Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-20

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 6.5)

20/09/2026

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing this to express my dissatisfaction about the rubbish collection system in area where I am living. I would like to request your assistance in resolving this issue at your earliest.

The system has been scheduled to collect the bins every Tuesday. However, due to some unexpected reason collectors are not showing up on the designated day. Therefore, the bins stays outside constantly for two weeks. Upon clarifying the reason behind not collecting the garbage after scheduled day with the collectors. They stated because of the overfilling of their own trucks with rubbish they can not make to come in my area which is not acceptable at all.

Because of this we have to face multiple issues including the bins opened by squirrels and spreading garbage in surroundings. This leads to uncleanliness in vicinity of houses. In addition, mosquitoes and flies problems are increasing on daily basis. Furthermore, if this will continue it can results in increasing sickness amongst us due to flea bites. I would like to request a solution in order to avoid this situation in future. If you could maintain and access the schedules strictly would work best in favor of all individuals living in the area. Should you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to me via phone call. My cell number is [redacted phone].

Yours faithfully,

Foram P.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully covers all parts of the prompt in a semi-formal letter format. The student describes how the rubbish collection is not working properly, explaining that collection has missed the Tuesday slot for two weeks and collectors cited overfilled trucks. The effects on neighbors are clearly outlined, mentioning squirrels, spreading garbage, and increased mosquitoes and flies. Finally, constructive suggestions are provided regarding schedule adherence and strict monitoring. The purpose of the letter is clear from the beginning and sustained throughout. Although there are some minor phrasing quirks such as "in area where I am living," all bullet points of the task are well-developed and addressed thoroughly, meeting the criteria for a Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The letter has a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Paragraphing is used appropriately, separating the introduction, the main body detailing the problem and its effects, and the concluding suggestions. Cohesive devices and referencing are generally handled well, as seen in expressions like "The system has been scheduled... However...", "Because of this...", and "Furthermore". While some transitions are a bit mechanical or slightly abrupt (for instance, starting a new sentence with "They stated because of..."), ideas flow logically and the overall arrangement is coherent. This performance aligns comfortably with the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range, warranting a solid 6.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate to sufficient range of vocabulary suitable for a general correspondence task. Phrases such as "express my dissatisfaction," "designated day," "uncleanliness in vicinity," and "strict monitoring" show an attempt to use less common items with some awareness of style and collocation. However, there are noticeable lexical and collocation errors, such as "at your earliest" instead of "at your earliest convenience," "bins stays" (agreement error), and "maintain and access the schedules" where "access" is misused for "assess" or "enforce." These errors do not impede communication, placing the response firmly in the Band 6.0 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating conditional structures ("if this will continue it can results in...") and relative clauses. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several noticeable errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ("the bins stays"), incorrect verb forms after modals ("can not make to come"), prepositional omissions ("in area"), and tense/form slips ("can results in increasing sickness"). Punctuation is also slightly faulty in places, such as sentence fragments split by periods ("...with the collectors. They stated..."). Because errors frequently occur alongside some successful complex structures, this corresponds to a Band 6.0.

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

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