What Task 2 asks you to do
CELPIP-General Writing Task 2 is officially called Responding to Survey Questions. A strong practice response makes its choice or position easy to identify, develops relevant support and stays focused on what the survey actually asks. The safest preparation method is a flexible argument process rather than a memorized five-part script.
Official CELPIP materials show a Task 2 example asking for about 150–200 words. The full Writing component is 53 minutes. CELPIP’s 2026 Writing Pro materials specify 27 minutes for Task 1 and 26 minutes for Task 2, including time to plan, write and check the response.
The four official Writing dimensions
Content/Coherence
Develop relevant ideas, organize them clearly, and support your position with useful reasons, examples or details.
Vocabulary
Use words and phrases accurately and with enough range and precision to express your argument naturally.
Readability
Use clear paragraphing, connectors, grammar and sentence structure so the response is easy to follow.
Task Fulfillment
Answer the survey prompt completely, maintain an appropriate tone and produce a response of suitable length.
CELPIP publishes dimensional performance standards, not a simple public percentage weighting such as “Task Response 40%” or “Vocabulary 20%.” Use the official dimensions as your review framework.
A flexible Task 2 workflow
- 1
Read the exact survey question
Identify what decision or opinion is required. Do not answer a broader topic than the prompt.
- 2
Choose a position you can develop
Select the option for which you can produce clear, relevant support. Your personal preference is less important than your ability to explain the choice well.
- 3
Plan distinct support
Write two short reason labels and one useful example or consequence for each. If both reasons mean the same thing, replace one before drafting.
- 4
Draft in logical paragraphs
State the position clearly, develop support in a readable order and use transitions only where they make the relationship between ideas clearer.
- 5
Review against the four dimensions
Check relevance and organization, vocabulary accuracy, readability, and whether the survey task has been completely fulfilled.
Avoid these SEO-era “rules”
- Do not treat an unofficial percentage weighting as the CELPIP rubric.
- Do not assume every high score requires one exact five-paragraph formula.
- Do not invent statistics merely to make a paragraph sound more advanced.
- Do not force “advanced” synonyms when a precise common word is clearer.
Review before submitting
- ✓ Is the position or requested response unmistakable?
- ✓ Does every paragraph add relevant support?
- ✓ Are examples clearly connected to the reasons they support?
- ✓ Are transitions, grammar and paragraphing easy to follow?
- ✓ Did you answer every part of the survey prompt?
Frequently asked questions
What is CELPIP Writing Task 2 called?
The official CELPIP-General format names Task 2 “Responding to Survey Questions.” You respond to a survey prompt by choosing or explaining a position and supporting it in writing.
How long is the CELPIP Writing section?
CELPIP lists 53 minutes for the full Writing component. Its 2026 Writing Pro study materials specify 27 minutes for Task 1 and 26 minutes for Task 2.
How many words should I write for CELPIP Writing Task 2?
Official CELPIP score-comparison materials show Task 2 prompts asking for about 150–200 words. Focus on fully developing the requested response rather than padding the answer with memorized sentences.
Do I have to criticize the other option in CELPIP Writing Task 2?
No official CELPIP scoring rule requires you to attack or criticize the other option. Your priority is to make your chosen position clear and develop relevant reasons and supporting details. A brief comparison or counterpoint can help when it genuinely strengthens your argument, but it is not a mandatory paragraph formula.
Does CELPIP Writing Task 2 need a greeting or sign-off?
No. Task 2 is a survey response, not an email. Official CELPIP preparation material distinguishes it from Task 1 and does not require email formatting such as a greeting or sign-off.
What are the CELPIP Writing scoring dimensions?
CELPIP lists four Writing performance dimensions: Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability and Task Fulfillment. CELPIP does not publish the simple percentage weights often shown on unofficial prep pages.
Format and scoring facts on this page were checked September 4, 2026 against CELPIP’s official Test Format, 2026 Writing Pro Target 9+ Study Pack, Results/Performance Standards and Score Comparison Chart resources.
Official CELPIP Test FormatOfficial CELPIP Performance StandardsOfficial CELPIP Writing Pro
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