Writing Task 1
Writing an Email
Time
27 minutes
Word Count
150–200 words
What Is This Task?
In Writing Task 1, you write an email to someone in response to a specific situation. The prompt gives you a context (e.g., you are volunteering at a charity, you recently had a bad experience, your neighbour is causing problems) and asks you to write an email that accomplishes 3–4 specific goals.
You must write between 150 and 200 words. You have 27 minutes total — the official guide recommends using 5 minutes to plan, 18–20 minutes to write, and 5–7 minutes to edit and revise.
Your email is assessed by trained raters in four categories: (1) Coherence/Meaning — how well your ideas flow and how clear and precise your message is; (2) Lexical Range — your vocabulary range, accuracy, and naturalness; (3) Readability — grammar, sentence structure, spelling, and punctuation; (4) Task Fulfillment — whether you addressed ALL parts of the prompt with relevant supporting information.
The most common mistake is going off topic. The official guide shows a real test-taker response where the writer had strong vocabulary and grammar but lost marks because they discussed general healthcare philosophy instead of the specific plan comparison the prompt asked about. Staying focused on the prompt is critical.
Step-by-Step Task Flow
Read the Prompt Carefully (2 minutes)
Read every word of the prompt. Identify: Who are you writing to? What is the situation? What are the 3–4 specific things you must do in your email? Underline or mentally note each requirement — you MUST address all of them.
Brainstorm and Plan (3 minutes)
Use the provided pencil and paper to brainstorm ideas. Don't start writing the email yet. For each prompt requirement, write 2–3 supporting ideas. Decide the order you'll present them. Plan your paragraph structure.
Write Your First Draft (18–20 minutes)
Write your email on screen. Open with a clear greeting and purpose statement. Address each requirement in order. Use varied vocabulary — avoid repeating the prompt's words. Aim for 160–180 words (leaving room for edits).
Review, Edit, and Finalize (5–7 minutes)
Read your email as if you were the rater. Check: Are ideas well organized? Is vocabulary varied and descriptive? Are there grammar/spelling/punctuation errors? Have you responded to ALL parts of the prompt? Fix weak spots.
Strategies & Techniques
Common Traps to Avoid
- ✗Going off topic is the #1 way good writers lose marks. A real test-taker discussed general healthcare philosophy instead of comparing the specific plans asked about. Stay laser-focused on the prompt.
- ✗Writing too few words (under 150) results in lower Task Fulfillment scores for being "too short." Writing too many words usually means you've gone off topic or are being repetitive.
- ✗Using prompt language word-for-word instead of paraphrasing signals limited vocabulary. Always rephrase key terms in your own words.
- ✗Forgetting to include a proper greeting and sign-off. Since you're writing an email, format it like one: "Dear [recipient]," at the start and "Sincerely, [your name]" at the end.
- ✗"Even native speakers can make careless mistakes. When you edit your work, imagine that you are a rater and look for weak spots that you can improve on." — Official CELPIP Guide
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
Opening an Email
Connecting Ideas (Transitions)
Requesting / Suggesting
Expressing Concern
Closing an Email
CLB Level Examples
📝 Sample Prompt
You recently moved to a new apartment. The building manager promised to fix some issues in your unit before you moved in, but the work has not been completed. Write an email to the building manager. In your email: • Describe the issues that were promised to be fixed • Explain how these unresolved issues are affecting you • Request a timeline for when the repairs will be completed • Suggest what should happen if the repairs are further delayed
Sample Response
Scoring Analysis
Content & Coherence
Ideas are organized logically with each paragraph addressing a different part of the prompt. The message flows naturally from describing problems → impact → timeline request → consequences. However, the depth of explanation is limited — "it is very bad" and "I cannot sleep well" are surface-level descriptions that could be more detailed.
Vocabulary
Sufficient vocabulary that communicates the message clearly. "Leaking water," "does not close properly," and "damage things" get the point across but lack precision. The writer relies on basic adjectives ("very bad," "very cold") instead of more descriptive alternatives like "persistent leak" or "drafty window."
Readability
Grammar is mostly correct with some errors: "you said you will fix" should be "you said you would fix." Sentence structure is simple and repetitive (many Subject-Verb-Object sentences). Ideas are easy to follow, but there is little variety in sentence types.
Task Fulfillment
All four parts of the prompt are addressed. However, each point receives fairly brief treatment. The suggestion about rent discount is reasonable but could be more developed. The response is within the word count range.