Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-27

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 6.5)

Dear Sam,

Hope you are doing splendidly, and everything is good at work, and home. I got to know that you are looking for bicycle. So, I am wondering to sell my bicycle to you.

I have using this bicycle for two years now, and it works really good. I am moving to another city this week and I could'nt take it with me there. So, I am planning to sell it.

This is a good condition 2025 model bicycle, with gears attached to it. It's colour is navy blue, and alot of stickers are attached to it. The tires work really well, and it also has a basket attached on the front, which can carry alot of stuff.

You would really love this bike because it has all the features that you are looking for. It works smoothly, and its in your favourite colour.

I am looking forward to hear from you.

Kind regards,

Jasmine

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The letter addresses all three required points and maintains a clear, friendly purpose: you explain that you are moving, describe the bicycle’s age, colour, gears, stickers, tyres and basket, and connect its features to Sam’s preferences. These details make the offer relevant and easy to understand. The reason for selling is clear, though it could be developed slightly by explaining why taking the bicycle to the new city is impractical. The description is specific, but the claim that it has “all the features” Sam wants would be more convincing if you named one or two features you know he has been seeking. Overall, the task is covered clearly, with some room to extend the supporting details.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The letter follows a clear progression: greeting and offer, reason for selling, description, explanation of why Sam might want it, and a closing. Separate paragraphs help the reader follow each stage, and links such as “So” and “because” make the relationships between ideas clear. The tone and format are appropriate for a letter to a friend. Some connections could be more precise: “So, I am planning to sell it” repeats the idea of the preceding sentence, while the transition from the bicycle’s features to Sam’s needs is quite general. A more direct link between a particular feature and Sam’s preferences would make the progression feel more fully developed and less reliant on broad statements.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use enough vocabulary to describe the bicycle and explain the offer, including “gears,” “navy blue,” “stickers,” and “basket.” The language is generally understandable and suits an informal letter. However, the range is limited in places, and several choices or collocations are inaccurate or informal in a way that reduces precision: “works really good,” “a lot of stuff,” and “all the features that you are looking for.” Spelling and word-form control also need attention in “alot” and “It's colour.” More precise expressions for condition, performance and suitability would help you communicate the bicycle’s value more effectively and show greater flexibility in vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes both simple sentences and some longer structures, such as the sentence describing the basket and what it can carry. The overall meaning remains clear, but errors in verb forms, articles, possessives and sentence construction are noticeable. For example, “I have using this bicycle” needs a correct present perfect form, and “looking for bicycle” needs an article. “I am looking forward to hear from you” also requires a gerund after “to” in this expression. The opening sentence strings several clauses together, and “I could'nt take it with me there” has an apostrophe error and an awkward construction. More accurate control of these common patterns, alongside a wider range of reliably formed sentences, would strengthen the letter.

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

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