Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · 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 7.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

Hope you are doing well, I am writing to express my concern about the recent problem with garbage and waste collection in our area. The Tristone Heights is one of the best places to live in the area, although the garbage collection vehicle time is very uncertain and not regular as well.

It has been a week and the rubbish collection truck has still not arrived to collect the waste. Thus, the street looks very dirty and the smell of the waste goes through between the units, which makes it very inconvenient for the residents to stay in their homes comfortably. Additionally, it may cause the health problems for the young children and elderly ones as well.

I request you to schedule the street cleaning vehicle as soon as possible and fix the time as well at least five days a week. I believe, this issue will be addressed on the priority basis and problem will be resolved.

Looking forward to your response on this concern.

Your Faithfully,

Tim Cook

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

You have successfully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You described the irregularity of the collection system, explained the negative impact on residents regarding hygiene and health, and provided a clear suggestion for improvement. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a local council. The ideas are relevant and clearly presented, ensuring the reader understands the nature of the problem and the desired outcome. To reach a higher band, you could provide slightly more detail on the specific 'problems' caused by the smell or the exact nature of the 'uncertain' schedule to further develop your ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a closing. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, which helps the reader follow your argument. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Thus', 'Additionally', and 'I believe', which help connect your ideas. However, the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that the transition between the problem description and the proposed solution is smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'inconvenient', 'residents', and 'priority basis'. The language is generally natural and conveys your meaning clearly. There are a few minor issues with word choice, such as 'goes through between the units' which is slightly awkward. To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations related to waste management, such as 'sanitation services' or 'accumulated refuse'. Overall, the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate your message effectively without any misunderstanding.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'the garbage collection vehicle time is very uncertain' (which could be phrased more naturally) and 'the smell of the waste goes through between the units'. Additionally, there is a minor error in the closing: 'Your Faithfully' should be 'Yours faithfully'. Despite these errors, your grammar does not impede communication. To achieve a higher score, focus on refining your use of articles and prepositions, and try to vary your sentence structure further.

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