Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-06

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 6.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing this letter to show my dissatisfaction with the local waste collecting company named Miller Waste Collections. It has been found that pickers are not collecting organic bins in the neighborhood for last two weeks.

Locals are really disappointed with this act as it leads to the bad odor and gathering of bees around the bins. Moreover, organic bins are small in size and are already full due to last two week's unpicking. Therefore, residents have to keep the extra waste in their houses and garages which is causing suffocation inside the houses as well. Consequently, it can lead to health related issues.

To eradicate this issue, garbage pickers need to be more attentive and responsible, I request you to arrange extra garbage truck for this Friday to grab the remaining bins, so they can be filled with the rubbish which is currently residing in the resident's homes.

I look forward for your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

Arshdeep Singh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The letter covers all three bullet points required by the prompt. You clearly describe the issue with the waste collection, explain the negative impact on the neighborhood, and propose a specific solution. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a council. However, the development of ideas is somewhat limited; for instance, the suggestion to 'arrange extra garbage truck' could be more detailed regarding the logistics or the urgency of the situation. Overall, the task is fully addressed, and the purpose of the letter is clear from the beginning to the end.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter is logically organized into clear paragraphs, each serving a distinct purpose. You use cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'Therefore', and 'Consequently' to link your ideas effectively. The progression of information is easy to follow. While the transition between the problem description and the proposed solution is clear, the overall flow is slightly mechanical at times. Paragraphing is used appropriately, and the letter follows a standard formal structure, which helps the reader navigate the content without difficulty.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, such as 'dissatisfaction', 'eradicate', and 'attentive'. However, there are some instances of awkward word choice or collocation, such as 'pickers are not collecting' (should be 'collectors') and 'unpicking' (which is not standard English in this context). The phrase 'rubbish which is currently residing' is also slightly unnatural, as 'residing' is usually reserved for people. Improving your control over collocations and using more precise terminology would help elevate your score in this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'for last two weeks' (missing 'the'), 'last two week's unpicking' (should be 'two weeks''), and 'look forward for' (should be 'look forward to'). While these errors are noticeable, they do not impede communication or cause confusion for the reader. Your control over punctuation is generally good, and the sentence variety is sufficient to convey your message clearly. Focusing on article usage and prepositional phrases will help improve accuracy.

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

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