Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-11

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 5.5)

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter to bring into your notice that the garbage collection system in our area is not working properly from few months which cause many proplems for me and people living in my neighbourhood.

My name is Rajdeep, and I am living Model Town area from last ten years. I observing from few months that waste collection in my neighbourhood is not working properly. The waste collection employees collect rubbish once a week rather than daily basis. Many times they visit once in a month. Rooten waste remain near our colony for many days that create bad smell and can lead to numerous health issues due to smell and air pollution. Moreover, it is very difficult the people to live in their houses and pass the road due to bad smell. I request you to take approperiate a action immediately and give strict instructions to collection workers to ensure the public health.

I looking forward to hear from you soon.

Thank you.

Yours Sincerely,

Rajdeep

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the main situation and explain several consequences: rubbish is collected irregularly, waste remains near the colony, and the smell makes it difficult for residents to live in their homes or use the road. You also ask the council to act and instruct the workers. However, the description is not fully clear because “once a week rather than daily” is followed by “once in a month,” without explaining how often collection actually occurs. The proposed action is also quite general; specify a reliable collection schedule and, for example, ask the council to remove the accumulated rubbish promptly. A clearer, more developed account of the problem and practical requests would make the letter more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter follows a recognisable order: it introduces the complaint, gives background and effects, then makes a request and closes politely. This helps the reader understand the general purpose. However, the central paragraph contains several points in a dense sequence, and the transition from collection frequency to health effects could be clearer. The contrast between “once a week” and “once in a month” also interrupts the progression because the relationship between these details is not explained. Some linking is attempted with “Moreover,” but the ideas would be easier to follow if the problem, its effects, and the requested action were separated into clearer stages or paragraphs. Use references such as “this irregular service” to connect ideas precisely.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for a complaint, including “garbage collection system,” “waste collection employees,” “bad smell,” and “health issues,” so the topic is generally clear. There are also attempts at more formal wording, such as “appropriate action” and “strict instructions.” However, spelling and word-choice errors are noticeable, including “proplems,” “Rooten,” and “approperiate,” and some phrases are unnatural, such as “bring into your notice” and “daily basis.” These reduce the accuracy and polish of the letter, even though the intended meaning is usually recoverable. Aim for standard collocations and check spelling carefully; precise phrases such as “bring this matter to your attention” and “on a daily basis” would sound more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes both simple statements and attempts to combine ideas, for example, “Rooten waste remain near our colony for many days that create bad smell.” However, errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction occur repeatedly and sometimes make the reader pause. Examples include “which cause many proplems,” “I am living Model Town area from last ten years,” “I observing,” and “I looking forward to hear.” The sentence about waste remaining and creating a smell also needs clearer grammatical links between its clauses. Practise accurate present perfect forms for situations continuing over time, subject–verb agreement, and infinitive patterns such as “look forward to hearing.” More reliable control of these basic structures would improve clarity.

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