CELPIP Writing Samples: Scored Task 1 Email & Task 2 Survey
Real CELPIP writing samples for Task 1 (email) and Task 2 (survey), scored at two bands with line notes tied to CELPIP's four official criteria, plus timing, word counts, and a self-scoring checklist.
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- 1.Budget exactly 27 minutes for Task 1 and 26 minutes for Task 2 (53 minutes total), splitting each into roughly 5 minutes planning, 17 writing, 5 proofreading.
- 2.Write 150–200 words for both Task 1 and Task 2 — CELPIP's Task Fulfillment criterion penalizes responses that are noticeably short or padded.
- 3.Score your own draft against CELPIP's four dimensions one at a time — Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability, Task Fulfillment — instead of judging it as "good" or "bad" overall.
- 4.Compare a 7–8 response to a 10–11 response on the same prompt to see that the jump comes from specific examples and varied connectors, not just extra words.
- 5.Build a small bank of category-specific transitions (opening, contrasting, concluding) so you stop repeating "also" and "in conclusion" in every response.
- 6.After each practice attempt, self-score it against a checklist before writing the next one — feedback beats volume.
CELPIP Writing has two timed tasks — Task 1 (Email) and Task 2 (Survey Response) — each requiring 150–200 words, scored on four official criteria. Below are complete sample responses at two score bands for each task, with notes tied to those criteria, so you can see exactly what separates a mid-band answer from a strong one.
The Format and Timing
Per CELPIP's official test structure, Task 1 gets 27 minutes and Task 2 gets 26 minutes (53 minutes total). Both tasks target 150–200 words. A safe split: ~5 minutes to plan, ~17 to write, ~5 to proofread.
The 4 Scoring Criteria
CELPIP raters score writing on Content/Coherence (ideas, organization, examples), Vocabulary (word choice, range, precision), Readability (paragraphing, connectors, grammar, spelling), and Task Fulfillment (relevance, completeness, tone, word count).
Task 1: Email (Formal Complaint)
Prompt (paraphrased): You bought a product that arrived damaged. Write an email to the store manager explaining the issue and what you want done.
Sample A — ~7-8 band (118 words) "Dear Manager, I am writing about my order. I bought a blender last week and it arrived broken. This is not good because I paid full price. I want you to fix this problem soon. I have tried to use it but it does not work at all. I think the company should send me a new one or give my money back. I have attached the receipt. Please reply fast because I need it for cooking. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, J. Lee." Notes: Ideas are relevant (Task Fulfillment ✓) but underdeveloped and repetitive — "problem," "does not work" repeat instead of adding detail (Content/Coherence capped). Vocabulary is basic ("not good," "fix this problem"). Connectors are simple ("because," "and").
Sample B — ~10-11 band (172 words) "Dear Mr. Thompson, I am writing to report a damaged item from my recent order (#48213). The blender I purchased on September 10 arrived with a cracked base and a non-functioning motor, despite careful unboxing. Since this appliance was intended for daily use, the defect has caused considerable inconvenience. I have attached photos of the damage along with my receipt for your reference. Given the circumstances, I would appreciate either a full refund or a replacement unit shipped at no additional cost. I would also ask that any replacement be inspected before dispatch to avoid a repeat issue. I have been a loyal customer for several years and trust this can be resolved promptly. Please let me know what documentation you require to process this request, and I would welcome a response within the next few business days. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, J. Lee." Notes: Specific details (order number, date, cause) strengthen Content/Coherence; precise vocabulary ("non-functioning," "dispatch," "documentation") lifts Vocabulary; varied connectors ("Given the circumstances," "Since," "along with") boost Readability; polite, complete tone satisfies Task Fulfillment.
Task 2: Survey Response
Prompt (paraphrased): Your city is deciding between building a new library (Option A) or a new sports complex (Option B). Which do you support?
Sample A — ~7-8 band (125 words) "I think the city should build the library. Many people like to read books and study there. Also, students can go there after school to do homework. A sports complex is good too but not everyone likes sports. The library helps more people because kids, adults, and old people can use it. It is also quiet and good for learning. I support Option A because it is useful for the whole community. In conclusion, I choose the library." Notes: Clear choice (Task Fulfillment ✓) but reasons stay general ("helps more people") without concrete examples, capping Content/Coherence.
Sample B — ~10-11 band (165 words) "I strongly support Option A, building a new library. First, a library serves nearly every age group: children can attend weekend reading programs, students can access free study space during exam season, and seniors can borrow large-print books or join community workshops. In contrast, a sports complex would mainly benefit residents who are already active, leaving others with little reason to visit. Furthermore, libraries typically cost less to maintain than large athletic facilities, which is an important factor given our city's tight budget this year. Finally, our neighborhood already has two public parks with basic sports equipment, whereas the nearest library is a 20-minute drive away. For these reasons, investing in a library would address a genuine gap in local services rather than duplicating what already exists. Overall, I believe Option A offers greater long-term value to the community." Notes: Concrete examples ("reading programs," "20-minute drive") and contrast connectors ("In contrast," "Furthermore," "whereas") push this into the high band.
Side-by-Side: What Moved the Score Up
| Element | ~7-8 Band | ~10-11 Band |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | General claims | Specific, concrete details |
| Connectors | Basic (also, because) | Varied (given that, whereas, furthermore) |
| Vocabulary | Repetitive | Precise, task-specific |
| Structure | Loose | Clear intro–body–conclusion |
Common Mistakes That Cap Your Score
- Writing under 150 or over 200 words
- Drifting off-topic mid-response
- Repeating the same 2-3 connectors throughout
- Skipping a clear conclusion sentence
Useful Transitions by Function
- Opening: I am writing to / I strongly believe
- Contrasting: In contrast, / Whereas / On the other hand
- Concluding: For these reasons, / Overall, / In summary,
Practice Checklist
Word count 150–200? Clear position stated? At least two specific examples? Varied connectors used? Proofread for spelling/grammar? If you can check all five, you're writing in the high band. Celpip.me includes one free mock test where you can practice a fresh Email and Survey Response prompt under timed conditions.
FAQ
How long do I get for each writing task? 27 minutes for Task 1 (Email) and 26 minutes for Task 2 (Survey Response). What word count should I aim for? 150–200 words for both tasks. What are CELPIP's writing scoring criteria? Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability, and Task Fulfillment.
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