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CELPIP Writing Task 1: Writing an Email

A 27-minute email of 150–200 words that answers every point in the prompt. Practise below with the real timer, a bullet checklist and a live word count.

27:00Ready

0wordsaim for 150–200

Prompt 11 of 13

Volunteering at a food bank

You saw a notice that your local food bank needs more volunteers. Write an email to the volunteer coordinator.

In your email:

Tick each point once your email covers it · 0 of 3

Timing

The real time limit. The clock starts when you press Start or begin typing; at zero your answer locks and is sent for feedback.

Write 150 to 200 words. Pasting is allowed, but pasted words are noted in your review.

Write at least 50 words to get feedback.

CELPIP Writing Task 1 asks you to write an email of 150 to 200 words in 27 minutes. The prompt describes a situation and usually lists three points to cover; answer every one, in a tone that suits the reader. Our timed editor counts your words, lets you tick off each point and gives sentence-by-sentence AI feedback.

Timing and word count

  1. Plan · about 3 minutes

    Read the prompt twice. Note who the reader is, the tone that fits, and one specific detail for each bullet point.

  2. Write · about 20 minutes

    One paragraph per bullet, in the order given. Keep an eye on the word bar — you are aiming for the band between the two ticks.

  3. Check · the last 3–4 minutes

    Reread for missing words, verb tenses and subject–verb agreement, and make sure the email ends with a clear request.

Structure that covers every point

There is no single correct layout, but this order makes every bullet point easy to find — for you while you write, and for the person reading.

  1. A greeting that fits the reader

    “Dear Ms. Patel,” for a manager or an office; “Hi Sam,” for a friend or coworker you know well.

  2. An opening that says why you are writing

    One or two sentences that name the situation, so the reader knows what the email is about before the details start.

  3. One paragraph per bullet point

    Answer the points in the order given. Start each paragraph with its job (“This has caused me real problems.”) and add something specific — a date, an amount, an example.

  4. A clear request or next step, then sign off

    Say what you would like to happen and, if it fits, by when. Finish with a short closing and your name.

Structure, not a script

Learn what each paragraph does, not fixed sentences. Memorised openers (“I am writing this email to bring to your kind attention…”) are easy to spot, and memorised blocks often miss part of the task.

Tone: friendly, neutral or formal?

Match the tone to the reader
ReaderToneSounds like
A friend or family memberFriendly“Hi Sam, it was great to hear from you. Here’s what I’d suggest…”
A neighbour or coworkerNeutral and polite“Hi Daniel, I hope your week is going well. I wanted to ask…”
A manager, landlord, company or city officeFormal and polite“Dear Ms. Patel, I am writing about the parcel room in our building.”
Match the tone to the reader

Formal does not mean complicated: “Could you let me know when this might be possible?” is formal and plain. Complaints stay polite — describe the facts and the effect on you, then ask for something specific.

What does a level 9 email look like?

Prompt: There is an empty lot near your home that is full of litter. Write an email to your city councillor. In your email: describe the lot and the problems it causes; propose turning it into a community garden; explain how residents could help.

Model emailtarget CLB 9
Dear Councillor Singh, I live on Birch Street, across from the empty lot at the corner of Birch and Third Avenue, and I am writing to propose a new use for it. For at least two years, the lot has been left unattended. Litter collects along the fence, and after windy days it spreads onto the sidewalk and into nearby yards. Several parents have told me they no longer let their children walk past it alone because of broken glass near the entrance. I believe the lot could become a community garden. A few raised beds, a water connection and a small tool shed would turn an eyesore into a place where neighbours grow vegetables and get to know each other. It would also discourage people from dumping garbage there. Residents are ready to help. Fifteen households on our street have offered to build the beds, organise a watering schedule and hold a spring clean-up. We would only need the city’s permission and some basic materials. Could we meet to discuss this? Sincerely, Mei Chen

Original teaching example, not officially scored. Notice the purpose in the first sentence, one paragraph per bullet point, specific details (two years, fifteen households) and a request that is easy to say yes to. Compare levels 7, 9 and 10 on one email prompt.

