Band 9.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 9.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-09-09

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 9.0)

Dear James,

I hope you’re doing well. I’m writing to tell you about the bicycle I’m planning to sell, as I remember you were looking for one recently.

The main reason I’m selling it is that I have started driving to work because my new office is quite far from home. Consequently, I hardly use my bicycle anymore, and I think it would be better if someone else could benefit from it.

It is a blue hybrid bicycle with a lightweight aluminium frame and 21 gears. It is in excellent condition because I have always kept it indoors and serviced it regularly. I recently replaced the tyres and brake pads, so it is ready to use. I will also include a strong bicycle lock and front light.

I think it would be perfect for you because you wanted to cycle to work and exercise more. Let me know if you would like to see it.

Best wishes,

Alex

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 9.0

You have fully addressed all three bullet points in the prompt. You clearly explained why you are no longer using the bicycle (driving to work), provided a detailed description of the bike (blue hybrid, aluminium frame, 21 gears), and gave a logical reason why your friend would want it (to cycle to work and exercise). The tone is appropriate for a letter to a friend, and the purpose of the communication is clear from the outset. The ideas are well-developed and relevant, meeting all the requirements of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 9.0

The letter is logically organised with a clear progression of ideas. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect of the prompt, which makes the information easy to follow. You have used cohesive devices effectively, such as 'Consequently', 'The main reason', and 'It is', to link sentences and ideas smoothly. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the transition between the explanation of why you are selling the bike and the description of the bike itself is natural. The overall structure is coherent and professional.

Lexical Resource — Band 8.0

You have used a good range of vocabulary appropriate for the context, such as 'hybrid bicycle', 'lightweight aluminium frame', 'serviced', and 'brake pads'. The language is natural and precise, allowing you to convey your message clearly without any awkward phrasing. While the vocabulary is not overly complex, it is perfectly suited to the task and demonstrates a good command of descriptive language. There are no errors in word choice or collocation, and the tone remains consistently appropriate throughout the letter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 9.0

Your grammar is highly accurate, with a variety of sentence structures used correctly. You have successfully employed complex sentences, such as 'The main reason I’m selling it is that I have started driving to work because my new office is quite far from home.' Punctuation is used correctly throughout, and there are no grammatical errors that impede communication. The control over verb tenses and sentence construction is excellent, reflecting a high level of proficiency and attention to detail.

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

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