CELPIP Writing Task 1 Sample Email with Score Breakdown
The CELPIP Writing Task 1 requires you to write a formal or informal email within 27 minutes, and it's worth 25% of your overall writing score. After helping hundreds of students master this task, I've seen the same patterns emerge: those who understand the scoring criteria and practice with realistic scenarios consistently achieve their target scores.
Let me walk you through a complete sample response and break down exactly why it works, so you can apply these strategies to your own writing.
Understanding CELPIP Writing Task 1
Writing Task 1 presents you with a scenario where you need to write an email to someone in your life—a friend, family member, colleague, or community member. The situation is always rooted in Canadian contexts: workplace issues, community events, housing situations, or social gatherings.
You'll have exactly 27 minutes to plan, write, and review your response. The target length is 150-200 words, and you're evaluated on four key criteria:
Sample Task and Response
Sample Prompt:
You recently moved to a new neighborhood in Vancouver. Your upstairs neighbor plays loud music late at night, affecting your sleep and work performance. Write an email to your neighbor addressing this issue.
Sample Response (CLB 9 Level):
Subject: Regarding Late-Night Music - Apartment 4B
Dear Neighbor,
I hope this email finds you well. My name is Sarah, and I recently moved into apartment 4A, directly below you. I wanted to introduce myself and discuss a concern that's been affecting my daily routine.
Over the past two weeks, I've noticed music playing quite loudly from your unit, typically between 11 PM and 2 AM on weeknights. As someone who starts work early at 6:30 AM downtown, these late hours have significantly impacted my sleep quality and, consequently, my job performance.
I completely understand that everyone deserves to enjoy their home, and I'm not asking you to stop listening to music entirely. However, would it be possible to lower the volume after 10 PM on weekdays? Perhaps we could establish some mutually agreeable quiet hours that work for both of us.
I'd be happy to discuss this further in person if you prefer. You can reach me at apartment 4A or reply to this email. I'm confident we can find a solution that allows us both to be comfortable in our homes.
Looking forward to building a positive neighborly relationship.
Best regards,
Sarah Chen
Apartment 4A
sarah.chen.4a@email.com
Word count: 189 words
Score Breakdown Analysis
Content/Coherence: 9/10
This response excels in addressing all aspects of the prompt:
The logical flow moves from introduction → problem description → impact explanation → proposed solution → next steps. Each paragraph has a clear purpose, and transitions connect ideas smoothly.
Vocabulary: 8/10
The response demonstrates strong vocabulary range with context-appropriate choices:
The writer avoids repetition by using synonyms: "concern/issue," "home/unit," "discuss/talk." However, there's room for more sophisticated vocabulary in places.
Readability: 9/10
Grammar accuracy is excellent throughout, with varied sentence structures:
Punctuation is accurate, and the text flows naturally without awkward phrasing.
Task Fulfillment: 9/10
The response perfectly matches email conventions:
Key Strategies That Make This Work
Start with Strategic Planning (3-4 minutes)
Before writing, identify:
Use the Canadian Context Advantage
CELPIP scenarios always reflect Canadian life. Incorporate details that show cultural understanding:
Structure for Success
Follow this proven email structure:
Master Transitional Language
Strong responses use connecting words that guide readers smoothly:
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Writing Too Much or Too Little
Stay within 150-200 words. Responses under 130 words often miss key points, while those over 220 words may include irrelevant information and show poor time management.
Ignoring the Relationship Dynamic
A email to your boss requires different language than one to your friend. The sample above correctly identifies a neighbor relationship—polite and respectful, but not overly formal.
Forgetting Email Conventions
Include subject lines, appropriate greetings, and proper closings. Missing these elements immediately signals to evaluators that you don't understand the task format.
Time Management Strategy
Minutes 1-4: Read prompt carefully, identify relationship/tone/outcome, create quick outline
Minutes 5-22: Write your response, focusing on content first, then refining language
Minutes 23-27: Review for grammar, spelling, word count, and email format
Remember, CELPIP Writing Task 1 success comes from understanding that you're being evaluated on practical communication skills. The goal isn't literary brilliance—it's clear, appropriate, effective communication that solves real problems in Canadian contexts.
Practice with scenarios involving workplace conflicts, housing issues, community events, and social situations. The more you familiarize yourself with Canadian cultural expectations and email conventions, the more confident and successful you'll be on test day.
Focus on being direct but polite, specific but concise, and always solution-oriented in your approach. These qualities will serve you well not just on the CELPIP test, but in your daily life in Canada.