Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-14

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)

Dear Neel,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing a letter to tell you about my bicycle that I have not longer using by me that I want to retail.

After completeting my higher secondary, my father gifted me. But, unfortunatly I had to go hostel for my further study and collage is located outside of the PG room. So, there is no need to use cycle overthere. I use cycle just for 2 week.

All parts of cycle in original condition such as lock, chain, breakwire etc. It is Firefox brand cycle which is quite femous in my hometown. It is a latest modal that is recentely lonched by tata company. In addtion, there is a two seat infront and back side which is made of pure leather fabric. I purchased cycle in just 10,000INR. The original price is 20,000 but I got in 50% discou

I know you are thinking about to purchase bicycle so I decided first I will t

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You address the main purpose by explaining that you no longer use the bicycle because you moved to a hostel for further study, and you include several details about its condition, brand and price. You also begin to explain why Neel might want it, referring to his interest in buying a bicycle. However, this final point is not developed: the letter ends mid-sentence (“I decided first I will t…”), so the reader does not learn why this particular bicycle would suit him. Some description is also unclear, such as the reference to “two seat[s]” and the bicycle’s features. Complete the recommendation and connect it to your friend’s needs to address all parts more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic sequence: an opening, an explanation of why you stopped using the bicycle, a description, and an attempt to address your friend’s interest. Paragraph breaks help separate these topics. However, progression is weakened by abrupt transitions and the unfinished final paragraph, which leaves the letter without a clear ending. Some links are awkward or unclear, including “But, unfortunately” and “So, there is no need to use cycle overthere.” The description also moves quickly from condition to brand, seats and price without clearly grouping or connecting the details. Use clearer transitions, organise related information together, and finish with a direct offer and a friendly closing.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “hostel,” “further study,” “original condition,” “brand,” and “discount,” which helps convey the basic situation and description. However, the range is limited and several spelling or word-choice errors make parts difficult to understand: “retail” appears to mean “resell,” “femous” means “famous,” and “modal” should be “model.” Phrases such as “breakwire” and “pure leather fabric” are also unclear or unnatural for describing a bicycle. Choose precise terms for its components and features, and check spelling carefully. More natural collocations would make the description easier for Neel to follow.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt some longer sentences to explain the circumstances, for example, “I had to go hostel for my further study and collage is located outside of the PG room.” However, the response relies mainly on simple structures, and errors are frequent enough to make several sentences difficult to follow. Examples include “I have not longer using by me,” “I use cycle just for 2 week,” and “there is a two seat.” These show problems with verb forms, articles, agreement and plurals. Sentence boundaries and punctuation also need attention, particularly around “But, unfortunately” and the price sentence, which ends abruptly. Practise accurate basic sentence patterns first, then build longer sentences with controlled clauses.

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

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