Task 1 practice course: Writing an Email
Write a clear email of 150-200 words that covers all three points in the question, in the right tone for the reader. Work through six short steps, from how the task works to a timed answer, about 30 minutes in all. New to this task? Read the Task 1 format and strategy first.
Learn the task
How to organise your answer, what to do with your time, common mistakes and useful phrases, then a quick check.
Five parts: greeting, three paragraphs, close
Every Task 1 question gives a situation and three bullet points. Give each bullet point its own paragraph, in the same order, so the rater can tick them off. The reader decides the tone: a manager or an office needs a formal email, a friend or relative an informal one.
Email your building's management about broken washing machines.
- Greeting: Dear Building Management,
- Who you are and the problem, with facts (bullet 1)
- How it affects you and others (bullet 2)
- What you want done, and by when (bullet 3)
- Thank you, sign-off, a name
Email your brother to ask him to look after your dog.
- Greeting: Hi Chris,
- Why you need help, with dates (bullet 1)
- What exactly they would need to do (bullet 2)
- How you'll thank them (bullet 3)
- A warm close and your first name
Email a teacher that your child will be away for two weeks.
- Greeting: Dear Mr. Brown,
- Who you are and what's happening (bullet 1)
- Your question, politely (bullet 2)
- Your plan or offer (bullet 3)
- Thank you, sign-off, a name
Task 1 cheat sheet
The key points of the course on one screen, to read again just before your test.
How to use your 27 minutes
- Read the situation for facts you can use: dates, numbers, names.
- Decide the tone from the reader: formal or informal.
- Note two or three details for each bullet point, in the order you'll write them.
- One paragraph per bullet point, in the order of the question.
- Give specific, believable details: "$6.00", "from the 9th to the 13th".
- Keep an eye on the word count: aim for 170-190.
- Read it once for each bullet point: is each one answered?
- Then once for small mistakes: verb endings, articles, spelling.
- End with a closing line and a name, not your own.
Three mistakes that keep scores at CLB 7
- Missing a bullet point. Plan one paragraph per bullet point and check them off before you finish.
- The wrong tone. Match the greeting, phrases and sign-off to the reader.
- Vague details. Add facts: how many, since when, how much it cost, what you want and by when.
Phrases for each part of your email
- Opening (formal): “I am writing regarding...”, “I am writing on behalf of...”, “My name is..., and I...”
- Opening (informal): “I hope things are going well at your end.”, “I'm writing to ask for a fairly big favour.”
- Explaining a problem: “For more than a month now,...”, “To make matters worse,...”, “As a result,...”
- Asking: “I would therefore ask that...”, “Could you please let me know...?”, “I would be grateful if you could...”
- Offering: “I would be glad to help by...”, “As a thank-you, I'd love to...”
- Closing: “Thank you for your prompt attention.”, “I look forward to hearing from you.”, “Sincerely, / Warm regards, / Thanks a million,”
Questions about Task 1
How do I organise a CELPIP Writing Task 1 answer?
Every Task 1 question gives a situation and three bullet points. Give each bullet point its own paragraph, in the same order, so the rater can tick them off. The reader decides the tone: a manager or an office needs a formal email, a friend or relative an informal one. A complaint or a problem: Greeting: Dear Building Management,; Who you are and the problem, with facts (bullet 1); How it affects you and others (bullet 2); What you want done, and by when (bullet 3); Thank you, sign-off, a name. Asking for help or a favour: Greeting: Hi Chris,; Why you need help, with dates (bullet 1); What exactly they would need to do (bullet 2); How you'll thank them (bullet 3); A warm close and your first name. Giving information and asking a question: Greeting: Dear Mr. Brown,; Who you are and what's happening (bullet 1); Your question, politely (bullet 2); Your plan or offer (bullet 3); Thank you, sign-off, a name.
How should I use my time in CELPIP Writing Task 1?
Read and plan (up to 7 min): Read the situation for facts you can use: dates, numbers, names. Decide the tone from the reader: formal or informal. Note two or three details for each bullet point, in the order you'll write them. Write (about 17 min): One paragraph per bullet point, in the order of the question. Give specific, believable details: "$6.00", "from the 9th to the 13th". Keep an eye on the word count: aim for 170-190. Check (3 min): Read it once for each bullet point: is each one answered? Then once for small mistakes: verb endings, articles, spelling. End with a closing line and a name, not your own.
What mistakes lower a CELPIP Writing Task 1 score?
Missing a bullet point. An email that skips one of the three points can't score well on task fulfilment, however good the English. Instead: Plan one paragraph per bullet point and check them off before you finish. The wrong tone. "Hey, fix the machines ASAP" to a building manager, or "Dear Sir" to your brother, shows you missed who the reader is. Instead: Match the greeting, phrases and sign-off to the reader. Vague details. "The machines are broken and it's bad" gives the reader nothing to act on. Instead: Add facts: how many, since when, how much it cost, what you want and by when.
Is this Task 1 course free?
Yes. Every step is free and needs no account; nothing you type or record leaves your browser. With a free CELPass account you can also answer new questions and get an AI score.
Keep practising Task 1
- Task 1 sample answers at three levels, with notes on what each one does
- Task 1 vocabulary: words and phrases for writing an email
- Task 1 format and strategy
More free practice courses
- Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice
- Speaking Task 2: Talking about a Personal Experience
- Speaking Task 3: Describing a Scene
- Speaking Task 4: Making Predictions
- Speaking Task 5: Comparing and Persuading
- Speaking Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation
- Speaking Task 7: Expressing Opinions
- Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation
- Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions
- Reading Part 1: Reading Correspondence
- Reading Part 2: Reading to Apply a Diagram
- Reading Part 3: Reading for Information
- Reading Part 4: Reading for Viewpoints
- Listening Part 1: Listening to Problem Solving
- Listening Part 2: Listening to a Daily Life Conversation
- Listening Part 3: Listening for Information
- Listening Part 4: Listening to a News Item
- Listening Part 5: Listening to a Discussion
- Listening Part 6: Listening to Viewpoints
CELPass is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Paragon Testing Enterprises. CELPIP is a trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises. Check the official CELPIP website and IRCC for current test rules and requirements.