Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 13 · 2026-11-05

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 Sir,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing this letter to inform you about the garbage collection system in our area, which is not working properly. Moreover, it's been triggering all the residents in my area.

To begin with, since last two weeks, we have been facing an issue with our garbage collection system as they are not collecting the garbage on time and due to this, we have to use the alteranative rubbish collection system and as a result, we are paying from our pocket.

However, it has been affecting all of our lives on daily basis. Furthermore, we can not able to put extra garbage as they are not collecting regularly. Hence, it creates mess in our area. However, I would like to give you some suggestion for the ongoing problem with the rubbish removal. If you could make a schedule for the garbage collection then it would be a great help for us. Therefore, they would come regularly for rubbish collection. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Your's Sincerely,

Riddhi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You address all three points: you report that collections are late, explain that residents pay for an alternative service and that rubbish creates a mess, and request a regular collection schedule. The purpose is clear and the tone is generally appropriate for a council letter. The explanation of the effects is less fully developed than the description of the service problem: for example, “it has been affecting all of our lives” is broad, and you could specify practical or health-related consequences for neighbours. The proposed schedule is relevant, but adding a request for a start date, more frequent pickups, or a council investigation would make the solution more specific. The response covers the task well overall, though some ideas need fuller support.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The letter follows a recognisable sequence: it introduces the complaint, describes the collection problem, explains its effects, and makes a request before closing. Paragraphing helps separate the opening from the main details. However, progression within the body is less controlled: the effects and suggestion are combined in one paragraph, and several linking words—“Furthermore,” “Hence,” “However,” and “Therefore”—make the connections feel mechanical or occasionally unclear. In particular, “However” does not introduce a contrast in either of its uses. Group the problem, its consequences, and the requested action into clearer stages, and use fewer, more precise transitions. This would make the overall organisation easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough topic vocabulary to communicate the complaint, including “garbage collection system,” “alternative rubbish collection system,” and “rubbish removal.” There is also some variation in how you refer to the issue. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for a formal letter: “triggering all the residents” does not clearly express the intended effect, and “paying from our pocket” is not the natural collocation. “Make a schedule” is understandable but less precise than asking the council to establish or publish a collection schedule. There are also spelling and form errors, such as “alteranative” and “suggestion” where the plural is needed. More accurate collocations and a slightly wider range of formal complaint vocabulary would improve precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including the conditional request, “If you could make a schedule … then it would be a great help for us,” and clauses explaining cause and effect. The main message remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. Examples include “since last two weeks” (missing an article and an appropriate time expression), “we can not able to put” (incorrect verb construction), and “on daily basis” (missing an article). The long sentence beginning “To begin with” also joins several ideas without clear control, making it harder to read. Review articles, verb patterns, and sentence boundaries, and divide long chains of clauses into shorter sentences. Greater accuracy across these structures would strengthen the letter.

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