Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-17

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 enquire you about the issue of garbage collection from my area which caused various problems.

The system that is followed for garbage collection is not appropriate for the people living in my neighbourhood because they collect recycled garbage once a week and the other garbage is collected once in a two week. However, the garbage bins are full even after 2 days. The reason behind is that only one garbage bin is provided for more than 40 families.

Garbage is not only cause bad smell but it also affects visitor parking. Many people deny to offer those parkings to their relatives due to the unhygienic area. In future, it may also cause various health problems if it is solved.

I would be very grateful if you could arrange a meeting with the local people so that the solution will be find out to overcome this issue.

I hope you consider this issue and I am looking forword to get a prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

Prabhjot Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address all three requested points: you explain the collection schedule and the shortage of bins, describe the smell and impact on visitor parking, and ask the council to arrange a meeting. The problem is clear and relevant, and the letter uses an appropriate formal opening and closing. The explanation that one bin serves more than 40 families gives useful support. However, the effects on neighbours are only briefly developed, and the proposed meeting does not specify practical measures the council could take, such as providing more bins or collecting rubbish more often. This covers the task well overall, with some ideas developed more fully than others; adding specific remedies and fuller consequences would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a clear overall sequence: it introduces the complaint, describes the collection arrangements, explains the consequences, and makes a request. Paragraphing helps distinguish these stages, and linking words such as “However” and “so that” show relationships between ideas. Some connections are less smooth or precise, though. The opening says the issue “caused various problems” before the details are given, while the final request for a meeting does not clearly connect to a specific solution. The transition from the full bins to visitor parking could also be made more explicit. Use clearer references and link each consequence directly to the collection problem, then make the requested action the natural conclusion of the explanation.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “garbage collection,” “recycled garbage,” “garbage bins,” and “unhygienic area,” so the reader can understand the complaint. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “I would be very grateful.” However, several word choices and collocations are awkward or inaccurate: “enquire you about” should be “inform you about” or “enquire about”; “visitor parking” and “offer those parkings” are unclear; and “the solution will be find out” is not a natural expression. “Looking forword” also contains a spelling error. More precise phrases such as “overflowing bins,” “collection frequency,” and “identify a solution” would improve clarity and formality.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including the contrast introduced by “However” and the purpose clause “so that…”. Most of the message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors affect accuracy. For example, “The reason behind is that” needs a clearer construction, such as “The reason is that”; “Garbage is not only cause bad smell” has errors in verb form and article use; and “if it is solved” does not clearly refer to the health risk. The passive construction “the solution will be find out” is also incorrectly formed. Check subject–verb agreement, articles, and verb forms, and make pronoun references explicit. These corrections would help you express the same ideas with greater control.

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