You read an everyday situation in Canada and write an email about it, covering the two or three points the prompt lists.
How to structure your answer
- Greet the reader in the right tone for who they are.
- Say why you are writing in your first sentence or two.
- Give each point in the prompt its own short paragraph, with specific details.
- Close politely, say what you would like to happen, and sign off.
Tip: Match the tone to the reader: formal for a manager, a company or a landlord, semi-formal for a colleague, and warmer for a friend. The wrong tone costs marks even when the content is good.
A sample prompt and answer
The prompt is our own, written in the style of the real test. It is not a real test question.
Read the following situation:
You recently moved into a rented apartment and noticed that several promised repairs, such as a leaking kitchen faucet and a broken balcony door, have not been completed. You informed the landlord when you moved in two weeks ago, but no action has been taken.
Write an email to your landlord in about 150-200 words. In your email:
- Describe the outstanding repairs and how they affect your daily life
- Mention your previous communication attempts
- Request a specific timeline for when the repairs will be done
Dear Mr. Chen,
I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing to follow up on the repairs I reported shortly after moving into apartment 2B on July 1st.
As mentioned previously, the kitchen faucet is leaking steadily, which has caused water to pool on the counter and increased my water bill. In addition, the balcony door does not close properly, making the apartment drafty and raising concerns about security. Both issues were noted in the rental agreement and were supposed to be resolved before my move-in date.
I contacted you by email and phone on July 2nd and 5th but have not received a response or update. These problems are affecting my daily comfort and safety, and I kindly request that they be addressed by the end of this week.
Please let me know as soon as possible when a maintenance technician can be scheduled. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to a timely resolution.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Apartment 2B, 120 Glenwood Drive
The AI feedback this answer got
We sent the sample answer through the same AI review you get after a practice task, and this is its feedback as it came back. Open each part for the details.
All levels are our AI's estimate, not an official CELPIP score. The level descriptions it quotes come from our own rubric.
/ 12
Very Good
You developed all three required points clearly and with concrete details, which fits a strong level 9 response. The email is well organized from the opening follow-up to the repair details, communication history, and timeline request.
What You Did Well:
- "the kitchen faucet is leaking steadily" - this gives a specific problem with a clear effect.
- "the balcony door does not close properly" - another concrete repair issue that is easy to understand.
- "I contacted you by email and phone on July 2nd and 5th" - this adds precise support and shows the issue has already been raised.
- "by the end of this week" - your request for a timeline is direct and specific.
What to Work On:
- Development of the impact could be a little fuller:
✗ YOU WROTE: "These problems are affecting my daily comfort and safety"
✓ BETTER: "These problems are affecting my daily comfort and safety because I cannot use the kitchen sink without wiping up water, and I worry about the balcony door at night."
→ Why: The idea is clear, but level 10+ responses usually give a bit more detail or a concrete scenario.
- Your conclusion is polite, but slightly brief compared with the rest of the email.
To Reach 10/12:
- Add one more concrete consequence for each repair so the support feels more fully developed.
- Make the closing sentence do a little more work by summarizing the request and expected action.
Next Steps:
- For each main point, write one extra sentence with a date, place, or daily consequence.
- Practice ending emails with a short summary plus a clear call to action.
Your vocabulary is strong and accurate, with several context-specific choices that fit the situation well. You show good control of formal email language and avoid awkward wording.
What You Did Well:
- "follow up" - a natural professional phrase for this situation.
- "leaking steadily" - precise and appropriate for describing the faucet problem.
- "increased my water bill" - specific, practical vocabulary that supports your complaint.
- "maintenance technician" - a formal, accurate phrase that suits a landlord email.
What to Work On:
- A few phrases are effective but still fairly common:
✗ YOU WROTE: "I hope this message finds you well"
✓ BETTER: "I am writing to request immediate attention to two unresolved repairs in my apartment."
→ Why: The opening is polite, but it is a standard formula; a more direct opening would sound more purposeful.
- "timely resolution" is good, but the rest of the email relies mostly on common everyday wording rather than more precise, varied language.
