CELPIP® Writing Task 1 sample: Safety Training During a Busy Week

Level 7 sample answer

185 words

Hi Oksana,

Thank you for registering me for the safety course in Edmonton. I need to talk with you about a problem.

The course is from March 4 to 6, but in the same week I have to finish the inspection report for our client, who needs it by March 7. I can't do both at the same time, because the course is full days and I will be away from the office.

Both choices have risks. If I skip the course, I have to wait until June, and I need this certification for my job. But if I go, the report can be late or have mistakes. Marcus offered to help me, but he never worked with this client before, so he don't know their equipment.

I think the best plan is to go to the course and finish most of the report before March 4. Then Marcus can do the last part. I would need one extra day before March 4 to work on the report, and maybe you can check it before we send.

Please tell me what you think.

Thanks,

Hui

Why this answer is at level 7

This illustrates level 7 through clear coverage of the conflict, risks, and proposed solution. Compared with the stronger answers, its vocabulary is simpler, its handover plan is less precise, and grammatical errors interrupt otherwise understandable writing.

• Then Marcus can do the last part. — Content/Coherence: The recommendation follows logically, but “the last part” leaves Marcus's responsibilities unclear despite his lack of client experience. A higher-level answer would identify suitable tasks and explain who checks the finished report.
• the report can be late or have mistakes. — Vocabulary: The basic wording communicates the main reporting risks. A higher-level answer would use more precise workplace language to distinguish a missed deadline from errors caused by an unfamiliar colleague.
• so he don't know their equipment. — Readability: The meaning is clear, but “he don't” has a subject–verb agreement error. A higher-level answer would maintain grammatical accuracy and explain Marcus's unfamiliarity with greater control.
• I would need one extra day before March 4 to work on the report, — Task Fulfillment: This directly requests support, addressing the final bullet. However, “one extra day” does not specify which existing duties need to be reassigned. A higher-level answer would make the requested scheduling change easier for Oksana to approve.

Level 9 sample answer

192 words

Hi Oksana,

Thanks for signing me up for the safety certification in Edmonton. Unfortunately, the March 4–6 dates fall in the same week as the inspection report for Dunmore Resources, which is due March 7, so I wanted to flag the conflict early.

Looking at the options, neither is risk-free. If I postpone the course, I won't be certified until after the June session, which could limit the sites I'm allowed to work on this spring. On the other hand, if I go, I'll lose three full working days right before the deadline. Marcus has kindly offered to step in, but since he's never dealt with Dunmore, he'd need time to get familiar with their equipment and their very particular formatting requirements.

My recommendation would be to attend the course and get ahead of the report beforehand. If I could be taken off the regular site rotation for the last week of February, I could complete the inspection data and most of the writing. Marcus could then handle the final formatting while I'm away, and I'd review everything by phone in the evenings.

Could we discuss this at Monday's meeting?

Best,

Hui

Why this answer is at level 9

This illustrates level 9 through natural workplace language, developed consequences, and a clearer division of responsibilities than the level 7 answer. Its remote review arrangement remains less concrete than the level 11 plan, and the response exceeds the requested word range.

• Marcus could then handle the final formatting while I'm away, and I'd review everything by phone in the evenings. — Content/Coherence: Assigning formatting gives Marcus a defined role and preserves the writer's oversight. However, reviewing everything by phone leaves the final approval process unclear. A higher-level answer would specify when the completed document will be checked and approved.
• he'd need time to get familiar with their equipment and their very particular formatting requirements. — Vocabulary: The vocabulary explains the practical preparation Marcus needs. Expressions such as “get familiar” and “very particular” remain conversational and somewhat loose. A higher-level answer would describe that preparation burden more precisely and economically.
• Marcus has kindly offered to step in, but since he's never dealt with Dunmore, — Readability: The sentence smoothly connects appreciation with a qualification, showing stronger grammatical control than the level 7 answer. A higher-level response would preserve this clarity while expressing the qualification more economically.
• Could we discuss this at Monday's meeting? — Task Fulfillment: The closing provides an appropriate next step for a supervisor email, and the response addresses all the bullets. However, it exceeds the requested word range. A higher-level response would tighten the wording while retaining the specific support request.

Level 11 sample answer

195 words

Hi Oksana,

Thank you for securing me a spot in the safety certification course in Edmonton. I'm keen to complete it, but I've realized the March 4–6 dates collide with the Dunmore Resources inspection report, which the client expects on March 7.

Each option carries a cost. Were I to defer to the June session, I'd remain uncertified through the spring, which would rule me out of the two new well-site contracts starting in April. Yet attending means three days away immediately before a deadline that Dunmore has already made clear is non-negotiable. Marcus's offer to help is generous, although, having never worked with Dunmore, he would be learning their equipment and exacting reporting standards from scratch.

On balance, I'd propose attending the course and front-loading the report. If my field inspections could be wrapped up by February 25 and I were given two office days afterward, the draft would be ninety percent finished before I leave. Marcus could then proofread and compile appendices — tasks that don't require client familiarity — and I'd sign off on the final version from my hotel on the evening of March 6.

Does that plan work for you?

Regards,

Hui

Why this answer is at level 11

This illustrates level 11 through precise sequencing, tactful risk analysis, and a practical plan connecting preparation, delegation, and final approval. Its controlled language makes the recommendation persuasive, although the response exceeds the requested word range.

• I'd sign off on the final version from my hotel on the evening of March 6. — Content/Coherence: This completes the plan with a clear owner, location, and approval time before the client's deadline. It resolves the uncertainty left by the earlier answers about who takes responsibility for the finished report.
• On balance, I'd propose attending the course and front-loading the report. — Vocabulary: “On balance” signals a considered judgment after comparing risks, while “front-loading” compactly describes moving the report work earlier. Both expressions serve the scheduling problem and suit communication with a supervisor.
• Were I to defer to the June session, I'd remain uncertified through the spring, — Readability: The inverted conditional presents a hypothetical consequence fluently and accurately. Its structure adds variety while keeping the relationship between postponing training and remaining uncertified easy to follow.
• If my field inspections could be wrapped up by February 25 and I were given two office days afterward, — Task Fulfillment: The requested support is concrete: an inspection completion date followed by protected writing time. This gives Oksana an actionable staffing decision. However, the full response needs trimming to meet the requested word range.