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 hope you are doing well. I am writing this letter to express my concern regarding rubbish collection in our area.

In our area, Millwoods Road East rubbish collection is not working properly. They collect only dry garbage as well as do not collect garbage bags from the road. Eventhough, they do not come regular basis and they collect garbage bi-weekly. There are a lot of gabage in our local area.

We face various problems due to rubbish. Our society suffering from helath issues because in my area some elederly people suffer from heart problems and they can not tolerate bad smell. Due to wet garabage my kids are not able to play outside and feel bored at home.

I would be appreciate if you could take immediate action regarding this matter. It would be better if you could say to garbage collector to collect rubbish every week properly. Do not miss the wet garbage in our local area.

Thank you for your consideration.I hope you would take prompt action to this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Jagjit Kaur.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The candidate addresses all three parts of the prompt successfully. The letter opens by describing how the rubbish collection system is failing, noting that 'they collect only dry garbage as well as do not collect garbage bags from the road' and highlighting irregular scheduling ('they do not come regular basis'). The second bullet point is covered by explaining the impact on the neighbourhood, such as health issues for elderly residents and children being unable to play outside due to 'wet garabage'. Finally, practical suggestions are provided, including a request to collect rubbish weekly and handle wet garbage properly. The tone is appropriate for a formal letter to a local council, and the purpose is clear throughout. The response satisfies all prompt requirements, earning a solid band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter is organised into appropriate paragraphs, starting with a polite opening and ending with a standard formal sign-off. Ideas are logically grouped, with an introductory paragraph, a description of the problem, the impacts on residents, and finally recommendations. However, transitions between sentences and paragraphs can be somewhat mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent reliance on 'In our area' and 'Due to'. Cohesive devices are used, but referencing is occasionally awkward, for instance, 'Our society suffering from helath issues' missing auxiliary verbs. Overall, the arrangement is coherent and easy to follow, but paragraph transitions lack flexibility, which keeps it at a band 6.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully communicating the main issues regarding garbage collection. The writer attempts some less common terms and phrases, such as 'express my concern' and 'immediate action'. However, there are notable spelling errors ('Eventhough', 'gabage', 'elederly', 'garabage') and word-formation issues ('regular basis' instead of 'on a regular basis'). While these errors do not impede communication, they reflect a limited range and inconsistent spelling control. To reach a higher band, the writer needs to demonstrate more precision in collocations and eliminate basic spelling slips.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as conditional and subordinate clauses ('I would be appreciate if you could take immediate action'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly missing auxiliary verbs ('do not collect', 'Our society suffering', 'they can not tolerate') and incorrect prepositions or verb forms ('I would be appreciate', 'prompt action to this matter'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, and sentence boundaries are mostly clear, but the density of basic grammatical slips restricts the score. The errors occasionally cause minor hesitation for the reader but do not entirely obscure the intended meaning.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.