CELPIP Writing Task 1: Writing an Email
Write a complete email in 27 minutes: a planning method, an adaptable template, purpose modules and an original sample answer.
Independent review record
Reviewed on October 9, 2026 by a separate AI reviewer, distinct from the drafting agent. The review covered task fidelity, published 2026 requirements, English wording, and the evidence for score claims. It was not an official CELPIP assessment.
Conclusion: compatible with the published 2026 task format; useful for practising stronger responses; no verified band score or score guarantee. The response is an original, ungraded practice example. Its quality on one topic does not establish reliable performance across unseen tasks.
These are original teaching materials, not official answers. A reusable structure can help you organize a response, but it has no score of its own. Replace the content for every prompt. The examples have not been rated by CELPIP.
Time remaining :Time:27 minutes
You joined a weekend photography course at a community centre. The course was advertised as practical, but the first two classes consisted mainly of lectures.
- Explain why you enrolled.
- Describe your concerns.
- Suggest a suitable solution.
0 Words
Task and timing
Time: 27 minutes. Requested length: about 150–200 words. Write an email that completes the prompt's instructions.
A working practice target of around 170–190 words leaves room for editing. It is not an official high-score range. Word count alone does not establish response quality.
Planning method
Identify the recipient, purpose, required points, and desired outcome. Most practice prompts contain three required points; follow the actual prompt if the number differs.
Suggested time allocation: four minutes to plan, eighteen to write, and five to check. This is a personal practice method, not an official scoring requirement.
Adaptable template
The scaffold is not a complete 150–200-word answer. Develop the required points with relevant details.
- 1
Dear recipient's name or suitable role,
- 2
I am writing to specific purpose regarding situation. Give any essential background.
- 3
Answer the first required point. Add a concrete detail and explain its relevance.
- 4
Answer the second required point. Explain the requested effect, reason, or example.
- 5
Answer the third required point. State a reasonable next step if appropriate.
- 6
Use a closing sentence suited to the purpose.
- 7
Kind regards, Name
Combine the background and first point when that makes the email smoother. You do not need a separate paragraph for each template line. A subject line, postal address, and date are not necessary parts of this practice format.
Modules for different purposes
| Purpose | Possible opening | Main development | Possible closing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint or feedback | I am writing about a problem with… | Facts, effects, appropriate remedy | Could you arrange…? |
| Information request | I would like some information about… | Specific questions and why you need the answers | Please let me know whether… |
| Request for assistance | I am writing to ask whether you could… | Request, reason, feasible arrangement | I would appreciate your help with… |
| Apology | I am sorry that I was unable to… | Responsibility, explanation, repair | Would [alternative] work for you? |
| Recommendation | I would like to suggest… | Recommendation, benefits, practical details | I hope you will consider… |
A thank-you email may not need a request. An apology should not sound like a complaint. Change the function of the sentences, not just their nouns.
Tone and formatting
Use a clear, respectful tone appropriate to the recipient. For an unfamiliar manager or organization, a neutral or moderately formal style is a useful starting point.
| Recipient | Greeting | Sign-off |
|---|---|---|
| Named coordinator | Dear Ms. Patel, | Kind regards, |
| Unnamed centre manager | Dear Community Centre Manager, | Kind regards, |
| Familiar colleague, if appropriate to the prompt | Hi Jordan, | Best, |
Do not assume every recipient is a close friend. Avoid both blunt demands and unnecessarily elaborate language.
Original practice prompt
You joined a weekend photography course at a community centre. The course was advertised as practical, but the first two classes consisted mainly of lectures. Write an email to the course coordinator. Explain why you enrolled, describe your concerns, and suggest a suitable solution. Write about 150–200 words.
Original sample response
Time remaining :Time:27 minutes
You joined a weekend photography course at a community centre. The course was advertised as practical, but the first two classes consisted mainly of lectures.
- Explain why you enrolled.
- Describe your concerns.
- Suggest a suitable solution.
Dear Ms. Patel,
I am writing about the weekend photography course that began earlier this month. I enrolled because the advertisement promised practical sessions, and I wanted to learn how to photograph products for my small online shop.
Although the instructor explains technical concepts clearly, the first two classes consisted almost entirely of presentations. We spent only a few minutes using our cameras, and there was no opportunity to receive individual feedback. As a beginner, I find it difficult to apply the information without someone checking my settings. I had also arranged my work schedule specifically to attend these sessions in person.
Could you ask the instructor to include a supervised practice activity in each remaining class? A short session on lighting small objects would be especially useful. If the course cannot be adjusted, I would appreciate the option of transferring to a workshop with more practical instruction at no additional charge.
Thank you for considering my feedback. Please let me know what arrangements would be possible before our next class on Saturday.
Kind regards, Alex Morgan
177 Words
What the sample demonstrates
The email explains the enrolment goal, develops the concern, and proposes a remedy. It acknowledges the instructor's strength without weakening the complaint. The closing requests a response before the next class.
High-score relevance and limits
The sample has clear organization, relevant detail, topic-specific vocabulary, and controlled conditional and concessive sentences. These are useful qualities to practise; they are not proof of a particular CELPIP level.
This single feedback email does not validate the framework across invitations, apologies, requests, and other purposes. No official grade or unseen-task performance data is available.
Improving vague sentences
Add plausible details when needed, but do not contradict facts supplied by the prompt.
Try the template on a real question
A template feels natural only after you use it under time pressure. Pick a question and set a timer.
Practice Writing Task 1