Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-12
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 4.5)
Dear Sir or Madam,
Purpose of the letter is to fixing the garbage storage system in our area.
I am writing this letter for highliting the issue which is related to our society rubbish system. I live in 39 creekwood drive, Brampton, Ontario. Yesterday when me and my neighbours went to our society rubbishing area and noticed that one opreating machine was not working which play a vital in this whole recycling system. I notified the person who was on duty then knew that this problem is having last three days.
This is the main equipment and me and my neighbour use this on daily basic because he is also a enviourment friendly and love to recycle things.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5
You identify a relevant problem: a machine in the recycling area has stopped working, and you report that it has been out of service for three days. However, the letter addresses the task only partially. It does not explain clearly how the situation is affecting you and your neighbours, and it gives no suggestion about what the council should do. The opening also says the purpose is to fix a “garbage storage system,” which does not match the specific machine problem described later. The response is 118 words, below the required 150, so there is not enough development to cover all three bullet points. Add the practical consequences and a clear request, such as repairing the machine or arranging extra collections.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0
The letter has a recognisable formal opening and moves from stating a purpose to describing the broken equipment, so the reader can identify the general topic. However, the progression is limited: the first two sentences repeat the purpose, and the final paragraph introduces your recycling habits without explaining the consequences of the fault or moving towards a request. Some references are also unclear, particularly “this” in “use this on daily basic,” which makes it harder to follow exactly what you mean. Organise the letter into a clear sequence: identify the problem and its duration, explain its effects, then state what action you want. A closing request and sign-off would also make the letter feel complete.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use some topic-related vocabulary, including “rubbish,” “recycling system,” “equipment,” and “on duty,” which helps establish the subject. The range is nevertheless limited, and several inaccurate word choices or spellings make parts of the message difficult to understand, such as “rubbishing area,” “opreating machine,” and “highliting.” Some phrases are also unnatural, including “garbage storage system” and “on daily basic.” Choose precise terms for the collection problem and its effects, and check spelling carefully. For example, “recycling area,” “operating machine,” and “on a daily basis” would communicate your meaning more clearly. More varied language for the impact and requested action would also strengthen the letter.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response attempts both simple statements and a longer sentence beginning “Yesterday when…,” but control is uneven, and several sentence patterns are faulty. For example, “Purpose of the letter is to fixing” needs an article and a correctly formed infinitive, while “when me and my neighbours went … and noticed” lacks a clear main clause. In “I notified the person who was on duty then knew,” the connection between the actions is unclear, and “the problem is having last three days” does not express duration correctly. The final sentence also has agreement and article problems in “my neighbour … he is also a … and love.” Practise complete clauses, verb forms, and articles, then proofread each sentence for a clear subject and verb.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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