Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-13

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 7.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to lodge a complaint about the system used for garbage collection that is not working efficiently for the last few weeks.

Firstly, I live with my family in the North Etobicoke neighbourhood near the Humber River. The garbage collection system used to visit once a week for the last couple of years. From the last two weeks, the garbage collectors are not visiting, which caused significant problems to us.

Secondly, due to the fall season and children are at home, we are collecting more garbage than ever before. Our bins are full and we had to throw garbage into the nearest garbage bin by our private vehicle. I believe the excessive garbage and waste could spread illness into our neighbourhood.

Therefore, I would request you to investigate this matter and restore the schedule garbage collection in our neighbourhood with the new system. Should you require more details about our neighbourhood or feedback, I am happy to assist you further.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Neel Desai.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response effectively covers all bullet points required by the task prompt. You successfully described how the garbage collection system is not working properly by noting that collectors have not visited for the last two weeks. Furthermore, you clearly explained the impact on you and your neighbours, mentioning overflowing bins, the necessity of using a private vehicle to transport waste, and health risks such as the spread of illness. Finally, you provided a logical suggestion asking the council to investigate and restore the collection schedule. The tone is appropriate for a formal complaint letter to a local council, maintaining a clear purpose throughout. Ideas are well-supported and relevant to the scenario presented.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter is logically organised with a clear beginning, body paragraphs addressing specific aspects of the prompt, and an appropriate sign-off. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the complaint details, the personal impacts, and the proposed solution. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', and 'Therefore' are employed to structure the response clearly, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Referencing throughout the letter is generally clear, allowing the reader to easily follow the progression of your argument from the initial problem to the final request for action.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary used is adequate and generally appropriate for a formal letter of complaint. You successfully utilized topic-specific vocabulary such as 'neighbourhood', 'garbage collection', 'bins', and 'excessive garbage and waste'. However, there are some minor lexical inaccuracies and awkward collocations, such as writing 'from the last two weeks' instead of 'for the last two weeks' and 'restore the schedule garbage collection' instead of 'scheduled garbage collection'. Despite these minor slips, the range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey your message precisely and communicate your points without impeding the reader's understanding.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The letter demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You made effective attempts at complex sentences, such as 'Should you require more details about our neighbourhood or feedback, I am happy to assist you further.' However, there are some grammatical errors, notably tense and preposition usage, such as 'that is not working efficiently for the last few weeks' (which should use the present perfect continuous 'has not been working') and 'children are at home' (which lacks a parallel subject verb structure in the clause 'due to the fall season and children being at home'). Nevertheless, these errors are relatively infrequent and do not impede overall communication.

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

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