Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-02
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 5.5)
Dear sir madam
I am saral from halifax downtown ef2 apartment, i am writing this letter because we have here alot of garbage collection in unmanner situation where every people do the same at night time. There is a big problem for our children and out neighborhood. Its smells so bad and it can create disease, bacteria or some more flu for our family members and neighbours. I would like to suggest that you can send the garbage team to collect on time and clean this area as soon as possible. There are lots of garbage company you can send it for quick and we can be feel good and send out children outside for playing and make s us feel good to live our life smoothly. Even i can put the notic there to jot put the garbage outside the bin so we can control a bit of waste outside. I will be waiting for your response. Thankyou
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The letter addresses all three bullet points required by the task. You described the issue with the collection system, explained the negative impact on your neighborhood, and suggested potential solutions. However, the development of these ideas is somewhat limited and the tone is inconsistent for a formal letter to a council. While the content is relevant, the expression of these ideas is often unclear, such as the phrase 'unmanner situation' or the suggestion to 'send out children outside'. To improve, ensure that your explanations are more precise and that the tone remains professional throughout the correspondence.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The letter is organized into a single block of text, which makes it difficult to follow. In IELTS writing, it is essential to use clear paragraphing to separate different ideas—for example, one paragraph for the problem, one for the impact, and one for your suggestions. The use of cohesive devices is very limited; you rely on simple connectors like 'and' or 'because'. To achieve a higher band, you should use a wider range of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'in addition') to guide the reader through your arguments and improve the overall flow of the letter.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
Your vocabulary is basic and often imprecise, which hinders the clarity of your message. Phrases like 'unmanner situation' and 'some more flu' are not standard English collocations and make it difficult for the reader to understand your exact meaning. You also repeat the word 'garbage' and 'good' frequently. To improve, try to use more specific vocabulary related to the topic, such as 'sanitation', 'hazardous', 'overflowing', or 'hygiene'. Expanding your range of descriptive adjectives and nouns will help you convey your points more effectively and professionally.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the letter, including issues with subject-verb agreement ('every people do'), article usage ('the notic'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are run-on or lack proper punctuation, such as the opening 'Dear sir madam' which lacks a comma. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar and syntax creates a distraction. To improve, focus on mastering simple sentence structures first, ensuring correct verb forms and punctuation, before attempting more complex sentences. Proofreading for common errors like pluralization and missing articles will also be beneficial.
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