How to improve your CELPIP Writing Skills
CELPIP Writing task has two tasks.
- Writing an Email
- Responding to Survey.
This module is the third module in the CELPIP Test which you need to complete in 53 – 60 minutes allocating 26 minutes and 27 minutes minimum for Task 1 and Task 2 respectively. The type of tasks will not be altered and will always be the same.
Let’s look in detail about each task in detail.
How to write an e-mail in CELPIP Task 1
In task 1, you must write an email based on the given situation. So, how do you start, brainstorm your thoughts, organize your ideas, and articulate your content?
As a rule, you must format your content into paragraphs. Usually, we suggest you follow a 4 – 5 paragraph format or as required. Normally, the question consists of the Situation followed by the task in bulleted points you need to write a response.
How to organise your ideas:
The first paragraph should give the introduction/purpose of the email with a proper salutation, either formal or informal. You need to express your concern, purpose, appreciation, or for that matter the intention to write this email.
In the second and third paragraphs, you need to explain the situation in detail. You need to touch base on all the points you have been tasked with. Give valid reasons for your ideas.
In the fourth paragraph, you need to elaborate on what you would want to opine or suggest for the given situation. Lastly, close the email with a short summary in one or two sentences and sign off with your name.
For formal emails, you can sign off with “Yours Sincerely” or: Kind Regards” and for informal emails, you can write “Cheers,” or “Until then” and you can write your real name or fake name.
Types of topics for Task 1:
Formal E-mail |
E-mail of complaint (e.g. personal, experience, product) |
E-mail of request (e.g. refund, repair, |
E-mail of enquiry (e.g. information request, booking) |
E-mail of recommendation (e.g. job, colleague) |
E-mail of suggestion (e.g. suggesting ideas, plans, solutions) |
Informal E-mail |
E-mail of invitation (e.g. party, dinner, business, recent, celebration) |
E-mail of request (e.g. asking questions, asking for advice, asking for help) |
E-mail of thanks or appreciation |
E-mail of suggestion (e.g. suggesting, ideas, plans, solutions) |
How to respond to the Survey question in CELPIP Task 2
Task 2 is the response to a survey-type question where you will be given a situation with two decisions. You must choose any one of them and give your reasons to justify your choice with 3-4 valid reasons. You can also use the other option and mention why it is not the need at this point in time. You would be asked to write within a 150 to 200 words limit.
Organising your ideas:
Again, as for task 1, you need to brainstorm your thoughts, create ideas that will add support to your decision, formulate the content and write your response. You need to give at least 2 -3 ideas with proper supporting details and examples to make it more logical, relevant to the topic, convincing and with a clear message.
Finally, you are not supposed to address anyone or sign off with your name. A survey should be anonymous. Alternatively, you can thank the sender for making you part of the survey.
Do’s and Don’ts in CELPIP Writing:
There are certain things that should be kept in mind before attempting the tasks. Take a dive into it.
1. Always read the question properly and understand the task thoroughly.
2. Write your ideas on scratch papers to formulate your content.
3. Follow the word limit. Each task should be written within the word range of 150 to 200 words.
4. Use correct vocabulary.
5. Include sentence variety such as complex and compound sentences.
6. Use one paragraph for each idea.
7. It is strongly recommended that you spend around 4-5 minutes planning each response before you start to write, following these steps:
8. Brainstorm for 2-3 minutes. Write notes.
9. Use point form and don’t worry about spelling/grammar.
10. Choose your main ideas.
11. Put the ideas in order.
12. Think of supporting details.
13. Write a strong, clear purpose statement.
14. It is also recommended that you spend around 3 minutes checking your response after you write.
15. Reread your responses to make sure there aren’t any mistakes, the ideas are organized, and you have answered the question tasks completely. 16. You have 27 minutes to complete Task 1 and 26 minutes to complete Task 2. This allows you enough time to plan and check each response.
For more in-depth learning, enrol for regular training programs through online or offline modes. Try the below sample questions and send them to us for a free evaluation and feedback from the experts.
Task 1:
Last week, you travelled on a bus for some business reasons, but your experience on that bus was not very good. Due to this, you want to write an email to the manager of that travel company.
Write an email to the company in about 150-200 words. Your email should include the following:
Task 2:
City Development Survey
You live in a small town of 20,000 people. A large green area in the town is undeveloped. The city has sent out an opinion survey to see what residents would like to have built in that area.
Choose the option that you prefer. Why do you prefer your choice? Explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150-200 words.
- Option A: Shopping Complex: This shopping mall would include restaurants, a large supermarket, and a movie theatre.
- Option B: Sports Complex: This complex would include a gym, basket ball court, indoor games like Table tennis and Shuttle cock and also a kids play area.