CELPIP® Writing Task 1 sample: Change of Plans for Math Tutoring
Writing an Email · 27 minutes · 150–200 words · Published
Original practice questions in CELPIP® task formats, created independently by CELPIP Study.
Practice question
Your friend Kiran in Yellowknife asked you to tutor her son, Ayaan, in Grade 11 math before his final exam on January 24, and you agreed to meet him at the public library every Tuesday and Thursday evening in January. Your employer has just moved you to evening shifts for the whole month, starting January 6. Kiran has already turned down a paid tutor who charges $50 an hour because she was counting on you.
Write an email to your friend Kiran.
- Tell Kiran about the change to your work schedule.
- Explain how this affects the plan for Ayaan's exam preparation.
- Offer at least two other ways you could still help.
Model answers
Level 7 sample answer
164 words
Hi Kiran,
I have some bad news, and I feel really sorry about it. My boss told me yesterday that I have to work evening shifts for all of January. It starts on January 6, and I finish at 11 p.m. on those days.
This means I can't meet Ayaan at the library on Tuesday and Thursday evenings like we planned. I know his math exam is on January 24, so the timing is really bad. I also know you said no to the other tutor because of me, and I feel terrible about that.
But I still want to help him. First, I can meet Ayaan on Saturday and Sunday mornings at library. Also, my day off is Monday, so we can still meet on Monday evenings. He can also send me the questions he don't understand, and I will answer them before work.
Let me know what you think. I really want Ayaan to do good on his exam.
Talk soon,
Tariq
Why this answer is at level 7
This answer covers the schedule change, its consequences, and practical alternatives in a clear, friendly order. Compared with the other answers, its language is more repetitive, its explanation of the revised study plan is less developed, and noticeable grammar errors reduce accuracy.
But I still want to help him.
— Content/Coherence: This clearly moves from the problem to possible solutions, but the transition is basic. The higher-level answers connect the alternatives more closely to Ayaan's preparation by explaining how longer sessions could support practice exams.I have some bad news, and I feel really sorry about it.
— Vocabulary: The wording is understandable and appropriate for a friend, but relies on general expressions such as “bad news” and “really sorry.” The higher-level answers express the disruption and the broken commitment more precisely.He can also send me the questions he don't understand
— Readability: The meaning remains clear, but “he don't” should be “he doesn't.” Together with other errors in the answer, this makes the writing less controlled than the higher-level examples, which communicate similar arrangements accurately.First, I can meet Ayaan on Saturday and Sunday mornings at library.
— Task Fulfillment: This offers a concrete replacement for the cancelled sessions, and the following suggestions satisfy the request for additional ways to help. A higher-level response would also explain what these replacement sessions would accomplish before the exam.
Level 9 sample answer
182 words
Hi Kiran,
I'm afraid I've got some news that throws a wrench into our plans for Ayaan. My manager just told me I've been moved to evening shifts, 3 to 11 p.m., for the whole of January, starting on the 6th.
That means the Tuesday and Thursday library sessions we set up won't work anymore, and with his exam on the 24th, there's no time to waste. I feel especially bad because I know you turned down that $50-an-hour tutor on my account. The last thing I want is for Ayaan to go into his final without proper practice.
Still, I think we can make this work. I'm off on Mondays, so I could meet him at the library that evening. On top of that, I'm free on Saturday mornings, which would give us a longer two-hour session to go over past exams. In between, he could text me photos of any problems he's stuck on, and I'll explain them before my shift.
Would that be enough, or should we look at other options? Let me know what Ayaan thinks.
Cheers,
Tariq
Why this answer is at level 9
This answer combines accurate, natural language with a practical preparation plan and clear awareness of Kiran's reliance on the original promise. Compared with the top answer, its closing offers less definite backup support, and its sentence structures show less variety.
which would give us a longer two-hour session to go over past exams.
