Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-08-29

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,

I am writing this to complain about the rubbish collection system not working properly in our area since last one month, specifically, on the 'Botavia downs' street and it is causing inconvenience for the whole neighborhood.

To begin with, the officials who are in charge for the garbage collection are not showing up regularly. The assigned day for collecting garbage from the streets is Tuesday, but they either arrive a day after or sometimes do not show up at all.

Let me explain how this is affecting all of us in our area. Because the officials do not come on time, it creates a pile of garbage on the streets and as the garbage bins overflow, residents are forced to put the garbage bags outside the bins which attracts flies and insects. It is a safety hazard for the locals because flies can cause many communicable diseases like malaria and dengue. It also makes the community unpleasant because of the foul odor of the waste.

Let me provide some possible solutions to this problem. Firstly, you should make it compulsory for the officials to collect the garbage twice a week instead of coming once a week. Also, you should send someone to spray insecticide on our street so people can prevent themselves from diseases spread by flies and insects.

I hope you will take prompt action towards this problem.

Yours faithfully,

Alex White

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly describe the irregularity of the collection service, explain the negative impact on the neighborhood (piles of waste, pests, and odors), and provide actionable suggestions for the council. The tone is appropriate for a formal complaint, and the purpose of the letter is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant to the context of a local council complaint. To reach a higher band, ensure that the opening and closing are fully aligned with formal letter-writing conventions, as the current opening is slightly informal in its phrasing.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter is logically organized into distinct paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect of the task. The progression of ideas is clear, moving from the problem to the consequences and finally to the proposed solutions. You use cohesive devices such as 'To begin with,' 'Because,' and 'Firstly' to link your ideas effectively. However, some transitions could be more sophisticated to improve the flow. For instance, the transition between the description of the problem and the impact could be smoother. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate and contributes to the clarity of the message.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You demonstrate a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly. Phrases like 'safety hazard,' 'communicable diseases,' and 'foul odor' are well-chosen and appropriate for the formal context. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'officials' to describe garbage collectors, which is slightly inaccurate as 'sanitation workers' or 'collection crew' would be more precise. Additionally, 'since last one month' is a slight collocation error; 'for the past month' would be more natural. Despite these minor inaccuracies, the vocabulary is adequate to communicate your points without difficulty.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures throughout the letter. Most sentences are clear and easy to follow. There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'the officials who are in charge for' (should be 'in charge of') and 'prevent themselves from diseases' (should be 'protect themselves from'). Punctuation is generally accurate, though some sentences could be tightened for better impact. The errors present do not impede communication, and you show a good grasp of sentence construction, which is sufficient for this task.

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

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