Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-21

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 or Madam,

I hope this letter finds you well.

I am formally writing to address an issue related to the garbage collection. I have been a resident of DHA Phase One and my neighbourhood has been facing this issue for past few months. The garbage collecting system is operated by KDA and is not working properly to collect the garbage from my area. Rubbish stayed outside the houses or on the streets for days; in addition, no official person come and collect the rubbish.

The issue is affecting me and my neighbours badly. We have to bear the stink all day; in addition, garbage stayed for so long that flies lay eggs on that and the whole neighbourhood is affecting by flies. Furthermore, residents are getting sick because of poor cleaning of the area. The conditions of the park are also detrimental. Children of my society are unable to play at the park because rubbish is not being cleaned regularly.

I suggest you to take strick action on this matter. You must appoint a personal to look after and resolve this issue. Moreover, the garbage collecting vehicles are not adequate to collect all the garbage from the area at once. If you do not have enough workforce than you should hire more employees to collect the garbage. I am looking forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Thank you in advance.

Yours sincerely,

Kashif Khan.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

You address all three requested points: you explain that rubbish remains in the streets for days, describe effects such as the smell, flies, illness and the unusable park, and propose appointing someone to oversee the issue and increasing staff. The purpose is clear and the formal letter format is appropriate. The effects are relevant and supported with concrete examples, while the proposed remedies are sensible. To make the response more fully developed, specify practical steps such as a regular collection schedule, extra collection rounds, or a way for residents to report missed pickups. Also clarify whether the council should direct KDA or take action itself, so the requested responsibility is precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter follows a clear progression: the collection failure is described first, its consequences are explained in the next paragraph, and solutions are offered before the closing. Paragraphing helps the reader follow these stages, and linking expressions such as “in addition” and “Furthermore” make relationships between points clear. Some transitions are repeated, however, and the sequence of suggestions could be more tightly organised. For example, group the request for oversight with a specific collection schedule, then present additional vehicles or staff as supporting measures. This would make the argument feel less like a list and give the final paragraph a smoother, more purposeful progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

Your vocabulary is adequate for explaining the problem and its effects, with useful choices such as “detrimental,” “workforce,” and “resolve this issue.” The reader can understand your meaning throughout. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “garbage collecting system,” “stink,” “appoint a personal,” and “strick action.” “The whole neighbourhood is affecting by flies” also uses an unsuitable word form. Aim for more natural formal expressions such as “waste collection service,” “unpleasant odour,” “appoint a staff member,” and “take strict action.” More precise vocabulary for the proposed service improvements would also strengthen the letter’s formal tone.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses introduced by “because” and “that,” and most ideas remain understandable. Some grammatical errors recur, though. In “for past few months,” an article is needed; “no official person come” has a subject–verb agreement error; and “rubbish stayed” should use a tense consistent with the ongoing problem. The sentence “the whole neighbourhood is affecting by flies” needs a passive form, while “I suggest you to take” uses an incorrect verb pattern. Review articles, agreement, tense consistency, passive constructions, and verb patterns. Correcting these recurring issues would make your otherwise clear message more accurate.

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