Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-03

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 hope you are doing well. I am writing this letter to inform you about the garbage collection system. The garbage collectors are not working properly these days. Even though they worked well in last week, now may be the truck has technical issue. when they try to pick garbage with help of truck, some garbage fell from truck system. They do not even pick that garbage. We usually found some garbage near our houses. Moreover, if there is problem in truck's picking system, they should repair them and if it is not possible they may atleast pick that garbage and throw it in dustbin again. Because some animals like Bear and raccons try to eat tham and make more mess. I want you to check system properly and let us know if we can help in. I am looking forward to your response. Thankyou.

yours faithfully,

Jashampreet kaur.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The letter covers all three bullet points required by the prompt: describing the issue, explaining the impact, and suggesting a solution. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a council. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, the description of the problem is a bit repetitive, and the suggestion could be more formal and detailed. While the task is fully addressed, the depth of the response is basic, which aligns with the descriptors for a band 6.0. To improve, ensure that each point is expanded with more specific detail or a more professional tone.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is organized into a logical structure with a clear opening and closing. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Moreover' and 'Even though' helps to link ideas, although some transitions feel a bit mechanical. Paragraphing is not fully utilized here; the body of the letter is presented as a single block, which makes it harder to follow the progression of ideas. To reach a higher band, you should separate your points into distinct paragraphs for the problem, the impact, and the solution. This would improve the overall flow and readability of the letter.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is sufficient to communicate the message, but it is quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'not working properly' and 'pick garbage' are used multiple times. There are also some minor errors in word choice, such as 'make more mess' instead of 'create a mess' and 'with help of truck' instead of 'using the truck'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise vocabulary related to waste management, such as 'sanitation services', 'refuse collection', or 'hygiene hazards'. Expanding your range of synonyms will help you achieve a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentences, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Examples include 'Even though they worked well in last week' (incorrect preposition/article usage), 'may be the truck has technical issue' (missing article and modal usage), and 'animals like Bear and raccons' (capitalization and spelling errors). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to be noticeable. Focusing on subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and consistent verb tenses will significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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