CELPIP® Writing Task 1 sample: Keeping the Badminton Final Fair

Level 7 sample answer

158 words

Dear Stefan,

I am writing about the player change for our final badminton match in London. The other team has only two players available and wants to borrow two players from a higher division.

Our team still wants to play because we have been looking forward to the final. However, some teammates think we will not have fair chance against the borrowed players. We want to be helpful, but the result should also be fair for everyone.

Could the two regular opponents play the games that decide the result? Our players could take turns, and the borrowed players could join friendly games afterwards if there is time. This should fit the 90-minute booking without making the final unfair. Please discuss about this option with the other team and confirm the arrangement before Friday's deadline. Then I can explain the plan to my teammates before we meet.

Thank you for helping us find a fair solution.

Best regards,

Priya

Why this answer is at level 7

This level 7 teaching example covers every requested point and presents a workable compromise in a clear order. Compared with the higher-level answers, its language is more repetitive, its time allocation is less precise, and a few grammatical errors interrupt otherwise straightforward reading.

• Our players could take turns, and the borrowed players could join friendly games afterwards if there is time. — Content/Coherence: The proposal logically separates competitive games from friendly participation. However, “if there is time” leaves the borrowed players’ involvement uncertain; the higher-level answers make the compromise more concrete by allocating time within the booking.
• We want to be helpful, but the result should also be fair for everyone. — Vocabulary: The wording communicates cooperation and fairness clearly, but “helpful” and “fair for everyone” are broad expressions. The higher-level answers describe more precisely how accommodating stronger substitutes could affect the final’s competitive balance.
• However, some teammates think we will not have fair chance against the borrowed players. — Readability: The concern is easy to understand, but “have fair chance” needs the article “a.” The higher-level answers express the same concern with more consistently accurate sentence construction.
• Please discuss about this option with the other team and confirm the arrangement before Friday's deadline. — Task Fulfillment: This directly requests consultation and confirmation before the required deadline. However, “discuss about” should be “discuss.” The higher-level answers also identify the other captain as the person whose agreement Stefan should seek.

Level 9 sample answer

174 words

Dear Stefan,

Could you help us settle the proposed player arrangement for the badminton final? Our opponents have only two regular players available and would like to bring in two players from a higher division.

My teammates are keen to keep the match, particularly since we have a confirmed 90-minute gym booking. Nevertheless, they are uncomfortable having a recreational final decided by players who normally compete at a higher level. Agreeing without clear conditions could leave a sour taste, whatever the result.

I suggest reserving the first hour for games against the two regular opponents, with our team rotating players. Only those games would count towards the final result. The remaining half hour could be used for friendly games involving the borrowed players, so everyone would still have an opportunity to participate.

Would you check whether the other captain accepts this approach and confirm it before Friday's response deadline? Having the rules settled beforehand would let both teams arrive ready to enjoy the match.

Thanks for helping us work this out.

Best regards,

Priya

Why this answer is at level 9

This level 9 teaching example combines fluent, natural language with a practical schedule and a cooperative tone. Compared with the level 11 answer, it leaves the playing format slightly less explicit and asks for general confirmation rather than specifically requesting confirmation of scoring arrangements.

• I suggest reserving the first hour for games against the two regular opponents, with our team rotating players. — Content/Coherence: The first-hour allocation makes the proposal more organized and practical than the level 7 version. However, “rotating players” leaves the team combinations unspecified; the level 11 answer clarifies that rotating pairs would face the regular opponents.
• Agreeing without clear conditions could leave a sour taste, whatever the result. — Vocabulary: “Leave a sour taste” naturally expresses the risk of lingering dissatisfaction and suits the semi-formal relationship. The level 11 answer develops the reasoning further by connecting the concern to the recreational league’s competitive balance.
• Nevertheless, they are uncomfortable having a recreational final decided by players who normally compete at a higher level. — Readability: The transition clearly connects enthusiasm for playing with concern about stronger substitutes. The relative clause explains the concern smoothly. The level 11 answer extends this reasoning across linked sentences that also address the drawback of refusing a compromise.
• Would you check whether the other captain accepts this approach and confirm it before Friday's response deadline? — Task Fulfillment: The request identifies whose agreement is needed and gives Stefan a clear deadline. The level 11 answer makes the requested confirmation more specific by naming scoring arrangements, helping ensure that both teams understand how the result will be decided.

Level 11 sample answer

180 words

Dear Stefan,

Before Friday's response deadline, I would like to resolve the proposed use of substitute players in our London badminton final. With only two regular players available, our opponents have requested permission to borrow two from a higher division.

Although my teammates want the final to proceed, they are understandably reluctant to have its outcome determined by players drawn from a stronger division. Accommodating an availability problem should not inadvertently undermine the level playing field that makes a recreational league enjoyable. Equally, refusing any compromise would waste an opportunity for both teams to play.

Could we divide the 90-minute booking into an hour of official games and 30 minutes of exhibition play? The two regular opponents would contest the official games against rotating pairs from our team; the borrowed players could then participate without affecting the result. This arrangement would preserve meaningful competition while welcoming the additional players.

Please seek the other captain's agreement and confirm the scoring arrangements before Friday, so I can give my teammates a clear answer.

Thank you for considering this compromise.

Best regards,

Priya

Why this answer is at level 11

This level 11 teaching example combines precise match arrangements with a developed explanation of both fairness and participation. Controlled vocabulary, clear sentence connections, and a specific request for agreement and scoring confirmation make the proposed compromise persuasive and actionable.

• Equally, refusing any compromise would waste an opportunity for both teams to play. — Content/Coherence: This sentence balances the preceding fairness concern with the cost of refusing accommodation. It gives the proposed compromise a clear purpose: preserving meaningful competition while allowing the match to proceed.
• Accommodating an availability problem should not inadvertently undermine the level playing field that makes a recreational league enjoyable. — Vocabulary: “Accommodating,” “inadvertently undermine,” and “level playing field” precisely distinguish helping an understaffed opponent from accepting an unfair competitive advantage. The vocabulary develops the argument while remaining relevant to a recreational badminton league.
• The two regular opponents would contest the official games against rotating pairs from our team; — Readability: This clause clearly identifies who would play the official games and specifies the team format. The semicolon connects it to the borrowed players’ separate involvement, making the relationship between participation and the final result easy to follow.
• Please seek the other captain's agreement and confirm the scoring arrangements before Friday, so I can give my teammates a clear answer. — Task Fulfillment: The closing request specifies the agreement needed, the scoring details to confirm, and the deadline. Explaining that the captain must update teammates gives Stefan a practical reason to respond promptly.