Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing a letter to complain about this system. This system has deteriorated. This is creating pollution and spreading. Please focus on this situation and solve the problem and the people are safe from diseases and pollution.

Therefore, the rubbish collection system is extremely inadequate and they are focused on this problem. All people are disturbed due to rubbish and diseases are transmitted. For many days they do not come pick up the garbage.

Furthermore, it is very distressing for me and my neighbours. When we wake up early in the morning and go to walk, when I open the door then too much smell and heaps of garbage in front of the door. Which create safety worries for children and older residents who walk past the bins.

I am extremely requesting you, please send a special truck immediately to pick up all extra waste, ensure workers follow the regular weekly timetable without delays, and please provide the extra large containers in our zone to handle the heavy volume waste.

I await your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The letter addresses all three bullet points of the prompt: the system failure, the impact on residents, and suggested solutions. However, the development of these points is somewhat repetitive and lacks specific detail. For instance, the description of the problem is vague, and the explanation of the impact focuses heavily on the smell without exploring other potential consequences. While the tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a council, the ideas could be expanded further to demonstrate a more sophisticated level of engagement with the task. The purpose of the letter is clear, but the overall development is basic.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally awkward. For example, the transition 'Therefore, the rubbish collection system is extremely inadequate and they are focused on this problem' does not logically follow the previous paragraph. Additionally, some sentences are disjointed, such as 'This is creating pollution and spreading.' The referencing is sometimes unclear, making the flow between ideas feel slightly forced rather than natural. Improved use of linking words would enhance the overall progression of the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There is a reliance on simple, repetitive terms like 'rubbish', 'garbage', and 'problem'. Phrases such as 'too much smell' and 'extremely requesting you' are unnatural and indicate a limited range of collocations. While the meaning is always clear, the student struggles to use more sophisticated or idiomatic language. To reach a higher band, the student should aim to use more precise vocabulary related to municipal services and environmental issues, and focus on more natural word combinations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Issues include incorrect verb forms ('they do not come pick up'), awkward phrasing ('Which create safety worries'), and punctuation errors. Some sentences are grammatically incomplete or poorly constructed, such as 'This is creating pollution and spreading.' While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to be noticeable. The student needs to focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of relative clauses to improve the accuracy and complexity of their writing.

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