Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

Dear Sir / Madam,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing this to show my concern about the poor waste collection system in my area, pine street south, Timmins.

The main concern is about the unregular waste collection timing, last year, there was a fixed timing for our area on every Wednesday between 9AM to 12PM. However, currently there is no proper timing for garbage service. The garbage truck randomly shows-up

My neighbours and I am not able to manage our garbage due to unfixed timing, more waste collection creating uneven smell in our local area. Not only, it is affecting the health of the citizens but also it is not a ideal for the image of our neighbourhood.

Kindly make a proper waste collection schedule, so we can able to pass our waste material and everyone will aware about the right timing.

Thank you for you time and consideration. I look forward to a prompt reply.

Yours faithfully,

Simranjeet.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

You have addressed all three bullet points required by the task. You described the irregularity of the rubbish collection, explained the negative impact on your neighbourhood, and suggested a solution. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a council. To improve, you could expand on the 'impact' section by providing more specific details about the health risks or the severity of the smell, which would help to fully develop your ideas. Overall, the response is clear and meets the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is logically organised with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. You use paragraphing effectively to separate your points. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat limited and occasionally mechanical. For example, the transition 'Not only, it is affecting...' is grammatically awkward and disrupts the flow. Using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'consequently', 'furthermore', 'as a result') would improve the cohesion of your writing and help your ideas transition more smoothly between sentences.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'waste collection', 'neighbourhood', and 'consideration'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'unregular' (should be 'irregular'), 'uneven smell' (should be 'unpleasant' or 'foul odour'), and 'not a ideal' (should be 'not ideal'). While these errors do not impede communication, they indicate a need for more precise vocabulary usage to reach a higher band score. Focus on learning common collocations related to formal complaints.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are several grammatical errors throughout the text. For instance, 'My neighbours and I am not able' should be 'My neighbours and I are not able', and 'everyone will aware' should be 'everyone will be aware'. Additionally, there are punctuation issues, such as the comma splice in 'The garbage truck randomly shows-up'. While your meaning is generally clear, these frequent errors in basic grammar and sentence construction prevent the response from reaching a higher band.

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

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