CELPIP Writing Task 1 gives you 27 minutes to write a 150-200 word email. That sounds manageable until you are sitting in front of the screen, the timer is running, and you are staring at three bullet points that all need to be addressed. Most candidates who score CLB 7 on this task are not failing because of grammar. They are failing because they do not have a repeatable structure they can apply to any email prompt under pressure.
This guide gives you that structure, explains the four scoring criteria, and shows you exactly what CLB 9 email writing looks like versus CLB 7.
How Task 1 Is Scored
CELPIP Writing Task 1 is marked on four criteria, each worth equal weight:
| Criterion | What graders look for | |---|---| | Content/Coherence | All bullet points addressed, purpose is clear, ideas flow logically | | Vocabulary Range | Precise word choice, variety, register appropriate to the recipient | | Readability | Easy to follow, sentences well-connected, no confusing passages | | Task Fulfillment | Email achieves its purpose and stays within 150-200 words |
Content and Task Fulfillment together determine whether you addressed the prompt correctly. This is where most CLB 7 candidates lose marks — they write a grammatically clean email that misses one bullet point or does not clearly request action from the recipient.
The Four Email Types You Will See
Every CELPIP Writing Task 1 prompt falls into one of these categories:
- Complaint — You experienced a problem and want it resolved
- Request — You need something from the recipient
- Apology — You did something wrong and need to address it
- Suggestion/Recommendation — You are proposing something to the recipient
Some prompts combine two types — for example, a complaint that also contains a request for compensation. The bullet points in the prompt will tell you exactly what to cover.
The Four-Part Structure That Works for Every Type
Regardless of the email type, use this structure every time:
Part 1 — Opening line (1 sentence, 10-15 words): State who you are and your purpose immediately. Do not start with pleasantries.
- Complaint: "I am writing to report a problem with my recent order from your store."
- Request: "I am writing to request information about your summer internship program."
- Apology: "I am writing to sincerely apologize for missing our scheduled meeting on Thursday."
Part 2 — Situation (3-4 sentences, 60-70 words): Give specific details about what happened. Include dates, product names, locations, or names where relevant. Specificity signals CLB 9 to graders — vague descriptions signal CLB 7.
CLB 7 example: "I bought a laptop from your store. It stopped working after a few days."
CLB 9 example: "I purchased a Dell Inspiron 15 laptop (Order #78432) from your downtown Toronto location on June 5th. Within three days of normal use, the screen began flickering intermittently and the device shut down without warning twice, causing me to lose unsaved work."
Part 3 — Impact and Request (2-3 sentences, 50-60 words): Explain what the problem has caused and state clearly what you want the recipient to do. Use modal verbs: "I would appreciate," "I would like to request," "I would be grateful if you could."
Part 4 — Closing (1 sentence): "I look forward to your prompt response" is stronger than "Thank you for your time" because it signals an expectation of action rather than passively thanking.
Register: The Most Overlooked Scoring Factor
Register means the level of formality in your language. CELPIP Task 1 prompts specify who you are writing to — a store manager, a neighbour, a friend, a supervisor. Your language must match that relationship.
| Recipient | Register | Examples | |---|---|---| | Manager, company, institution | Formal | "I would like to request," "I am writing to bring to your attention" | | Colleague, neighbour | Semi-formal | "I wanted to let you know," "Could you please" | | Friend, family member | Informal | "Just wanted to say," "Would you mind" |
A common CLB drop: writing a formal email to a friend ("I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to attend") or an informal email to a manager ("Hey, wanted to say your service was not great"). Graders penalise register mismatches under Vocabulary Range.
Key tip: Identify the recipient before you write a single word. Every vocabulary choice flows from that decision.
Word Count: 150-200 Words Is Not Optional
The word count range is a hard scoring criterion, not a suggestion. Writing under 150 words will cost you marks on Task Fulfillment regardless of quality. Writing over 200 words does not earn extra credit — it signals poor editing judgment and may hurt your Readability score.
At CLB 9, candidates consistently hit 170-190 words. Here is how to hit that range reliably:
- Opening: 15 words
- Situation: 65 words
- Impact and Request: 55 words
- Closing: 15 words
- Total: approximately 150 words
Add one additional detail to the Situation section and you are at 165-170. This gives you a reliable baseline without padding or cutting.
Practice counting words after every timed response until you develop an intuitive sense of what 170 words feels like on the page.
Time Management: 27 Minutes Broken Down
| Phase | Time | Activity | |---|---|---| | Planning | 3 minutes | Identify email type, recipient, list all bullet points | | Writing | 20 minutes | Draft all four parts without stopping to edit | | Review | 4 minutes | Check word count, register, bullet point coverage |
The planning phase is where most candidates lose time they should spend writing. Keep it to three minutes maximum. You do not need a perfect plan — you need to confirm the email type, the recipient's register level, and that you have noted every bullet point. Then start writing.
During review: check bullet points first (most important), then register consistency, then word count, then grammar. Do not spend review time rewriting sentences — fix obvious errors only.
Key tip: If you run out of time before the review phase, prioritise finishing the email over editing. An unfinished email scores lower than a finished one with minor errors.
Full CLB 9 Example: Complaint Email
Prompt: You recently bought a new laptop from an electronics store. Write an email to the store manager. In your email: describe the problem with the laptop; explain how it has affected you; request a replacement or refund.
Dear Store Manager,
I am writing to report a significant issue with a laptop I purchased at your Scarborough location on June 8th, 2026. The product, a Dell Inspiron 15 (receipt #44921), began displaying a flickering screen and shutting down unexpectedly within 72 hours of use.
This malfunction has caused me to lose two hours of work on an important project deadline and has rendered the device unusable for daily tasks I depend on for my employment. I purchased this laptop specifically because of your store's reputation for reliable electronics.
I would like to request either a full replacement with the same model or a complete refund of the purchase price of $849. I am available to visit the store at your convenience and can bring both the laptop and original receipt.
I look forward to your prompt response and a swift resolution.
Sincerely, [Your name]
Word count: 163. All three bullet points addressed. Formal register throughout. Specific details (date, receipt number, price, model name). Clear request with two options. This is what CLB 9 Writing Task 1 looks like.
For Task 2 strategies and Writing section sample responses scored at each CLB level, visit the Writing guide at mycelpip.ca.