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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.

219 words General TrainingTask 1Letter
Task 1 Letter

Illustrative target band for this original model answer.

Plan your answer

Try your own response before reading the samples.

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

  1. Open with a greeting and identify yourself and your course.
  2. State the missed deadline and apologise briefly.
  3. Explain why the project is unfinished and describe your progress.
  4. Request a specific extension and give a clear submission plan.
  5. 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

Hi dear mam. My name is mandeep kaur. I am one of your recreational therapy students in first year. I have one problem with the research project which was actually due on last week and I couldn’t finish it. So i am very afraid about one of my important assignments. I actually got some family problems at home, and I needed to help them during the last few days. Because of this, I did not have enough time to complete the research and check all of my information. I am sorry that I did not contact you before the deadline. I know the project is important, and I do not want to submit work that is not finished properly. I have completed some parts, but I still need to finish the research and write the conclusion. Could you please give me one more week to complete it? I will send the project to you by next Friday. If you need, I can show you the work that I have done so far. Please let me know if this extra time is possible, and if there is any form I should complete. I understand if there is a penalty for late submission. Thank you for understanding my situation. I hope you will give me this chance. Yours sincerely, Mandeep Kaur.

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Use a formal greeting and check the lecturer’s title or name before sending the letter.
2
Explain the reason for the delay in one concise sentence, then add a brief apology rather than repeating that the project is important.
3
Make the extension request specific: state the length of time, the exact submission date, and offer to show the work already completed.

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