CELPIP Writing · Task 1

Writing an Email

See the task format, read an original example and practise your own response.

What to practise

Develop a clear response, cover every requested point and check that your tone suits the reader. Writing includes an email and a survey response, with 53 minutes for both tasks.

Original practice example: Evening Course Moved to Saturdays

You signed up for an evening bookkeeping course at Northlight College in Grande Prairie and paid $640 in fees. After three weeks of Tuesday and Thursday classes, the college has announced that, because of low enrolment, the course will move to Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You work a regular Saturday shift, and the deadline for a full refund is this Friday. You need the certificate for a job you plan to apply for in the spring.

Explain why the new Saturday schedule does not work for you.
Describe what you would lose by withdrawing from the course now.
Propose an option that would let you finish the course.

One possible response

This original model response illustrates an approach to the task. Its level label is a practice estimate.

Dear Mr. Obi,

I recently received the college's notice that the evening bookkeeping course will move to Saturday mornings because of low enrolment. I understand the reasons behind the decision, but unfortunately the new schedule leaves me in a difficult position.

The main problem is that I work a fixed Saturday shift from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., which was the reason I chose an evening class in the first place. I asked my supervisor whether I could switch days, but with two staff members already on leave, that isn't possible this term.

Withdrawing would mean more than losing three weeks of progress. I'm applying for an accounts assistant position in the spring, and this certificate is a key requirement. The next offering doesn't start until September, so a refund would cost me the opportunity altogether.

Would it be possible for me to complete the remaining sessions through recorded lectures, with assignments submitted online? I'd be glad to write the final exam on campus whenever it suits the instructor.

I would appreciate a reply before Friday's refund deadline so I can make the right choice.

Sincerely,
Carmen Delgado

Try it and get feedback

Your free account includes 2 writing and 8 speaking scorings, plus 1 redo. You can begin with this one task. The complete report shows an estimated level, the four criteria and a specific next step.

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Official format reference

Format checked 22 October 2026 against CELPIP Test Format & Scoring. Questions and model responses here are independently created. Practice estimates are not official test results.