Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-07

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 7.5)

Dear Sir,

I am writing to express my concern about the rubbish collection service in my local area, which has recently become increasingly unrealiable. This issue is considerable incovenience to residents and is also creating unplesant and unhygienic condition in the neighbourhood.

Over the past few weeks, the rubbish has frequently been left uncollected for several days. As a result, household waste is accumulating on the streets and overflowing from the bins. Inaddition, some waste has been scattered by animals, making the area dirty and producing an unpleasant smell. This is particularly problematic for families with young children and elderly residents.

I would therefore appreciate it if the council could take immediate action to resolve this problem. The collection schedule should be reviewed, and additional collections could be arranged until the backlog of rubbish has been cleared. It would be helpful to provide residents with clear information about any changes to the collection timetable. Regular inspections could then be carried out to ensure that the service continues to operate efficiently.

I hope the council will treat this matter as a priority and take necessary steps to restore a reliable rubbish collection service.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 8.0

The letter effectively addresses all three bullet points of the prompt. You clearly describe the failure of the rubbish collection system, explain the negative impact on the community, and provide logical, actionable suggestions for improvement. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a local council, and the purpose is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, showing a good understanding of the task requirements. To reach a higher band, ensure that all parts of the prompt are balanced; your suggestions section is particularly strong and well-articulated, which helps in fully satisfying the task requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the problem, the impact, and the proposed solutions. You use a range of cohesive devices effectively, such as 'As a result', 'In addition', and 'I would therefore appreciate'. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the flow between sentences is smooth, making the letter easy to follow. The transition from describing the issue to suggesting solutions is handled well. The structure is coherent throughout, and the use of referencing is accurate, ensuring that the reader can easily track the argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate a good range of vocabulary suitable for a formal complaint, such as 'accumulating', 'backlog', and 'unhygienic'. However, there are a few spelling errors, such as 'unrealiable' (unreliable), 'incovenience' (inconvenience), and 'unplesant' (unpleasant). While these do not impede communication, they are noticeable. To improve, focus on proofreading for common spelling slips. The vocabulary is generally precise and fits the context well, showing an ability to use more sophisticated language, though a few more 'less common' lexical items would help elevate the score to the highest bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The letter uses a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'I am writing to express my concern...' and 'It would be helpful to provide residents with clear information...'. Most sentences are error-free, and the grammar is generally accurate. There is a minor error in 'unhygienic condition' (should be plural 'conditions'). Punctuation is used correctly throughout the letter. The control over complex structures is good, and the overall grammatical accuracy is high, which supports clear communication. Continued attention to subject-verb agreement and pluralization will help maintain this high standard.

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

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