Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-20

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 7.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing about the ongoing problem created by the garbage collection service in my neighbourhood. Over the past weeks, the rubbish collection has been delayed, and some bins have been missed. Consequently, this leads to an overflow, accumulating around the residential area.

This situation harms both the residential area and the surrounding environment. The overflow of garbage resulted in an unpleasant smell and attracts flies and bugs which creates concerning problems for residents and their pets. It harms the beauty and the cleanliness of the street. This also attracts other wild animals near the area that may cause potential threats to pedestrians. Moreover, it has become problematic to perform outdoor activities as children, elders and other visitors get frustrated with this condition.

I would request the council to deeply investigate the root cause of the delays and negligence in the collection of garbage. If possible, set up an additional schedule in the area to collect the existing backlog to make the surroundings beautiful and healthy. Further, I would appreciate it if you would introduce strict future service and create a system where residents can submit complaints quickly.

I look forward to a prompt resolution on this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Navjot

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The response fully addresses all parts of the task. You clearly describe the issues with the rubbish collection (delays and missed bins), explain the negative impact on the community (smell, pests, and safety concerns), and provide constructive suggestions for the council. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter, and the ideas are well-developed and relevant. You have successfully covered all bullet points in the prompt, providing sufficient detail to support your arguments. The letter is well-structured and maintains a consistent focus on the problem throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the first introduces the problem, the second details the consequences, and the third offers solutions. You use cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Consequently', 'Moreover', and 'Further', to link your sentences and paragraphs. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow of information is smooth, making the letter easy to follow. The opening and closing salutations are correct for a formal letter, and the overall structure is professional and coherent.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal complaint. Phrases like 'ongoing problem', 'root cause', 'backlog', and 'prompt resolution' are used accurately. While the vocabulary is generally precise, there is room to incorporate more sophisticated or idiomatic collocations to reach the highest band. For instance, instead of 'harm the beauty', you could use 'detract from the aesthetic appeal'. The spelling is accurate throughout, and your word choice consistently conveys your meaning without ambiguity, showing a solid command of the language required for this task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response shows a good command of grammatical structures. You use a mix of simple and complex sentences effectively, such as 'The overflow of garbage resulted in an unpleasant smell and attracts flies and bugs which creates concerning problems'. There are very few errors; for example, 'resulted' should be 'results' to maintain tense consistency with 'attracts'. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the sentence structures are varied enough to maintain interest. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the minor slips do not impede communication or cause confusion for the reader.

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