To Reach 10/12:
- Use a slightly wider range of precise complaint and repair language, such as describing urgency, delay, or inconvenience more specifically.
- Replace one or two routine phrases with more exact wording that strengthens the message.
Next Steps:
- Build a small bank of landlord-email phrases for urgency, repair delays, and requested action.
- Practice rewriting common openings and closings so they sound more specific and less formulaic.
GRAMMAR & LANGUAGE:
Found 0 language issues - no grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors.
STYLE & SENTENCE VARIETY:
Consider: "I’m writing to follow up on the repairs I reported shortly after moving into apartment 2B on July 1st." → "I’m writing to follow up on the repairs I reported after moving into apartment 2B on July 1st." (slightly tighter phrasing)
Consider: "As mentioned previously, the kitchen faucet is leaking steadily, which has caused water to pool on the counter and increased my water bill." → "As mentioned previously, the kitchen faucet is leaking steadily, causing water to pool on the counter and increasing my water bill." (same meaning, smoother flow)
Consider: "I contacted you by email and phone on July 2nd and 5th but have not received a response or update." → "I contacted you by email and phone on July 2nd and 5th, but I have not received a response or update." (clearer rhythm)
PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE & TRANSITIONS:
You use clear paragraph breaks, and the email follows a logical sequence: opening, repair details, communication history, and closing request. Transitions such as "In addition" and "but" help connect the ideas smoothly, and you vary sentence structure with both simple and complex sentences.
What You Did Well:
- "I’m writing to follow up" - a clear purpose statement right at the start.
- "As mentioned previously" - this shows logical progression from the opening to the problem details.
- "In addition" - a good transition that helps move to the second repair issue.
- "Please let me know as soon as possible" - a polite closing request that fits the situation.
What to Work On:
- The sentence flow is already strong, so the main improvement is stylistic polish rather than correctness.
- One or two sentences could be tightened for even smoother reading, especially where you list multiple details in one sentence.
To Reach 10/12:
- Add one or two more varied sentence patterns so the email sounds even more natural and polished.
- Keep using clear transitions, but make some sentences slightly more concise for stronger rhythm.
Next Steps:
- Combine two related ideas into one sentence using a participle or dependent clause.
- Read the email aloud once to catch any places where the wording could be shortened without losing meaning.
All three task requirements are fully addressed: you describe the repairs and their effect, mention previous communication attempts, and request a specific timeline. The tone is appropriate for a landlord, and the email format is complete with a greeting, purpose statement, body, concluding statement, sign-off, and signature.
What You Did Well:
- "Dear Mr. Chen," - appropriate greeting for a formal email.
- "I’m writing to follow up on the repairs" - clear purpose statement.
- "I contacted you by email and phone on July 2nd and 5th" - direct evidence of previous communication.
- "by the end of this week" - a specific timeline request, which matches the task well.
- "Sincerely," and "[Your Name]" - proper closing and signature format.
What to Work On:
- The email is complete and well targeted, but the closing request could be slightly stronger by restating the two repair issues and the urgency in one final sentence.
- The tone is professional and appropriate throughout; no major issues here.
To Reach 10/12:
- Make the final request sentence a little more decisive so the landlord knows exactly what action you want.
- Add one short sentence that summarizes the urgency before the sign-off.
Next Steps:
- Before finishing an email, check that your last body sentence clearly restates what you want the reader to do.
- Practice ending complaint emails with a brief summary plus a firm, polite deadline.
WHY THIS SCORE:
Coherence 9, Vocabulary 9, Readability 9, Task Fulfilment 9. The response is strong across all four dimensions, with clear organization, accurate vocabulary, and no language errors. What keeps it from the very top band is that the support is solid but not yet fully extended everywhere, especially in the explanation of how the repairs affect daily life.
YOUR STRONGEST DIMENSION: Coherence (9/12)
- You cover every required point in a logical order, and your details are concrete: "the kitchen faucet is leaking steadily" and "I contacted you by email and phone on July 2nd and 5th."
