Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-07-29

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 6.0)

Dear sir,

I am writing to inform you about the garbage collection system, which is not working properly and cause various issues in the town.

The days on which garbage truck comes, always varied, which results into piles of garbage on the road side. Apart from that the garbage trucks are also produce lots of noise during the garbage collecting process. Moreover, I have been looking for two weeks about the unprofessional way to collect the garbage, which ultimately result into broken waste bins every single week.

This problem will not only cause significant health issues among dwellers, but also cause unpleasant smell. Because of this children are unable to play and enjoy the outdoor activities.

Kindly make a organized plan for garbage collection, which will significantly improve this issue. Apart from that provide specific training to the staff, so they can use the essential skills which are require to perform their job more effectively. Had the council invested in this earlier, the current crisis regarding garbage collection system could have mitigated.

Thank you for your prompt response and to receiving a resolution to this matter.

Your faithfully,

Nardeep Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The letter addresses the task by explaining the issues with the rubbish collection system and its impact on the community. However, it lacks detail about how those problems specifically affect neighbours. Phrases like "significant health issues" could be substantiated with examples or clearer effects. The suggestion for a plan is relevant but could benefit from more specificity about how to implement improvements. Overall, it meets the basic requirements but could expand on the effects and suggested solutions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The organization of the letter is generally effective, with clear paragraphs for description, impact, and suggestions. However, the ideas could be better connected with transitional phrases to enhance flow. For example, using transitions like "Furthermore" or "In addition" could clarify relationships between the ideas. Some sentences are somewhat choppy, affecting the overall cohesiveness. The conclusion is present but could be more formally stated to fit the context of a letter to local authorities.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used attempts to convey many relevant ideas, but at times it lacks precision. Words like "unprofessional" and phrases such as "broken waste bins" could be replaced with more formal language fitting for the context. Variations in word choice were limited, as seen in phrases like "garbage truck comes," which is repetitive. Correcting these choices and incorporating synonyms can elevate the lexical resource. Overall, the letter demonstrates some range but needs more sophistication to reach higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The grammar shows a variety of sentence structures, though there are several errors that impact clarity. For example, "which is not working properly and cause" should be "which is not working properly and causes". There are also issues with subject-verb agreement and article usage, such as "the garbage trucks are also produce". While the general meaning is maintained, these mistakes detract from the overall grammatical range and accuracy. Reducing errors while maintaining complexity would be beneficial.

Overall feedback

You’ve done well in addressing the main aspects of the task, such as describing the problem and its impacts. To improve your score, focus on expanding your suggestions with specific examples and enhancing the organization of your paragraphs. Consider using more formal vocabulary and phrases to sound more professional. Additionally, pay attention to grammatical structures, ensuring subject-verb agreement and proper tense usage for clearer communication. Practice revising sentences for clarity and formality in your writing.

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