Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-07

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 5.0)

Respected Sir or Madam,

This is Aakansha Chauhan. I am writing this letter regarding the issues with garbage collection system. The location is 1051 Mar

My neighbours and I are facing considerable problems by the timings of the garbage collection staff members. Since the past 2 weeks, the staff members of rubbish collection are not collecting the rubbish on time. That is not only affecting our surroundings, but it also making the area look unpleasant as the garbage bin gets full. As a result, the area gets cantaminated. Additionally, the playground is just near to the disposal area which raises concern about children's health. I tried to reach out the staff members directly but no actions were taken.

As this matter is about our surrounding and well-being I hope the councing can resolve this problem on the early basis.

Sincerely,

Aakansha.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the central problem—collections have been late for two weeks—and explain consequences, including overflowing bins, an unpleasant area, contamination, and concern for children near the playground. However, the response only minimally fulfils the task: the location detail is unfinished (“1051 Mar”), and the requested action is not clearly specified. Saying you hope the council can resolve the issue does not explain what it should do, such as restore a regular schedule or investigate missed collections. Your attempt to contact staff is relevant, but the outcome could be clearer. The response is also 9 words below the required minimum. Develop each bullet point with specific details and a practical request to address the problem.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter has a recognisable sequence: it introduces the complaint, describes its effects, mentions an unsuccessful attempt to contact staff, and closes with a request for council help. Paragraphing separates the main explanation from the closing, and linking phrases such as “As a result” and “Additionally” help show relationships between ideas. However, the progression is not fully clear because the opening location detail (“The location is 1051 Mar”) is incomplete, and the final request is very general. The long central paragraph also combines several points without much organisation. Group the collection problem and its effects together, then use a separate paragraph for the action you want the council to take.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for a formal complaint, including “garbage collection,” “surroundings,” “contaminated,” and “children’s health.” These choices make the general issue understandable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, which reduces precision: “problems by the timings” and “on the early basis” do not express your meaning naturally. There are also spelling errors in “cantaminated” and “councing.” Aim for standard, precise phrases such as “problems with the collection schedule” and “as soon as possible,” and proofread carefully. More specific vocabulary for missed collections and overflowing bins would also strengthen the complaint.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a contrast in “That is not only affecting our surroundings, but it also making the area look unpleasant” and a relative clause in “the playground is just near to the disposal area which raises concern.” The main message is generally understandable, but errors in verb forms and sentence construction remain. For example, “it also making” needs an auxiliary verb (“it is also making”), while “Since the past 2 weeks” is not a well-formed time expression; use “For the past two weeks.” The opening fragment “The location is 1051 Mar” also needs completion. Check articles and sentence boundaries, and practise accurate complex sentences before adding more.

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