Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-10-31

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 7.0)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing this letter in order to bring your attention towards garbage collection in the Rosewood crescent area. From last few weeks the waste is not being taken on weekly basis as it used to be. The garbage collection truck comes once in two weeks now.

This has created a lot of hindrance for my neighbours and I. Our garbage bins are completely full and we still have more bags to throw out, also there is a foul smell in entire neighbourhood because of the waste not being collected regularly. All residents are worried about any kind of disease spread and health issues it may cause.

So, I would like you to address this problem on urgent basis by scheduling rubbish collection twice this week and once a week from following week. Additionally, I would appreciate in deep cleaning of our area so that we can get rid of any bacterial spread.

I hope you will understand the seriousness of this situation and do the necessary.

Yours sincerely,

Rudresh

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 8.0

The letter covers all three required points clearly. You explain the collection failure with a specific comparison—waste was collected weekly but now the truck comes “once in two weeks”—then describe full bins, foul smells, and residents’ health concerns. You also make practical requests: an extra collection this week, a weekly schedule thereafter, and a deep clean. These details make the purpose clear and the response well developed. To strengthen it further, specify how long the disruption has lasted more precisely or give a brief example of its effect on a household; the current impact is persuasive but somewhat general. The formal opening and closing are appropriate for a council letter.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The information is arranged in a clear sequence: the opening identifies the problem, the next paragraph explains its effects, and the final paragraphs request action and close politely. Paragraphing helps the reader distinguish these functions, and links such as “So” and “Additionally” make the requests easy to follow. The progression is logical throughout. To make cohesion more polished, use a slightly more formal transition than “So” and connect the proposed cleaning directly to the health concerns described earlier. The final sentence, “do the necessary,” is understandable but vague; a more specific reference to arranging collections and cleaning would give the ending a stronger sense of completion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for a formal complaint, including “foul smell,” “health issues,” “scheduling,” and “seriousness.” These choices communicate the problem and requested action clearly, and you attempt some less common expressions. However, several collocations or word choices are not natural, such as “bring your attention towards,” “a lot of hindrance,” and “bacterial spread.” “Deep cleaning” is also less precise than the intended action of cleaning the affected area. These inaccuracies do not prevent understanding, but they limit the naturalness and precision of the letter. Aim to learn common formal combinations, such as “draw your attention to” and “pose a health risk,” and use them accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response includes both simple statements and longer sentences, and the main message remains clear. For example, “The garbage collection truck comes once in two weeks now” is a straightforward, understandable sentence, while the sentence describing full bins and the smell combines related effects. Some grammatical errors remain, including “From last few weeks” (missing an article and an appropriate time expression), “my neighbours and I” after “for,” and “I would appreciate in deep cleaning,” which has an incomplete grammatical pattern. The sentence joining the full bins and additional bags also needs clearer punctuation or restructuring. Review articles, prepositions, and verb patterns after expressions such as “would appreciate”; greater accuracy in these areas would improve control.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.