User-written IELTS example

Writing General Training Task 1 Band 4.0 Example

Original task prompt, user essay, band score, and related examples in the same report workspace.

215 words General TrainingTask 1Letter

Task 1 Letter

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

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Ideas to explore

Explain a specific, credible reason for missing the deadline, such as underestimating the research and organisation required.
Show what work is already complete and what remains, so the lecturer can see that the requested extra time has a clear purpose.
Acknowledge the course policy and ask about any required process, while keeping the tone respectful and accountable.

Suggested structure

Open with a greeting and identify yourself and your course.
State the missed deadline and apologise briefly.
Explain why the project is unfinished and describe your progress.
Request a specific extension and give a clear submission plan.
Ask about any procedure, thank the lecturer, and close formally.

Useful vocabulary & examples

grant an extension: allow extra time to complete or submit work
I would be grateful if you could grant me an extension of one week.
underestimate the time required: misjudge how long a task will take
I underestimated the time required to research the topic and organise the evidence.
subject to the course policy: dependent on the rules that apply to the course
I understand that late work may be subject to the course policy.
follow a procedure: complete the steps required by an organisation
Please let me know if there is a form or procedure I should follow.

Task Prompt

You are taking a course at a local college. The deadline for your project was last week but you haven’t finished it. Write a letter to your lecturer. In your letter • introduce yourself • explain why you haven’t handed in the project yet • request more time to do it.

User Essay Analysis

Review the public answer with report-style highlights.

Band 4.0

Dear Alice, This is Benny Tan who is enrolling in your communication class and the module code is NMC 1123 on Wednesday, 9 am. As I am the only one with the name, Benny in this class and I am sure you know me as we had spoken many times. The purpose of this letter is to explain why I have not submitted my project and to ask for a short extension. The deadline was last week, but I could not finish the work on time because I had difficulty arranging my research and writing the report. I also had other course work to complete, so I did not manage my time well. I am sorry that I did not contact you before the deadline.

I have completed most of the project, but I need more time to check the information and finish the final section. Could I please have one more week and submit it by next Wednesday? I understand that it is late and that you may need to apply a penalty. I will use this extra time to complete the remaining work carefully and send it to you as soon as possible.

Thank you for considering my request. Please let me know if this new date is suitable.

Yours sincerely, Benny Tan

Targeted Improvement Tips

Rewrite the opening as two complete sentences: identify yourself and then state the class and module details.

Make the reason for the delay more specific, then name the exact work you still need to finish.

Check comma placement and subordinate clauses by underlining the main clause in each sentence before you submit the letter.

AI Feedback

Overall Band

4.0

Modest

Words

215

Type

Letter

Criteria Breakdown

Task Achievement

6.0 Band

The letter now covers all three purposes: it introduces Benny and his course, explains the delay (“I had difficulty arranging my research and writing the report”), and asks to submit by “next Wednesday.” It also acknowledges the late submission. The explanation is understandable but broad, and the letter does not say exactly what remains to be done beyond the final section. Next, briefly specify the remaining task so the lecturer can judge the extension request.

Coherence & Cohesion

5.0 Band

The content follows a useful order: introduction, explanation and apology, progress update, request, and closing. “I have completed most of the project” signals the shift from the reason to the requested extra time. However, the opening “As I am the only one with the name, Benny...” is difficult to follow, and the letter would benefit from clearer paragraphing between its introduction and request. Make the opening sentence complete and keep each purpose in its own paragraph.

Lexical Resource

5.0 Band

The answer uses relevant, understandable expressions such as “short extension,” “finish the final section,” and “apply a penalty.” These make the request and its context clear. Some wording is awkward, especially “the name, Benny,” and the repeated use of “project,” “work,” and “complete” limits variety. Next, learn a few precise collocations for deadlines and unfinished assignments, such as “submit the completed project” and “finalise the remaining section.”

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

4.5 Band

Several later sentences are clear, including “I have completed most of the project, but I need more time...” The opening, however, contains a sentence-boundary problem: “As I am the only one... and I am sure you know me...” begins with a dependent clause but does not provide a clear main clause. The comma in “the name, Benny” is also misplaced. Practise joining the introductory clause to a complete main clause and checking punctuation.

Topic Band Distribution

Band 9.03 examples

Band 8.03 examples

Band 7.03 examples

Band 6.03 examples

Band 5.03 examples

Band 4.03 examples

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