Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-18

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 or Madam,

I am writing this letter to express my dissatisfaction for the garbage collection which is not picked up regularly which is creating problems in neighbourhood.

To elaborate, for pick up residential rubbish, trucks and vehicles are not coming regularly. Sometime it is even taking more than two weeks to take all the garbage collection. Due to these bins and bags are overflowing.

Due to these collection of waste, bugs and flies are spreading. Moreover, bad smells of compost garbage is making environment more bad and stinky. This is how it becomes a big problem for a neighbourhood and it is affecting on their health as well.

I would appreciate if you take initiative towards this problem and make proper schedule for garbage pickup so we can empty our bins.

I hope you consider my problem and I am looking forward to prompt your response.

Yours faithfully,

Pragati Nanera

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have addressed all three bullet points required by the prompt: describing the irregular collection, explaining the impact on the community, and suggesting a solution. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a local council. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited. For instance, while you mention that the situation is a 'big problem,' you could have provided more specific details about the frequency of the missed collections or the specific types of waste causing the most concern to fully develop your argument. Overall, the response is relevant and covers the requirements sufficiently for a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each serving a distinct purpose. You use some cohesive devices such as 'To elaborate,' 'Moreover,' and 'Due to these,' which help guide the reader through your argument. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical or repetitive, such as starting two consecutive paragraphs with 'Due to these.' Additionally, the referencing in the second paragraph ('Due to these bins and bags are overflowing') is grammatically awkward, which slightly disrupts the flow of information. Improving the variety of linking words would help achieve a higher band.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to communicate your message clearly. You use some relevant topic-specific vocabulary such as 'residential rubbish,' 'compost,' and 'initiative.' However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and collocation errors, such as 'making environment more bad and stinky' and 'prompt your response.' These errors do not impede communication, but they do limit the precision of your writing. To reach a higher band, focus on using more natural collocations and avoiding simplistic descriptors like 'bad.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an ability to use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text. Examples include 'dissatisfaction for the garbage collection which is not picked up,' 'it is even taking more than two weeks to take all the garbage collection,' and 'it is affecting on their health.' These errors, particularly with prepositions and sentence construction, occur regularly. While the meaning remains clear, the frequency of these slips prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage will improve your accuracy.

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

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