Study guide
CELPIP Writing
An email for a real situation, then a survey response with your opinion.
- 53 minutes
- 2 tasks
Overview
You have about 53 minutes for two tasks, with separate timers: about 27 minutes for Task 1 and about 26 minutes for Task 2. Each response should be 150–200 words.
Raters look at how clearly and accurately you communicate, how well you cover every point and how well your tone suits the reader — not at which opinion you choose.
Task 1 Writing an Email
Practise this task →A situation and a list of points to include in an email — for example a complaint, a request or a thank-you message.
How to approach it
- Cover every bullet point, in a sensible order. Missing one point lowers your score more than a small grammar error.
- Match the tone to the reader: friendly for a friend, polite and clear for a manager or a company.
- Start with the reason for writing and finish with what you want to happen next.
- Add specific details (dates, amounts, names) to make the situation believable.
Task 2 Responding to Survey Questions
Practise this task →A survey describes a decision with two options. Choose one and explain why it is the better choice.
How to approach it
- Choose quickly — either option can get a high score. Pick the one you can support with more reasons.
- Give two or three reasons, each in its own paragraph, with an example or a consequence.
- You can briefly mention the other option and explain why yours is better.
- Keep 3 minutes to check verb endings, articles and spelling.
What raters look for
Each response is rated on these areas. Here is what they mean in practice and how to push your score up.
Content/Coherence
Enough good ideas, in a logical order, each supported with an example or detail.
To improve: Plan two or three main points before you write, and give each one a reason and an example.
Vocabulary
Precise, varied words and phrases that suit the topic and the reader, instead of repeating the same few.
To improve: Keep topic word lists (work, housing, community, environment) and learn useful phrases, not just single words.
Readability
Clear paragraphs, linking words that do their real job, correct grammar and sentence structure, spelling and punctuation.
To improve: Use one paragraph per idea, mix simple and complex sentences, and keep 3 minutes to check verb endings and spelling.
Task Fulfillment
You cover every point in the task, use a tone that suits the reader, and write about 150–200 words.
To improve: Tick off each bullet point as you cover it, and decide the tone (friendly or formal) before you start.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting one of the bullet points in Task 1.
- Using the wrong tone — too casual for a company, too formal for a friend.
- Choosing an option in Task 2 but giving reasons that do not explain why it is better.
- Writing far more than the word range and running out of time to check.
- Using a memorised paragraph that does not fit the situation — raters notice.
A study routine that works
- Write one email and one survey plan every day; write full responses two or three times a week.
- Start without a timer to focus on covering every point, then move to the real time limits.
- Compare your response with the model answers on this site: what does the stronger answer do that yours does not?
- Use the AI feedback on your practice responses and rewrite one paragraph using the suggestions.