Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-23

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 Harman,

I am expecting, that you are doing great. I hear from our friend circle that you are looking for a bicycle for your needs. I think your search for bicycle has been completed, as i am selling one i have.

Its a great bicycle black in colour. I parked it in garage as i am not using it anymore.

The condition of cycle is almost new which is barely used. It also have some accessories which i will hand over to you without any charges. Moreover, the cycle is ready to drive, everything is working fine. It Also Include GPS with it and a cover to protect from bad weather. Whever you are free, feel free to have a ride on it and check if everything works for you. Then we can make a deal for this beautiful ride. If you are intrested reply me as soon as possible.

Your Faithfully

Ky

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The letter is relevant and includes a reason for selling, a brief description, and an invitation for Harman to try the bicycle. However, the key points are only minimally developed, which limits how fully the task is addressed. The reason is stated as “I am not using it anymore,” but you do not explain why you stopped using it. The description gives its colour and mentions GPS, a cover, and accessories, yet useful details such as its type, age, or specific condition are missing. You also say Harman is looking for a bicycle, but do not explain clearly why this particular one would suit him. Develop each point with specific, relevant details and make the purpose of the sale clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The information follows a generally understandable order: you introduce the sale, describe the bicycle, and invite your friend to inspect it. Linking expressions such as “Moreover” and “Then” help show how the ideas relate. However, the letter is presented as one continuous block, so the shift from the opening to the bicycle’s features and then to the proposed arrangement is not clearly signposted. Some connections are also abrupt, particularly the move from saying it is parked in the garage to listing its accessories. Use separate paragraphs for the reason for selling, the description, and why it would suit Harman. Clearer transitions would make the progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough vocabulary to communicate the basic purpose and features of the bicycle, including “accessories,” “GPS,” “cover,” and “condition.” There are also attempts at more descriptive language, such as “beautiful ride.” However, several word choices and collocations are unnatural or imprecise, including “for your needs,” “search for bicycle,” and “ready to drive.” Spelling and capitalisation slips, such as “intrested,” “Whever,” and “Also Include,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for natural expressions suited to a friendly letter, such as “looking for a bicycle,” “ready to ride,” and “in excellent condition.” More precise vocabulary would help you describe the bicycle and its suitability convincingly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The letter includes mostly straightforward sentence patterns and some attempts to combine ideas, for example, “Moreover, the cycle is ready to drive, everything is working fine.” The message remains understandable, but errors in sentence construction and basic grammar are noticeable. In “I am expecting, that you are doing great,” the comma is unnecessary, and “I hear … that you are looking” would be more natural for reporting what you heard. There are also agreement and article errors in “It also have some accessories” and “search for bicycle,” as well as inconsistent capitalisation within sentences. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement, articles, and punctuation, and use a wider range of correctly formed sentences.

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

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