Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-15

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 6.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing regarding the system used for garbage collection in our local community is not working properly. It is creating a problem for the neighbors and me.

The rubbish collection system is not working properly. The machine is showing out of service on weekends and two to three times in a day. Additionally, the neighbors are frustated and they are leaving their garbage on the road

Because of this the problem of flies are increasing in the community. There are small kids in the surrounding and their health is getting affected. One of the main reason that is affecting me is the odour, as the garbage is not disposed off properly it is stinking.

I suggest unless and until this problem is not fixed, local council can arrange some garbage pick-up truck atleast 3 days in a week. They can make a schedule, and impose some heavy fines for people who fail to imply and coordinate to the rules.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The candidate has successfully addressed all parts of the task prompt. The letter begins appropriately with the required salutation and covers the three bullet points adequately. First, the rubbish collection issue is described by mentioning that the machine shows 'out of service' on weekends. Second, the effects on the community are explained, such as an increase in flies, health risks for children, and unpleasant odours, alongside neighbours leaving garbage on the road due to frustration. Finally, clear suggestions are provided, including arranging pick-up trucks three times a week, establishing a schedule, and imposing fines. Although some ideas could be slightly more elaborated, all requirements of a General Training Task 1 letter are satisfactorily met.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter exhibits a coherent overall arrangement with a clear paragraph structure. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: the opening states the purpose, the second and third paragraphs describe the problem and its effects, and the final paragraph outlines the proposed solutions. Cohesive devices such as 'Additionally', 'Because of this', and 'I suggest' are used to connect ideas, although referencing is sometimes slightly mechanical or repetitive. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different parts of the letter, ensuring logical progression throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common lexical items such as 'community', 'disposed off', and 'odour'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as writing 'frustated' (frustrated) and 'fail to imply and coordinate to the rules' instead of 'comply with the rules'. Spelling is generally acceptable apart from minor slips. While communication is not impeded, these inaccuracies restrict the lexical score to the Band 6 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'I suggest unless and until this problem is not fixed...'. However, there are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout. For instance, the opening sentence contains a structural error: 'I am writing regarding the system used for garbage collection in our local community is not working properly.' Additionally, 'the problem of flies are increasing' contains a subject-verb agreement error, and 'disposed off' has an unnecessary preposition. Punctuation is sometimes missing or incorrect. These errors demonstrate a mixed control of grammar.

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

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