Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-07-26

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 8.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my concern about the poor rubbish collection service in my neighbourhood .

Over the past few weeks, rubbish has not been collected regularly, and the bins have been overflowing with household waste. In some cases, the collection trucks have completely skipped our street for several days. Although the council has a fixed collection schedule, it has not been followed consistently, which has resulted in a large amount of waste accumulating in the area.

This situation is causing serious inconvenience to both me and my neighbours. The unpleasant smell has made it difficult to spend time outdoors, while the overflowing bins have attracted rats and insects, creating health and hygiene concerns. Not only is this problem affecting our daily lives, but it is also making the neighbourhood look untidy and unwelcoming.

I would appreciate it if the council could investigate this matter and ensure that rubbish is collected on time every week. In addition, I believe that providing extra bins and increasing the frequency of collection during busy periods would help prevent this problem from occurring again. If these measures are implemented promptly, the cleanliness and safety of our community will improve significantly.

Kind regards,

Daljit Singh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly describe the failure of the collection system, explain the negative impact on your neighbourhood regarding hygiene and aesthetics, and provide logical, actionable suggestions for improvement. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a local council, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and supported, meeting all the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which helps the reader follow your argument easily. You use a range of cohesive devices such as 'Although', 'In addition', and 'Not only... but also' to link your sentences and ideas effectively. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the problem description and the proposed solutions is smooth and natural.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal complaint. Phrases like 'household waste', 'fixed collection schedule', 'health and hygiene concerns', and 'implemented promptly' show a strong command of topic-specific language. The vocabulary is used accurately and naturally throughout the letter. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation, and the language used is sufficiently varied to convey your message with precision and clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

Your writing displays a high level of grammatical control. You successfully use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as the conditional sentence in the final paragraph ('If these measures are implemented...'). Punctuation is used correctly, and there are virtually no grammatical errors. The sentence construction is sophisticated, and the flow of the text is not interrupted by any mechanical or structural issues, indicating a high level of accuracy.

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