Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-02

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 siya,

I hope you are fine and I am writing this letter to selling my bicycle. I bought my bicycle before five months and now I am using my new bicycle that is gift for me from my father and my old bicycle not in use because I am always use my new bicycle.

My old bicycle is good in condition and that is in black colors, it also the bicycle tires, colours and prints also look like a new and it is good for you.

I know you want to buy a new bicycle, but the prices of new bicycle is very high that is why I am share this discussion with you because I want to save your money and fulfill your need of bicycle. So, you can come on my home at next weekend to final the deal of bicycle in reasonable price. See to you.

Your loving

Yashandeep kaur

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

You have addressed all three bullet points: explaining why you are no longer using the bike, describing it, and suggesting why your friend would want it. However, the development of these ideas is quite basic. For example, the description of the bicycle is limited to its color and condition. To improve, you should provide more specific details, such as the type of bike (e.g., mountain bike, road bike) or its features (e.g., gear system, comfort). The tone is generally appropriate for a letter to a friend, although the structure is somewhat repetitive.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The letter follows a logical sequence, moving from the purpose of the letter to the description and finally the invitation. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite limited and sometimes mechanical. You rely heavily on simple conjunctions like 'and' and 'because'. There is a lack of varied linking words to connect your ideas more fluidly. Paragraphing is present, but the transitions between the ideas within the paragraphs could be smoother. Improving your use of transition signals (e.g., 'Furthermore', 'Consequently', 'As a result') would help the flow of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is sufficient to convey the message, but it is quite basic and repetitive. You use the word 'bicycle' many times, which makes the text feel less natural. There are also some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'selling my bicycle' instead of 'selling my old bicycle' or 'good in condition' instead of 'in good condition'. To reach a higher band, try to use more descriptive adjectives and synonyms to avoid repetition and demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary related to items and personal transactions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the letter, which occasionally hinder the reader's understanding. Examples include 'I bought my bicycle before five months' (should be 'five months ago'), 'that is gift for me' (missing article 'a'), and 'I am always use' (incorrect verb tense). You rely mostly on simple sentence structures. While you attempt some complex sentences, they often contain errors in word order or verb forms. Focusing on subject-verb agreement, correct tense usage, and the use of articles will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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