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User-written IELTS example

Writing General Training Task 1 Band 6.0 Example

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

210 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 6.0

Dear Professor, My name is Ronit Sukheja, and I am a first-year student who started my course on September 1, 2024. I am writing regarding my mistake of not submitting the project due last week. I was not in a correct mental state for the past whole month, due to which I was not able to concentrate properly on the research and writing. I realise that I should have contacted you before the deadline rather than allowing it to pass without an explanation.

I have now reviewed what remains to be done. The main research is complete, but I still need to finish the discussion and check the references. I would be grateful if you could allow me an additional week to submit the project. I believe this would give me enough time to finish it carefully without delaying the next stage of the course.

If it would help, I can send you the work I have completed so far and briefly explain my plan for the remaining sections. I understand that any extension must follow the college’s rules, and I am willing to discuss the appropriate procedure with you.

Thank you for considering my request, and please accept my apologies for not informing you sooner.

Yours sincerely, Ronit Sukheja

Targeted Improvement Tips

1
Check that each of the three requested letter points has a specific, easily located explanation.
2
Revise the exact phrases quoted in the corrections, then proofread the whole sentence around each one.
3
Keep the greeting, level of formality and closing appropriate for the named recipient.

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