Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-11-13

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 5.0)

dear sir

i hope u are doing well .i am writing letter for highlighting problem of litter collection system is not working properly. firstly , the system many time forget to collect natural waste bin which cause very bad smile and system skip many houses around society to collect waste in addition numerous times system through litter on road .

the system also effect me and neighbour when litter collecting system forget or skip few houses

the waste starte produceing bad smile and attract insect or bucks which cause health issuse but also causes or spread virus around society and me and many other members of society collect garbage from road because litter throgh by system at the time of collecting waste

there are many solution to this problem use modern data collection machine to verify every house that litter is collected make proper data every week but also. send notification that ask s

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the main points by describing missed collections and rubbish left on the road, explaining that the smell and insects affect residents, and proposing a data-checking system. These details are relevant to the council complaint. However, the response only partially fulfils the task because the proposed solution is unfinished: “send notification that ask s” does not explain who should receive notifications or what action they should take. The effects on you and your neighbours are mentioned, but the health consequences are asserted rather than clearly explained. To develop the letter more fully, specify how often collections are missed, give a concrete example of the impact, and complete a practical request, such as a reliable collection schedule and a way to report missed bins.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence: it first describes collection failures, then their effects, and finally begins to suggest solutions. This gives the reader a general sense of the letter’s purpose. However, progression within the paragraphs is uneven, and the final section stops mid-idea, so the request is not brought to a clear conclusion. Linking words such as “firstly,” “also,” and “but also” are attempted, but some are awkward or do not clearly show the relationship between ideas. The long second paragraph combines several effects and actions without clear separation. Use distinct paragraphs for the problem, its impact, and the requested action, and connect each point with simple, accurate transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “rubbish collection system,” “waste,” “bin,” “insect,” and “notification,” so the subject is generally identifiable. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate or misspelled expressions make the message harder to understand. For example, “bad smile” appears to mean “bad smell,” while “bucks” may mean “bugs”; “natural waste bin” is also unclear in this context. Phrases such as “system through litter on road” do not express the intended action precisely. Aim for accurate, natural collocations and check spelling carefully. More precise terms such as “missed collections,” “overflowing bins,” and “pests” would help you describe the problem and its consequences clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to connect ideas in longer sentences, for example when explaining that missed collections lead to smells and insects. However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and errors in sentence formation frequently make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. Examples include “i am writing letter for highlighting problem” and “the system also effect me and neighbour,” where articles, verb forms, and agreement are not controlled. Several sentences run together without reliable punctuation, particularly in the paragraph beginning “the waste starte produceing.” Capitalisation and spacing after full stops are also inconsistent. Practise building accurate simple sentences first, then combine them with clear clauses using “because” or “which.” Proofread for articles, subject–verb agreement, and sentence boundaries.

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