Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-19

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 6.5)

Dear Sir,

I am wriitng to get your attention on the major concern about the poor rubbish collection system in my area. It is causing a huge problem to local residents as the problem has been deteriorated significantly over the past few weeks.

The rubbish is not being collected on scheduled time, resulting in overflowing of bins on the pavements for several days. Moreover, some of the street animals scatter the garbage bags and create a mess on the streets which is completely unhygeinic and untidy.

The problem puts a negative impact on my neighbourhood as it not only gives the bad odour but also gathers insects and flies which can pose a health risk to residents. The unpleasant smell becomes a hindrance to enjoy fresh air, especially during rainy weather.

I would like to request you to take a prompt action to reslove this issue. It will be really appreciated if the council will take action on collecting garbage on decided time and inspect it on weekly basis.

I hope to get a positive response from your side.

Gurpreet Mahi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You address all three points in the prompt: delayed collections and overflowing bins describe the system failure, odour and insects explain its effects, and you ask the council to collect rubbish on schedule and inspect the area. The purpose is clear and the tone is generally appropriate for a formal complaint. You also support the impact with relevant details, such as animals scattering bags and the smell affecting residents’ enjoyment of fresh air. To make the response more fully developed, specify a practical action or timeframe—for example, an urgent extra collection followed by a reliable schedule—and explain what inspection should check. The closing could also use a more conventional formal sign-off.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter follows a clear progression: it introduces the complaint, describes the collection failure, explains its effects, and then requests action. Separate paragraphs help the reader distinguish these stages, and linking expressions such as “Moreover” and “not only…but also” make relationships between ideas clear. The sequence is easy to follow throughout. To strengthen cohesion further, avoid repeating “problem” in the opening and make the connection between the requested weekly inspection and the collection schedule more explicit. A conventional closing phrase before your name would also complete the letter’s structure more smoothly.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

Your vocabulary is adequate for explaining the issue, and phrases such as “overflowing of bins,” “street animals scatter the garbage bags,” and “pose a health risk” communicate relevant details. You also attempt more formal language, including “prompt action” and “unpleasant smell.” However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “the problem has been deteriorated,” “puts a negative impact,” and “collecting garbage on decided time.” There are also spelling errors in “wriitng,” “unhygeinic,” and “reslove.” These do not prevent understanding, but careful proofreading and more natural collocations would make the complaint sound more precise and professional.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including a relative clause in “which can pose a health risk” and the paired structure “not only…but also.” Most sentences communicate the intended meaning, and the paragraphing supports readability. Some grammatical errors remain, however. In “the problem has been deteriorated,” the verb form is incorrect; use “has deteriorated.” In “It will be really appreciated if the council will take action,” the conditional pattern needs adjustment, such as “I would really appreciate it if the council took action.” The sentence about the smell also shifts awkwardly from “gives” to “gathers.” More accurate verb patterns and conditional forms would improve control.

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