Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-05

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 5.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing a letter about local garbage collection in not working in a good way, it creates problem for our society as well as, it spread many disease and it is harmful for the living beings.

I noticed from the last two months, that rubbish system is not working in that way they should. They are coming collecting for the garbage only twice a week rather then they should do on the daily basis, even that they have to clean the street two times a week, but they are failed.

In our society is not look like a royal society of the town because everywhere they dump the garbage collection and it transmit many harmful disease for the human beings.

I personally advice you, you have to take a strict action against the dumpers and give one warning notice to them so that our society will be neat and clean.

Your sincerely

Raam

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The letter addresses all three bullet points: the system failure, the impact on the community, and a suggested solution. However, the development of these ideas is limited. The description of the problem is somewhat repetitive, and the explanation of the impact is vague, relying on general statements about 'disease' and 'royal society' rather than specific, concrete details. To reach a higher band, you should expand on the consequences of the uncollected waste—such as the smell, the attraction of pests, or the specific health risks—to provide a more persuasive and detailed argument.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The letter is organised into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical progression of ideas is hindered by awkward phrasing and a lack of effective cohesive devices. Transitions between sentences are often missing or mechanical, such as the abrupt shift between the problem description and the impact. The use of referencing is occasionally unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the flow of your argument. Improving the use of linking words like 'consequently,' 'furthermore,' or 'as a result' would help connect your ideas more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and often imprecise. Phrases like 'not working in a good way' and 'royal society' are unnatural in this context. There are also errors in word choice, such as 'transmit' instead of 'spread' or 'cause,' and 'dumpers' which is not the standard term for a waste collection service. While the meaning is generally clear, the range of vocabulary is insufficient to express your points with the precision required for a higher band. You should focus on learning topic-specific collocations related to public services and environmental issues.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede readability. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('they are failed'), incorrect verb tenses ('I noticed from the last two months'), and sentence structure ('rubbish system is not working in that way they should'). While you attempt some complex sentences, they are often faulty, leading to confusion. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct tense usage, and proofreading for common errors like missing articles and incorrect prepositions.

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

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