CELPIP® Writing Task 1 sample: Missing Slides Before a Group Presentation
Writing an Email · 27 minutes · 150–200 words · Published
Original practice questions in CELPIP® task formats, created independently by CELPIP Study.
Practice question
You are taking a business communication course at a college in Charlottetown, and your group of three must give a presentation worth 25% of the final mark next Monday at 9 a.m. Your classmate Gabriel agreed to prepare the slides on market research, but he has missed the last two group meetings and has not answered messages since Wednesday. Your other group member, Xin, wants to tell the instructor, but you would prefer to give Gabriel one more chance first.
Write an email to your classmate Gabriel.
- Remind Gabriel what he agreed to do and what is still missing.
- Explain how the delay is affecting you and Xin.
- Suggest a plan and a deadline for finishing the presentation.
Model answers
Level 7 sample answer
165 words
Hi Gabriel,
I am writing about our presentation for business communication class. It is on Monday at 9 a.m., and it is worth 25% of our final mark, so I am a bit worried.
At our first meeting, you agreed to make the slides about the market research. We still don't have them. You also missed the last two meetings, and you didn't answer our messages since Wednesday. Is everything OK?
Because of this, Xin and I can't finish our parts. My section about the survey results need your data, and Xin can't practise the conclusion without it. Xin wants to talk to the instructor, but I asked her to wait a little.
Here is my idea. Please send me your slides by Saturday at 6 p.m., even if they are not perfect. Then we can meet on Sunday afternoon at the library to put everything together and practise one time.
Please reply soon, so we know you are still in the group.
Thanks,
Dmitri
Why this answer is at level 7
This level 7 example covers the missing work, its effects and a practical recovery plan in a clear order. Basic vocabulary and noticeable grammar errors make it less polished than the higher-level examples.
Because of this, Xin and I can't finish our parts.
— Content/Coherence: This clearly connects Gabriel's delay to the group's difficulty. The following details explain each member's problem, although the higher-level answers express these dependencies more precisely.put everything together and practise one time.
— Vocabulary: The meaning is understandable, but “practise one time” sounds awkward. The higher-level answers use more natural presentation vocabulary, such as rehearsing and completing a run-through.My section about the survey results need your data
— Readability: The singular subject “section” requires “needs.” This agreement error interrupts an otherwise understandable explanation; the higher-level answers maintain grammatical control while explaining the same dependency.Please send me your slides by Saturday at 6 p.m., even if they are not perfect.
— Task Fulfillment: This gives Gabriel a clear deadline and lowers the pressure to submit perfect work. The higher-level answers make the request more tactful and describe the unfinished material more naturally as a draft that the group can polish.
Level 9 sample answer
185 words
Hi Gabriel,
I'm getting in touch about our business communication presentation, which is now only a few days away. Since it's worth 25% of our final mark, I wanted to check in with you directly before Monday morning.
When we divided the work, you offered to handle the market research slides, including the competitor comparison and the customer survey charts. So far, nothing has been uploaded to our shared folder, and we haven't heard from you since Wednesday, which isn't like you.
To be honest, Xin and I are starting to feel the pressure. My section builds on your survey findings, so I'm stuck until I see them, and Xin can't rehearse her conclusion without the full picture. She'd like to let the instructor know what's happening, but I've asked her to hold off until the weekend.
Could you send whatever you have by Saturday at 6 p.m., even if it's rough? We could then meet at the campus library on Sunday at 2 p.m. to polish everything and run through the presentation together.
Let me know either way so we can plan.
Cheers,
Dmitri
Why this answer is at level 9
This level 9 example adds specific missing materials, natural vocabulary and smoother sentence control to the clear structure of the level 7 answer. Compared with level 11, it develops the missed meetings and the writer's preference for resolving matters within the group less fully.
My section builds on your survey findings, so I'm stuck until I see them
— Content/Coherence: This explains exactly why Gabriel's missing research prevents the writer from progressing. It is more precise than the level 7 explanation; the top answer further integrates this dependency with the group's uncertainty after the missed meetings.I've asked her to hold off until the weekend.
— Vocabulary: “Hold off” naturally expresses a temporary delay in contacting the instructor and suits communication between classmates. The top answer adds a clearer personal reason for waiting: wanting the group to resolve the problem itself.So far, nothing has been uploaded to our shared folder
— Readability: The present perfect accurately describes missing work that remains relevant now. This shows stronger tense control than the level 7 answer; the top answer combines similarly controlled grammar with more varied sentence structures.We could then meet at the campus library on Sunday at 2 p.m.
— Task Fulfillment: The specific meeting time and location make the recovery plan easy to follow. However, the email does not explicitly remind Gabriel about the missed meetings, which the top answer includes when explaining the group's concern.
Level 11 sample answer
198 words
Hi Gabriel,
With our business communication presentation set for Monday at 9 a.m., I thought it was worth reaching out before the weekend. I know things can pile up at this point in the term, so please read this as a nudge rather than a complaint.
When we split the work two weeks ago, you took on the market research section: the competitor comparison, the survey charts and the three slides summarizing local demand. None of that has reached the shared folder yet, and since you missed Tuesday's and Thursday's meetings, Xin and I have been left guessing.
Frankly, we're both running out of runway. My analysis hinges on your survey data, and Xin can hardly rehearse a conclusion for findings she hasn't seen. She was ready to contact the instructor yesterday; I talked her into waiting, partly because I'd rather we sorted this out among ourselves.
Here's what I'd suggest: send whatever you have by Saturday at 6 p.m., however rough, and then the three of us can meet at the campus library on Sunday at 2 p.m. to polish the slides and do a full run-through.
Even a quick reply would ease our minds.
Thanks,
Dmitri
Why this answer is at level 11
This level 11 example combines detailed task coverage with controlled grammar, precise vocabulary and a tactful but firm voice. It makes the group's dependencies and the writer's reason for giving Gabriel another chance explicit, then proposes a coordinated completion plan.
the competitor comparison, the survey charts and the three slides summarizing local demand.
— Content/Coherence: This concrete list establishes exactly what Gabriel undertook and what remains missing. It gives the later explanation of blocked analysis and rehearsal a clear foundation.My analysis hinges on your survey data
— Vocabulary: “Hinges on” precisely expresses a dependency while remaining natural in an email to a classmate. It communicates why Gabriel's contribution is essential with greater economy than the lower-level wording.Xin can hardly rehearse a conclusion for findings she hasn't seen.
— Readability: The sentence combines a clear practical consequence with a smoothly integrated relative clause. Its controlled structure explains Xin's difficulty without a lengthy or repetitive explanation.please read this as a nudge rather than a complaint.
— Task Fulfillment: This establishes a considerate tone appropriate for a classmate while introducing a serious concern. Alongside the explanation about delaying contact with the instructor, it supports the writer's decision to give Gabriel another chance.send whatever you have by Saturday at 6 p.m., however rough
— Task Fulfillment: The request combines a firm deadline with flexibility about the draft's condition. The subsequent group meeting assigns time for polishing and rehearsal, making the proposed route to completion practical.
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