Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-27

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 Mr.Smith,

As garbage collection department working improperly causing inconvenience to the residents in my neighbhourhood, I am writing to draw your attention to the matter.

First of all, the garbage collection workers have not been working on the time decided by the council. This lead to a lot of confusion among individuals. As a result, they are missing the collection timing and have to store garbage until next week. Besides, they also leave garbage bins on the road. This is particularly dangerous for the drivers and other childrean playing in our neighbhourhood.

Above mentioned situations can affect people's standard of living and raise the question on their health. It also a matter of drivers and children's safety and well-being.

To avoid such isssues, I would like to suggest some measures. Firstly, the garbage department workers are given stricter notice to plan their route according to the given schedule. Secondly, they could also be advised to put garbage bins on a curb to prevent any traffic hazards.

I am looking forward to your response on the serious problem.

King and regards,

Dhaval Prajapati

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address all three requested points: you describe missed collection times and bins left on the road, explain the resulting storage, health and safety concerns, and propose schedule enforcement and safer bin placement. The purpose is clear and the tone is generally appropriate for a council letter. The impact is relevant, but some details are asserted rather than explained: for example, the link between missed collections and residents’ health could be made clearer, and the effect on neighbours could be illustrated more specifically. The opening also uses “Dear Mr.Smith,” rather than the requested “Dear Sir or Madam,” which makes the recipient seem less appropriate. More precise development and consistent formal-letter conventions would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter has a coherent overall arrangement: it introduces the complaint, describes the collection problems, explains their effects, and then offers solutions. Paragraphing helps the reader follow these stages, and signposts such as “First of all,” “Besides,” and “Firstly” make the sequence visible. However, some linking is mechanical, and the relationship between ideas is occasionally unclear. For instance, “As a result, they are missing the collection timing” does not clearly identify who “they” refers to or how the workers’ late arrival leads to residents missing collection. The transition from the specific problems to the broad statement about living standards is also abrupt. Use clearer references and connect each effect directly to its cause.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “garbage collection,” “schedule,” “traffic hazards,” and “well-being,” so the main message is understandable. There are also attempts at more formal expressions, such as “draw your attention to the matter.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “on the time decided,” “stricter notice,” and “put garbage bins on a curb.” Spelling errors such as “neighbhourhood,” “childrean,” and “isssues” are noticeable and reduce the impression of control. Aim for natural, precise phrases and check spelling carefully; this will make the complaint sound more fluent and professional without requiring unnecessarily complex vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes both simple sentences and attempts at longer structures, such as “As a result, they are missing the collection timing and have to store garbage until next week.” Most ideas remain understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. The opening fragment, “As garbage collection department working improperly,” needs a complete clause, while “This lead” should use a past-tense verb and “It also a matter” needs a verb. There are also issues with articles and sentence construction in “the garbage department workers are given stricter notice.” These errors do not generally prevent understanding, but they limit accuracy. Practise building complete clauses and checking verb forms, articles, and agreement, while retaining a mix of sentence patterns.

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