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Writing General Training Task 1 Band 8.0 Example

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197 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

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Band 8.0

Dear Ms. Jackson, My name is Tina Thompson, and I am writing to request an extension for the Therapy Effectiveness essay due last week in your Thursday 9 am Psychology Foundations class at Carlton College. I apologize that I haven’t been able to finish the essay yet. Unfortunately, I was struck by a very strong bout of flu shortly before the deadline. For several days, I had a high fever and was too unwell to concentrate on my research or writing. I have now recovered and have completed the research and first draft, but I need a little more time to check my sources and revise the final version carefully. Would it be possible to submit the essay by next Friday? An extension until then would allow me to finish the work to a standard that reflects my effort in the course. I understand that late submissions may affect your schedule, and I would be happy to follow any conditions you set for an extension. Thank you for considering my request. I apologise for not contacting you sooner, and I will make sure to let you know promptly if any further difficulties arise. Yours sincerely, Tina Thompson

Targeted Improvement Tips

Use paragraph breaks to separate your introduction and explanation, progress update and request, and closing.

Keep the extension request precise by stating the proposed submission date, as in “by next Friday,” and briefly explain what the extra time will allow you to complete.

Practise concise formal collocations such as “a severe bout of flu” and “request an extension,” while checking that each phrase sounds natural in context.

AI Feedback

Overall Band

8.0

Excellent

Words

197

Type

Letter

Criteria Breakdown

Task Achievement

8.0 Band

The letter covers all three points: it introduces Tina and the course, explains the delay with “I was struck by a very strong bout of flu,” and clearly asks to submit “by next Friday.” It also adds a relevant apology and acknowledges the lecturer’s scheduling needs. To make the request even more persuasive, you could briefly offer to share the completed draft or confirm that you will accept any conditions attached to the extension.

Coherence & Cohesion

8.0 Band

The sequence is easy to follow: purpose and course details come first, followed by the illness, the current progress, the request, and a courteous close. The shift from “I have now recovered” to the requested date gives the explanation a clear outcome. As an optional refinement, separate the opening and closing into conventional letter paragraphs so the reader can scan the key request quickly.

Lexical Resource

7.5 Band

The wording is suitably formal and specific, particularly “check my sources and revise the final version carefully” and “conditions you set for an extension.” These phrases communicate both the remaining work and a respectful attitude. “A very strong bout of flu” is understandable, though “a severe bout of flu” is a more concise collocation. Consider varying repeated references to “the essay” with “the assignment” where the meaning remains clear.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy

8.0 Band

The answer uses accurate sentence structures, including the reason clause “I was struck by a very strong bout of flu shortly before the deadline” and the conditional request “Would it be possible to submit the essay by next Friday?” Verb forms and punctuation are controlled throughout. The opening details are packed into one long sentence; dividing it after Tina’s introduction would make the information easier to process without changing its meaning.

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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Writing General Training Task 1 Band 8.0 Example

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