Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
RESPECTED SIR,
I HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL,
I AM WRITING THIS LETTER TO COMPLAINT ABOUT THE THAT FROM LAST FEW MONTHS GARBAGE COLLECTION SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY.
I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I OBSERVING FROM LAST FEW WEEKS THAT NO ANY PERSON COMING FROM RUBBISH COLLECTION TEAM AND DUE TO THAT OUR TRASH IS CLOGGING AND NOW WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH CONTAINER FOR COLLECT OUR TRASH .
ADDITIONALLY , IT DIRECTLY EFFECTS ON OUR HEALTH CONCERN .
DUE TO THOSE LITTERS INSECTS ARE COMING IN OUR HOME AND SPREAD DISEASE.
COULD YOU PLEASE , ADDRESS THIS ISSUE PERSONALLY AND IF POSSIBLE PLEASE ARRANGE EXTRA COLLECTION TRUCK ATLEAST A
THRICE A WEEK FOR OUR AREA .
IT WOULD BE HELP ME OUT .PLEASE LET ME KNOW THAT IT IS POSSIBLE .THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION .
I WILL LOOK FORWARD HEARING FROM YOU SOON
YOUR FAITHFULLY
MAHIMA TEIVEDI .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The letter addresses all three bullet points of the prompt: the failure of the collection system, the impact on the community, and a suggested solution. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a council, although the development of ideas is somewhat brief. The explanation of the impact is clear, mentioning health concerns and pests, which effectively fulfills the requirements. To reach a higher band, the student should expand slightly more on the specific nature of the 'clogging' or the duration of the problem to provide a more comprehensive picture for the reader.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The letter is logically organized, moving from the purpose of the letter to the problem, its impact, and finally the proposed solution. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite mechanical and limited. There is a lack of varied linking words, and the paragraphing is not clearly defined, as the text is presented in a single block. The transition between sentences is sometimes abrupt, such as the jump from the garbage issue to the health concerns. Improving the use of transition signals (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'as a result') would significantly improve the flow and coherence of the writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'no any person coming' and 'clogging' (which is used incorrectly here to describe trash accumulation). The word 'litters' is used as a countable noun, which is incorrect in this context. While the message is understandable, the range is limited to basic, everyday language. To improve, the student should focus on learning more precise collocations related to public services and environmental issues, and pay closer attention to word forms and pluralization.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the reader's flow. Issues include missing articles ('from last few months'), incorrect verb forms ('I am writing this letter to complaint'), and subject-verb agreement errors ('it directly effects' instead of 'affects'). The sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with spacing around commas and the use of capitalization. To improve, the student needs to focus on basic sentence construction, correct verb tense usage, and ensuring that articles and prepositions are used accurately.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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