Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Dear Sir,

I hope this letter finds you well. Today, I am writing regarding the issue that was faced by a community member. They complained that garbage collection in our local area is not working properly, which can cause severe problems.

To begin with, I have been observing for two days that most people in our society throw their rubbish on the roads without taking care of the surroundings. When children have to go to school in the morning, they feel insecure, and a bad smell comes from the garbage. This is mainly because people are not focusing on the rules and regulations, which were made by the government for the good well- being of the community.

This has detrimental effects on all the people who are living in this society. Despite the bad smell coming from the garbage, still no one is looking at it. It can not only lead to serious effects on health, such as asthma and high blood pressure, but also create pollution in the environment.

I would kindly request that you focus on it, so people can feel safer in this society. I think the government should impose a fine on them for not caring about their surroundings.

I look forward to hearing from you promptly,

Yours faithfully,

RR

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the general problem and describe effects on residents, including unpleasant smells, children feeling unsafe, and possible health and environmental impacts. You also suggest imposing fines. However, the task asks you to explain how the collection system itself is failing, while your account mainly says residents leave rubbish on the roads; it does not clarify whether collections are missed, delayed, or insufficient. The opening also refers to a complaint by “a community member,” rather than clearly presenting your own experience as a resident. Your proposed action is relevant but limited, and the request for the council to address the issue is not specific about practical steps. Explain the collection failure directly and suggest measures such as more frequent pickups or additional bins.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter has a recognisable structure: an opening, two paragraphs describing impacts, and a final request. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with” and “Despite” help connect points, and the reader can follow the broad message. However, the progression is not always clear: the first body paragraph shifts from rubbish being left on roads to children’s safety and then to people ignoring regulations, without explaining how these points relate to collection arrangements. “Despite the bad smell … still no one is looking at it” repeats an earlier effect rather than advancing the explanation. Use clearer links between the collection problem, its consequences, and your requested action, and make references such as “them” unambiguous.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range for a formal complaint, including phrases such as “detrimental effects,” “impose a fine,” and “I look forward to hearing from you.” These choices communicate the seriousness of the issue, and the meaning is generally clear. Some less common expressions are not used naturally or precisely: “the issue that was faced by a community member” is awkward and indirect, while “good well-being” is redundant. “People in our society” is also less precise than wording such as “residents in our neighbourhood.” Aim for natural collocations and specific vocabulary about waste services, for example “missed collections,” “overflowing bins,” and “collection schedule.” This would make the complaint more precise and avoid relying on broad terms such as “it” and “effects.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including the clause “When children have to go to school in the morning” and the paired structure “not only … but also.” Most sentences remain understandable, and errors do not prevent the reader from following your main points. Some grammatical and punctuation issues remain. In “I have been observing for two days that most people … throw,” the tense and construction are awkward; “For the past two days, I have observed…” would be clearer. The sentence beginning “Despite the bad smell” has an incorrect concessive structure: use “Despite the bad smell, no one is addressing the problem.” Also write “cannot” as one word, and avoid the comma before “so” in “I would kindly request that you focus on it, so…” by recasting the sentence.

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