IELTS GT writing task 1: Rubbish collection

Topic:

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The system used for rubbish/garbage collection in your local area is not working properly. This is causing problems for you and your neighbors.

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 neighbors

- suggest what should be done about the problem

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Answer:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing you to bring to your attention the problem with the collection system at the rubbish gathering point of Bui Huu street. It is not working properly and we are suffering from the smell of the waste.

As you may know, normally the rubbish is collected from this point every day at 5:00pm. However, during the last two weeks, the frequency of rubbish collection has been decreased to once every two days, resulting in waste piling up and emitting uncomfortable smell. This kind of smell is so strong that it follows the wind into the community garden where people often gather in the morning and evening. We have to stop our daily stroll and exercise because of the unbearable odor.

We would be grateful if you would look into this matter as soon as possible. I recommend you to reestablish the daily collection routine to the rubbish gathering point so that the trash will be cleaned up before the evening. This will help to return the fresh air for the community garden and residents in the neighborhood can resume their activities there.

Thank you for your attention. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

(202 words)

Comment:

I think that the General training writing task is not very difficult, you can just write a letter just like you do normally at work or in life. The only thing you should remember is to choose the right form of the letter. You need to know if the question is asking you to write a formal or informal letter.

Generally, if the question says you should write to someone you don’t know (a manager of a hotel where you stayed, the local council…), you should write a formal letter. If it’s your friend or relative that you know well, you can write an informal letter. If it’s someone you know, but has higher status than you (your professor, your boss…), you can write a semi-formal letter (a bit more relaxed tone than formal letters but less intimate than informal ones).

If the letter begins with “Dear Sir/Madam”, end it with “Yours faithfully,”

If the letter begins with “Dear Mr. A/Ms. B”, end it with “Yours sincerely,”

If the letter begins with “Dear Anna (or any other name of a close friend or relative”, end it with “Cheers/Love/See you/…”

Try to use different phrases and tenses and avoid any typo to maximize the score you can get from task 1.