Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing to complain about the faulty litter system that is causing problems to the residents around the locality.

I have been living in this apartment since a year however, there are several issues of rubbish collection that is disturbing our daily lives. Firstly, there are not enough bins for the garbage, and as a result it overflows, which causes bacteria and health problems to the people. The pickups are also delayed for a week and sometimes they do not show up at all.

It has led to several problems to the fellow neighbors as well as me. The pungent odors drift into homes, making it difficult to keep the windows open or enjoy outdoor spaces. Additionally, the rubbish attracts mosquitoes and flies, which affects overall health by causing illness such as dengue.

I would appreciate it if you could provide additional bins for wet and dry litter to each family. This will not only reduce diseases but also increases better air quality for the residents.

Thank you for the attention to this matter.

Yours sincerely,

Rachel Zane

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly describe the failure of the rubbish collection system, explain the negative impact on residents, and provide a constructive suggestion for improvement. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a local council. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, providing a clear picture of the situation. To reach a higher band, you could expand slightly more on the specific nature of the 'faulty system' or provide more detail on the proposed solution to demonstrate a more sophisticated approach to the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a formal closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which aids readability. You use cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Additionally', and 'not only... but also' to link ideas effectively. The progression of ideas is smooth and easy to follow. To improve, ensure that the transition between the description of the problem and the impact is even more seamless, and consider using a wider variety of linking phrases to avoid a slightly mechanical feel in the structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'pungent odors', 'locality', and 'residents' appropriately. There are some minor word choice issues, such as 'faulty litter system' (litter usually refers to trash on the ground, whereas 'waste management' or 'rubbish collection' is more accurate for a system) and 'increases better air quality' (which is slightly awkward phrasing). However, these do not impede communication. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise collocations and less common vocabulary related to environmental or municipal issues.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'I would appreciate it if you could provide...' and 'This will not only reduce diseases but also increases...'. There are some grammatical slips, such as 'since a year' (should be 'for a year') and 'problems to the residents' (usually 'problems for the residents'). Additionally, there is a subject-verb agreement error in 'increases better air quality' (should be 'increase'). Despite these errors, the meaning is always clear, and the grammar does not hinder the reader's understanding of your message.

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