CELPIP Writing Task 1: Writing an Email

CELPIP Writing Task 1 Sample Answer: News for Grandfather

This email to your grandfather shares news of a new veterinary clinic job, describes a typical workday and suggests a visit. The tricky part is balancing your news with genuine interest in his life so it does not read like a job report.

Time

27 minutes

Length

150–200 words

Tone

Formal or semi-formal, depending on the reader

The question

You recently started a new job as an assistant at a veterinary clinic. Your grandfather lives in a small town in Manitoba, and he always enjoys hearing about your life. You have not written to him for a while.

Write an email to your grandfather in about 150-200 words. Your email should do the following things:

Tell him about your new job.

Describe what a typical day at work is like.

Ask about his news and suggest when you could visit him.

How to plan your answer

What they want

A warm, informal but respectful email to your grandfather in Manitoba about your new job at a veterinary clinic.
Cover: the new job, a typical day, and his news plus a visit.

Plan (27 min)

Greeting: "Dear Grandpa," apologize for not writing in a while, and say you have exciting news.
Job: assistant at a vet clinic; you love animals and the team is kind.
Typical day: greet pet owners, weigh dogs and cats, hold animals during check-ups, clean kennels, answer phones; share one funny animal story.
His news: ask about his health, garden, friends in town; suggest visiting on the long weekend or at Thanksgiving.
Closing: "Love," your first name.

Useful vocabulary

veterinarian, vet assistant, check-up, vaccinations
kennels, pet owners, nervous puppy, catch up

Phrases

I'm sorry I haven't written in so long...
A typical day at work starts with...
How have you been? I'd love to visit you...

Avoid

Writing only about yourself; ask about him too.
Using slang he may not understand.

Excellent answer: around CLB 11–12

Dear Grandpa, I'm sorry it's been so long since my last email. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind, but for a good reason: I've started a new job as an assistant at a veterinary clinic in Winnipeg! You always said my love of animals would lead somewhere, and it turns out you were right. My day starts at 7:30, when I feed the overnight patients and clean their kennels. Once appointments begin, I help the veterinarians by weighing pets, holding nervous dogs still for their vaccinations and preparing the exam rooms. Afternoons are usually busier, with surgery recoveries to monitor and anxious owners to reassure. Last Tuesday, I helped deliver a litter of six puppies, which was definitely the highlight so far. But enough about me. How are you keeping? Has the fishing been good at the lake this fall, and is Mrs. Hiebert still beating you at cards on Thursdays? I'd love to drive out and see you. Would the Thanksgiving long weekend suit you? I'll bring a pie and you can tell me all the news in person. Love always, Jenna

185 words

Why it scores high

Vocabulary: 'a whirlwind', 'nervous dogs', 'anxious owners to reassure' and 'How are you keeping?' sound warm and natural.
Content/Coherence: helping 'deliver a litter of six puppies' adds a memorable highlight that grandparents would enjoy reading.
Task Fulfillment: 'But enough about me' moves smoothly to questions about fishing and 'Mrs. Hiebert', showing real interest in his life.

Good answer: around CLB 7–8

Dear Grandpa, I'm sorry I haven't written in so long. Life has been really busy, but I have some great news: I started a new job as an assistant at a veterinary clinic in Brandon! I've been there for about a month, and I love it. You always said I would end up working with animals, and you were right. A typical day starts at 7:30 a.m. First, I feed the animals that stayed overnight and clean their kennels. Then I help the vet during appointments by holding pets still, weighing them and preparing vaccines. Most of our patients are dogs and cats, but last week someone brought in a rabbit and even a parrot! In the afternoon, I often help at the front desk, answering calls and booking appointments. How have you been? Is your knee feeling better, and did you get a good harvest from your garden this year? I would love to come and visit you. Would the Thanksgiving long weekend work for you? I could bring some pumpkin pie. Love you lots, Megan

177 words

What works, and what's missing

Content/Coherence: the day is described in order, from '7:30 a.m.' feeding to 'In the afternoon' at the front desk, which is easy to follow.
Task Fulfillment: asking 'Is your knee feeling better' and offering 'some pumpkin pie' make the final paragraph personal and caring.
Vocabulary: details like 'a rabbit and even a parrot' add interest, but most of the workday uses simple action phrases.

Basic answer: around CLB 4–5

Dear Grandpa, Sorry I don't write to you for long time. I was very busy because I have a new job! I am assistant at a veterinary clinic in Winnipeg. I start three weeks ago and I like it very much. You know I always love animals since I was small. My day start at 8 o'clock. First I clean the cages and give food to the animals who stay in the clinic. Then I help the doctor with check-up. I hold the dogs and cats when the doctor give them a needle. Some dogs are scary but most of them are very sweet. In the afternoon I answer phone and make appointment for the customers. How are you, Grandpa? How is your garden and your dog Rusty? I want to visit you soon. Maybe I can come on Thanksgiving weekend in October? I miss you a lot. Love, Kim

150 words

What holds it back

Readability: 'Sorry I don't write to you for long time' and 'I start three weeks ago' put past actions in the present tense.
Vocabulary: 'Some dogs are scary' says the opposite of what the writer means, and 'make appointment for the customers' misses articles.
Task Fulfillment: asking about 'your garden and your dog Rusty' and suggesting Thanksgiving covers the final point, though in very short questions.

These are original CELPass examples written at each level. The CLBs are our estimates, not official CELPIP scores. How we estimate CLB