- This matches CELPIP’s higher-level expectation of ideas developed with relevant facts and clear organization.
YOUR WEAKEST DIMENSION: Coherence (9/12)
- The main limitation is that one impact statement is still a little general: "These problems are affecting my daily comfort and safety."
- The next level up needs more fully developed support, moving from clear details to more extended description and fuller explanation.
HOW TO MOVE UP A LEVEL - PRIORITY ACTIONS:
- Coherence: Add one more concrete consequence for each repair. For example, explain exactly when the dripping faucet creates a problem and what the balcony door issue prevents you from doing.
- Vocabulary: Keep the precise repair language, but add one or two more exact words for urgency or inconvenience so the complaint sounds less routine.
- Readability: Continue mixing sentence types, and tighten one or two long sentences so the flow feels even smoother.
- Task Fulfilment: End with a slightly stronger final request that clearly restates the repairs and the deadline.
WHAT LEVEL 9+ LOOKS LIKE:
- More extended development of the repair problems, not just the problem itself. For example, your sentence "These problems are affecting my daily comfort and safety" needs a specific scenario attached to it.
- A slightly more forceful closing that summarizes the request and deadline in one polished final line.
- Even richer support for the daily-life impact, so each bullet point feels fully developed rather than briefly covered.
Dear Mr. Chen, I am writing to request immediate attention to two unresolved repairs in my apartment 2B, where I moved in on July 1st. The kitchen faucet is leaking steadily, which causes water to gather on the counter every time I use it and leaves me cleaning up several times a day. In addition, the balcony door does not close properly, so cold air comes in at night and I worry about the apartment’s security when I am away. Both problems were supposed to be fixed before I moved in, but they are still affecting my comfort and peace of mind. I contacted you by email and phone on July 2nd and 5th, but I have not received any response or update. Could you please confirm when a maintenance technician will come and give me a clear timeline for completing both repairs? I would appreciate it if the work could be scheduled by the end of this week. Thank you for your prompt attention. I look forward to your reply. Sincerely, [Your Name] Apartment 2B, 120 Glenwood Drive
Two more sample emails
Task 1 emails often make a complaint, a request or a suggestion, give feedback, or share news with someone. These two cover other common shapes. Their word counts include the subject line; the sample above has none, so its count is the body only.
Sample 2: Gym membership cancellation charge
You submitted an online cancellation request for your fitness club membership two weeks ago and received an automated confirmation. However, your credit card was charged the full monthly fee again today, and your online account still shows "Active". You are moving to a new city next week and need the cancellation and refund processed promptly.
In your email:
- Describe what you requested and what went wrong
- Explain why the timing matters
- State exactly what you want the company to do
Subject: Urgent: Cancellation Not Processed and Incorrect Charge (Ref #CNL-44712)
Dear Customer Service Team,
I’m writing regarding my membership cancellation submitted through your online portal on September 15. I received the automated confirmation (Ref #CNL-44712), which stated the request would be completed within five business days. Despite this, my credit card was charged the full monthly fee this morning, and my account status still shows “Active” when I log in.
This matter is time-sensitive. I am relocating to Calgary next week and will not be able to use your facilities. I also need accurate statements for my October budget and records.
Please take the following actions: finalize my cancellation effective September 15, in line with your policy; refund today’s monthly charge to my original payment method and remove any related late or processing fees; and email written confirmation showing the account status as “Cancelled”, the refund amount, and the reference number for my records.
I can forward the confirmation email and screenshots of my account page upon request. Thank you for addressing this promptly.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Member ID: MC-88412
Why this one scores well
- The subject line carries the reference number, so the email is actionable before it is even opened.
- The requests are itemised. Three specific actions beat one vague "please sort this out".
- Concrete evidence is offered rather than claimed, which raises the vocabulary and content bands together.
- Business register throughout: no slang, no over-apologising, no emotional language.
