Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-03

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 am writing this correspondence to bring your attention to a persistent garbage pickup in our surroundings.

As far as I would describe, the dump truck' upper section which is used to pick up every week is broken which has troubled its whole mechanism. It is not unable to collect any bins from our front doors. We need to drop everything off on trucks. However, till now the driver comes with the same truck without getting this repaired.

This situation has been worsened since our bigger garbage bins do not get emptied and cleaned which spreads the filthiness around homes. Not only me, but our neighbors felt the same dissatisfaction. It is all flies and mosquitoes which have risen more and more in recent days.

I would recommend you to please look into this matter immediately as this is a matter of our community health. We would really want you to get this rubbish collection agency to send a proper and workable truck ensuring everything is picked up. I hope we will get response shortly on this.

Best regards,

Navjeet Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The letter covers all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly describe the mechanical failure of the truck, explain the negative impact on the community, and suggest a solution. However, the development of these points is somewhat limited. For example, the description of the truck's failure is slightly confusing ('It is not unable to collect'), and the suggestion could be more specific regarding a timeline or a formal request for a replacement service. To reach a higher band, ensure that your explanations are fully developed and that the tone remains consistently formal and professional throughout the letter.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each serving a distinct purpose. You use some cohesive devices, such as 'However' and 'Not only me, but our neighbors', to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally hindered by awkward phrasing, such as 'As far as I would describe', which does not function well as a transition. Additionally, some sentences feel disjointed. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that the transition between the problem description and the impact on the community is smoother.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'persistent', 'dissatisfaction', and 'community health'. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and minor errors, such as 'filthiness' (which is less natural than 'filth' or 'unsanitary conditions') and 'troubled its whole mechanism'. Some phrasing is also slightly unnatural, such as 'bring your attention to a persistent garbage pickup', which is missing a noun like 'problem' or 'issue'. Expanding your vocabulary to include more precise collocations would help elevate your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. For instance, 'It is not unable to collect' is a double negative that creates confusion. There are also issues with article usage and verb tense consistency, such as 'the driver comes with the same truck without getting this repaired'. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and avoiding redundant or contradictory phrasing.

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.