Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-22

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,

My name is Jumoke Balogun, a Resident of Apo Resettlement. I am writing this letter to complain about the rubbish/ garbage collection on the Estate. I have lived on the Estate for 2 and half years now, and i can say that the garbage collection system has been nothing to write home about. The garbage collection system does not pick up dirts on time, a lot of times the garbage stays in front of our houses for over 3 weeks,sometimes a month which is totally unacceptable.

As a result of the incompetence of the garbage collection system, there has been an unpleasant smell coming from the estate, due to the dirts that have not been picked up, a lot of times, flies are all over the estate and it is no longer safe for children to come out to play becuase of the horrible smell and also the chances of them getting infected.

Furthermore, i suggest that the Local Council changes the present rubbish/ garbage collection system to a better and more efficient one who will deliver in time and do the needeful, i also advise that a card is given to every resident in order to be able to tick the number of time they pick up dirts in front of their houses, this will inturn help to keep tabs on them and know if they are meeting up to the expectation of the council.

In Conclusion, the Council should ensure that regular visits are made to the offices of the waste collection companies to monitor their activities and ensure that they do the right thing at the right time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The letter addresses all three requirements: it describes collections being delayed for weeks, explains the resulting smell, flies and risks to children, and proposes replacing or monitoring the service. The complaint is clear and supported with relevant details, such as rubbish remaining outside homes for “over 3 weeks, sometimes a month.” The suggestions are also specific, particularly the resident cards for recording collections. To strengthen the response further, develop how the council should implement or follow up these measures, and make the impact on neighbours as explicit as the impact on children. Overall, the purpose and requested action are clear throughout, with some scope to extend the supporting details more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter has a clear progression from the problem, to its effects, to proposed solutions, and the final paragraph reinforces the request for council oversight. Paragraphing is appropriate, and signposts such as “As a result” and “Furthermore” help readers follow the argument. Some linking is less controlled: the second paragraph joins several effects in a long sentence, while “In Conclusion” repeats the function of the preceding proposal rather than adding a distinct closing request. The repeated phrase “garbage collection system” also makes the flow somewhat mechanical. Grouping the effects into shorter, clearly connected sentences and ending with a concise request for action would make the organisation more polished.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for explaining the complaint and includes some useful formal choices, such as “incompetence,” “efficient,” “monitor their activities” and “unacceptable.” Meaning remains clear, but several word choices and collocations are imprecise or repetitive. “Pick up dirts” is not natural English, and “do the needeful” is an inaccurate form of the expression. The repeated use of “garbage collection system” and “dirts” limits flexibility, while “horrible smell” is less formal than the context calls for. Aim to use accurate waste-management terms and vary references to the service and rubbish. Proofreading spelling and choosing more natural collocations would improve precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts a mix of sentence forms, including a relative clause in “a card … in order to be able to tick” and a conditional clause about children getting infected. However, some long sentences are not controlled consistently, especially the sentence beginning “As a result,” which combines several effects without clear punctuation. There are also errors in capitalisation and sentence construction: “i” should be “I,” and “a better and more efficient one who will deliver” has an unclear reference and agreement pattern. The final proposal sentence also joins separate ideas with a comma. Use shorter sentences where several consequences or recommendations are listed, and check clause boundaries, agreement and capitalisation.

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