Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-23

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 5.0)

Dear sir,

my name is Rajwinder singh and i live in Arora area winnipeg.I am here for some problems of my area related to garbage collection crew because they never pick garbage on time as well as some times they donot collect garbage for 2,3 weeks which make lots of problem for me and my neighbours.Due to not pick garbage on time its make bad smell in the area which is not good for our health and its much bad for our children's. with that our get illness. so i request to you to improve garbage collection company and i have some solution such as hire younger men's for this job and give them proper training and create timetable for them for collect garbage on the date which make it easier for everyone.

Thank you.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the central problem—collections are late or missed for two to three weeks—and explain consequences, including bad smells and health concerns for residents and children. You also make a request and offer possible remedies, so the letter is relevant to all three bullet points. However, the effects are only briefly stated, and the proposed solutions (hiring younger workers, training them and setting a timetable) are not explained or clearly linked to the missed collections. The response also falls 15 words short of the required minimum, limiting the detail you can provide. Develop the impact with a specific example and make a practical, clearly targeted request, such as a reliable collection schedule and a way to report missed pickups.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The reader can follow a basic sequence: you introduce the collection problem, describe its effects, and suggest solutions. This gives the letter some organisation. However, nearly all the information is placed in one long paragraph, and the ideas run together, particularly in the sentence beginning “Due to not pick garbage on time.” Linking expressions such as “with that” and “so” are used imprecisely, while the closing “Thank you” is not developed into a complete formal letter ending. Separate the problem, its effects and your requested action into paragraphs, and use clear links such as “As a result” and “I would therefore ask the council to…” to make the progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough topic vocabulary to communicate the main issue, including “garbage collection,” “bad smell,” “health” and “timetable.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or combinations are unnatural, such as “pick garbage,” “make lots of problem” and “hire younger men's.” These expressions may make the reader pause, even though the general meaning is usually recoverable. Aim for more precise phrases used in formal complaints: for example, describe the council’s “waste collection service” and say that missed pickups “cause a nuisance” or “create a health concern.” Check spelling and capitalisation as well, including “sometimes,” “children” and proper names.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response communicates its main points, but grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships between ideas difficult to follow. For example, “they donot collect garbage for 2,3 weeks” needs a clearer verb form and punctuation, while “Due to not pick garbage on time its make bad smell” has problems with the verb pattern, subject–verb agreement and sentence structure. The writing relies mainly on simple clauses joined together, with little accurate variety in complex structures. Practise building complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, such as “Because collections are often missed, rubbish remains outside for several weeks and creates an unpleasant smell.” Also check articles, plurals and punctuation when editing.

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