Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-07-28
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 7.0)
Dear Sir or Madam,
The purpose of my writing today is to inform you about the system used for the collection of garbage has stopped working.
To start with, the major purpose of this garbage system is to issue e-tickets for rubbish collection team specific for our locality. Since yesterday due to some technical issue, computer program is not able to generate new tickets for the team.
Due to unavailability of work orders, teams are unable to collect the garbage. Because of this issue my neighbors and myself are affected as whole street has a foul smell and it could become contagious if no action is taken soon.
My suggestion to this instance would be to engage the engineering team as soon as possible and fix the garbage collection system. Additionally, you could also contact some private agency as well.
Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated. Furthermore, an open line of communication, from your side, in this case would greatly help out.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.5 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly described the technical failure of the e-ticket system, explained the negative impact on your neighborhood, and provided actionable suggestions for the council. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a local authority. To reach a higher band, you could expand slightly on the impact, perhaps describing the specific health risks or the duration of the problem, to ensure the ideas are fully developed rather than just mentioned. Overall, the response is relevant and fulfills the requirements of the task effectively.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5
The letter follows a logical structure with clear paragraphing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which helps the reader follow your argument. You use some cohesive devices such as 'To start with', 'Due to', and 'Additionally' to link your ideas. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. To improve, try to vary your linking phrases and ensure that the flow between sentences is smoother. For instance, the transition between the problem description and the impact could be more fluid. Overall, the organization is clear and easy to follow.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'contagious', 'unavailability', and 'cooperation'. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'garbage system' (which sounds slightly unnatural) and 'to this instance' (which is not the standard collocation). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey your meaning clearly, it lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. Focusing on more natural collocations and idiomatic expressions related to formal complaints would enhance your score in this area.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that persist throughout the text. For example, 'the system used for the collection of garbage has stopped working' contains a redundant 'the' or missing relative pronoun structure. You also have minor errors with articles, such as 'as whole street' (should be 'as the whole street') and 'contact some private agency' (should be 'a private agency'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on article usage and sentence construction will help improve your accuracy.
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