CELPIP® Writing Task 1 sample: The Coat Care Mismatch
Writing an Email · 27 minutes · 150–200 words · Published
Original practice questions in CELPIP® task formats, created independently by CELPIP Study.
Practice question
You bought a $180 sale coat from Gurpreet's clothing shop in Whitehorse after its website described the coat as machine washable. You chose it for twice-weekly outdoor volunteer shifts because you need clothing you can wash at home. After removing the tags and wearing it once, you noticed that its label says dry clean only. Your receipt says sale items cannot be returned, so you need Gurpreet to consider an exception.
Write an email to the clothing shop owner, Gurpreet.
- Explain the difference between the website description and the coat's care label.
- Describe why the cleaning requirement matters and acknowledge the coat's condition.
- Request a reasonable exception to the sale policy and suggest a suitable remedy.
Model answers
Level 7 sample answer
165 words
Dear Gurpreet,
I bought a coat from your shop in Whitehorse for $180. It was on sale. Your website said I could wash it in a machine. But the label say it must be dry cleaned. I chose it because I thought I could wash it at home.
I wear a coat for outdoor volunteer shifts twice a week. It needs to be easy to clean. Dry cleaning would cost more money and take more time. I took the tags off and wore the coat once. I only read the label after that. I know this means it is not a new, unworn coat.
Your receipt says I cannot return sale items. Could you make an exception because the website was wrong? I would like to exchange it with a coat I can wash at home. One at the same price would be best. If there is no such coat, could you please give me a refund?
Thank you for your help.
Best regards,
Brody
Why this answer is at level 7
This level 7 example clearly covers the care mismatch, practical cleaning needs, worn condition, and requested exception. Compared with the other answers, its explanations are less developed, its vocabulary is simpler, and a grammar error reduces accuracy.
I chose it because I thought I could wash it at home.
— Content/Coherence: This clearly connects the purchase decision to home washing. The higher-level answers develop that connection into a stronger reason for granting an exception to the sale policy.Dry cleaning would cost more money and take more time.
— Vocabulary: The wording communicates the practical problem but remains broad. The higher-level answers describe repeated costs, separate trips, or collection arrangements, making the inconvenience more concrete.But the label say it must be dry cleaned.
— Readability: The mismatch is easy to understand, but “label say” has a subject–verb agreement error. The higher-level answers express the same contrast accurately while combining the conflicting care instructions into a smoother sentence.Could you make an exception because the website was wrong?
— Task Fulfillment: This directly requests the required exception, and the surrounding paragraph offers an exchange followed by a refund. The higher-level answers frame the request more tactfully by explicitly acknowledging the policy before asking for flexibility.
Level 9 sample answer
182 words
Dear Gurpreet,
Could you help resolve a problem with the $180 sale coat I purchased from your Whitehorse shop? The website described it as machine washable, whereas the care label specifies dry cleaning only. That difference matters because the advertised care instructions were a major reason for my choice.
I bought the coat for regular outdoor volunteer shifts, so convenient cleaning is essential. Repeated dry cleaning would add to the cost of owning it and require separate trips whenever it needed cleaning. Unfortunately, I discovered the discrepancy only after removing the tags and wearing the coat once. I want to be upfront about that rather than present it as an unworn return.
Although the receipt states that sale purchases cannot be returned, would you consider an exception in these circumstances? My preference would be an exchange for a machine washable coat at the same price. If no suitable coat is available, I would appreciate a refund. I can bring the coat and receipt so you can compare the label with the website description.
Thank you for reviewing this fairly.
Best regards,
Brody
Why this answer is at level 9
This level 9 example presents a well-organized complaint with precise vocabulary, accurate sentence structures, and a courteous remedy. Compared with level 11, it explains the problem effectively but does less to show how the proposed exchange benefits the shop or prevents another care mismatch.
That difference matters because the advertised care instructions were a major reason for my choice.
— Content/Coherence: This explains why the website error matters to the purchase, strengthening the connection between the mismatch and the exception request. The level 11 answer develops that reasoning further by explaining what the buyer would have chosen with accurate information.Unfortunately, I discovered the discrepancy only after removing the tags and wearing the coat once.
— Vocabulary: “Discrepancy” precisely names the conflict between the website and label, while the rest clearly acknowledges the coat's condition. The level 11 answer adds more nuanced language about the financial consequences of keeping it.Although the receipt states that sale purchases cannot be returned, would you consider an exception in these circumstances?
— Readability: The opening clause acknowledges the policy before the main clause makes a polite request. This is more controlled than the level 7 wording; level 11 sustains that control through more complex explanations and conditional reasoning.My preference would be an exchange for a machine washable coat at the same price.
— Task Fulfillment: The preferred remedy is specific, reasonable, and supported by a refund alternative afterward. The level 11 answer improves the proposal by asking to check the replacement's care instructions together and explaining why an exchange also suits the shop.
Level 11 sample answer
195 words
Dear Gurpreet,
I am requesting an exception to your sale policy because the $180 coat I purchased was advertised as machine washable, whereas its care label specifies dry cleaning only.
For outdoor volunteer shifts twice a week, being able to put a coat through a washing machine is a practical necessity, which is why the website's description influenced my decision. Dry cleaning would make the discount a false economy, with recurring charges and collection arrangements adding complications whenever the coat needed cleaning. I acknowledge that I removed the tags and wore it once before noticing the discrepancy; nevertheless, had the cleaning restriction been accurately described, I would have selected something suitable for home washing.
Would you consider exchanging it for a machine washable alternative at the same price, with the replacement's care instructions checked together before we complete the exchange? That would resolve the mismatch while keeping my purchase with your shop; if no suitable replacement is available, however, I would appreciate a full $180 refund. I can bring the coat and receipt for inspection so that you can assess its condition alongside the conflicting information.
Thank you for considering these circumstances.
Best regards,
Brody
Why this answer is at level 11
This level 11 example combines detailed reasoning, precise vocabulary, and controlled complex sentences with a practical, considerate remedy. It openly acknowledges the coat's condition, explains how the inaccurate description affected the purchase, and proposes an exchange that protects both the buyer's needs and the shop's interests.
That would resolve the mismatch while keeping my purchase with your shop;
— Content/Coherence: This connects the proposed exchange to a benefit for Gurpreet, giving the owner a practical reason to agree. It develops the argument beyond the buyer's inconvenience and makes the remedy persuasive.Dry cleaning would make the discount a false economy
— Vocabulary: “False economy” precisely captures how recurring cleaning expenses could undermine the sale saving. The phrase adds meaning to this particular complaint, and the following details explain the financial and practical consequences.had the cleaning restriction been accurately described, I would have selected something suitable for home washing.
— Readability: This accurately controlled conditional structure explains how correct information would have changed the purchase. It supports the exception request while fitting logically after the admission that the coat was already worn.with the replacement's care instructions checked together before we complete the exchange?
— Task Fulfillment: This makes the exchange proposal especially practical: checking the label together would prevent the same problem recurring. It directly addresses the buyer's need for home washing while inviting the owner to help verify a suitable replacement.
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