CELPIP Writing Task 1 (Email): Structure, Tips, and Sample Answer
October 2, 2025
Writing Task 1 is the first part of the CELPIP Writing section. You are given a situation and asked to write an email in response. The email might be formal (to a manager or company), semi-formal (to a colleague or teacher), or informal (to a friend or family member).
This guide explains the format, shows you how to structure your email, and includes a sample answer you can learn from.
Task Format
- Time: 27 minutes
- Word count: 150–200 words (aim for 180–200)
- What you do: Write an email in response to a situation described in the prompt
- Prompt includes: A short description of the situation and 3 bullet points you must address
You type your response on the computer. There is a word counter on screen to help you track your length.
How Your Email Is Scored
Your response is evaluated on four main areas:
| Criteria | What Examiners Look For |
|---|---|
| Task Fulfillment | Did you address all 3 bullet points from the prompt? |
| Coherence and Organization | Is your email well-structured with clear paragraphs? |
| Vocabulary | Did you use a range of words correctly and appropriately? |
| Grammar and Accuracy | Are your sentences correct with proper spelling and punctuation? |
The most important factor is task fulfillment — if you miss a bullet point, your score will drop significantly even if your grammar is perfect.
Email Structure
A strong CELPIP email follows this structure:
1. Greeting
Match the tone to the situation:
- Formal: Dear Mr. Smith, or Dear Sir/Madam,
- Semi-formal: Dear Professor Lee, or Hello Dr. Chen,
- Informal: Hi Sarah, or Hey Mike,
2. Opening (1–2 sentences)
State why you are writing. Be clear and direct.
Example: "I am writing to invite you to visit our classroom and speak with my students."
3. Body (3 paragraphs — one for each bullet point)
Address each of the 3 bullet points from the prompt in a separate paragraph. Include specific details to support each point. This is the most important part of your email.
4. Closing (1–2 sentences)
End politely with a summary of your request or next step.
Example: "Thank you for considering this invitation. I look forward to hearing from you."
5. Sign-off
- Formal: Sincerely, or Yours truly,
- Semi-formal: Best regards, or Kind regards,
- Informal: Thanks! or Talk soon,
Matching Your Tone to the Situation
One of the key things examiners look for is whether your tone matches the recipient. Here is how to adjust:
| Recipient | Tone | Example Language |
|---|---|---|
| Boss, company, government office | Formal | "I would appreciate it if you could..." |
| Teacher, colleague, landlord | Semi-formal | "I was hoping you might be able to..." |
| Friend, family member | Informal | "I was wondering if you'd like to..." |
Using the wrong tone — for example, writing casually to a company or too formally to a friend — can lower your score.
Tips for a High Score
1. Address all 3 bullet points
This is the single most important thing. Read the prompt carefully and make sure every bullet point gets its own paragraph in the body of your email. Missing even one will significantly lower your score.
2. Plan before you write
Spend 4–5 minutes planning. Jot down quick notes for each bullet point. Then spend about 17–18 minutes writing and 4–5 minutes reviewing your work.
3. Use linking words
Connect your ideas with words like In addition, Furthermore, However, As a result, For this reason. This improves the flow of your writing and shows a range of language.
4. Be specific
Instead of vague statements, include details. For example, instead of "The product broke", write "The coffee maker I purchased on March 2 stopped turning on after three days of use."
5. Stay within the word count
Aim for 180–200 words. Writing fewer than 150 words suggests you did not develop your ideas enough. Writing much more than 200 words wastes time and may include errors.
Sample Task and Response
Prompt:
You are an elementary school teacher. There is a famous writer who lives near your school.
In about 150–200 words, write to this writer and invite her to speak to the children in your class. Your message must include the following points:
- An introduction to the school and your class
- Why the children like this writer's books
- An invitation to visit the classroom
Sample Response:
Dear Ms. Richardson,
I hope you are doing well. My name is Laura Chen, and I am an elementary school teacher at Maplewood Elementary School. I currently teach a Grade 4 class of enthusiastic children who enjoy reading and learning new things.
Many of my students have recently been reading your books, and they have become very fond of your storytelling style. They especially enjoy how you create imaginative characters and exciting adventures, which encourage them not only to read more but also to try writing their own short stories.
I would like to warmly invite you to visit our classroom and speak with the children. They would be delighted to hear about your experience as a writer and to learn how stories are created. Your visit would inspire them and give them a chance to connect with an author whose work they truly admire.
Thank you for considering this invitation. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Laura Chen
Why this works: The tone is polite and semi-formal (appropriate for writing to a public figure). All 3 bullet points are addressed in separate paragraphs. The language is clear, specific, and within the word count.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Hurts Your Score | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Missing a bullet point | Examiners check that all 3 points are addressed | Write one paragraph per bullet point |
| Using the wrong tone | Writing casually to a boss or formally to a friend lowers your score | Read the prompt carefully to identify the recipient |
| Writing too few words | Suggests you did not develop your ideas | Aim for 180–200 words |
| No paragraphs | A wall of text is hard to read and looks unorganized | Use separate paragraphs for greeting, each point, and closing |
| Skipping the review | Small grammar or spelling errors add up | Save 4–5 minutes at the end to check your work |
Quick Summary
- Task 1 gives you 27 minutes to write a 150–200 word email
- The prompt includes 3 bullet points — address all of them
- Match your tone to the recipient (formal, semi-formal, or informal)
- Use a clear structure: greeting, opening, body (3 paragraphs), closing, sign-off
- Plan for 5 minutes, write for 17–18 minutes, review for 4–5 minutes
Start Practicing
The best way to get comfortable with email writing is through practice. Try our free CELPIP-style writing practice tests with instant AI feedback to help you improve your structure, tone, and grammar.