CELPIP Writing Task 1: Writing an Email
In Writing Task 1 you write an email of about 150 to 200 words in 27 minutes. The question describes a situation and lists the points your message must include, and you choose a tone that fits the reader.
Practice Writing an Email NowThe official format of Writing Task 1: Writing an Email
CELPIP's official strategies for Writing Task 1
From CELPIP's Writing Pro: Target 9+ Study Pack (2026).
- Make an outline first.
- Start with a purpose statement and end with a concluding statement.
- Complete the tasks in order.
- Support each main idea with at least one specific detail, and mention real places, people and situations.
- Avoid overusing words and phrases from the question.
- Use a greeting and sign-off that fit the situation.
- Avoid rudeness, sarcasm, and casual slang.
- Check your work for 3 to 4 minutes after you write.
The shape of every CELPIP email
Whatever the email type, the official strategies give it the same shape. The three samples below fill this shape for an apology, a complaint and a request.
Sample email 1: an apology to a neighbor
You live in an apartment building. On Sunday, water from your washing machine went through the floor into the apartment below yours.
In about 150-200 words, write an email to your downstairs neighbor, Mr. Patel. Your message must include the following points.
- What happened.
- What you have already done about it.
- An offer to fix the problem.
Dear Mr. Patel,
I am writing to sincerely apologize for the water that leaked into your apartment from mine on Sunday afternoon. I know it reached your bathroom ceiling, and I feel terrible about it.
Unfortunately, the hose on my washing machine came loose while I was out at my sister's house. By the time I got home at six, water covered my laundry room floor, and some of it had already gone through to your unit. As soon as I saw it, I turned off the water and called our building manager, Ms. Lopez, who is sending a plumber on Wednesday morning.
I understand this has caused you real stress, and it may have damaged your ceiling paint. To make up for it, I will pay for every repair, and I would be happy to replace anything else that was ruined.
Again, I am very sorry. Please let me know a good time this week when I can come down and see the damage, so we can agree on the next steps together.
Sincerely, Alex Morgan
177 words, counted the way CELPIP counts its own samples (every word, including the greeting and sign-off).
Sample email 2: a complaint to a company
Your home internet stopped working on Monday. The internet company booked a technician to fix it, but the technician did not come to either appointment.
In about 150-200 words, write an email to the company's support team. Your message must include the following points.
- Describe the problem.
- Explain how it has affected you.
- Say what you want the company to do.
Dear Support Team,
I am writing to formally complain about my home internet, which has not worked since Monday morning. The light on my router has been red for four days now, and none of my devices can connect.
Unfortunately, your technician has now missed two appointments. I took Tuesday afternoon off work to wait for him, and on Thursday I stayed home from eight until noon. Nobody came, and nobody called to explain.
This has caused real problems, because I work from home three days a week, so I missed a client meeting on Wednesday and paid thirty dollars for extra phone data. I have already restarted the router many times and called your help line twice.
I would like someone to repair the connection this Saturday, within a confirmed two-hour window, and a credit for every day without service. Please call me today to confirm the visit. Thank you for your help with this.
Sincerely, Jordan Lee
159 words, counted the way CELPIP counts its own samples (every word, including the greeting and sign-off).
Sample email 3: a request for information
You recently moved to a new neighborhood. Residents can rent a small plot in the local community garden to grow vegetables.
In about 150-200 words, write an email to the garden coordinator. Your message must include the following points.
- Explain why you want a plot.
- Ask about the cost and availability.
- Ask what is provided.
Dear Garden Coordinator,
I am writing to request information about renting a plot at the Elm Street Community Garden. A neighbor mentioned last week that a few plots will open up next month, and I would love to have one.
As a new resident of the neighborhood, I am looking for a place where my two children and I can grow our own vegetables. Our apartment only has a small balcony, and they loved helping their grandmother in her garden back home.
