Task 1 · letter · 18 samples

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.

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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.

Sample answers

AI-completed learning example

217 words · Illustrative target band

Dear Mrs. Gupta, I am writing this letter to request more time for this term project submission. My name is Ann Maria Joseph and I am a student of psychology Class Section A in St. Francis College. Koramangala. we were given a project and the deadline for this project was last week. Let me explain why I could not submit it on time. I have been struggling to organise the research and analyse the material for the proje…

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AI-completed learning example

209 words · Illustrative target band

Dear professor, My name is Ronit Sukheja and I am a first-year student started my course on Sept 1, 2024. I am writing regarding my mistake of not submitting the project due last week. I was not in a correct mental state from last whole month due to which I was not able to pay attention to my studies. This affected my ability to concentrate and work on the project. I also had some personal matters to deal with, and I…

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AI-completed learning example

217 words · Illustrative target band

Dear Sir or Madam, The reason why I am writing this letter is that I want to request to give me extra time to end my project. First of all, I want to introduce myself. I am Irina who has been living in Berlin for more than a decade. I study ay group 402 ay the local college. I am writing about the project which should have been submitted last week. I am sorry that it is still unfinished. I had difficulty getting the…

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