Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-09

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 5.0)

Hi dear friend

I hope you would be well . I am missing you because I want meet with you .now I am telling you about my bicycle I think you now my last birthday i got this bicycle from my uncle. It is very useful but. I didn't use it alot that a reason I go to school by bus.so I use it sometimes but now. I need car so I want sell it I think you should buy it , because you go to school by bicycle ,so it will helpful for you .may be it is good chance for you .when I decide to sell it then anybody gives many offers but I

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, as it is only 116 words long. This significantly impacts the development of the ideas. While you have addressed the three bullet points—explaining why you are not using the bike, describing it, and suggesting why your friend would like it—the development is very thin. For instance, the description of the bicycle is limited to mentioning it was a birthday gift and is 'very useful,' lacking specific details like color, type, or condition. The letter also ends abruptly mid-sentence, which prevents a full completion of the task. To improve, you must expand on each point with more detail and ensure the letter reaches the required length.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The letter lacks a clear structure and paragraphing. The sentences are strung together with limited use of cohesive devices, making the flow feel mechanical and disjointed. For example, the transition between explaining why you don't use the bike and the desire to sell it is abrupt. There is a lack of logical progression, and the abrupt ending further disrupts the coherence of the message. To improve, you should organize your ideas into distinct paragraphs: one for the introduction and reason for selling, one for the description, and one for the offer to the friend. Using linking words like 'furthermore,' 'consequently,' or 'in addition' would help connect your ideas more smoothly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite basic and repetitive, relying on simple words like 'good,' 'useful,' and 'bicycle.' There is little attempt to use more descriptive or varied language suitable for a letter to a friend. Some phrasing is unnatural, such as 'now I am telling you about my bicycle' or 'anybody gives many offers.' The limited range of vocabulary restricts your ability to convey your message with precision. To improve, try to incorporate more descriptive adjectives and idiomatic expressions appropriate for an informal letter. For example, instead of saying the bike is 'very useful,' you could describe it as 'in excellent condition' or 'a reliable model.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including issues with sentence structure, punctuation, and verb tense. Examples include 'I hope you would be well' (should be 'I hope you are well'), 'I want meet with you' (missing 'to'), and 'I didn't use it alot that a reason' (run-on sentence). The lack of proper capitalization and punctuation makes the text difficult to read. The sentence structures are mostly simple, and the attempt at more complex sentences often results in errors. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, ensuring every sentence has a clear subject and verb, and pay closer attention to punctuation and capitalization rules.

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

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