CELPIP® Writing Task 1 sample: Frames for the Photography Exhibition

Level 7 sample answer

158 words

Dear Greta,

I am writing about the frames for our photography exhibition in Moncton. I understand that each matching frame costs $85. As I am showing two photographs, the total would be $170, but I have only $40 available for framing. I cannot afford to buy this frames.

I know you want the exhibition to look tidy and consistent. That is a good idea because visitors should enjoy the photographs without being distracted by the frames. I also look forward to take part, so I would like to find another way to display my work.

I already have two suitable frames, although they are different sizes. Could I use these and put the same labels beside my photographs as everyone else? We could also place my pictures together to make the display look organized. Please let me know before Sunday, as that is when I must confirm my participation.

Thank you for considering my suggestion.

Best regards,

Ronan

Why this answer is at level 7

This level 7 answer clearly explains the budget problem, respects the club's goals, and proposes a workable discussion. Basic vocabulary, noticeable grammar errors, and limited explanation of how the alternative protects visual consistency keep it below the more polished answers.

• We could also place my pictures together to make the display look organized. — Content/Coherence: Grouping the photographs connects the alternative to the club's display goals. However, the benefit remains broadly described as looking organized; the higher-level answer explains how grouping would contain the visual variation.
• I know you want the exhibition to look tidy and consistent. — Vocabulary: The wording is clear and appropriate, but relatively basic. The higher-level answers use more precise language to explain how consistency directs attention toward the photographs and supports a collective presentation.
• I cannot afford to buy this frames. — Readability: The meaning is immediately understandable, but 'this frames' contains a grammatical mismatch. The higher-level answers explain the same financial limit with accurate grammar, giving the email a more polished flow.
• Please let me know before Sunday, as that is when I must confirm my participation. — Task Fulfillment: This directly requests a decision before the required deadline and explains why it matters. The higher-level answer strengthens the request by also showing how a timely decision helps Greta plan the exhibition.

Level 9 sample answer

171 words

Dear Greta,

I would like to discuss the matching-frame requirement before confirming my place in our Moncton photography exhibition. At $85 per frame, displaying my two photographs would cost $170. My total framing budget is $40, so the proposed purchase is out of reach.

I appreciate why you want a consistent display: a collection of unrelated frames could distract visitors from the photographs themselves. I am still keen to contribute, though, and would be disappointed to withdraw when I already own two suitable frames. Their different sizes seem to be the main obstacle.

Would you consider letting me use those frames with matching labels and a consistent amount of space around each photograph? If helpful, I could send you a photograph of the proposed arrangement before you decide. That would allow you to assess the overall appearance without committing the club to an exception immediately.

Could you let me know before Sunday's participation deadline? I would appreciate a solution that respects both the exhibition's appearance and my budget.

Best regards,

Ronan

Why this answer is at level 9

This level 9 answer combines accurate, fluent language with a thoughtful explanation of the display concern and a practical review process. Compared with level 11, it develops fewer safeguards for the alternative and gives less attention to how the decision affects Greta's planning.

• That would allow you to assess the overall appearance without committing the club to an exception immediately. — Content/Coherence: This explains why sending a photograph is useful, turning the proposal into a manageable decision process. The higher-level answer develops that process further by offering revisions within the existing budget.
• My total framing budget is $40, so the proposed purchase is out of reach. — Vocabulary: The natural expression 'out of reach' communicates the financial problem tactfully. The higher-level answer extends this vocabulary control into a more precise discussion of preserving consistency while accommodating existing frames.
• Could you let me know before Sunday's participation deadline? — Readability: The concise question makes the requested action and timing easy to find. The higher-level answer follows its request with a clear explanation of the planning consequences, giving the closing a stronger connection to Greta's responsibilities.
• Would you consider letting me use those frames with matching labels and a consistent amount of space around each photograph? — Task Fulfillment: The proposal uses existing frames and offers concrete ways to support a consistent display. The higher-level answer makes the compromise more complete by adding grouping and explicitly limiting any revisions to the available budget.

Level 11 sample answer

183 words

Dear Greta,

Could we review the framing requirement before Sunday's deadline for confirming exhibition participants? Purchasing matching $85 frames for my two photographs would bring the cost to $170, considerably beyond my $40 framing budget. I already own suitable frames, although they differ in size.

I appreciate that a coherent presentation will help visitors see the Moncton exhibition as a collective achievement. I am hoping we can find some middle ground that preserves this consistency while accommodating existing frames. Having to withdraw over a potentially solvable display issue would be disappointing.

Would you consider approving my existing frames if I used identical labels and followed a consistent spacing guide? Grouping my two photographs together could further contain the visual variation. Before making an exception, you could review a photograph of the proposed arrangement; I would gladly revise it within my budget if necessary.

Please let me know before Sunday whether this would meet the club's expectations. A clear decision would allow me to confirm my place without leaving you to plan around uncertain participation.

Thank you for considering an alternative.

Best regards,

Ronan

Why this answer is at level 11

This level 11 answer integrates the budget constraint, the club's visual goals, and a practical approval process into a persuasive email. Precise language and clear organization support a considerate proposal that also addresses Greta's need to finalize participation.

• Grouping my two photographs together could further contain the visual variation. — Content/Coherence: This explains exactly how grouping supports the proposed labels and spacing guide. Each measure contributes to the same goal, so the alternative feels carefully reasoned despite the frames differing in size.
• I am hoping we can find some middle ground that preserves this consistency while accommodating existing frames. — Vocabulary: The wording expresses compromise precisely and tactfully. 'Preserves' and 'accommodating' capture both sides of the problem: maintaining the club's presentation standard and allowing the writer to use suitable frames already owned.
• A clear decision would allow me to confirm my place without leaving you to plan around uncertain participation. — Readability: The sentence clearly connects Greta's decision to both confirmation and exhibition planning. Its controlled structure communicates several related consequences without making the closing difficult to follow.
• I would gladly revise it within my budget if necessary. — Task Fulfillment: This makes the alternative flexible while preserving the financial constraint. Together with the proposed arrangement photograph, it gives Greta a practical way to evaluate and refine the display before approving participation.