Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-11-03

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 6.5)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing this to bring your attention on "Clean Nation" garbage collection system in my area. It is not functionally well and it causing several issues among our society.

Firstly, I would like to say that the timing of litter collection is not fixed. Although we are segregating wet and dry waste effectively, sometimes pick up collectors mix all waste in one.

In addition to that last week they did not came for collection.

Due to the mishandling garbage bins, not only my but also my neighbours bins are broken. Moreover, because of missing deadline of pick up, rubbish overflowing on the road. Which creates more mess in the locality and smell bad in the area. Many children walking through the road and facing challenges as it fell on the floor.

I would request you please take strong action against employees, who are breaching the policy. Additionally, if you assign a fixed day for collection that would be helpful. Please strongly focus on organic waste, as it is good for an environment.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hear from you on this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Yash Patel.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You address all three requested points: you describe irregular collection and mixed waste, explain the effects on residents, and propose action. The examples of broken bins, rubbish overflowing onto the road, unpleasant smells, and children encountering waste make the complaint relevant and clear. Your suggestions—taking action over policy breaches and setting a fixed collection day—also give the council practical steps. The request to focus on organic waste is less clearly connected to the problem, and the effects on children are not fully explained. To strengthen the letter further, specify how often collections are missed and clarify what change you want for separating wet and dry waste. Overall, the purpose and position remain clear throughout, with relevant support, though a few points are general or less developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The letter has a clear overall shape: an opening complaint, paragraphs describing the collection failures and their effects, and a closing request. Sequencing phrases such as “Firstly,” “In addition to that,” and “Moreover” help readers follow the points, and the formal greeting and sign-off suit the task. The organisation is coherent, but some linking is mechanical, and the relationship between ideas is occasionally unclear. For example, “Which creates more mess” is separated from the sentence it refers to, while the move from broken bins to missed collections could be connected more explicitly. Use fewer formulaic transitions and make references such as “it” or “this” clearly point to a specific problem. These refinements would make the progression smoother and cohesion more flexible.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for a formal complaint, including “segregating,” “mishandling,” “overflowing,” and “breaching the policy.” These choices help communicate the practical problems and show an attempt to use more specific language. Some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, however: “not functionally well” does not describe the service naturally, “attention on” is not the usual phrase, and “missing deadline of pick up” is unclear. “Smell bad” and “focus on organic waste” could also be expressed more precisely in this context. Aim to learn common combinations such as “draw your attention to,” “collection schedule,” and “unpleasant odour.” The meaning remains understandable, but more natural phrasing would improve precision and fluency.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including the “not only … but also” construction and a sentence beginning “Although.” This gives the letter some structural variety, and the main message is generally understandable. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly in verb forms, agreement, and sentence boundaries. For example, “it causing” needs a finite verb, “they did not came” should use the base form after “did,” and “not only my but also my neighbours bins” is missing a possessive structure. The fragment “Which creates more mess” should be joined to the preceding sentence, and “I look forward to hear” requires a gerund. Review these patterns and check each sentence for a complete clause; doing so will make your varied structures more accurate.

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

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