Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-25

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)

My name is Ron and I am writing to draw your attention to very critical problem of garbage collection in our area.

The garbage collection team has not been working and collecting all the garbage at a time, they are leaving behind some of the garbage all the time . For instance, I was watching them when the guy was literally torn the garbage bag and left it behaind and the same day they did it with my neighbours. After some calls, I have found that these is happening on other streets too. I really do not know the issue but I have asked to municipal depertment whether it is the issue of the garbage collecter team or the system itself.

It is important for garbage to be gone timely as we do not have space and it invites numerous stinking smell and diseases. We cannot even bare it for a second.

I relly appreciate that it has not beeen happened before but I think it the time to solve this at first by hiring new staff or solving the current issue for particular work.

Yours faithfully,

Ron

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address all three requested points: you describe missed rubbish and torn bags, explain the resulting lack of space, smell and disease concerns, and suggest hiring staff or resolving the existing problem. The specific example of the collector leaving a torn bag helps make the complaint relevant, and your purpose is clear. However, the proposed remedies are not fully explained, and the final sentence, “solving the current issue for particular work,” is unclear. The effect on neighbours is mentioned but could be developed with a concrete example. To strengthen the letter further, state precisely what action you want the council to take, such as supervising collections, replacing damaged bags, or arranging a prompt clean-up.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a recognisable progression: it introduces the complaint, describes what collectors do, explains the consequences, and ends with a request for action. Paragraphing supports this overall organisation, and phrases such as “For instance” and “After some calls” help connect details. However, some links are awkward or unclear, particularly the long sentence beginning “The garbage collection team has not been working,” which combines several points without clear separation. The shift from the council complaint to “I really appreciate that it has not been happened before” is also difficult to follow. Use shorter, more clearly structured sentences and make references explicit so the reader can follow the sequence of events and your requested response.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “garbage collection,” “municipal department,” “stinking smell,” and “diseases,” and the meaning is generally understandable. There are also attempts at more specific language, such as “draw your attention” and “numerous.” However, several spelling errors and unnatural word combinations reduce precision: “behaind,” “depertment,” and “relly” are examples, while “invites numerous stinking smell” does not express the intended consequence naturally. “Garbage collector team” is also less idiomatic than “collection crew.” Build accuracy by checking spelling and learning common collocations for complaints and public services, such as “cause unpleasant odours” and “pose a health risk.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including the example introduced by “For instance” and the explanation beginning “as we do not have space.” However, errors in verb forms, sentence construction, articles, and punctuation are noticeable. For example, “the guy was literally torn the garbage bag” has an incorrect verb form, and “these is happening” has faulty agreement. The opening also needs an article in “a very critical problem,” while “I have asked to municipal department whether…” has an incomplete grammatical pattern. Some sentences remain understandable, but these errors make parts of the letter awkward to read. Practise accurate past-tense forms and build complex sentences around one clear main clause.

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