Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-11-09

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

You have a bicycle that you are no longer using. You would like to sell it to a friend.

Write a letter to your friend. In your letter
• explain why you are no longer using your bicycle.
• describe your bicycle.
• explain why you think your friend would like to have it.

You do NOT need to write any addresses.

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear _________,

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Dear Alice,

It's been ages. I hope you'r doing well. Do you know! I have been bought a new car to replace my bicycle, which I used for commuting to work place. Unfortunately, my old one bicycle is not in use for a long, so I want to sell it. The car I purchased give me comfort and I help me to reach my office on time, irrespective of weather conditions. In contrast, I want to make some money from selling it for my part-time study course, which cost me high,that's why I made my mind to sell it.

As far as I am concerned, you rode my bicylce at once, I hope you know the condition of it. Still I give you an update, it is red in color with black strips on the rim of tyres, as well as it has a basket in the front fitted with a torch, which helps you to carry some goods and directs you in the dark, respectively.

You might thinking why I am telling all these things to you, because I was thrilled when I get to know you are goin to buy a bicycle. Thus, I think this suits you well, as it is not an old model equipps with four gears as you needed. It has strong seat and break system which you like the most, I vividly remembered You disclosed this to me when you rode my bicycle.

I would be therefore thankful to you if you help me by owning this. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours lovingly,

Smith

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The letter addresses all three required points and maintains a clear, friendly purpose: you explain that a new car has replaced the bicycle, describe its red colour, tyre-rim details, basket and torch, and connect its gears and seat to Alice’s preferences. The reasons for selling it, including funding your course, also make the offer understandable. These details extend the main ideas and keep the response relevant. To strengthen the letter further, make the bicycle’s condition and selling arrangement more explicit—for example, state its price or invite Alice to inspect it. The explanation of why it suits her is clear, though it could be developed with a more direct link between its features and her needs.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The message has a clear overall shape: an opening explains the situation, the next paragraph describes the bicycle, and the final paragraph makes the offer and closes politely. This gives the reader a sensible progression through the task. You also use linking expressions such as “In contrast,” “As far as I am concerned,” and “Thus.” However, some connections are mechanical or do not express the intended relationship clearly; “In contrast” does not fit the reason about earning money, and “You might thinking why” interrupts the flow. A few long sentences combine several points, making the relationships harder to follow. Use simpler transitions and divide the feature description and personal recommendation into more clearly connected sentences.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a range of vocabulary relevant to the letter, including “commuting,” “irrespective of weather conditions,” “part-time study course,” and “four gears.” These choices help convey the situation and the bicycle’s features. However, noticeable spelling, word-form and collocation problems reduce precision, such as “bicylce,” “goin,” “equipps,” “make my mind,” and “cost me high.” Some descriptions are also awkward, including “black strips on the rim of tyres” and “strong seat and break system.” Aim for accurate, natural combinations and check spelling carefully. More precise wording for the bicycle’s condition and the proposed sale would also make the offer sound clearer and more convincing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The letter attempts both simple and more complex sentence forms, including clauses with “which,” “as,” and “when.” This allows you to include reasons and descriptive details, but many sentences contain errors in verb forms, agreement, articles or sentence construction. Examples include “I have been bought a new car,” “The car I purchased give me comfort,” “you might thinking,” and “I vividly remembered You disclosed this to me.” These errors sometimes make the reader pause to interpret the intended meaning. Practise checking the main verb in each clause, especially tense and subject–verb agreement, and use complete, controlled sentence patterns. Also review punctuation and capitalisation, as in the capitalised “You” within a sentence.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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