Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-10

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 4.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I would like to write a letter containing that the system which is used for garbage collection is not in the good working condition as of the current situation.

The method that is been used to collect garbage is outdated and could not be working properly which is why if causing problem to us and our neighbours because we usually have daily garbae to remove form our home and society which

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response is significantly under the required 150-word minimum, which severely limits your ability to develop the required points. While you have introduced the topic of the garbage collection system, you have not fully addressed the three bullet points. The letter stops abruptly mid-sentence, meaning the impact on neighbours and the suggested solutions are not provided. To improve, you must ensure you complete all parts of the prompt and meet the minimum word count. You need to expand on your ideas by providing specific details about the problems caused and offering clear, actionable suggestions for the council to resolve the issue.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The response is too short to demonstrate a coherent structure or the effective use of paragraphing. While there is an attempt to introduce the purpose of the letter, the text ends prematurely, preventing the development of a logical flow. Cohesive devices are largely absent, and the abrupt ending makes it impossible to assess your ability to link ideas across a full letter. To achieve a higher score, you must organize your response into clear paragraphs—an introduction, body paragraphs for each bullet point, and a conclusion—using appropriate linking words to guide the reader through your argument.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.5

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'not in the good working condition' and 'causing problem' are unnatural and indicate a limited range of expression. There are also spelling errors such as 'garbae' and 'form' (instead of 'from'). Because the response is so short, it is difficult to demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary. To improve, focus on learning collocations related to public services and formal letter writing. Aim to use more precise adjectives and nouns to describe the situation, rather than relying on simple, generic phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5

The grammar contains several errors that hinder clarity. For example, 'I would like to write a letter containing that...' is an incorrect construction; 'regarding' or 'to complain about' would be more appropriate. The phrase 'The method that is been used' contains a tense error, and the sentence structure is generally simplistic. There are also issues with word order and missing articles. To improve, practice using a variety of sentence structures, including complex sentences with relative clauses, and pay close attention to verb tenses and subject-verb agreement. Proofreading for basic errors is essential.

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

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