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.

182 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 sir/ madam, My name is manjot kaur. I am a psychology student in one of your classes. My student number is 2345. I am writing in regards to get an extention for the lastest project i have been working on. Actually, I had to go to my town because of the family emergency. It was a serious situation in my family, and I had to travel to my hometown to deal with it. Because of this, I was away from college and could not give enough time to complete my project before the deadline. I understand that the deadline was last week, and I am sorry for not submitting my work on time. I have now returned and will continue working on it. I need a little more time to finish the remaining sections and check my work carefully. Could you please allow me an extension of one week? I will submit the completed project by the end of next week. Please let me know if you need any further information. Thank you for considering my request. Yours sincerely, Manjot Kaur

Targeted Improvement Tips

Use a formal salutation and capitalize your name and the first-person pronoun “I” throughout.

Explain the emergency once, then directly connect it to why you could not finish by last week’s deadline.

Make the request easy to act on by stating the length of the extension and the intended submission time, as the answer does with “one week” and “the end of next week.”

AI Feedback

Overall Band

4.0

Modest

Words

182

Type

Letter

Criteria Breakdown

Task Achievement

5.0 Band

The letter covers the main requirements: “My name is manjot kaur” introduces the writer, and “I had to travel to my hometown to deal with it” explains the delay. It also makes a clear request for “an extension of one week.” The apology and promised submission time add relevant detail. Next, address the lecturer directly if their name is known and keep the reason concise, avoiding repetition of “family emergency” and “serious situation in my family.”

Coherence & Cohesion

4.5 Band

The ideas follow a sensible order: introduction, reason for missing the deadline, apology, then request and planned submission. For example, “Because of this” connects the family situation to the delay. However, the opening is compressed into one long paragraph, and the family explanation repeats information. Use separate paragraphs for the reason and request, and make each sentence add a new point.

Lexical Resource

4.5 Band

The answer uses relevant, understandable phrases such as “complete my project before the deadline” and “considering my request.” The vocabulary is generally simple and repetitive, particularly around “project,” “time,” and the family situation; “give enough time” is also an awkward collocation. Next, use a few precise letter phrases, such as “I was unable to complete the work” and “I would be grateful for an extension,” while keeping the meaning clear.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

4.0 Band

Basic sentence patterns communicate the message, including “I have now returned and will continue working on it.” There are noticeable spelling, capitalization, and phrasing problems in “extention,” “lastest,” and “i have been,” as well as the awkward construction “in regards to get.” These reduce accuracy in an otherwise understandable letter. Check sentence openings, proper names, and spelling, and revise purpose phrases using “I am writing to request…”

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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