Home ›IELTS Writing Task 1 Topics › Rubbish on a local beach — letter to council
General Training Task 1 — suggestion letter: Rubbish on a local beach — letter to council. This page gives the exam question and a band 9 model answer, with the tone, opening and closing lines that suit the letter. Aim for at least 150 words in about 20 minutes.
You recently visited a beach in your local area and were concerned by the large amount of rubbish you saw there. Write a
letter to the local council.
In the letter, you should include:
• Describe the situation you observed
• Explain the possible effects of this problem
• Suggest what actions the council could take to address it
| Letter type | Suggestion |
| Tone | Formal |
| Opening | Dear Sir or Madam, |
| Closing | Yours faithfully, |
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to draw your attention to a matter of considerable environmental concern that I observed during a visit to Seaview Beach last Sunday morning. Large quantities of plastic bottles, food packaging, and discarded fishing equipment were scattered across the shoreline, particularly near the eastern car park entrance, creating an unsightly and hazardous environment.
This level of pollution poses serious risks to local wildlife, as seabirds and marine animals can easily ingest or become entangled in plastic waste. It also discourages families and tourists from using the beach, which ultimately affects the reputation of the area and may reduce footfall for local businesses that depend on seasonal visitors.
I would urge the Council to increase the frequency of beach cleaning during peak months and to install additional waste disposal bins with clear recycling labels at main access points. A short public awareness campaign reminding visitors to take their rubbish home could also make a meaningful difference. I would welcome confirmation of what action you intend to take.
Yours faithfully,
Strategy
Civic complaint-suggestion to a government body. Be specific about WHEN you visited, WHAT you saw, and offer at least two
concrete solutions. Formal register throughout.
Common trap
Do not use emotional language ("This is disgraceful!"). Formal letters to councils must be measured and
professional, even when expressing serious concern.
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