Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-11-13

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 5.5)

Dear friend,

I hope you fine there. I heared that you are finding a bicycle. I have interested to sell my bicycle.

My bicycle would be good in condition.I regular use my bicycle. Unfortunately my husband transfer his job outside the state so that I have no longer need for my bicycle because my bicycle was static bicycle and transport would be not easy. So that I decided sell the bicycle.

I think you see my bicycle. But I give small introduction about my cycle. My cycle was black in colour. The seat was available in my cycle. Handle and pedal were also present in my cycle. My cycle was good in condition.

If you are interested to purchase my bicycle, I would give you in affordable price.I decided to sell the cycle in £12 but if you are interested I would give in £9. I think my bicycle will be suitable for you.

Take care. If you are interest please let me know earlier.

Best wishes,

Riya Modi

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The letter covers all three required points: you explain that your husband’s job transfer means you no longer need the bicycle, describe its colour and basic features, and offer it to your friend at a reduced price. The reason for selling is relevant, but the explanation that it is a “static bicycle” and that transport would be difficult is not entirely clear. The description is also quite limited: details such as its type, age, condition, or any useful features would help your friend judge the offer. You do give a clear price and make a personal recommendation, so the purpose is understandable. Develop the bicycle’s advantages and explain more specifically why it would suit your friend to make the message more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter has a coherent overall arrangement: it opens with the reason for writing, moves to the reason for selling and a description, then gives the price and closes politely. Paragraphing helps distinguish these stages. However, some links are mechanical or unclear, particularly the repeated “So that” and the transition “I think you see my bicycle. But I give small introduction.” The reader can follow the main message, but these sentences do not connect the ideas smoothly. Use clearer transitions such as “Since you are looking for one, I thought I would tell you about it,” and avoid repeating the same linking phrase. More precise references to the bicycle would also make the progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough vocabulary to communicate the basic offer, including “transfer his job,” “affordable price,” and “suitable for you.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations sound unnatural, which sometimes makes the message less clear. For example, “static bicycle” may not express the type of bicycle you mean, while “the seat was available in my cycle” and “good in condition” are not natural descriptions. “I have interested to sell” also uses an unsuitable expression. Choose familiar, precise phrases such as “I’m interested in selling it,” “it is in good condition,” and “it has a comfortable seat.” Adding specific descriptive vocabulary would make the offer more persuasive.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The letter includes some longer sentences as well as simple statements, and the main meaning is generally understandable. There are, however, several errors in sentence structure and verb forms. For example, “I hope you fine there” needs a verb, and “I have interested to sell” does not use the correct grammatical pattern. In “I decided sell the bicycle,” the infinitive marker is missing; “if you are interest” also needs a different form. Some sentences combine ideas awkwardly, as in “my husband transfer his job outside the state so that I have no longer need.” Practise accurate present and past forms, articles, and verb patterns, and break complex explanations into shorter sentences when needed.

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

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