Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

Dear Sir ,

I am writing to complaint about garbage collection in my area and is not working properly , which creates problems for the residents.I noticed it a few times but no one take action against this. So,I decided to write a letter to you.

From last few weeks , garbage is not collected and bin is broken , due to which rubbish comes out in front of the building.

This is affecting us in several ways . Firslty, the odour of the garbage brings a lot of health problems.Secondly, sometimes people carry garbage along with their shoes to the entrance area which looks bad if someone visit to see the apartment .

I want to suggest some solutions of this issue . The main one is install new garbage bin such as one for recycle , another two for food and household garbage .I hope you will also contact the garbage collection company. We will wait for your response .

Yours faithfully,

Ramandeep.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The letter addresses all three required points: it reports that rubbish has not been collected for several weeks and that the bin is broken, explains the odour and mess affecting residents, and proposes replacement bins and contact with the collection company. The purpose is clear and the tone is generally appropriate for a council. The impact is relevant, but some details are only briefly stated: for example, “health problems” is not explained, and the suggestion about separate bins could be linked more directly to the collection failure. To strengthen the response, specify the practical consequences and request a clear action, such as repairing or replacing the bin and arranging more regular collections. This would make the ideas more fully developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The information follows a sensible order: the opening explains the complaint, the next paragraph describes the collection problem, and the final sections cover its effects and possible solutions. Sequencing words such as “Firstly” and “Secondly” help the reader follow the effects. The letter also has a recognisable opening and closing. However, some connections are mechanical, and paragraphing could be clearer: the proposed actions are crowded into one paragraph, while the opening combines several ideas in a long sentence. Some references, such as “it” in “I noticed it a few times,” are not fully clear. Use separate paragraphs for the problem, its effects, and the requested action, and connect each point more smoothly.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the complaint and its consequences, with relevant terms such as “garbage collection,” “odour,” “residents,” and “recycle.” However, the range is limited and several choices or forms are noticeably inaccurate or unnatural, including “write to complaint,” “carry garbage along with their shoes,” and “solutions of this issue.” These do not prevent the reader from understanding the main message, but they reduce precision and naturalness. Aim for more accurate collocations and formal council-letter wording, such as “make a complaint,” “track rubbish into the entrance,” and “solutions to this problem.” Check spelling as well, particularly “Firstly,” so that errors do not distract from the message.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response uses both simple sentences and some attempts at more complex structures, including “which creates problems for the residents” and “due to which rubbish comes out in front of the building.” The main meaning remains understandable. However, some grammatical errors recur in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “no one take action” needs a singular verb, and “I am writing to complaint” uses an incorrect grammatical form after “to.” The opening also joins ideas awkwardly, while punctuation spacing is inconsistent. Practise accurate verb patterns and build longer sentences from a clear main clause with a correctly attached subordinate clause. More consistent control would make the letter easier to read.

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