Sample 3: Webinar technical feedback
You recently attended a webinar organized by a professional association you belong to. While the topic was interesting, the webinar was disrupted several times due to technical issues and poor moderation. You want to write to the association to provide feedback and suggest improvements for future webinars.
In your email:
- Mention what you appreciated about the webinar
- Describe the problems you encountered
- Suggest how future webinars could be improved
Subject: Feedback on August 5 Webinar: “Digital Trends in 2025”
Dear Ms. Leclair,
I’m writing to thank you for organizing the recent webinar, “Digital Trends in 2025”, which I attended on August 5. The speaker was highly knowledgeable, and the content was insightful and relevant to current challenges in the marketing industry.
That said, I’d like to share a few concerns. The session was interrupted multiple times due to audio glitches and screen-sharing issues. It appeared that the presenter was not fully briefed on the platform’s tools, which caused unnecessary delays. Additionally, the Q&A session lacked structure: participants spoke over each other, and several questions went unanswered.
To enhance the experience for future webinars, I recommend conducting a tech rehearsal with presenters in advance and assigning a dedicated moderator to manage audience interaction and ensure smooth transitions.
Thank you again for offering valuable learning opportunities. I hope my feedback contributes to even more successful events in the future.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
Why this one scores well
- Opens with genuine praise before the criticism, which is what "provide feedback" actually asks for. Skipping the positive bullet is the most common way to lose marks here.
- "That said" signals the turn clearly, so the reader is never surprised by the change in tone.
- The suggestions are practical and specific, not "please do better next time".
- It closes by looking forward, which keeps a critical email constructive.
Six ways people lose marks
Covering only two of the three bullets
Before you write, list the three bullets. Give each one its own paragraph, then check them off. This is the single most common reason a strong writer scores lower than expected.
Writing one long block of text
Use four or five short paragraphs. Readability is a scored dimension on its own, and a wall of text loses marks even when the grammar is perfect.
Being polite but never asking for anything
End with a clear request and, where it fits, a deadline. An email that describes a problem without asking for a resolution has not fulfilled the task.
Going far over or under the word range
Aim for 160 to 190 words. Well under the range usually means a bullet was skipped; well over usually means repetition, which costs you on vocabulary and readability.
Using the wrong register
Match the reader. A landlord or company gets formal English. A colleague or friend can take contractions and warmer phrasing. Mixing the two reads as a mistake.
Spending too long planning
Two or three minutes to plan, twenty to write, four to check. Most lost marks in the final version are small grammar and spelling slips that a short proofread would catch.
Frequently asked questions
You get 27 minutes to write an email of roughly 150 to 200 words. Task 2, responding to survey questions, gives you 26 minutes for the same word range.
Aim for 160 to 190 words. That sits comfortably inside the 150 to 200 range without forcing you to pad. Going well under usually means you skipped a bullet point; going well over usually means repetition, which costs marks on vocabulary and readability.
Include one. It takes seconds, it makes the email look like a real email, and a specific subject line ("Outstanding Repairs in Apartment 2B") immediately signals purpose. A vague one such as "Question" wastes the opportunity.
On four dimensions: Content and Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability, and Task Fulfilment. Each is assessed separately, so a beautifully written email that misses a bullet point still loses marks on Content and Task Fulfilment.
Yes, when the register fits. A formal complaint to a company reads better without them. An email to a colleague or friend reads more naturally with them. What matters is consistency: do not mix formal and casual in the same email.
Yes, and you should. Dates, reference numbers, names and specific consequences are what turn a generic email into a convincing one. The samples on this page all invent detail. Just keep it plausible and consistent with the situation you were given.
A structure helps; a memorised email does not. Markers see the same rehearsed phrases constantly, and a template cannot adapt to the three bullets you are actually given. Learn the shape (subject, greeting, purpose, detail, request, close) and fill it with the specific prompt.
Our Writing practice has 50 Task 1 prompts, each with a sample answer, and returns AI feedback on all four dimensions plus an estimated level for what you wrote. It is free, with a daily quota on AI evaluations.
Last reviewed: August 2026. Sample answers are written by us for practice and are not real test responses.
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