Band 8.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.5 · 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 8.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to bring to your attention to the ongoing problem with the garbage collection.

The problem started a month ago when the new waste disposal team was formed. Our weekly garbage day is Monday and the garbage bins are put out on the sidewalk a day before to be collected on Monday morning. The garbage collectors do not follow the schedule and often come a day later which causes inconvenience to the neighbourhood. Some of the residents have already complained to the drivers about their lack of reliability but there has been no change in the routine.

The uncollected bins on the street attract a lot of rodents such as raccoons, rats, etc. causing rummaging and scattering of the garbage on the street. Moreover, recently a pedestrian was attacked by a raccoon who was foraging through the bins. In addition, locals have to clean the street frequently due to the scattering of the garbage.

I request the council to hold a meeting with the waste management team and form a fixed schedule for garbage collection. Also, update the local residents about the selected day and time for the rubbish collection. I hope the issue will be resolved promptly.

Kind regards,

Harman

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.5

The response successfully addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly describe the inconsistency of the collection schedule, explain the negative consequences (rodents and safety concerns), and offer logical suggestions for improvement. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a council. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, providing a clear picture of the situation. To reach a higher band, you could ensure that the opening and closing are slightly more formal in their phrasing, but overall, the task requirements are fully met with a clear and consistent position throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which helps the reader follow your argument easily. You use cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'In addition', and 'Also' to link your sentences effectively. The paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter. The flow is smooth, and the relationship between the problem and the proposed solution is clearly established. The structure is coherent, and the use of referencing is accurate, making the text easy to read and understand.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message with precision. Phrases like 'bring to your attention', 'lack of reliability', and 'foraging through the bins' are well-chosen and appropriate for the context. There are no significant errors in word choice or collocation that impede meaning. While the vocabulary is functional and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated or less common lexical items could elevate the response further. However, the current range is more than adequate for the task and shows a good command of English for this level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The response shows a good control of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'The problem started a month ago when the new waste disposal team was formed.' There is a minor error in the first sentence ('bring to your attention to'), where the second 'to' is redundant. Additionally, there is a minor error in relative pronoun usage ('a raccoon who was foraging' should be 'that was foraging' for animals). Despite these rare slips, the majority of your sentences are error-free, and your punctuation is generally accurate throughout the letter.

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