— Content/Coherence: The Saturday suggestion includes both a duration and a study purpose, making the revised plan more developed than the earlier answer. The top answer extends this problem-solving approach by explicitly offering help finding a backup.throws a wrench into our plans for Ayaan.
— Vocabulary: This idiom naturally conveys disruption in an informal email. It shows more expressive range than the earlier answer's general wording; the top answer adds more precise language about personal responsibility, especially the promise made to Kiran.In between, he could text me photos of any problems he's stuck on
— Readability: The transition makes the relationship between scheduled sessions and ongoing help easy to follow. Grammar and phrasing are controlled. The top answer adds further structural variety through its hypothetical comparison about the exam being in March.Would that be enough, or should we look at other options?
— Task Fulfillment: This invites Kiran to assess whether the proposed help meets Ayaan's needs. It suits the friendship, but leaves the next step broad. The top answer makes a more concrete commitment to help find a backup.
Level 11 sample answer
186 words
Hi Kiran,
I owe you an apology, and a bit of a rethink. Yesterday my manager announced a new rotation, and I've been put on evening shifts, three to eleven, for the entire month of January, beginning on the 6th.
Needless to say, that rules out the Tuesday and Thursday library sessions we'd mapped out for Ayaan. If his exam were in March, I wouldn't be too concerned, but with the 24th looming, every week counts. What bothers me most is that you passed on a perfectly good tutor at $50 an hour because I'd given you my word.
So here's what I can offer instead. Mondays are my one guaranteed day off, so we could keep a regular evening session at the library then. I'm also free on weekend mornings, which would allow for longer stretches devoted to full practice exams. And whenever he hits a wall, he can send me a photo, and I'll record a quick explanation before heading to work.
If none of that suits, tell me honestly. I'd rather help you find a backup than leave Ayaan stranded.
Talk soon,
Tariq
Why this answer is at level 11
This answer integrates the scheduling problem, exam urgency, and responsibility to Kiran into a cohesive, personal message. Its flexible sentence structures, precise expressions, purposeful alternatives, and explicit backup offer make it the strongest teaching example of the group.
Mondays are my one guaranteed day off, so we could keep a regular evening session at the library then.
— Content/Coherence: The explanation connects reliable availability directly to a recurring replacement session. Alongside weekend practice exams and recorded explanations, it creates a coherent preparation plan with distinct purposes for the different forms of help.because I'd given you my word.
— Vocabulary: This concise expression captures why Kiran relied on the agreement and why the writer feels responsible. It gives the apology personal weight while maintaining the natural, informal voice appropriate for a friend.If his exam were in March, I wouldn't be too concerned, but with the 24th looming, every week counts.
— Readability: The hypothetical comparison and contrasting clauses communicate urgency smoothly. The sentence demonstrates grammatical range while keeping its purpose clear: explaining why losing the planned sessions matters so close to Ayaan's exam.I'd rather help you find a backup than leave Ayaan stranded.
— Task Fulfillment: After offering several ways to continue tutoring, the writer takes responsibility for helping if those arrangements fail. This directly addresses Kiran's lost tutoring option and gives the message a practical, considerate ending.
What moves an answer from 7 to 9 to 11
These are model answers written to show each level. The labels are practice estimates, not examiner scores.
Cover each email bullet with relevant detail, explain its effect on the reader and make a workable request. Keep a consistent register, with an opening, connected paragraphs and an appropriate closing.
- Content/Coherence: Level 7 models communicate the main ideas; level 9 models develop relevant details with clear connections; level 11 models sustain precise, well-integrated development.
- Vocabulary: Compare adequate everyday wording with more varied, accurate choices at level 9 and flexible, precise expression at level 11.
- Readability: Look for increasingly controlled grammar, sentence variety, punctuation and paragraphing. Complexity helps when it keeps the message easy to read.
- Task Fulfillment: Compare how fully the response addresses the request, develops enough relevant detail and maintains an appropriate tone for the audience within the task limits.
Assess the criteria together. A longer answer or rarer words alone do not establish a higher level.
Answer this question and get your level