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Writing Task 1 — Writing an Email

Master the CELPIP email: 27 minutes, 150–200 words, and the 3 bullet points you must cover. Includes CLB 7, 9 and 11 sample answers.

7 min read
Key strategies
  • 1.Open with one sentence that states your purpose immediately — the reader should know why you wrote within the first line.
  • 2.Cover all THREE bullet points. Give each its own short paragraph; a missing bullet caps your score no matter how good the English is.
  • 3.Match the tone to the reader: semi-formal by default. Not as casual as texting a friend, not as stiff as a legal letter.
  • 4.Stay inside 150–200 words. Under 150 reads as underdeveloped; far over 200 wastes time and adds errors.
  • 5.Finish with a clear closing line and an appropriate sign-off (e.g. "Sincerely," / "Best regards,").
  • 6.Spend ~5 min planning, ~17 min writing, ~5 min checking. The check pass catches the easy points: articles, verb tense, plurals.

What this task tests

CELPIP Writing Task 1 gives you 27 minutes to write an email of 150–200 words in response to an everyday situation. The prompt describes a scenario and then gives you three bullet points — three things your email must do (for example: explain the problem, say how it affected you, and propose a solution).

You are scored on four things: Content & Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability, and Task Fulfillment. The single fastest way to lose points is to skip or under-develop one of the three bullets.

A structure that always works

  1. Greeting — Dear [Name], or Dear Sir or Madam, if no name is given.
  2. Purpose line — one sentence stating why you are writing.
  3. Body paragraph 1 — bullet point 1.
  4. Body paragraph 2 — bullet point 2.
  5. Body paragraph 3 — bullet point 3.
  6. Closing line + sign-off — a polite wrap-up, then Sincerely, and your name.

Getting the tone right

Most Task 1 emails are semi-formal — written to a landlord, a manager, a company, or a neighbour you don't know well. Use:

  • Full forms in formal contexts (I would like to rather than I'd like to) — but contractions are acceptable when the reader is a friendly acquaintance.
  • Polite framing: "I would appreciate it if you could…", "I am writing to let you know that…".
  • Avoid slang, emojis, and overly emotional language.

Common mistakes that cost CLB points

  • Missing a bullet point. Re-read the prompt before you submit and tick off all three.
  • No clear purpose line. The reader should never have to guess why you wrote.
  • Wrong register — too casual ("Hey! What's up") for a formal reader.
  • Word count — short emails read as thin; very long ones lose readability and add errors.

Sample answers by CLB level

See what each band looks like — and what lifts an answer to the next level.

CLB 7 — Solid, clear
Prompt

Your apartment building's laundry room has been out of service for two weeks. Write to the building manager. Explain the problem, describe how it has affected you, and suggest what should be done.

Model answer
Dear Building Manager,

I am writing about the laundry room on the ground floor. It has been out of service for two weeks, and there is still no notice about when it will be fixed.

This problem has affected me a lot. I do not have a car, so I must carry my laundry to a laundromat that is far away. It costs me extra money and time every week, which is difficult for me.

I would like to ask you to repair the machines as soon as possible. If it will take a long time, please put a notice in the lobby so residents know what is happening.

Thank you for your help. I hope this can be solved soon.

Sincerely,
Maria Lopez
Why this is CLB 7: Covers all three bullets clearly with correct, simple sentences. Vocabulary is everyday; ideas are developed but not elaborated. This is a strong, safe CLB 7.
CLB 9 — Developed, natural
Prompt

Your apartment building's laundry room has been out of service for two weeks. Write to the building manager. Explain the problem, describe how it has affected you, and suggest what should be done.

Model answer
Dear Mr. Thompson,

I am writing to bring an ongoing problem to your attention: the laundry room on the ground floor has now been out of service for two full weeks, with no notice explaining the delay.

As someone who does not own a car, this has become a real inconvenience. Each week I have to carry heavy bags of laundry to a laundromat several blocks away, which costs me both extra money and a good deal of time I can hardly spare.

I would greatly appreciate it if the machines could be repaired as soon as possible. In the meantime, posting a short notice in the lobby with an expected completion date would help residents plan accordingly and reduce the frustration many of us are feeling.

Thank you for looking into this matter. I look forward to seeing the laundry room back in service soon.

Sincerely,
Maria Lopez
Why this is CLB 9: Same content, but with smoother linking ("As someone who…", "In the meantime…"), more precise word choice ("ongoing", "inconvenience", "plan accordingly"), and a consistent semi-formal register.
CLB 11 — Polished, persuasive
Prompt

Your apartment building's laundry room has been out of service for two weeks. Write to the building manager. Explain the problem, describe how it has affected you, and suggest what should be done.

Model answer
Dear Mr. Thompson,

I am writing to raise a concern that has been mounting over the past two weeks: the ground-floor laundry room remains out of service, and residents have received no communication about when it might reopen.

The impact on daily life has been considerable. Without access to a car, I am forced to haul heavy loads to a laundromat several blocks away — an arrangement that drains both my budget and the limited free time I have around work. I suspect I am far from the only tenant in this position.

I would be grateful if repairs could be prioritized and completed promptly. Should the work require more time, a brief notice in the lobby outlining the expected timeline would go a long way toward easing the inconvenience and reassuring residents that the issue is being handled.

Thank you for your attention to this matter; I am confident it can be resolved quickly.

Sincerely,
Maria Lopez
Why this is CLB 11: Precise, varied vocabulary ("mounting", "haul", "drains", "go a long way"), confident tone, and subtle persuasion ("I suspect I am far from the only tenant"). Sentence structure is varied and controlled throughout.

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