Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-17

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,

Hope you are doing well. I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the garbage collection services in our neighbourhood, Stevenson Drive, Oshawa.

There are two big bins for the public to dispose of their waste so that they do not litter on the roads. Waste collection from those bins is taken care of by the City every Monday. However, for the last two weeks, not a single truck has come to collect the garbage.

Due to this, there are several flies around, which is causing a problem for the entire neighbourhood. It is even hard for us to go to the area where those bins are. Bad odour and flies can cause illness.

We would really appreciate it if you could coordinate with the city waste collection team and reach out to them so that this issue can be resolved as soon as possible. Moreover, I also request that you post posters around those bins stating that the city provided that bin just for people to dispose of their on go waste, not the waste from their house.

I am really looking forward to seeing the solution and will appreciate it if waste comply clear the surroundings soon.

Yours sincerely,

Aksha Sharma

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response covers all three bullet points of the prompt effectively and adopts a clear, appropriate semi-formal tone for a letter to a local council. The writer describes the malfunctioning rubbish collection system by noting that the missed collections have lasted for two weeks. The impact on the neighbourhood is clearly explained through details such as the presence of flies, bad odours, and the resulting health concerns. Finally, practical solutions are suggested, including coordinating with the waste collection team and putting up informational posters. All requirements of the task are fully met and well-developed, resulting in a strong band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The letter follows a clear and logical layout, beginning with an appropriate formal greeting and ending with a standard sign-off. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the introduction, the description of the problem, the impacts, the suggestions, and the closing remark. Cohesive devices such as 'However', 'Due to this', and 'Moreover' are employed correctly to guide the reader through the text and link ideas smoothly. The progression of thoughts from stating the issue to explaining consequences and proposing solutions is easy to follow throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary to convey precise meaning, using terms like 'dissatisfaction', 'neighbourhood', 'odour', and 'coordinate'. There are some successful attempts at less common phrasing such as 'express my dissatisfaction' and 'resolved as soon as possible'. However, there are minor lexical inaccuracies, such as 'dispose of their on go waste' instead of 'on-the-go waste', and a slight awkwardness in 'waste comply clear the surroundings'. Overall, the vocabulary is adequate to communicate the message clearly with only occasional errors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including conditional and subordinate clauses like 'so that they do not litter' and 'if you could coordinate'. There is good control of basic grammar and verb tenses, and punctuation is generally accurate. While there are a few minor grammatical slips towards the end, such as 'seeing the solution and will appreciate it if waste comply clear', these errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. The majority of sentences are grammatically sound.

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