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

216 words · Illustrative target band

Dear [Lecturer’s Name], I hope you are doing well. My name is [Your Full Name], and I am a student in your [Course Name] class. I am writing to inform you that, unfortunately, I was unable to submit my project by the deadline last week. I deeply regret not meeting the deadline, and I would be grateful if you could grant me an additional week to finish it. I underestimated the amount of time required to research the t…

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AI-completed learning example

210 words · Illustrative target band

Dear Sir/Madam, I hope this message finds you well. My name is Anjali, and I am a student enrolled in your course, with student number #1234. I am writing to request an extension for submitting my project, which was originally due last week. Unfortunately, I was unable to complete the project on time due to an unexpected family emergency that required my immediate attention. This disrupted my study schedule and left …

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AI-completed learning example

212 words · Illustrative target band

Dear Sir, My name is Purvik Patel, and I am enrolled in your vehicle structure analysis class. I am writing to inform you that I am unable to submit my project on car crash simulation by the deadline. For the past couple of weeks, I have been dealing with a persistent cough. During my last attempt to work on the simulation, I found it difficult to concentrate for long enough to complete the analysis. As a result, I m…

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