Task 1: Writing an Email

What happens in Task 1

• The prompt describes a situation and lists three things your email must do.
• The reader may be a manager, a company, a neighbour or a friend: match your tone to them.

Tips for a higher score

• Spend 3 minutes planning one paragraph per bullet point.
• Open by saying why you are writing, and close with a clear request or next step.
• Leave 3 minutes to check spelling, because there is no spell checker.

Common mistakes

• Answering only two of the three points.
• Using a casual tone with a manager or company.
• Writing under 150 words.

Task 1 template

1. Plan: reader, register and three points (3 minutes). Before typing, decide who the reader is and pick one register for the whole email: formal for a company, landlord or office; semi-formal for a manager or colleague; friendly for a friend or relative. Jot one or two details you will use for each bullet point.
   • Formal: Dear Mr. Chen, / Dear Customer Service Team,
   • Semi-formal: Dear Sandra, / Hello Sandra,
   • Informal: Hi Marco, / Hey Aisha,
   • Formal: I would appreciate it if...
   • Informal: Could you do me a favour and...
2. Greeting and purpose (about 25–35 words, 2 minutes). Greet the reader, then say in one or two sentences why you are writing. A clear purpose sentence tells the rater immediately that you understood the situation.
   • I am writing regarding...
   • I am writing to let you know that...
   • I am contacting you about...
   • I hope you are doing well. I wanted to tell you about...
   • Thanks so much for your message about...
3. Paragraph for bullet point 1 (about 35–45 words, 5 minutes). Answer the first bullet point fully, usually with the background: what happened, when and where. Specific details such as a date, an amount or a place make the email believable.
   • On [date], I...
   • As you may know,...
   • Last week, I noticed that...
   • The problem started when...
   • To give you some background,...
4. Paragraph for bullet point 2 (about 35–45 words, 5 minutes). Cover the second point in its own paragraph, often the problem, its effect or your feelings about it. Explain one consequence so the reader understands why it matters.
   • Unfortunately,...
   • As a result,...
   • This has made it difficult for me to...
   • I was disappointed to find that...
   • What worries me most is that...
5. Paragraph for bullet point 3 (about 35–45 words, 5 minutes). The third point is often a request or suggestion: make it specific and realistic, and add a fallback if it fits. In a friendly email, a suggestion can be softer and more personal.
   • I would like you to...
   • Would it be possible to...?
   • I would be grateful if you could...
   • If that is not possible, I would accept...
   • How about we... ?
   • Why don't you...?
6. Closing line and sign-off (about 15–25 words, 2 minutes). Close with a next step or a thank-you that matches your register, then a sign-off and your name. Keep the formal or friendly tone you chose at the start.
   • Thank you for your attention to this matter.
   • I look forward to hearing from you.
   • Please let me know if you need any further information.
   • Formal: Sincerely, / Kind regards,
   • Semi-formal: Best regards,
   • Informal: Talk soon, / Take care,
7. Check (3–4 minutes). Confirm all three bullet points are answered and the word counter is between 150 and 200. Then reread for spelling, missing articles and verb tenses, because there is no spell checker.
   • Did I answer all three points?
   • Is the tone the same from greeting to sign-off?
   • Is every verb in the right tense?

Task 1 vocabulary and useful phrases

Sample question and answer

Sample answer: estimated CLB 9–10

Why it scores well

• Task Fulfillment: All three points are covered, each in its own paragraph, and the request is specific (replacement, or refund as a fallback).
• Content/Coherence: Details such as the order number, dates and the steps already tried make the email believable and easy to act on.
• Vocabulary: Precise phrases like "well within your 30-day return period" and "prepaid shipping label" fit the situation.
• Readability: Formal tone throughout, a clear opening and closing, and linking words (However, As, instead) that guide the reader.

The same question at a lower level

Sample answer: estimated CLB 6–7

What holds it back

• Task Fulfillment: All three points are touched, but thinly: there is no order number or delivery date, and the request ("fix this problem", then two options at once) leaves the company to work out what she wants.
• Content/Coherence: Paragraphs follow the bullet points, but details are general ("a lot of money", "since few days") and the steps already tried are not developed.
• Vocabulary: Simple, repeated words ("bought" twice, "working" twice) and "working very good" instead of "working well"; few precise terms like refund, replacement or return period.
• Readability: Errors in articles and verbs ("with coffee maker", "like the manual say"), sentences starting with "But", and a tone that slips from formal to casual ("Thanks a lot!", "Best").

These are original CELPass examples. The CLBs are our estimates, not official CELPIP scores.

More Task 1 sample answers (66 questions)

Each question has a plan and three sample answers, around CLB 4–5, 7–8 and 11–12, with notes on each level.

• Mice in the Apartment
• Missing a Friend’s Dinner Party
• Missing Overtime Pay
• Help with Moving Day
• French Class Level Change
• Congratulations on a New Baby
• Disappointing Photography Workshop
• Community Garden Plot Request
• News for Grandfather
• Unsafe New School Bus Stop
• Apology for Missing an Appointment
• Thank-You After a Food Bank Shift

All Task 1 sample answers

Task 1 practice questions

1. Your apartment's heating has not worked properly for a week, and the weather is getting colder. Write an email to your building manager (150–200 words). In your email: describe the problem; explain how it is affecting you; say what you want the manager to do and by when.
2. A close friend has invited you to their wedding next month, but you cannot attend. Write an email to your friend (150–200 words). In your email: thank them for the invitation; explain why you cannot come; suggest another way to celebrate with them.
3. You recently took an evening course at a community centre and found it very useful. Write an email to the centre's program coordinator (150–200 words). In your email: say which course you took and when; describe what you liked about it; suggest one improvement or a new course for next term.
4. Your manager has asked everyone on your team to work extra hours on weekends for the next two months. Write an email to your manager (150–200 words). In your email: say how you feel about the request; explain a personal situation that makes it difficult; propose another arrangement.
5. You left a bag on a city bus yesterday afternoon. Write an email to the transit company's lost and found office (150–200 words). In your email: say when and where you lost it; describe the bag and what was inside; explain how they can return it to you.
6. Your neighbour often parks their car in front of your driveway, so you have trouble leaving for work. Write an email to your neighbour (150–200 words). In your email: introduce yourself; describe the problem and how often it happens; suggest a solution that works for both of you.

Writing Task 1 questions, answered

More CELPIP Writing

• Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions (next)