Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-11-12

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 to express my dissatisfaction with the van coming for garbage collection in my area as it is not working properly. This is causing considerable inconvenience for me and all the residents living in the area. This rubbish collection system was supposed to collect garbages twice a week but from past month, they are rarely showing up to collect garbage. There are huge piles of garbages around every corner in the area.

Moreover, this is affecting everyone in numerous ways. Firstly, residents are complaining that they are getting sick from the bacteria spreaded in the air from garbage piles. Secondly, its affecting the society image. Additionally, children are unable to play outside as there's a lot of foul smell.

I would appreciate if you could look into this matter and make things work properly. As this issue should not be overlooked. I would be grateful if you could either talk to them and fix things if possible or replace the garbage collecting van with other alternate option.

I am looking forward to your prompt response.

Your faithfully,

Sukhdeep Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The letter addresses all three requirements: it explains that collections were expected twice weekly but have been rare over the past month, describes effects on residents and children, and asks the council to intervene. The request to speak with the collection service or replace the van gives the council a practical direction. The impact is relevant, but some points are asserted rather than developed: for example, the claim that residents are becoming sick could be supported with a specific consequence, and “affecting the society image” is vague. A clearer account of missed collections or a more precise explanation of the harm would make the ideas more fully extended and persuasive.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information follows a clear sequence: the collection failure is introduced, its effects are listed, and the final paragraph proposes action. Paragraphing supports this progression, and signposts such as “Moreover,” “Firstly,” and “Additionally” help readers follow the points. The organisation is effective overall, though the list of impacts relies somewhat heavily on these explicit connectors. The sentence “As this issue should not be overlooked” is a fragment and interrupts the flow between the request and the proposed solutions. Integrating it with the preceding sentence would make the connection smoother. The closing is appropriately placed, although the sign-off should match the formal greeting.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for explaining the problem and its effects, with useful phrases such as “considerable inconvenience,” “huge piles,” and “foul smell.” The writer also attempts more formal language, including “express my dissatisfaction” and “look into this matter,” but some choices are inaccurate or imprecise. “Garbages” is not the usual plural form; use “rubbish” or “piles of garbage.” “Spreaded” should be “spread,” while “society image” would be clearer as “the neighbourhood’s appearance.” The phrase “other alternate option” is redundant and awkward. More precise collocations would make the complaint sound more natural and appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The letter uses a mix of simple and more complex forms, including the relative clause in “children are unable to play outside as there's a lot of foul smell” and the conditional request “I would appreciate if you could…”. Meaning remains clear, but some grammatical errors persist. “From past month” needs an article and a more suitable time expression, such as “for the past month”; “its affecting” should be “it’s affecting”; and “I would appreciate if” is more complete as “I would appreciate it if.” The standalone sentence beginning “As this issue…” is a fragment. The closing “Your faithfully” also contains a form error. Checking sentence completeness, apostrophes, and standard letter formulas would improve accuracy.

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