Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-08-29

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 6.0)

Dear Friend,

How are you and how is everyone at home?

I am writing this letter to inform you that I have a bicycle which I am not using now because I have bought a new one.

Dear Friend, I would like to sell the bicycle and if you are interested you can buy it from me.

As far as the condition of the bicycle is concerned, the bicycle is is very good condition and in very good shape because I have not used it very much.

The bicycle is made of pure steel and it's material and frame is very tough. I would also like to tell you that this bicycle is very comfortable for ride.

So, my dear friend I think it will suit you a lot as you have to travel daily and you can use it for your daily commute without any hustle.

I am also attaching a photo of the bicycle for you to look it closely.

Thank you.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have addressed all three bullet points required by the prompt: explaining why you are no longer using the bike, describing it, and explaining why your friend would like it. The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend. However, the development of ideas is somewhat basic. For example, the description of the bicycle as 'made of pure steel' and 'very tough' is functional but could be more descriptive to make the offer more persuasive. To reach a higher band, ensure that each point is expanded with more detail or personal context, which would make the letter feel more natural and engaging.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The letter follows a logical progression, moving from the opening to the purpose of the letter, the description, and finally the suggestion. Paragraphing is present but could be improved; the letter is currently a series of short, somewhat disjointed sentences. Using a wider variety of cohesive devices (such as 'furthermore', 'consequently', or 'in addition') would help the ideas flow more smoothly. Currently, the transition between sentences feels a bit mechanical, which limits the score in this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used an adequate range of vocabulary to convey your message clearly. Words like 'commute', 'interested', and 'condition' are used correctly. However, there is some repetition, such as the frequent use of 'bicycle' and 'very'. To improve, try to use synonyms or more precise adjectives. For instance, instead of 'very good condition', you could use 'pristine condition' or 'well-maintained'. The phrase 'without any hustle' is a misuse of the word 'hustle'; you likely meant 'hassle'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The letter contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some noticeable errors, such as 'the bicycle is is very good condition' (repetition and missing preposition) and 'it's material' (incorrect use of the possessive apostrophe; it should be 'its'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and punctuation will help improve your accuracy.

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

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