Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-09-27

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 to express my formal dissatisfaction with a garbage collection system. My name is Anshu, resident of South Avenue, Sudbury.

To provide some specifit context, from last couple of weeks, the system is not detecting the small garbage bags. As a result, it become hard for us to recycle the particular amount of waste.

Regarding the inconveniences, the bags are being torn by wild animals such as bears and foxes. Hence, the smell comes out from the waste and it becomes hard to breathe the fresh air.

In light of these circumstances, I would suggest that you should hire an employee that can look after the work of the system. Also, if any bags missed out by the system, the employee can collect it manually and the waste will be processed furtherly.

I hope you will consider my request favorably, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Anshu Patel

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The candidate successfully addresses all bullet points outlined in the task instructions. The letter begins with the appropriate formal salutation and immediately establishes the purpose of writing. The first bullet point is covered by describing how the automated collection system fails to detect small garbage bags. The second bullet point is addressed by explaining the consequences, such as animals tearing the bags and unpleasant odours affecting the neighbourhood. Finally, the third bullet point is met by suggesting that the council hire an employee to manually collect missed bags and monitor the system. The tone is consistently formal and polite, matching the requirements of a general training correspondence task. Overall, the communication of the message is clear, and all key prompts are adequately developed to satisfy the Band 6 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter maintains a coherent overall arrangement with a clear paragraphing structure that separates the introduction, the problem description, the impact, the suggested solution, and the closing. Transitional phrases such as 'To provide some specific context', 'Regarding the inconveniences', and 'In light of these circumstances' help guide the reader through the letter, although some of these cohesive devices feel slightly mechanical or formulaic. Paragraph breaks are used logically to organise distinct ideas. While referencing and linking are generally clear, the progression between ideas could be smoother in places to reach a higher band level.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to successfully convey their message about garbage collection and local council issues. There are attempts at less common vocabulary items and phrases, such as 'formal dissatisfaction', 'specific context', and 'recycled the particular amount of waste'. However, there are some noticeable lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'specifit' (spelling error) and the phrase 'it become hard for us to recycle the particular amount of waste', which does not fully fit the context of automated bin detection. Despite these occasional inaccuracies, communication is never impeded.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms throughout the letter. Examples of complex structures include 'I am writing to express my formal dissatisfaction with a garbage collection system' and 'if any bags missed out by the system, the employee can collect it manually'. There are several grammatical errors present, such as 'from last couple of weeks' (omission of preposition), 'it become hard' (tense agreement error), 'bags missed out' (passive voice error), and 'furtherly' (non-standard word formation). However, these errors do not impede overall understanding, and the sentence structures demonstrate a reasonable level of control suitable for a Band 6 score.

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

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