Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-11-10

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The system used for rubbish/garbage collection in your local area is not working properly. This is causing problems for you and your neighbours. Write a letter to the local council. In your letter

• describe how the rubbish collection system is not working properly
• explain how this is affecting you and your neighbours
• suggest what should 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 Sir or Madam,

I am writing with regard to an issue about garbage collection system in my area which is not working properly.

From few weeks its happening that rubbish collection truck is not coming on the weekends as it usually came in past but instead of that now truck comes to collect garbage in any of weekdays without any notice.

This problem is affecting me and my neighbours because we are not getting any advance notice about the changes of timing and days with which we do not put our garbage bins outside for collection. Moreover, This issue result us allot of waste collection at our house and the bins are full now we do not have space to throw garbage.

Lastly, I would like to suggest that provide us advance notice when there are any changes in timing or dates for garbage collection.

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon about this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Amandeep kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You address all three requested points: you describe the changed collection schedule, explain that residents miss collections and have overflowing bins, and ask the council to give advance notice. The purpose is clear from the opening, and the request is relevant and polite. The explanation of the impact is supported by a practical consequence—there is no space for more rubbish—but the letter could develop the problem further, for example by describing smells, pests, or inconvenience to neighbours. Your proposed action focuses on notification; adding a request for a reliable collection schedule or a missed-collection service would make the solution more complete and better supported.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter follows a clear progression from introducing the issue, to describing the schedule change, explaining its effects, and making a request. Paragraphing helps distinguish these stages, and phrases such as “Moreover” and “Lastly” guide the reader through the points. The closing is appropriate for a formal letter. Some links are less smooth: “From few weeks its happening” makes the transition into the details awkward, while “with which we do not put our garbage bins outside” obscures the relationship between the changed schedule and residents’ actions. Use clearer links such as “As a result” and ensure each sentence expresses one step in the cause-and-effect sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic vocabulary to communicate the issue, including “garbage collection,” “rubbish collection truck,” “advance notice,” and “bins.” The tone is generally suitable for a formal complaint. However, several choices and combinations are unnatural or imprecise, such as “an issue about garbage collection system,” “waste collection at our house,” and “allot of waste collection.” These make parts of the message less clear and show limited control of collocation. Aim for standard phrases such as “the rubbish collection service,” “waste has accumulated,” and “a large amount of rubbish.” Also keep terminology consistent: choose either “rubbish” or “garbage” throughout the letter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the main message remains understandable. However, errors in articles, verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction are frequent enough to limit accuracy. For example, “From few weeks its happening” needs a time expression and a more accurate verb form, while “as it usually came in past” has an incorrect tense and missing article. In “This issue result us allot of waste collection,” the verb pattern and agreement are faulty. Capitalisation after “Moreover” and the comma before “but” also need attention. Practise accurate present perfect forms for ongoing problems and check each sentence for a clear subject and correctly formed verb.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.