Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-07-27

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

I am writing this letter regarding the problem regarding trash collection in my society.

I am resident of Airport and Countryside are the city of Brampton. In my area we are facing issues regarding garbage collection since last weeks, first of all the trash trucks are not coming on time for example they have specific day to collect the different trash. They are not only delaying the collection but also they are not doing their job in the correct way, they to not clear the rubbish bin properly and they leave the bins in between the road.

This is very big concern as it is affecting our society members in many ways such as bins on the road can lead to accidents. Moreover, leftover trash creates bad smell.

I hope you will consider my request on priority basis, I think you should make a strict action against these employees to tackle this issue.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The letter addresses all three bullet points of the prompt: describing the system failure, explaining the impact on residents, and suggesting a solution. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the suggestion to 'make a strict action' is vague and could be more detailed to show a better grasp of formal letter-writing conventions. The tone is generally appropriate for a formal complaint, though the opening is slightly informal. To reach a higher band, ensure that each point is expanded with more specific detail or examples to fully satisfy the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of the complaint. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and limited. Phrases like 'first of all' and 'moreover' are used, but the transitions between sentences could be smoother. Additionally, there are some issues with sentence structure, such as the run-on sentence in the second paragraph ('They are not only delaying...'), which affects the flow. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring clear sentence boundaries would significantly enhance the coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There is some repetition of basic words like 'trash' and 'garbage'. Phrases such as 'very big concern' and 'doing their job in the correct way' are functional but lack the sophistication expected at higher bands. There are also minor errors in collocation, such as 'make a strict action' instead of 'take strict action'. To improve, you should aim to incorporate more precise, topic-specific vocabulary related to municipal services and formal complaints.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally hinder clarity. Examples include 'I am resident of Airport' (missing article), 'since last weeks' (incorrect preposition/pluralization), and 'they to not clear' (typographical error). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma splices where full stops or semicolons would be more appropriate. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and article usage will help improve accuracy.

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