CELPIP Writing Task 1: Email Writing Guide with Templates

CELPIP Writing Task 1 asks you to write an email in 27 minutes. It sounds simple, but the difference between CLB 7 and CLB 9+ comes down to tone, structure, and vocabulary. This guide gives you templates for every email type.

Understanding Task 1

What You'll See

A prompt describing:

• The situation (what happened)
• The recipient (who you're writing to)
• 3 specific points you must address

Scoring Criteria

| Criteria | What Raters Want | |----------|-----------------| | Content/Coherence | All 3 points addressed, logical flow | | Vocabulary | Varied, precise, no repetition | | Grammar | Accurate, complex sentence structures | | Task Fulfillment | Correct format, appropriate tone, 150-200 words |

The 3 Email Types

Type 1: Formal Email

To: Manager, landlord, company, organization, government office Tone: Professional, no contractions, polite but direct

Template:

Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name / Sir or Madam],

I am writing to [state purpose — request/inform/complain about].

[Paragraph addressing Point 1 — 2-3 sentences with specific details.]

Additionally, [Point 2 — connect to previous point if possible]. I would like to emphasize that [importance/impact].

Furthermore, [Point 3]. I would greatly appreciate it if you could [specific action requested]. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Sample — Formal Complaint:

Prompt: Write to your building manager about a broken elevator. (1) Describe the problem, (2) Explain the inconvenience, (3) Request a solution.

Dear Mr. Henderson,

I am writing to bring to your attention a serious maintenance issue regarding the elevator in Building C that has been out of service for the past five days.

The elevator has displayed an "Out of Order" sign since Monday, and despite several residents reporting the problem, no repair team has been dispatched. As a resident of the 14th floor, I find it extremely inconvenient to use the stairs multiple times daily, particularly when carrying groceries or heavy items.

This situation is especially concerning for elderly residents and those with mobility challenges who are essentially unable to leave their apartments comfortably. Mrs. Patterson on the 12th floor, for instance, has been unable to attend her medical appointments this week.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could arrange for an emergency repair as soon as possible and provide residents with a timeline for when the elevator will be operational again.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely, David Kim

(192 words — CLB 10 quality)

Type 2: Semi-Formal Email

To: Colleague, teacher, neighbour you don't know well Tone: Polite but warmer, some contractions okay

Template:

Hi [First Name],

I hope you're doing well. I'm reaching out because [purpose].

[Point 1 — friendly but clear. Include relevant details.]

I also wanted to mention that [Point 2]. I think this is important because [reason].

On another note, [Point 3]. Would it be possible for you to [request]? I'd really appreciate your help with this.

Thanks so much, and please let me know if you have any questions.

Best regards, [Your Name]

Type 3: Informal Email

To: Close friend, family member Tone: Casual, contractions, personal touches, emotions

Template:

Hey [Name]!

How's everything going? I wanted to tell you about [topic/situation].

So here's the thing — [Point 1 in conversational tone]. Can you believe it? [Reaction/detail.]

Also, [Point 2]! I was thinking [personal opinion/plan]. Remember when [shared memory or relatable reference]?

Anyway, [Point 3]. What do you think? I'd love to hear your take on this!

Talk soon! [Your Name]

Sample — Informal Invitation:

Prompt: Write to a friend about a surprise party you're planning. (1) Explain the occasion, (2) Share the details, (3) Ask for their help.

Hey Lisa!

How's it going? I've got some exciting news — I'm planning a surprise birthday party for Mike, and I really need your help to make it amazing!

So here's the deal: Mike's turning 30 next Saturday, and I thought it would be incredible to throw him a surprise bash at that new restaurant downtown — you know, the one he's been dying to try? He has absolutely no idea, and I want to keep it that way!

The plan is to have everyone arrive by 6:30 PM and hide in the back room. I've already reserved the space and ordered a custom cake with that inside joke about his terrible cooking. I'm inviting about 25 people, mostly from our friend group and his work.

Here's where I need you — could you be in charge of getting Mike to the restaurant without him getting suspicious? Maybe you could tell him you want to try the place for dinner? You're the best at keeping secrets, so I know you're perfect for this!

Let me know ASAP if you're in!

Cheers, Alex

(189 words — CLB 9+ quality)

Tone Matching: The #1 Skill

The single most important skill for Task 1 is matching your tone to the recipient. Here's a quick cheat sheet:

| Recipient | Greeting | Closing | Contractions | Exclamation Marks | |-----------|----------|---------|-------------|-------------------| | Boss/Manager | Dear Mr./Ms. | Sincerely | ❌ Never | ❌ Never | | Landlord | Dear [Name] | Thank you/Regards | ❌ Avoid | ❌ Avoid | | Colleague | Hi [Name] | Best regards | ✅ Occasionally | ❌ Rarely | | Teacher | Dear [Professor/Mr./Ms.] | Respectfully | ❌ Avoid | ❌ Avoid | | Friend | Hey [Name]! | Talk soon!/Cheers | ✅ Always | ✅ Naturally | | Family | Hi [Name]! | Love/Miss you | ✅ Always | ✅ Freely |

The 27-Minute Strategy

| Time | Action | |------|--------| | 0:00-2:00 | Read prompt, identify tone + 3 points | | 2:00-4:00 | Plan structure (greeting, 3 body paragraphs, closing) | | 4:00-22:00 | Write the email | | 22:00-27:00 | Review: check all 3 points addressed, fix typos, count words |

Never skip the review. Those last 5 minutes catch the errors that drop CLB 9 to CLB 7.

5 Instant Score Boosters

1. Address ALL 3 points — check them off mentally as you write
2. Use transition words between paragraphs: "Additionally," "Furthermore," "On another note"
3. Be specific — replace "soon" with "by next Friday," replace "a lot" with "approximately 25 people"
4. Vary sentence length — mix short punchy sentences with longer complex ones
5. End with a clear action — tell the reader what you want them to DO

Start Practicing Now

The best way to improve is timed practice with instant feedback. Write an email in 27 minutes, submit it, and see exactly where you score on the CLB scale.

Write your first practice email → Get AI feedback on tone, grammar, vocabulary, and structure in 30 seconds.