CELPIP® Writing Task 1 sample: Conflicting Captioned Film Screenings

Level 7 sample answer

157 words

Dear Ms. Shah,

I am writing about the updated schedule for the film festival in Sault Ste. Marie. I bought two passes because the program said the screenings would have captions. The two films we most want to see are now listed without them.

My companion needs captions to follow the dialogue, so these changes affects our visit. I saw that captioned showings are still offered for both films, but they overlap. We cannot attend both, and choosing only one would mean missing part of what we paid to enjoy. We are interested on seeing both films together.

Could you arrange captioned screenings that do not overlap, or add captions to the original showings? If that is not possible, I would like a refund for both passes. They become non-refundable after Thursday, so please reply before then. I need time to make a decision based on your answer.

Thank you for looking into this problem.

Sincerely,

Hamid

Why this answer is at level 7

This level 7 example covers the screening changes, the accessibility problem, and the requested solutions in a clear formal email. Compared with the higher-level answers, its connections are simpler, and errors in agreement and preposition choice reduce accuracy.

• I saw that captioned showings are still offered for both films, but they overlap. — Content/Coherence: This clearly identifies the scheduling conflict. The following explanation makes the practical consequence understandable, although the higher-level answers connect the overlap more smoothly to losing access to a film that motivated the purchase.
• My companion needs captions to follow the dialogue, so these changes affects our visit. — Readability: The cause and effect are easy to follow, but the plural subject “changes” requires “affect.” The higher-level answers express the same accessibility problem with accurate agreement and more precise descriptions of its impact.
• We are interested on seeing both films together. — Vocabulary: The intended meaning is clear, but “interested on” is an incorrect word combination; “interested in” is appropriate. The higher-level answers use more natural expressions to explain why attending together matters.
• Could you arrange captioned screenings that do not overlap, or add captions to the original showings? — Task Fulfillment: This offers concrete accessible arrangements, and the email also requests a refund and a timely reply. The higher-level answers refine the scheduling request by proposing that a captioned alternative be moved.

Level 9 sample answer

174 words

Dear Ms. Shah,

I am contacting you about a change to the captioning arrangements at your film festival in Sault Ste. Marie. I purchased two passes on the understanding that the screenings would be captioned. The revised schedule lists our two preferred films without captions.

This creates a significant barrier for my companion, who needs captions to follow the dialogue. Although captioned alternatives are available for both films, those showings overlap. Consequently, we would have to miss one of the films that prompted us to buy passes. Attending an uncaptioned screening would defeat the purpose, since we want to enjoy the films together.

Could captions be restored to the original screenings, or could one of the captioned alternatives be moved to a different time? Either option would allow us to keep our plans. If neither is possible, please arrange a refund for both passes.

As the passes become non-refundable after Thursday, I would appreciate a clear response before that deadline so we can make an informed decision.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Hamid

Why this answer is at level 9

This level 9 example develops the accessibility problem logically, uses precise vocabulary, and maintains clear, accurate formal writing. Compared with level 11, it handles the immediate options well but does not explore what happens if the director cannot resolve the schedule before the refund deadline.

• Consequently, we would have to miss one of the films that prompted us to buy passes. — Content/Coherence: “Consequently” explicitly links the overlapping showings to a meaningful loss. This develops the reasoning more smoothly than level 7; level 11 extends that reasoning into a further contingency concerning the deadline.
• This creates a significant barrier for my companion, who needs captions to follow the dialogue. — Vocabulary: “Significant barrier” accurately describes why missing captions affect access, rather than merely causing inconvenience. Level 11 develops this precision further by describing why the overlapping alternatives fail to provide an equivalent experience.
• Although captioned alternatives are available for both films, those showings overlap. — Readability: The concessive structure clearly distinguishes availability from usability. Unlike level 7, the sentence combines ideas accurately and naturally; level 11 sustains similar control while adding more complex conditional requests.
• I would appreciate a clear response before that deadline so we can make an informed decision. — Task Fulfillment: The request connects response timing to the purchase decision and supports the earlier refund request. Level 11 adds an optional safeguard: preserving refund eligibility if a scheduling decision remains pending.

Level 11 sample answer

192 words

Dear Ms. Shah,

I am seeking clarification about the revised captioning arrangements for your film festival in Sault Ste. Marie. Having purchased two passes because the program promised captioned screenings, I was concerned to find our two preferred films now listed without captions.

For my companion, who relies on captions to follow dialogue, this change materially affects whether we can enjoy the festival together. While captioned alternatives have been scheduled for both films, they overlap and therefore do not provide an equivalent experience. Choosing between them would require us to forgo one of the films that motivated our purchase.

Would you consider reinstating captions at the original screenings or adjusting one of the alternative showtimes to eliminate the conflict? We would prefer to attend, provided both films remain accessible to us. If neither arrangement can be offered, I request a refund for both passes.

Please confirm the available options before Thursday, after which the passes become non-refundable. Should a scheduling decision still be pending, written confirmation that our refund eligibility will be preserved would allow us to wait without being disadvantaged by the deadline.

Thank you for addressing this promptly.

Sincerely,

Hamid

Why this answer is at level 11

This level 11 example combines precise reasoning, controlled sentence structures, and a consistently formal tone. Its particular strength is anticipating a delayed scheduling decision and requesting written protection of refund eligibility while keeping attendance as the preferred outcome.

• they overlap and therefore do not provide an equivalent experience. — Content/Coherence: This explains why offering captions somewhere in the schedule does not solve the problem. It connects the overlap directly to the original expectation of being able to attend both preferred films.
• reinstating captions at the original screenings or adjusting one of the alternative showtimes to eliminate the conflict — Vocabulary: “Reinstating,” “adjusting,” and “eliminate the conflict” precisely describe workable remedies. The vocabulary serves the request by distinguishing restoration of captions from a scheduling change.
• We would prefer to attend, provided both films remain accessible to us. — Readability: The conditional clause concisely states both the preferred outcome and its essential condition. It keeps the tone cooperative while making clear that access to both films determines whether attendance remains practical.
• written confirmation that our refund eligibility will be preserved — Task Fulfillment: This anticipates the possibility that the director needs more time to change the schedule. Requesting written protection addresses the deadline directly and gives the festival a practical way to retain the visitors while considering an accessible arrangement.