Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

ChatGPT said:

Here is a formal IELTS General Training letter of about 150 words:

Letter to the Local Council

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to complain about the rubbish collection service in my area, which has not been working properly for the past few weeks.

Normally, rubbish is collected twice a week, but recently the collection has been delayed or completely missed. As a result, rubbish bags have been left outside houses for several days. This has caused unpleasant smells and attracted flies, insects and stray animals. Many of my neighbours, including families with young children, are concerned about the unhygienic conditions.

I would strongly suggest that the council investigate this problem and ensure that the collection schedule is followed regularly. It would also be helpful to provide an additional collection if there is a backlog of rubbish. In addition, residents should be informed about any changes to the collection timetable.

I hope you will take immediate action to resolve this issue.

Yours faithfully,

Keith

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter fully addresses all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly describe the failure of the rubbish collection service, explain the negative impact on the community (smells, pests, health concerns), and provide logical suggestions for improvement. The tone is consistently formal and appropriate for a letter to a local council. The purpose of the letter is clear from the outset, and the ideas are well-developed and relevant to the task. You have successfully maintained a consistent register throughout the response, ensuring the reader understands the urgency of the situation.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which helps the reader follow your argument easily. You use appropriate cohesive devices such as 'Normally', 'As a result', and 'In addition' to link your sentences and paragraphs effectively. The transition between describing the problem and suggesting solutions is smooth. The paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the body of the complaint, the suggestions, and the closing, which contributes to the overall clarity of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary appropriate for a formal complaint. Phrases like 'unhygienic conditions', 'backlog of rubbish', and 'immediate action' are well-chosen and fit the context perfectly. The language is natural and precise. While the vocabulary is sufficient and accurate, incorporating a few more sophisticated collocations or less common lexical items could elevate the score further. However, there are no errors in word choice or spelling, and the vocabulary used is consistently effective in conveying your message to the council.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 8.0

The letter exhibits a high level of grammatical accuracy. You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures effectively, such as the passive voice in 'rubbish is collected' and 'residents should be informed'. Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no noticeable grammatical errors. The majority of your sentences are error-free, and the control over verb tenses is consistent with the requirements of the task. The writing is fluent and easy to read, reflecting a strong command of English grammar.

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

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