Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-24

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 7.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

Good day to you. I am writing to inform you of the ineffective operations of the garbage collection unit.

The system of garbage collection has some gaps, and I will appreciate if it can be handled promptly. Firstly, the garbage collection unit comes once in a week. Once in a way is not sufficient for adequate waste disposal. This results in accumulation of refuse in the neighborhood, causing air and land pollution. Secondly, the waste management unit does not provide the neighborhood with enough bins for proper waste disposal. Providing us with just one large bin, does not allow adequate waste disposal.

This current situation has caused an increase in sicknesses and diseases. Air and land pollution which the neighborhood has been battling, has been linked to illnesses. The pollution from the waste has resulted in the street being unsightly, hence we can no longer welcome visitors in our homes.

I will suggest ways to address the issue of the waste disposal. I will suggest the garbage collection unit picks up the garbage four times in a week, instead of once. This well prevent the accumulation of waste. Another suggestion is to provide two large bins for every member of the neighborhood.

I want to thank you for your time. I hope to see changes in the waste collection system.

Yours faithfully,

Osahon Abigail

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The letter addresses all three bullet points of the prompt effectively. You clearly describe the issues with the collection frequency and bin availability, explain the impact on health and the environment, and provide concrete suggestions for improvement. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a council. To reach a higher band, ensure that your ideas are fully extended; for instance, when mentioning the increase in sickness, you could briefly specify the types of health concerns or the specific nature of the pollution to add more depth to your argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each point, and a polite closing. You use transition signals like 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Another suggestion' to guide the reader through your arguments. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct ideas. To improve, try to vary your cohesive devices; for example, instead of starting sentences with 'I will suggest', you could use more sophisticated linking phrases such as 'To rectify this situation, I propose that...' or 'Furthermore, it would be beneficial to...'.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly. Phrases like 'ineffective operations', 'adequate waste disposal', and 'accumulation of refuse' are well-chosen and appropriate for the context. There are some minor repetitive patterns, such as the frequent use of 'garbage collection unit'. To enhance your lexical score, try to use synonyms or more precise terminology, such as 'sanitation department' or 'municipal waste services'. Overall, the vocabulary is accurate and allows for precise communication of your concerns.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and your meaning is consistently clear. There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'Once in a way' (should be 'Once a week' or 'Infrequent collection') and 'This well prevent' (should be 'This will prevent'). Additionally, there are some punctuation errors, such as the unnecessary comma in 'Providing us with just one large bin, does not allow...'. While these errors are present, they do not impede communication. Increasing the use of more complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences or passive voice, would help elevate your score.

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

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