CELPIP, Writing
CELPIP Writing Task 1: Writing an Email
You write an email that covers three points in a given situation, in the right tone.
Format and scoring
| Skill | Writing |
|---|---|
| Time | 27 minutes |
| Word count | 150 to 200 words |
| How it's scored | Scored on content and coherence, vocabulary, readability and task fulfillment. |
| Weight (estimate) | About 50% of your writing score |
How to answer Writing Task 1: Writing an Email
- 1Decide the tone: formal, semi-formal or friendly.
- 2One paragraph per point in the task.
- 3Open with the purpose and close with a clear request or next step.
Writing Task 1: Writing an Email template
- 1Dear recipient's name, or Sir or Madam if you don't know it,
- 2I am writing to purpose: complain about / ask about / thank you for the topic in a few words.
- 3Bullet 1: what happened, with a specific date, place or amount.
- 4Bullet 2: how it affected you, with one concrete consequence.
- 5Bullet 3: what you would like them to do, and why it is reasonable.
- 6I would appreciate it if you could specific action by date or time.
- 7Thank you for your time / help / understanding. I look forward to hearing from you.
- 8Sincerely / Best regards / Cheers for a friend, your name
Common mistakes
- Missing one of the three points.
- The wrong tone for the reader.
Sample question
Parcels left in the lobby
Last month, the management of your apartment building installed electronic parcel lockers in the lobby. However, couriers often leave packages on the floor beside the lockers, and one of your packages has gone missing.
Write an email to the building's property manager, Ms. Bergeron. In your email, do the following:
Show a model answer (Level 12)
Dear Ms. Bergeron, I am writing about the new parcel lockers that were installed in the lobby of our building last month. Although the lockers were meant to make deliveries more secure, couriers are still leaving packages on the floor beside them, often because the lockers are full or the driver does not have an access code. Unfortunately, this has affected me directly. On October 14, a package containing a $180 winter coat was marked as delivered, but when I came home from work, it was nowhere to be found. The retailer has refused to replace it because the tracking record shows that it reached the building. Several neighbours have told me they have lost items as well. I would like to suggest two changes. First, could management share the access code with every major courier, not only Canada Post? Second, it would help if the lobby camera were moved so that it covers the area around the lockers. In the meantime, a simple sign asking drivers not to leave parcels on the floor might reduce the problem. Thank you for considering these ideas. Sincerely, Daniel Reyes