Could you please tell me how much a plot costs for the season, how big each plot is, and whether one is still available? It would also be helpful to know if tools and water are provided, or if gardeners bring their own.
I would really appreciate a reply by next Friday, because summers here are short and I would like to start planting before the plots are gone. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, Sophia Reyes
159 words, counted the way CELPIP counts its own samples (every word, including the greeting and sign-off).
A free CELPIP Writing Task 1: Writing an Email practice question
Missing Homework Assignments
Read the following information.
Your child's teacher has informed you that your son or daughter has been missing homework assignments regularly. You want to discuss this issue and find out how you can help your child improve.
Write an email to your child's teacher in about 150-200 words. Your email should do the following things:
- Acknowledge the problem and express your concern
- Ask for specific details about the missing assignments
- Request suggestions on how you can support your child at home
Show the sample answer (CLB 9-10)
Dear Ms. Johnson,
Thank you for reaching out regarding Tommy's recent pattern of incomplete homework submissions. I must admit I'm quite concerned about this development, particularly since it represents a departure from his usual academic diligence. I genuinely appreciate your proactive communication, as it allows us to address this issue before it potentially impacts his overall academic progress.
Would it be possible for you to provide me with a comprehensive overview of the specific assignments he has missed, including the subjects involved and the timeframe over which this pattern has emerged? Additionally, I'm curious whether you've observed any changes in his classroom engagement or participation that might correlate with these missing assignments. Understanding these details will enable me to have a more informed discussion with Tommy about any challenges he may be experiencing.
I would be extremely grateful for your professional insights regarding strategies I can implement at home to reinforce positive study habits. Are there particular organizational tools or structured approaches that have proven effective with other students? Furthermore, I'm wondering whether establishing regular communication between us might help ensure Tommy stays on track moving forward.
I look forward to collaborating with you to support Tommy's academic success.
Warm regards,
Mary Chen
More CELPIP Writing Task 1 practice questions
Give yourself the real time limit, aim for about 150 to 200 words, and leave a few minutes to check your work.
- Your neighbor has been parking in your assigned spot for a week. Write to your building manager. Describe the problem, explain how it affects you, and say what you would like the manager to do.
- A friend helped you move into your new apartment last weekend. Write to your friend. Thank them, describe how the move went, and invite them for dinner.
- You bought a jacket online, and it arrived in the wrong size. Write to the store. Describe what happened, explain what you need, and ask how to return it.
- Your manager has asked for ideas to make the office more comfortable. Write to your manager. Suggest one change, explain why it would help, and say how much it might cost.
- Your child's soccer team needs volunteers for a weekend tournament. Write to the coach. Offer to help, describe what you can do, and ask what time to arrive.
- You missed an important meeting at work because of a family emergency. Write to your coworker. Apologize, explain what happened, and ask what you missed.
Common mistakes on Task 1: Writing an Email
- Leaving out a point the question lists. Cover every point, in the order given.
- Starting with small talk instead of a purpose statement.
- Writing too little. Aim for about 150 to 200 words, because word count is part of Task Fulfillment.
- Using the wrong tone for the reader, or copying long phrases from the question.
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Start PracticingTask 1: Writing an Email FAQ
How long is CELPIP Writing Task 1?+
27 minutes, and the question asks for about 150 to 200 words.
How many points does a CELPIP Task 1 question have?+
It varies. The question lists the points your message must include, and CELPIP's own sample has four, so read the whole question and cover every one.
Does the greeting count toward the word count?+
CELPIP's study pack counts every word in its sample responses, including the greeting and sign-off.
Should a CELPIP email be formal or informal?+
Match the reader. An email to a friend can be friendly, and an email to a company or a manager should be formal. Use a greeting and sign-off that fit.
What CELPIP Writing score do I need for Express Entry?+
Express Entry's Federal Skilled Worker program needs at least CLB 7 in writing and in each other skill, and the most first-language points start at CLB 10.