Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Barron's Writing · 2026-10-30

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 6.0)

Dear John,

I hope you are doing well. I am writing regarding my bicycle that I want to sell and once you told me to ask when I sell it.

Well, I have passed my school exams and now going to take admission in city college that is far away from my village. For the sake of that I have to use public transport to reach there because bicycle takes so much time and it becomes very hard for me to reach there on time.

You know, couple of years ago , we both went when I bought it and I was using it cearfully. It looks like brand new, also it has cumtomised seat and wheels. There is PVC cover on its whole body that keeps it save and long lasting from natural effects.

As you once said , you need it because your younger brother is still in school and go on foot that take so much time and energy, even fined being late from school. So, I think it is perfect for your brother and he will admire it and price is so reasonable.

You may come today and discuss anything about it if necessary.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The letter addresses all three required points and maintains a suitable friendly purpose: you explain that college is far away and cycling would make you late, describe the bicycle’s condition and features, and connect the sale to your friend’s younger brother. The explanation of why your friend would want it is especially relevant, since you refer to the brother’s walk to school. The description is less fully developed: “customised seat and wheels” and a protective cover are mentioned, but details such as the bicycle’s type, colour, or price would make the offer more convincing. The reason for selling is clear, though the opening reference to your friend previously asking about it could be expressed more precisely. Overall, the task is covered, with some points needing fuller support.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The information follows a sensible sequence: you introduce the offer, explain why you no longer need the bicycle, describe it, and then explain its suitability for your friend. Paragraphing helps distinguish these points, and phrases such as “Well” and “As you once said” signal transitions. However, some links feel mechanical or unclear. For example, “For the sake of that” does not clearly connect the college move to using public transport, and the long sentence beginning “As you once said” combines several ideas without clear boundaries. The final invitation is appropriate but could be linked more smoothly to the offer. Use clearer transitions and divide complex information into shorter, well-connected sentences.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use vocabulary relevant to the situation, including “public transport,” “customised,” “PVC cover,” and “reasonable,” and the reader can understand the main message. There are also attempts at more specific description, such as explaining that the cover protects the bicycle. However, several spelling and word-choice errors reduce precision, including “cearfully,” “cumtomised,” “save,” and “fined being late.” Some phrases are also unnatural, such as “take admission” and “natural effects.” Aim for accurate, natural collocations and check spelling carefully; for example, say “enrol at college,” “carefully,” and “protected from the weather.” This would make the description and reasons sound more fluent and convincing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The letter includes both simple statements and attempts at longer, complex sentences, such as the explanation beginning “because bicycle takes so much time.” The overall meaning remains understandable, but some grammatical errors occur in verb forms, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “now going to take admission” needs a subject and a more complete verb phrase, while “your younger brother is still in school and go on foot” has a subject–verb agreement problem. The sentence about the brother also becomes difficult to follow because several clauses are joined together. Use complete clauses, check agreement and articles, and punctuate longer sentences more carefully. These changes would improve accuracy while preserving your attempts at varied structures.

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

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