In CELPIP Writing Task 1 you have 27 minutes to write an email of about 150–200 words. The task describes a situation and lists the points you must include (usually three). The person you write to decides your tone: a company or a manager needs a formal email, a neighbour or coworker a semi-formal one, and a friend a friendly one.
Below are three emails, one for each tone. These are my original teaching examples, not official CELPIP responses, and they have not been scored by CELPIP. Use them to study structure and tone, not to memorize.
For the full strategy, read CELPIP Writing tips with model answers.
A 2-Minute Plan That Works for Every Email
Before you write, note four things:
- Reader: who is it, and what is my relationship with them?
- Purpose: why am I writing, in one sentence?
- Points: one paragraph for each point in the task.
- Ending: what do I want the reader to do next?
Sample 1: Formal Email
Task: You recently stayed at a hotel and left your laptop in the room. Write an email to the hotel manager in which you:
- describe your stay and when you left,
- describe the laptop and where you think you left it,
- explain how you would like to get it back.
Dear Manager,
I am writing because I left my laptop in room 412 after my stay at your hotel. I stayed from October 3 to October 5 and checked out at around 10 a.m. on October 5. When I arrived home, I realized that the laptop was not in my bag.
It is a silver 13-inch laptop in a dark blue cover with a small maple leaf sticker on the front. I believe I left it in the top drawer of the desk next to the window, because I was working there on Saturday evening.
The laptop contains important files for my job, so I would be very grateful if your staff could check the room. If it is found, I would prefer to have it sent to my home address by courier, and I am happy to pay the shipping cost. Alternatively, I could pick it up next Saturday.
Please contact me at 416-555-0187 or reply to this email. Thank you very much for your help.
Sincerely, Anita Kumar
Why it works: a polite formal greeting and closing, a clear first sentence with the purpose, one paragraph per point, specific details (room number, dates, description, location), and a clear next step. It is about 170 words.
Sample 2: Semi-Formal Email
Task: A coworker, Sam, has asked you to cover his shift next Friday, but you have a problem. Write an email to Sam in which you:
- explain why you can't cover the whole shift,
- suggest what you can do instead,
- suggest another person who might help.
Hi Sam,
Thanks for asking me about Friday. I'd really like to help, but unfortunately I can't cover the whole shift. My son has a school concert at 6 p.m., and I promised him I would be there.
However, I can work part of it. I'm free from noon until 5, so I could take the first half of your shift if that helps, and I can help with the afternoon delivery before I leave. You would only need someone for the last few hours, which might be easier to find.
You could also ask Linda. She told me last week that she wanted more hours this month, and she knows the closing routine very well. I'm sure she'd be happy to take the evening part.
Let me know what you decide, and I'll tell our manager if I'm taking the first half. Sorry I can't do more this time, and I hope everything goes well for you on Friday.
Best, Carlos
Why it works: a friendly but professional tone for a coworker (Hi Sam, contractions, Best), a clear reason, a practical alternative and a concrete suggestion. It apologizes once, then focuses on solutions. It is about 162 words.
Sample 3: Friendly Email
Task: A friend from your home country is planning to move to your city. Write an email to your friend in which you:
- say how you feel about the news,
- give advice about finding a place to live,
- offer to help when your friend arrives.
Hi Elena,
I just read your message and I'm so excited! I can't believe you're finally moving to Ottawa. It will be amazing to have an old friend here again, and maybe you can finally teach me how to cook your famous soup.
About finding a place: start looking at least a month before you arrive, because good apartments go quickly. Don't send any money before you see the apartment or meet the landlord, even if the photos look perfect. Also, ask whether heat and electricity are included. In winter, that makes a big difference to your monthly costs.
When you land, I'll pick you up at the airport, and you're welcome to stay with me until you find something. I can also come with you to viewings and help you open a bank account and get a phone plan in your first week.
Send me your flight details as soon as you have them!
Hugs, Natalia
Why it works: a warm, personal tone with contractions and exclamations, but still correct grammar and clear paragraphs. The advice is specific and useful, and the offer of help is concrete. It is about 157 words.
Tone at a Glance
| Formal | Semi-formal | Friendly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greeting | Dear Manager, / Dear Ms. Lee, | Hi Sam, / Hello Ms. Lee, | Hi Elena! / Hey Tom, |
| Contractions | Avoid (I would, I am) | Some are fine (I'd, I'm) | Natural (can't, you're) |
| Requests | I would be grateful if... | Could you...? | Can you...? |
| Closing | Sincerely, / Kind regards, | Best, / Thanks, | Take care, / Hugs, |
Checklist Before You Submit
- Did I cover every point in the task, each in its own paragraph?
- Does my tone match the reader from the first line to the last?
- Did I include specific details (dates, names, numbers, places)?
- Is it about 150–200 words?
- Did I check verb tenses, articles and capital letters?
Remember that the Writing test has a word counter and a spell checker, so use them, but choose spelling suggestions carefully.
For the other Writing task, see CELPIP Writing Task 2 sample survey responses. If you want feedback on your own emails, see CELPIP preparation with Masha, or get quick feedback from the AI writing assistant.