Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-02

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 hope you are in best of your health. This email is to share my concern regarding the garbage collection in our area, Mount Road. I am the resident of house number 4 in the above said area and is experiencing the pathetic condition of garbage collection system in our area.

To start with, the garbage collection truck is scheduled to visit at 9 AM in the morning for the collection daily when it's not happening regularly. Either they visit at odd hours or don't visit at all, this results in dustbins lying in front of the door almost for days. The actual problem arises when this starts rotting due to rain and mosquitoes breed on the exposed garbage. It stinks so bad that rather than breathing fresh air, we inhale the stale fumes spreading in the air.

This is not different in the entire neibourhood and has started affecting the health of residents and children playing outside the house. In order to prevent the outbreak of some serious epidemic, we request you to help us with the resolution of this problem.

Please instruct the regular collection of garbage so residents can clean the dustbins and ensure a clean and safe surrounding. Also, please instruct the system to fumigate the area to prevent breeding of mosquitoes. This will help us breathe in fresh air and stay healthy.

We hope for your timely action on this. Thanks in advance.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The letter successfully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly described the unreliable collection schedule, explained the negative impact on health and the environment, and provided actionable suggestions for the council. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter of complaint. The ideas are well-developed and the purpose of the letter is clear from the beginning. To reach a higher band, ensure that the opening and closing are slightly more formal and avoid informal phrasing like 'pathetic condition' in favor of more professional language such as 'unsatisfactory service'.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter is logically organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the task, which aids readability. You used some cohesive devices such as 'To start with' and 'In order to', though some transitions could be more varied. The progression of ideas is smooth, and the paragraphing is appropriate for a formal letter. To improve, try to use a wider range of linking words to connect sentences more fluidly rather than relying on simple conjunctions.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly. Phrases like 'outbreak of some serious epidemic' and 'stale fumes' are effective. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'in best of your health' (should be 'in the best of health') and 'instruct the regular collection' (should be 'ensure regular collection'). Spelling errors like 'neibourhood' also occur. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise formal collocations would help elevate your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical slips, such as 'I am the resident... and is experiencing' (subject-verb agreement error) and 'when it's not happening' (which is slightly awkward). Punctuation is generally handled well, but there are occasional errors in article usage. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and ensure that complex sentences are constructed with greater precision to minimize these minor errors.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.