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
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to bring to your attention the ongoing problemsissues with the rubbish collection system in our neighbourhood on Lodi Road in New Delhiour neighbourhood, Lodi Road, New Delhi. Over the past few weeks, the service has been inconsistent, with collections either being delayed by several days or, in some cases, missed entirely. I hope thatI am hoping that you will take the necessary actionactions to resolve this issue.
This problem is causing significant inconvenience to residents. Overflowing bins have led to an unpleasant odour, and scattered rubbish is attracting pests such as rats and stray animals. Additionally, with the recent warm weather, the situation has worsened, posing a potential health risk to our community. Many neighbours have expressed their frustration, as we rely on a timely and efficient waste disposal system.
To resolve this issue, I kindly request that the council reviewreviews the current collection schedule and ensures that waste is collected according to scheduleremoved regularly and on time. It would also be helpful if the council provided a contact pointa contact point were provided so that residents could report missed collections promptly.
I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to a prompt resolutionlook forward to a resolution soon.
Yours faithfully,
Manoj Monmohon
Why this response received Band 8.0
The response’s strongest feature is complete, well-developed task coverage: it explains missed collections, shows concrete effects on residents, and requests practical council action in a consistently appropriate formal tone. Its limitations are minor rather than score-limiting, mainly slight wordiness and a request that could specify the expected service timetable. The best refinement is to keep the same structure while making the proposed follow-up even more measurable.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
The letter fully achieves its purpose, develops all three bullet points with specific relevant detail, and maintains an appropriately courteous formal tone.
As a refinement, request confirmation of the restored collection schedule or a response deadline so the proposed remedy is fully measurable.
Coherence and Cohesion
Paragraphing clearly separates the complaint, effects, solutions and closing, and ideas progress smoothly with effective referencing and linking.
Trim the repeated request for resolution in the opening and closing to make the already clear progression slightly more economical.
Lexical Resource
Vocabulary is precise and flexible, including natural expressions such as “missed entirely,” “overflowing bins,” “posing a potential health risk” and “report missed collections promptly.”
Replace the slightly generic plural “necessary actions” with “necessary action” or a specific service commitment for maximum precision.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The letter uses varied complex structures accurately, with strong control of subordination, passive forms and punctuation and no meaning-impeding errors.
Maintain this level of control while favouring the most concise clause forms when a shorter construction expresses the same request.
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 1
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
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.