Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-02

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 Friend,

I am writing a letter to my friend to salling my bicycle. Actually my friend I ressently buy a new car and now I am driving my new car. I am not using this bicycle anymore. you was with me when i bought this bicycle. it's look like new and I don't want sell this bicycle to anyone else. Because it's look like new and in mind condition.

This bicycle is not a common one It's an electric bicycle and chargeable, and also you can utlize it without charging as you know it's one hand use bicycle and in mind condition. I alos installe new tyres and lights. I cost me around £500.

And as you spoke with you need a bicycle so i have a opportunity for you to buy this from me. I also know about it you can't pay all amount in one go so i will arrange two installment for you. As I explain I bought it £500 and I will sell you in just £300 thanks.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response successfully covers all the bullet points required in the prompt. You explain why you are no longer using your bicycle by mentioning that you recently bought a car. You describe the bicycle as an electric, chargeable model with new tyres and lights, and you explain why your friend would like it by noting that they previously expressed a need for one and offering flexible payment installments. However, some ideas are more fully developed than others. While the explanation regarding the car and the features of the bicycle are clear, the section about the price and installments is slightly repetitive, which places the development at a moderate level suitable for this performance level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The letter maintains a coherent overall arrangement with a clear purpose established right from the beginning. You use basic cohesive devices to connect your ideas, such as 'Actually', 'Because', and 'And'. However, referencing and paragraphing can sometimes be mechanical or faulty. For instance, the transition between sentences feels a bit abrupt in places, and paragraph boundaries are not always managed with complete clarity. Information flows logically from explaining why you are selling to describing the bike and finally proposing the sale terms, but the overall progression could be smoother to reach a higher level.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting some less common words and phrases like 'electric bicycle', 'chargeable', and 'installment'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word-choice errors that occur throughout the text, such as 'salling' instead of selling, 'ressently' instead of recently, 'mind condition' instead of mint condition, and 'I cost me' instead of It cost me. These errors do not seriously impede communication, but they highlight the need for greater precision and care with word forms and spelling to advance further.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The writing displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as when you combine clauses using 'because' and 'and'. There are several errors in grammar and punctuation, including missing articles ('need a bicycle'), incorrect auxiliary verb forms ('you was with me' instead of you were), and run-on sentences. While these errors are present, they are not overwhelming, and the meaning of your message remains understandable to the reader. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring correct verb tenses throughout your sentences.

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

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