IELTS General Training Writing Task 1: Rubbish Collection Letter
The Task:
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
Write at least 150 words.
Task 1
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Band 9 Model Answer
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to formally report a severe failure in the municipal rubbish collection services in the Willow Creek residential area over the past month.
Previously, the sanitation trucks arrived consistently every Tuesday morning. However, for the last four weeks, the collections have become entirely erratic. The trucks have completely missed our street on two separate occasions, and last week, they only emptied the recycling bins while ignoring the general household waste.
This gross inconsistency is causing significant distress for the residents. Due to the unemptied bins, rubbish bags are piling up on the pavements, creating a severe obstruction for pedestrians and wheelchair users. Furthermore, the accumulating waste is generating an unbearable odor and has begun attracting pests, including stray animals and rodents, which poses a serious public health hazard to our community.
I urgently request that the council dispatch an emergency cleanup crew this week to clear the backlog of waste. Additionally, I strongly suggest that you conduct a thorough review of the current staffing and routing schedules for our district to ensure that reliable, weekly collections are permanently restored.
Yours faithfully,
Jordan Vance
💡 Why this is a Band 9 Answer:
- Task Achievement: All three bullet points are covered comprehensively and logically. The tone is perfectly formal, assertive, and professional, which is the exact register required for a letter of complaint to a local government authority.
- Coherence & Cohesion: Paragraphs are seamlessly structured. The logical flow moves naturally from identifying the exact problem, to describing its negative impacts, and finally offering concrete solutions.
- Lexical Resource: Uses precise, advanced vocabulary appropriate for civic matters (municipal rubbish collection, entirely erratic, severe obstruction, public health hazard, emergency cleanup crew).
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Employs a superb mix of complex sentence structures flawlessly while maintaining accurate phrasing (“Due to the unemptied bins, rubbish bags are piling up on the pavements, creating a severe obstruction…”).
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IELTS General Training Writing Task 2: Cinema vs. Mobile Devices
The Task:
Some people say that now we can see films on our phones or tablets there is no need to go to the cinema. Others say that to be fully enjoyed, films need to be seen in a cinema.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Write at least 250 words.
Task 2
Band 9 Model Essay
The rapid advancement of digital technology has revolutionized how audiences consume entertainment. Consequently, a debate has emerged regarding whether the unparalleled convenience of watching films on portable devices like smartphones and tablets has rendered traditional cinemas obsolete. While mobile devices offer unmatched accessibility, I firmly believe that the immersive, audiovisual environment of a cinema remains absolutely essential for fully appreciating the art of filmmaking.
Those who argue against the necessity of cinemas point to the immense convenience and cost-effectiveness of modern streaming platforms. Smartphones and tablets allow individuals to carry an infinite library of cinematic content in their pockets. This level of portability means that people can enjoy films during daily commutes, on flights, or from the comfort of their own beds. Furthermore, a monthly subscription to a streaming service is significantly cheaper than purchasing individual cinema tickets, making film consumption much more accessible to the general public. For casual viewers who prioritize convenience and economy, mobile devices perfectly fulfill their entertainment needs.
On the other hand, purists argue that viewing a film on a miniature screen fundamentally diminishes the director’s artistic vision. I strongly align with this perspective. Cinemas are intentionally engineered to provide a deeply immersive sensory experience that simply cannot be replicated by a tablet. The massive scale of an IMAX screen, combined with state-of-the-art surround sound systems, envelops the audience, making action sequences more visceral and emotional moments more profound.
Additionally, going to the cinema is a dedicated, communal event. When watching a film on a phone, viewers are constantly interrupted by incoming text messages, social media notifications, or environmental distractions. Conversely, a dark movie theater demands absolute focus, allowing the audience to collectively disconnect from the outside world and fully invest in the narrative being presented on screen.
In conclusion, while smartphones and tablets have democratized access to media by providing incredible portability and affordability, they cannot replace the traditional movie theater. The superior audiovisual technology and the distraction-free, immersive environment of a cinema are still strictly required to experience a film to its fullest potential.
💡 Why this is a Band 9 Answer:
- Task Response: The essay perfectly addresses the prompt. It thoroughly discusses both sides—the convenience and affordability of mobile viewing, and the immersive quality of the cinema—before clearly presenting a well-justified personal opinion.
- Coherence & Cohesion: The essay utilizes a highly effective four-paragraph structure. Transition phrases guide the reader effortlessly through the complex arguments (Consequently, Those who argue against, On the other hand, Additionally, In conclusion).
- Lexical Resource: Showcases an exceptional, sophisticated vocabulary suited for an essay about technology and the arts (rendered traditional cinemas obsolete, unparalleled convenience, immersive sensory experience, visceral, democratized access).
- Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Uses a wide variety of complex grammatical structures perfectly, creating a highly persuasive, authoritative, and academic tone.
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