Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-11-10

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)

Hey Riya,

I hope you're doing splendidly! It's been while since we both caught up. Let's catch up one day. I am here to tell you an exciting news that I purchased a new motorcycle.

I know you might be wondering that why I bought it? Actually I got a job in a renowned company but it's too far; hence, it's really difficult for me to commute to such a long distance by bicycle.

I know that you have been always interested in my bicycle . Well, let me tell you about its features. Its a black colour cycle of Hero company, with silver pedals. The seat is very comfortable; therefore, it's easier to ride it for long hours. The cycle comes with a flashlight, which makes riding experience easier in both the day and night.

I feel that you should purchase this because you always wanted something in low budget and this cycle will not only suit to your budget , also it has same features that you were looking for.

let me know if you need puctures of bicycle to have a closer look. I am sure you will love this deal.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

With regard,

Harjot Kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The letter addresses all three points clearly: you explain that a new job is far away and that cycling there is difficult, describe the bicycle’s colour, brand, pedals, seat and flashlight, and connect the offer to Riya’s interest and budget. The reason for selling and the bicycle’s appeal are relevant and easy to understand. Some support could be more specific: for example, “same features that you were looking for” does not say which features Riya wanted, and the bicycle’s condition or asking price is not mentioned. Developing these details would make the offer more convincing and the ideas more fully supported. The friendly purpose and tone remain clear throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information follows a clear sequence: a friendly opening, the reason you no longer use the bicycle, its features, and why it may suit your friend, followed by a closing. Paragraphing helps distinguish the main points, and links such as “Actually,” “Well,” and “therefore” guide the reader through the message. There is some repetition in the opening (“Let’s catch up one day”) and in the closing, where the invitation to request pictures is followed by another assurance that Riya will like the deal. A few transitions, particularly between the motorcycle news and the bicycle offer, could be smoother. More concise linking and clearer paragraph breaks would make the progression feel more natural.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of vocabulary for a friendly sales letter, including “renowned company,” “commute,” “comfortable,” and “closer look.” These choices help explain the situation and describe the bicycle. However, some expressions are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “an exciting news,” “low budget,” and “suit to your budget,” while “cycle” is repeated several times. There are also spelling and word-form slips, including “puctures,” which should be “pictures,” and “Its” where the possessive form “Its” needs an apostrophe as “It’s” only when meaning “it is.” Choose more natural collocations and check spelling and apostrophes to make the message more precise and fluent.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The letter includes both simple sentences and more complex forms, such as “Actually I got a job in a renowned company but it's too far; hence…” and the relative clause “which makes riding experience easier.” Meaning is generally clear, and the writer attempts to connect reasons and results. Some grammatical errors remain: “It's been while” needs an article (“a while”); “I am here to tell you an exciting news” has an incorrect article with an uncountable noun; and “I know you might be wondering that why I bought it?” has an awkward embedded question structure. The sentence beginning “this cycle will not only suit…” also needs a parallel construction. Review articles, question forms and sentence punctuation to improve accuracy.

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

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