Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-27
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 Madam,
I am writing my concern regarding the system utilize for garbage collection in my area is not working properly. And this pause a serious harm to me and to the people belongs to this area.
Starting with, the garbage waste collection is allocated on Wednesday morning, but the garbage truck for the garbage collection is not coming, not even in the evening. All the garbage bins stayed outside on the walkway for more than two days, and the area surrounding becomes so stinky. The garbage collector empty first organic waste into the truck, but they are skipping it since two weeks. The organic waste remains in the bin for almost more than two week.
Moreover, it is affecting our surrounding by polluting the air, we are not getting enough fresh air, since whole area right now is so stinky. Everyone from my community including myself are sick. Kids are not able to play outside just because of this unhygenic surrounding.
Lastly, my humble request to change the company for the garbage waste just like you did change it last month for recycle collection. And this your first step for the environment protection will help everyone in my area.
Hoping for the best response from your side
Yours Faithfully,
Shreya Soni
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5
The letter addresses all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly describe the failure of the collection system, explain the negative impact on the community, and provide a specific suggestion for improvement. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a council. However, the development of ideas is somewhat repetitive, particularly regarding the 'stinky' nature of the area. To reach a higher band, ensure that each point is expanded with more varied detail rather than restating the same problem multiple times.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The letter is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow your argument. You use basic cohesive devices like 'Starting with', 'Moreover', and 'Lastly' to transition between ideas. However, some of these transitions feel a bit mechanical or unnatural. Additionally, there are instances where referencing is slightly unclear, such as the phrase 'this your first step', which disrupts the flow. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the overall cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to communicate your message effectively. You use relevant terms like 'organic waste', 'garbage bins', and 'environment protection'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'system utilize' (should be 'system utilized') and 'people belongs to this area' (should be 'people belonging to this area'). The repetition of the word 'stinky' also limits the sophistication of your writing. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise adjectives would improve your score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is good. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. Examples include 'this pause a serious harm' (should be 'this poses'), 'garbage truck... is not coming' (should be 'has not been coming'), and 'since two weeks' (should be 'for two weeks'). While the meaning is generally clear, these persistent errors in verb tense and subject-verb agreement prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for basic tense consistency.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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