Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-24

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 5.5)

hy sir

hoe so you are doing well. i am writing you to inform about a main problem of our area now adays..

...it is to cone you to concerb tha our garbage system is not working properly . they are not coming on time to take garbage nad sometines they are absebt from their duty that teases the local community alot..

as you no that garbage has a stinking smell and its creates environment pollution..

last few days ago i asked them to be punctual and efficient for your duty but they didn't take it serious

many of may neighbours are also complaining for this issue so it should be solved as soon as possible ..

there are some suggestions that i want to give you to resolve this problem

1 take the meeting if workers make a team captin so that ge can keep an eye on the

2 appreciate the workers on thier good work so that they can be motivated ..

3 make a duty riaster if the workers so that tjey cab get a day or two for holiday

4 put rolling bins at specific lengths so that everyone can feel easy to out garbage in them..

hooe so u will cinsider my application

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the three main points: you report that collections are late or missed, describe the smell and pollution, and offer several possible remedies. The suggestions about monitoring workers and placing bins are relevant. However, the effects on you and your neighbours are only briefly explained, and some proposals are unclear or not fully connected to the collection problem—for example, “appreciate the workers” and providing holidays need more explanation. The letter also does not consistently maintain an appropriate formal tone, and the opening and closing are difficult to understand. To strengthen the response, explain one or two concrete consequences for residents and make each proposed action precise, such as setting a collection schedule and providing a way to report missed pickups.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall sequence: it introduces the problem, describes its effects, and then lists suggestions. The numbered list helps readers identify the proposed actions. However, progression within the paragraphs is uneven, and several ideas are joined with repeated forms such as “so that” or “so it should be solved” rather than clearly developed. The numbered suggestions are also incomplete in places, particularly the first item, which ends without explaining what the team captain should do. Paragraphing and clearer links between the problem, its consequences, and each solution would make the letter easier to follow. Use complete sentences and group related points into distinct paragraphs.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “garbage system,” “stinking smell,” “environment pollution,” “punctual,” and “motivated,” so the reader can identify the subject and your concerns. However, the range is limited, and frequent spelling errors and inaccurate word choices sometimes make the message difficult to understand. Examples include “duty riaster,” “rolling bins,” and “feel easy to out garbage in them”; these do not express the intended ideas clearly. Some phrases, such as “take it serious,” are also not natural collocations. Build a more accurate set of formal phrases for council correspondence, and check spelling and collocation carefully. For instance, “collection schedule” and “missed pickups” would communicate the issue more precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to connect ideas in longer sentences, for example, “they are not coming on time to take garbage and sometimes they are absent from their duty,” and you use clauses to explain consequences and suggestions. However, the range of sentence structures remains limited, and errors in sentence formation, agreement, articles, and punctuation are frequent enough to make parts of the letter hard to read. In “garbage has a stinking smell and its creates environment pollution,” the pronoun and sentence construction are faulty; the numbered suggestions also contain incomplete structures. Practise writing complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and use simple, accurate forms before adding subordinate clauses. Careful punctuation and proofreading would improve clarity.

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