Writing Task 1 is the first part of the CELPIP Writing test. You read a short situation and write an email about it. The person you write to could be a company, a manager, a neighbour or a friend, so part of the task is choosing the right tone.
This guide covers the format, how the email is scored, a simple structure, and a full sample answer.
Task Format
- Time: 27 minutes
- Length: about 150-200 words (aim for about 180)
- What you see: the situation on the left of the screen, and the instructions on the right
- The instructions: who to write to, and a short list of things your email must do (usually three)
You type your answer on the computer. The screen shows a word counter, so you do not need to count by hand. If you do not finish in 27 minutes, the test moves on to Task 2 and you cannot go back.
How Your Email Is Scored
Two trained raters score your email. Each one looks at four categories:
| Category | What the rater asks |
|---|---|
| Content/Coherence | Are the ideas clear, well organized and supported with details? |
| Vocabulary | Is the range of words enough for the task, and are the words precise? |
| Readability | Do grammar, spelling or punctuation errors get in the way? Are there paragraphs and good linking words? |
| Task Fulfillment | Did you do everything the instructions asked? Is the tone right? Is the length within 150-200 words? |
Task 1 is worth half of your Writing score. Task 2 is the other half.
Task Fulfillment is where many people lose points without noticing. If you skip one of the listed points, or change the situation you were given, perfect grammar will not make up for it.
Email Structure
A clear CELPIP email has six parts.
1. Greeting
Match the greeting to the person. Do not add addresses, a date, or "To:", "From:" and "Subject:" lines.
- Formal: Dear Ms. Patel, or Dear Sir or Madam,
- Semi-formal: Dear Mr. Lee, or Hello Dr. Chen,
- Informal: Hi Sarah,
2. Purpose (1-2 sentences)
Say why you are writing. The reader should know your reason after the first line.
Example: "I am writing about the swimming program at Riverside Community Centre."
3. Body (one paragraph for each point)
Cover the points in the same order as the instructions. Start a new paragraph for each one. One sentence per point is the minimum, but most points need two to four sentences with real details: names, dates, places, numbers.
4. Closing (1-2 sentences)
End politely, and say what you hope will happen next.
Example: "Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your reply."
5. Sign-off
- Formal and semi-formal: Sincerely, or Kind regards,
- Informal: Cheers, or Talk soon,
6. Your name
Sign with a name. It can be your own or a made-up one.
Matching Your Tone to the Reader
Raters check whether your tone suits the person and the situation. Here is how the same request changes:
| Reader | Tone | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Company, manager, government office | Formal | "I would appreciate it if you could..." |
| Colleague, teacher, landlord | Semi-formal | "I was hoping you might be able to..." |
| Friend, family member | Informal | "Could you do me a favour and..." |
Even an informal email should not use slang such as "gonna", "wanna" or "u", or emojis. In a complaint, stay firm but polite. Rude or sarcastic sentences lower your score, even when you have a good reason to be upset.
Tips for a High Score
1. Do every point on the list
Before you write, number the points in the instructions. Check each number off as you finish that paragraph.
2. Plan, write, then check
Spend 4-5 minutes planning: write two or three quick notes for each point. Write for about 19 minutes. Keep the last 3 minutes to read your email again and fix small errors.
3. Use your own words
Do not copy long phrases from the instructions. Say the same idea in your own way. It shows your vocabulary and keeps the email natural.
4. Be specific
General sentences sound empty. Instead of "The product broke", write "The coffee maker I bought on March 2 stopped turning on after three days."
5. Link your ideas
Words like In addition, However, As a result and For this reason help the reader follow you. Use them where they fit, not in every sentence.
6. Stay in the word range
Under 150 words usually means the points are not developed. Well over 200 means less time to check your work, and length is part of Task Fulfillment.
Sample Task and Answer
This is an original practice task written in the style of the real test.
Situation:
You signed your daughter up for a ten-week swimming program at your local community centre. Three of the first five classes were cancelled with less than an hour's notice.
Instructions:
Write an email to the program coordinator in about 150-200 words. Your email should do the following things:
- Describe what happened with the classes.
- Explain how the cancellations affected you and your family.
- Say what you would like the community centre to do.
Sample answer (183 words):
Dear Ms. Patel,
I am writing about the Saturday morning swimming program at Riverside Community Centre. My daughter, Mia, is registered in the Level 3 class that started on September 6.
So far, three of the first five classes have been cancelled. Each time, I received a text message less than an hour before the class, and no reason was given. On September 20, we had already arrived at the pool when the message came.
These last-minute cancellations have been hard on our family. I changed my work schedule to take Mia to her lessons, so I lost those hours for nothing. Mia is also very disappointed, because she was hoping to pass her Level 3 test before winter.
I would appreciate it if the centre could add the missed classes at the end of the program or refund the cost of those three lessons. In addition, please send notice at least one day in advance if a class must be cancelled in the future.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your reply.
Kind regards,
Daniel Moreau
Why this works:
- Every point is covered, in order, each in its own paragraph.
- The details are real and specific: a name, a level, dates, and what exactly went wrong.
- The tone is formal and firm, but never rude. The writer asks for two clear solutions.
- Linking words like So far, Each time, also and In addition make it easy to follow.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why it hurts | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Skipping a point | The email does not do what the task asked | Number the points and check them off |
| Changing the situation | For example, writing to the wrong person, or inventing a different problem | Keep the facts you were given, and add details around them |
| Wrong tone | Too casual with a company, too stiff with a friend, or rude in a complaint | Decide the tone from the reader before you start |
| No paragraphs | One block of text is hard to read | New paragraph for the purpose, each point, and the closing |
| Too short | The points are not developed | Add a detail or an example to each point |
| No time to check | Small errors add up | Stop writing with about 3 minutes left |
Quick Summary
- You have 27 minutes to write an email of about 150-200 words.
- Do every point in the instructions, in order, one paragraph each.
- Match your tone to the reader, and never use slang.
- Use six parts: greeting, purpose, body, closing, sign-off, name.
- Plan for 4-5 minutes, write for about 19, and check for the last 3.
Start Practising
Read more model emails on our Writing Task 1 sample answers page. When you are ready, try Writing practice with AI feedback. You get feedback on all four categories and an estimated level. It is free, with a daily quota on AI evaluations.