Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-25

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 8.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to draw your attention to a serious problem with the rubbish collection system in our area, Green Park Colony, Jamnagar.

For the past three weeks, the collection has been highly irregular. The scheduled collection is every Monday and Thursday morning, but the truck has not arrived on time at all. Last week it did not come at all, and this week it came only on Friday afternoon, after we had already made several complaints. Furthermore, the collectors are only taking part of the waste and are leaving behind food waste and plastic bags on the pavement.

This is causing considerable difficulty for all residents. Because the bins are overflowing, stray dogs and crows are scattering rubbish across the street, which creates an extremely unhygienic condition and a bad smell, especially in this heat. My neighbours and I are also worried about mosquitoes breeding in the stagnant waste water. Several elderly residents are unable to carry their waste to the main road bin, so their houses are now full of rubbish. We cannot keep our windows open due to the odour.

I would therefore like to suggest that you take immediate action. Firstly, please ensure that the collection truck follows the fixed schedule strictly. Secondly, I request you to arrange an extra collection this week to clear the backlog, and to instruct the staff to collect all types of household waste.

Yours faithfully,

dharti patel

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The response fully satisfies all requirements of the task. The student successfully covers all three bullet points in a thorough and well-developed manner. Specifically, the student describes how the rubbish collection system is failing by providing precise details such as missed collections and incomplete waste pickup as seen in phrases like 'the truck has not arrived on time at all'. Furthermore, the impact on residents is clearly explained through vivid descriptions of stray animals and hygiene concerns, and actionable solutions are proposed, including requesting a strict schedule and an extra collection. The tone is entirely appropriate for a formal letter to a local council, maintaining a clear position throughout. According to the official band descriptors, this performance easily meets the criteria for Band 8.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The letter is logically organized and easy to follow from beginning to end. Information and ideas are structured progressively across well-defined paragraphs that follow a clear trajectory from introduction of the problem, to description of effects, and finally to suggested solutions. Cohesive devices are used naturally and effectively, as demonstrated by words and phrases like 'Furthermore', 'Because', and 'Firstly', which connect ideas smoothly without feeling mechanical. Paragraphing is used sufficiently and appropriately, separating distinct aspects of the prompt cleanly. There is a clear overall progression throughout the text, warranting a solid Band 8 rating under Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 8.0

The student demonstrates a wide, flexible, and natural range of vocabulary that is well-suited to the context of a formal complaint letter. Less common lexical items are used skillfully and appropriately, including expressions such as 'highly irregular', 'unhygienic condition', 'stagnant waste water', and 'clear the backlog'. Word choice and collocations are generally precise, with only very occasional minor inaccuracies that do not impede communication. The spelling is accurate throughout, and the student's ability to convey precise meaning using varied terminology places this response firmly in the Band 8 descriptor range for Lexical Resource.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The writer displays a wide range of grammatical structures, successfully blending complex sentences with accurate simple forms. Examples of well-constructed complex sentences include 'Because the bins are overflowing, stray dogs and crows are scattering rubbish across the street' and 'Several elderly residents are unable to carry their waste to the main road bin, so their houses are now full of rubbish.' The majority of sentences are completely error-free, with only rare slips in punctuation or minor syntactic awkwardness. Control over verb tenses, modality, and subordination is strong throughout, reflecting the characteristics of a high band level. Therefore, a band score of 8.0 is awarded for Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

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