Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing this letter to you because In our area garbage collection system is not working properly.

Due to this me and my neighbour facing serious issues like smell and garbage everywhere spread in front of our houses.

Our waste bins are full and garbage cameout of the bins

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

You identify the central problem—collection is not working properly—and mention overflowing bins, unpleasant smells and rubbish spread outside homes. These details are relevant, but the letter is only a brief opening: it does not explain how often collection is missed, fully describe the effects on residents, or suggest what the council should do. The required minimum length is not met, so the task remains substantially incomplete. To develop the response, explain the practical consequences for neighbours and make a clear request, such as more frequent collections or an inspection of the service. A suitable closing would also complete the letter.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The ideas follow a basic, understandable sequence: you state the purpose, then describe the problem and its effects. This gives the short response some overall organisation. However, there is no clear progression beyond these initial points, and the letter has no paragraph development, request, or closing. The opening sentence also combines the purpose and problem without a clear transition. Use separate paragraphs for the collection failures, their effects, and your proposed solution, linking them with simple connectors such as “As a result” and “I would therefore ask the council to…”. This would make the relationship between points clearer and give the letter a complete structure.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use basic vocabulary that communicates the main issue, including “garbage collection system,” “serious issues,” “smell,” and “waste bins.” The topic is clear, but the range is narrow and some expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “garbage everywhere spread” and “garbage cameout of the bins.” The spelling and spacing in “cameout” also reduce accuracy. Choose more natural collocations, for example “rubbish is scattered outside our homes” and “the bins are overflowing.” You could also use more specific terms such as “missed collections,” “unpleasant odour,” and “public health concern” to describe the problem and its impact more precisely.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response uses simple sentence forms, and the reader can understand the main message. However, grammatical control is inconsistent: “In our area garbage collection system is not working properly” is missing an article before “our area” and “garbage collection system”; “me and my neighbour facing” lacks a correctly formed subject and verb; and “Our waste bins are full and garbage cameout of the bins” shifts awkwardly in tense and needs clearer punctuation. Most sentences follow a basic pattern, with little variety. Practise complete clauses, subject–verb agreement, articles, and consistent present-tense forms—for example, “My neighbours and I are facing serious problems because rubbish is overflowing from the bins.”

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