Task 1: Email Writing
What Is Task 1 in CELPIP Writing?
Task 1 of the CELPIP writing test requires you to compose an email of 150–200 words within 27 minutes. The writing prompt specifies three bullet points that you must address, along with the recipient and the purpose of the email. Your tone must match the relationship — formal for a supervisor, semi-formal for a colleague, or informal for a friend. This writing task evaluates your ability to communicate clearly, organise your thoughts logically, and use vocabulary appropriate to the context. Strong writing samples for Task 1 always address every bullet point with specific, concrete details.
Many candidates lose valuable marks on this writing task not because of grammar errors, but because they fail to address all three bullet points adequately. A common mistake is spending too much time on the first point and rushing through the remaining two. Our writing templates solve this by providing a balanced structural framework that ensures equal attention to each requirement. The AI feedback system specifically evaluates whether all bullet points are addressed, giving you immediate visibility into this critical scoring dimension.
The email writing task also tests your ability to adopt the correct register. Writing "Hey dude, what's up" to your manager will cost you significant marks, just as writing "Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to formally request" to a close friend sounds unnaturally stiff. Mastering tone is one of the fastest ways to boost your Task 1 writing score. Our writing samples demonstrate the exact vocabulary and phrasing adjustments needed for each formality level, giving you concrete models to emulate during your writing practice.
Task 2: Survey Response
What Is Task 2 in CELPIP Writing?
Task 2 of the CELPIP writing test presents you with two options and asks you to choose one, then write a 150–200 word persuasive response within 26 minutes explaining your choice. Think of Task 2 as a mini-argumentative essay. You need a clear thesis statement, two to three supporting reasons with specific examples, and a strong conclusion. The best writing samples for Task 2 also briefly acknowledge the opposing option before dismissing it — this demonstrates balanced thinking and substantially raises your coherence score.
Unlike Task 1, where tone flexibility is key, Task 2 demands persuasive power. The writing templates for this task focus on argument construction: how to state your position decisively in the opening sentence, how to sequence your reasons from strongest to second-strongest, and how to craft a conclusion that leaves a lasting impression. Candidates who use structured writing templates for Task 2 consistently outscore those who write stream-of-consciousness responses without a clear framework.
Time management is particularly critical for Task 2 writing. Many candidates spend too long deliberating between the two options. Our recommendation: choose the option you can argue most convincingly — not necessarily the one you personally agree with — and commit within 60 seconds. Spend the remaining 25 minutes on writing, reviewing, and editing. AI-powered writing feedback will show you exactly where your arguments need strengthening and which vocabulary choices elevate your writing samples from adequate to exceptional.
Free Writing Templates
Writing templates are the single most impactful tool for improving your CELPIP writing score. They provide a proven structural framework that ensures your response is organised, comprehensive, and appropriately formatted — three factors that directly influence your writing score. Below are our most effective writing templates for Task 1 and Task 2. Memorise the structure, then practise adapting it to different prompts. Within 5–7 days of consistent writing practice with these templates, most candidates see a measurable improvement in their writing scores.
Email Writing Template (Task 1)
Greeting
Dear [Name] / Hi [Name] — Match formality to recipient. Use "Dear" for managers, "Hi" for friends.
Opening Line
State your purpose immediately: "I am writing to inform you about…" or "I wanted to reach out regarding…"
Bullet Point 1
Address the first requirement from the prompt with 2–3 specific sentences. Include concrete details — names, places, dates.
Bullet Point 2
Transition naturally: "In addition to this…" or "Another important point is that…" Address the second requirement with equal depth.
Bullet Point 3
Address the final requirement. If it involves a request or invitation, be specific: "Would you be available on Saturday, March 15th?"
Closing
End with a forward-looking statement: "I look forward to hearing from you" or "Please do not hesitate to reach out." Sign off appropriately.
Survey Response Template (Task 2)
Opening Statement
State your choice immediately and firmly: "I strongly believe that Option [A/B] is the superior choice because…"
Reason 1 + Evidence
Present your strongest argument first. Support with a specific example, statistic, or real-world scenario. Use 3–4 sentences.
Reason 2 + Evidence
Transition with "Furthermore" or "Additionally." Present your second supporting argument with equal specificity and detail.
