CELPIP Writing Task 1 and Task 2: Tips, Structure and Model Answers

CELPIP Writing has two tasks. Both are practical: you write an email and you answer a survey question. You don't need academic English. You need to answer every part of the task in clear, organized, polite English.

Here is what each task looks like, a structure you can reuse, a full model answer for each task, and the mistakes I see most often with my students. The model answers are my original teaching examples, not official CELPIP responses, so use them to study structure and development, not to memorize.

The Two Tasks at a Glance

Raters look at four things: content and coherence (your ideas and how they connect), vocabulary, readability (grammar, punctuation, paragraphs), and task fulfillment (did you do everything the task asked, in the right tone and length).

Task fulfillment is where many people lose points without noticing. A beautiful email that forgets one of the three points is not a strong answer. The opposite is also true: high-scoring responses can still contain a few small grammar mistakes. Clear purpose, complete points and useful detail matter more than perfect grammar.

Short on time? My CELPIP Writing templates give you the openings, paragraph plan and closings for both tasks on one page.

Task 1: Writing an Email

A structure that always works

1. Greeting. "Dear Mr. Patel," for a formal email, "Hi Anna," for a friend.
2. Opening line: why you are writing. One sentence.
3. Paragraph for point 1.
4. Paragraph for point 2.
5. Paragraph for point 3.
6. Closing line and sign-off. "I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Maria Lopez"

Three points, three paragraphs. The rater can see immediately that you covered everything.

Match the tone to the reader

• Formal (a manager, a company, a landlord you don't know well): no contractions, full sentences, "I would appreciate it if..."
• Semi-formal (a neighbour, a colleague): polite but warm, some contractions are fine.
• Friendly (a friend, a family member): "Hi", contractions, a personal detail, but still correct grammar.

Model answer: Task 1

Task: You recently bought a sofa from a furniture store. When it was delivered, you noticed a problem. Write an email to the store manager (150–200 words) in which you:

• describe what you bought and when,
• explain the problem,
• say what you would like the store to do.

Dear Store Manager,

I am writing about a sofa I bought from your Maple Road store on September 12. It is the grey three-seat "Harbour" model, order number 48213, and it was delivered to my home last Friday.

Unfortunately, when the delivery team unpacked it, I noticed a long tear in the fabric on the back of the sofa. The tear is about twenty centimetres long, and some of the filling is already coming out. The delivery team took photos and told me to contact the store directly. I have attached two pictures to this email.

I would like the store to replace the sofa with a new one of the same model. If that is not possible within the next two weeks, I would prefer a full refund, including the delivery fee. I work from home, so I am available for a pickup and a new delivery on almost any weekday.

Thank you for your help. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely, Daniel Kim

Why it works: each of the three points has its own paragraph, the problem is specific (size, place, what happened next), the request is clear and has a backup option, and the tone stays polite. It is about 165 words.

Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions

A structure that always works

1. Your choice in the first sentence. "I prefer Option A because..."
2. Reason 1 with an example.
3. Reason 2 with an example.
4. Optional: one sentence about why the other option is weaker.
5. Short conclusion that repeats your choice in different words.

Pick the option that is easier to write about, not the one you believe in. You are graded on your English, not your opinion.

Model answer: Task 2

Task: Your city has money for one new project. Which do you prefer?

• Option A: A new public library in the city centre
• Option B: More bike lanes across the city

I prefer Option B, more bike lanes across the city, because they would help many more residents every day.

First, bike lanes make cycling safer. Right now, many people in our city would like to ride to work or school, but they are afraid of heavy traffic. For example, my neighbour bought a bike last spring but stopped using it after a car almost hit her on a busy street. Protected lanes would give people like her the confidence to ride again.

Second, more cycling would reduce traffic and pollution. If even a small number of drivers switched to bikes for short trips, buses would move faster and the air downtown would be cleaner. This benefit would reach everyone, including people who never ride a bike.

A new library would certainly be useful, but it would serve mainly the people who live or work near the city centre. Bike lanes, on the other hand, would improve daily life in every neighbourhood.

For these reasons, I believe investing in bike lanes is the smarter choice for our city.

Why it works: the choice is clear in the first line, each reason has a real-life example, the other option is mentioned fairly, and the conclusion restates the choice without copying the first sentence. It is about 175 words.

Tips That Raise Your Score

1. Plan for 3–4 minutes before you write

Write the three points (Task 1) or two reasons (Task 2) as short notes. People who start typing immediately often repeat themselves or forget a point.

2. Stay inside 150–200 words

Under 150 words usually means you didn't develop your ideas. Far over 200 words gives you more chances to make mistakes and less time to check.

3. Use linking words, but naturally

Useful ones: First, Second, In addition, However, For example, As a result, On the other hand, For these reasons. One per paragraph is enough. Don't start every sentence with a connector.

4. Be specific

"There was a problem with the sofa" is weak. "There is a twenty-centimetre tear in the fabric on the back" is strong. Specific details show vocabulary and make your answer easier to follow.

5. Leave 3 minutes to check

Check the things that cost the most points:

• verb tenses (past for what happened, present for the situation now)
• articles (a, an, the)
• plural -s and third-person -s (she works)
• capital letters and full stops
• did I cover every point in the task?

Common Mistakes That Keep Scores at CLB 5–7

• Missing one bullet point in Task 1. Always check the task again before you finish.
• Wrong tone: "Hey!" to a manager, or a very stiff email to a friend.
• No clear choice in Task 2, or changing your mind halfway.
• Memorized templates that don't fit the task. Raters notice sentences that could be in any answer.
• One big paragraph. Paragraphs are part of readability.
• Very long sentences you can't control. Two clear sentences are better than one confusing one.

How to Practise

1. Do one Task 1 and one Task 2 with a timer, twice a week.
2. After each answer, check it against the four rating areas above.
3. Rewrite your weakest paragraph, not the whole answer.
4. Get feedback on tone and task fulfillment. You can use the AI writing assistant for quick feedback, and read the task-by-task guide to CELPIP Speaking for the other productive skill.

If you want a teacher to check your answers and build a plan toward your target CLB, see preparation for the CELPIP test with Masha.

For a full practice test with feedback on both Writing tasks, join the Ready Sprint waitlist: it's my course for the CELPIP test, and it opens soon. My free Vocabulary Booster is a good place to start building your words today.