13 practice prompts for Task 1

All prompts are original, written for practice in the style of the test — not real or past CELPIP questions. Choose one to load it into the timed editor.

  1. Locked parcel room. You live in an apartment building. The parcel room has been locked during the evening for the past two weeks, and you have been unable to collect deliveries after work. Write an email to the building manager. Practise this prompt
  2. Gym membership charge. You recently cancelled your gym membership, but you were charged again this month. Write an email to the gym’s customer service team. Practise this prompt
  3. Thanking a colleague. A colleague covered several of your shifts while you were dealing with a family matter. Write an email to your colleague. Practise this prompt
  4. Community garden proposal. There is an empty lot near your home that is full of litter. Write an email to your city councillor. Practise this prompt
  5. Early-morning street work. The city is replacing water pipes on your street, and the work starts at 6 a.m. every weekday. Write an email to the city’s public works department. Practise this prompt
  6. Uncleared sidewalk. The sidewalk outside your apartment building has not been cleared after several snowfalls this month. Write an email to the property management company. Practise this prompt
  7. Wrong item delivered. You ordered a winter coat online, but the store sent a different size and colour. Write an email to the store’s customer service team. Practise this prompt
  8. A friend’s first visit. A friend who lives in another province is planning to visit your city next month and has asked for your advice. Write an email to your friend. Practise this prompt
  9. Class time changed. You registered for an evening class at your community centre, but the start time has moved one hour earlier and now conflicts with your work. Write an email to the program coordinator. Practise this prompt
  10. Backpack left on a bus. Yesterday you left your backpack on a city bus. Write an email to the transit system’s lost and found office. Practise this prompt
  11. Volunteering at a food bank. You saw a notice that your local food bank needs more volunteers. Write an email to the volunteer coordinator. Practise this prompt
  12. Farewell for a retiring manager. Your manager is retiring next month, and you have offered to organise a small farewell event. Write an email to your coworkers. Practise this prompt
  13. Car rental damage charge. You rented a car for a weekend trip and were later charged for a scratch that was already there when you picked it up. Write an email to the rental company. Practise this prompt

Common mistakes in Task 1

  • Skipping or merging a bullet point. If the prompt asks when the problem started, give a date or a time frame.
  • A tone that doesn’t fit the reader — “Hey buddy” to a building manager, or stiff formality to a close friend.
  • No clear request. End with what you want the reader to do, and by when if it matters.
  • Telling the whole story. Long background leaves no room for the points the prompt actually asks for.
  • No time to check. Leave a few minutes for tenses, agreement and missing words.
  • Memorised openings and closings that could belong to any email.

Still not sure which of these is holding you back? Work through the three-point check, or paste an old email into the writing checker.

Questions people ask

How many words should a CELPIP Task 1 email be?
Between 150 and 200 words. The word bar in our editor marks both limits and turns amber if you go over, so you can see where you are without counting.
Can I invent details in my email?
Yes. The situation is imaginary, so add names, dates, amounts and examples that make your answer specific — as long as they fit the prompt and don’t change what it asks you to do.
Should a CELPIP email have paragraphs?
Yes. A greeting, a short opening, one paragraph per bullet point and a closing make the email easy to follow, which supports Readability and makes it obvious that every point is covered.
How do I end a CELPIP email?
Finish with your request or next step, then a closing that matches the tone — “Sincerely,” or “Kind regards,” for formal readers, “Take care,” or “See you soon,” for friends — and your name.
Is this the real CELPIP test screen?
No. This is an independent practice editor. It uses the official time and word range, but the layout, checklist and feedback are ours. Spellcheck starts off, as it is not something to rely on in the test.

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Tom Thomson, Black Spruce and Maple, 1915 · Public domain

Unofficial practice and estimates — not affiliated with Paragon or IRCC, and not legal advice. Read the disclaimer