- What Task 1 asks you to do
- A reliable email structure
- How Task 1 is scored (1-12)
- Sample email (Task 1)
- Tips to push your score up
What Task 1 asks you to do
CELPIP Writing Task 1 is to write an email responding to an everyday situation — for example, requesting information, making a complaint, apologising, or giving advice to a friend. You are given the context and the points you must cover.
You have about 27 minutes and should write roughly 150-200 words. The task is worth half of your CELPIP Writing score (the other half is Task 2).
A reliable email structure
- Greeting — match the relationship (Dear Mr. Singh / Hi Sarah).
- Opening line — state the purpose of the email in one sentence.
- Body (2-3 paragraphs) — cover every point the prompt lists, one per paragraph.
- Closing — a polite sign-off (Sincerely / Best regards) and your name.
How Task 1 is scored (1-12)
Examiners (and our AI scorer) rate the email on task fulfilment, coherence, vocabulary, and grammar — all on the CELPIP 1-12 scale. Higher levels show a clear purpose, all points addressed, varied sentence structure, and natural, accurate vocabulary.
Sample email (Task 1)
| Sample response |
|---|
| Dear Mr. Patel, I am writing to request a refund for the blender I purchased from your store last week, as it stopped working after two days. First, I would appreciate a full refund to my original payment method. Second, I can bring the item to your King Street location any afternoon this week. Finally, please let me know what documents you need from me to process the return. Thank you for your help, Chris |
Tips to push your score up
Address every bullet in the prompt, keep a consistent tone, and leave 2-3 minutes to proofread. Practise with our free, AI-scored Writing task so you get a 1-12 estimate before test day.