User-written IELTS example

Writing General Training Task 1 Band 8.0 Example

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

228 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

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 8.0

Dear Mr. Khedo, I hope you are well. I am Sarah Macbeth, a final year student from the B.Sc.(Hons) Mechanical Engineering course. I am writing to address our recent project titled ‘Electromagnetism’ which was due on October 8th last week. Unfortunately, I was unable to submit my project due to ongoing family issues. The recent family difficulties have required me to take on additional responsibilities at home, leaving me with less time than expected to research and complete the written sections. I had hoped to catch up before the deadline, but I could not finish the work to a standard I would be comfortable submitting. I apologise for not contacting you sooner.

Would it be possible to grant me an extension of one week? I have completed the initial research and can use this extra time to finish the report, check the calculations and references, and submit a careful final version. If this period is not convenient, I would be grateful if you could let me know what alternative deadline would be acceptable.

I understand that late work may affect the assessment, and I will follow any instructions you have regarding submission. Thank you for considering my request. I remain committed to completing the project and would be happy to discuss my situation after class or provide any further information you need.

Yours sincerely, Sarah Macbeth

Targeted Improvement Tips

Make the opening more direct by introducing yourself in one sentence and stating the reason for writing in the next.

When explaining the family circumstances, add only relevant detail; then connect that circumstance explicitly to the unfinished work, as the completed answer does.

Make the request easy to answer by proposing a clear new submission date and briefly stating what work remains.

AI Feedback

Overall Band

8.0

Excellent

Words

228

Type

Letter

Criteria Breakdown

Task Achievement

7.5 Band

The letter fulfils all three required purposes: it introduces Sarah, gives a reason for the delay, and asks, “Would it be possible to grant me an extension of one week?” The additional apology and offer to discuss the situation make the request considerate and complete. To refine it further, state the requested new submission date if you know it, so the lecturer can respond to a precise proposal.

Coherence & Cohesion

7.5 Band

The ideas progress logically from the project deadline and family circumstances to the request and closing assurance. Paragraphing separates the explanation, request, and final courtesy; “If this period is not convenient” also links naturally to an alternative arrangement. The opening sentence, however, combines several details in one long run. Use a separate sentence for the course introduction and the purpose of writing to make the opening easier to scan.

Lexical Resource

7.0 Band

The response uses suitable formal language, including “additional responsibilities,” “alternative deadline,” and “considering my request.” These choices make the explanation and request appropriately respectful. Some wording is less natural, especially “writing to address our recent project” and “due on October 8th last week.” Consider more direct phrases such as “writing about” and “was due last week, on October 8th” to make the letter sound fluent without changing its details.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

7.0 Band

The completed letter shows control of complex sentences, for example, “If this period is not convenient, I would be grateful if you could let me know what alternative deadline would be acceptable.” The polite conditional forms are effective, and the explanation is generally easy to understand. The phrase “a final year student from the ... course” is grammatically understandable but awkwardly constructed. Practise using “a final-year student on the ... course” and check compound modifiers and sentence boundaries when proofreading.

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

Practice this prompt

Use the same topic in Hack Admission AI and compare your answer with this example.

Check your answer on this topic Browse all examples