Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-22

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 suman,

i hope you are doing well, am writing this letter to you just to inform that am selling ny bicycle.

actually, I buy that bicycle in 2025 in the end of November it's only four months old. and I'm going to sell this bike to someone and then I remember you once a time you told me that you need a bike that's why I'm writing this letter to you about appearance my bike look, black and color. They have white shade in between.

and more it's a sports bike easily to travel from one place to another. I know you do the deliveries or your work is very far away from your home. That's why I'm breathing you my best bike. It's very convenient for you and very reasonable price. if you want my bike, just let me know by dropping another letter to me. I'm really happy to sell you. Hope you see you soon.

Regards

your friend

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You address the three main points: you say you are selling the bicycle, describe its black colour with white detailing, and connect the offer to your friend’s delivery work and long journey to work. However, the reason you no longer use it is not clearly explained; saying it is only four months old does not tell the reader why you are selling it. The description is also limited, with no details such as its condition, size, or features, and the reason your friend would like it could be developed more specifically. The purpose is understandable, but some ideas remain under-developed. Explain directly why you no longer need the bike and add a few practical details to make the offer convincing.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The letter follows a broadly sensible order, moving from the offer to the bicycle’s appearance and then to why it may suit your friend. You also use basic linking expressions such as “actually,” “and more,” and “that’s why.” However, the ideas are crowded into one long paragraph, so the reader has to work to distinguish the explanation, description, and invitation. Some links are repetitive or unclear, particularly the repeated use of “that’s why,” and the transition from the bike’s age to its appearance is abrupt. Use separate paragraphs for the reason for selling, the bicycle’s features, and its suitability, and choose clearer links such as “As you mentioned…” or “In addition.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use enough everyday vocabulary to communicate the basic offer, including “sports bike,” “convenient,” “reasonable price,” and “deliveries.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or phrases are inaccurate or unclear, which sometimes makes the reader pause. For example, “about appearance my bike look” does not express the description naturally, and “I’m breathing you my best bike” appears to mean that you are offering or recommending it. “Black and color” is also unclear. Aim for precise, natural phrases for describing a bicycle and making a friendly offer, and check spelling and word forms. This would make the message easier to understand and more appropriate for a personal letter.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response mainly uses simple sentence patterns, with attempts to join ideas using “and,” “because,” and “that’s why.” However, many sentences contain errors in verb forms, sentence boundaries, and missing grammatical words, so the reader sometimes has to infer the intended meaning. Examples include “I buy that bicycle” and “am writing this letter,” where the verb forms or subject are incomplete, and “I hope you see you soon,” which has an incorrect structure. Capitalisation and punctuation are also inconsistent, with several ideas joined into long sentences. Practise forming complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and use full stops to separate ideas. More accurate control of basic structures is needed before adding complexity.

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

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