CELPIP Writing Part 1: Writing an Email
In Task 1, you write an email of 150-200 words in 27 minutes. The prompt describes a situation and tells you who to write to and what to include. You must choose the appropriate tone — formal or informal — based on the recipient.
Practice Writing an Email NowWhat to Expect
You will see a scenario describing a situation — for example, writing to a manager about a schedule change, emailing a friend about an upcoming visit, or contacting a company about a refund.
The prompt specifies who you are writing to and gives you three bullet points to address. You must cover all three points in your email.
Your email should be 150-200 words. Raters assess content (did you address all points?), coherence (logical flow), vocabulary (range and accuracy), and task fulfillment (appropriate tone and format).
Tips for Scoring High
- Identify the tone first: writing to a boss, company, or official = formal. Writing to a friend or family member = informal. Mixing tones is a common mistake.
- Formal openings: "Dear Mr./Ms. [Name]," or "Dear Hiring Manager,". Informal: "Hi [Name]," or "Hey [Name]!"
- Address all 3 bullet points from the prompt. Missing one significantly hurts your score. Dedicate roughly one paragraph to each.
- Formal closings: "Sincerely," or "Best regards,". Informal: "Talk soon," or "Take care,".
- Aim for 160-180 words. Under 150 loses marks. Over 200 wastes time you could use for Task 2.
- Use the first paragraph to state your purpose: "I'm writing to ask about..." or "I wanted to let you know..."
Ready to practice?
Practice Writing an Email questions with instant scoring and detailed explanations.
Start Practicing