. However, the proposed response is less fully developed than the description: explain what readers or local authorities should actually do, such as adding bins, arranging clean-ups or enforcing penalties. The opening also focuses on informing the newspaper rather than clearly presenting your concern as a request for help. Developing the practical solution and purpose more explicitly would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter has a clear overall arrangement: the first paragraph introduces the walking area, the second describes the litter, and the third proposes a response. This logical progression, together with basic links such as “so” and “today,” helps the reader follow your message. The paragraphing is appropriate and the letter format is recognisable. To make the organisation more fluent, use transitions that show the relationship between ideas more precisely, and avoid joining several points in long, loosely connected sentences. For example, separate the location and its attractions, then connect the litter’s effects to your request for action. Some punctuation and spacing around clauses also interrupt the flow, so clearer sentence boundaries would strengthen cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary to describe the setting and problem, including “canal,” “vegetation,” “foul smell,” and “pile of old clothes and shoes.” These choices help convey the scene, and the range is sufficient to communicate the main message. However, spelling errors and inaccurate or unnatural word combinations are noticeable, including “nerar,” “fastly,” “plastic wastage,” and “scatered the liteer.” Such errors sometimes make the reader pause or infer the intended meaning. Aim for accurate, natural phrases rather than translating expressions directly: for instance, describe “plastic waste scattered near the canal” and say the area is “becoming dirty quickly.” Proofreading spelling and checking collocations would make your vocabulary more effective.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, and the reader can generally understand the main message. For example, you explain that the area has birds “which makes it unique and enjoyable,” and describe how the waste affects walking and breathing. However, control of sentence structure and verb forms is inconsistent: “I want informing you” and “I noticted that, from last few months” do not form accurate grammatical patterns. Articles, agreement and prepositions also need attention, as in “it has very suitable and calm place” and “on the right side of of our colony.” Use complete, carefully structured sentences, and check tense and agreement. For example: “For the past few months, some walkers have been leaving litter near the canal.”

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

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