Counter-Acknowledgement
"While I acknowledge that [opposing option] has merits such as [brief benefit]…" — This shows balanced thinking and boosts coherence scores.
Conclusion
Restate your position with conviction: "For these reasons, I firmly recommend…" or "The evidence overwhelmingly supports…"
Want even more writing templates with scored examples for every email tone and survey topic? Explore our comprehensive CELPIP Writing Templates library — it includes 30+ ready-to-use writing templates with AI-scored writing samples for both Task 1 and Task 2.
Sample Scored Responses
Studying before-and-after writing samples is one of the most effective ways to understand exactly what separates a CLB 4 response from a CLB 9+ response in CELPIP writing. Below are real-style writing samples for both tasks, complete with scoring breakdowns across all four evaluation criteria. Use the task selector to toggle between Task 1 and Task 2 writing samples, and examine how vocabulary precision, structural coherence, and detailed content transform the scoring outcome.
You recently moved to a new city. Write an email to a friend telling them about your new city. In your email: • Describe the city and what you like about it • Explain how your daily routine has changed • Invite your friend to visit you
Task 1 — High-Scoring Writing Sample
Hi John, I hope this email finds you well! I wanted to share some exciting news — I recently relocated to Victoria, British Columbia, and I am absolutely loving it here. The city is surrounded by stunning ocean views and lush green parks, and the downtown area has a charming, walkable feel that reminds me of the European cities we always talked about visiting. My daily routine has changed quite dramatically since the move. Instead of spending two hours commuting on the highway, I now cycle to work along the waterfront trail, which takes only twenty minutes. I have also started visiting the local farmers' market every Saturday morning, which has completely transformed how I cook and eat during the week. I would absolutely love for you to come visit! The guest room is all set up, and I think you would especially enjoy the whale-watching tours that depart from the inner harbour every weekend. Let me know which dates work for you, and I will plan some activities for us. Looking forward to hearing from you! Best regards, Sarah
The difference between these writing samples is not about English proficiency — it is about structure, specificity, and strategy. The low-scoring sample uses generic statements ('"It is nice here"') while the high-scoring writing sample includes precise details ('Victoria, British Columbia,' 'waterfront trail,' 'farmers\' market every Saturday'). This level of specificity is what transforms a CLB 4 writing response into a CLB 9+ writing response. Our writing templates encode these principles directly into your response structure, making it nearly impossible to produce a vague, low-scoring answer. For more scored writing samples across dozens of prompt types, visit our CELPIP Writing Templates resource.
How to Score 9+ in Writing
Scoring CLB 9 or higher on the CELPIP writing test is absolutely achievable when you combine the right writing templates with consistent, AI-scored writing practice. The gap between CLB 7 and CLB 9+ is not your English ability — it is your writing methodology. Candidates who score 9+ follow a systematic approach that transforms basic writing competence into polished, high-scoring writing samples on every single prompt they encounter. Here is the proven five-step framework used by our top-scoring candidates.
Step 1: Master Both Writing Task Formats
Before any writing practice, understand the exact structure, timing, and evaluation criteria for both Task 1 and Task 2. Know that Task 1 gives you 27 minutes for an email and Task 2 gives you 26 minutes for a survey response. Memorise the scoring rubric so you know exactly what evaluators look for in winning writing samples.
Step 2: Internalise Writing Templates
Our writing templates are not rigid scripts — they are flexible structural frameworks. Memorise the template for Task 1 (greeting → opening → three body paragraphs → closing) and Task 2 (thesis → reason 1 → reason 2 → counter-acknowledgement → conclusion). Practice until these writing templates become muscle memory, so you spend zero time on structure during the actual writing test.
Step 3: Practice Under Timed Conditions
Complete every writing practice session under strict time limits — 27 minutes for Task 1 and 26 minutes for Task 2. Time pressure reveals weaknesses that relaxed writing practice never exposes. Aim to finish your draft with 3–5 minutes remaining for proofreading. This buffer is where candidates catch and fix the grammar and spelling errors that cost them valuable writing marks on test day.
Step 4: Use AI Scoring After Every Response
Submit every writing practice response to AI scoring. Get instant feedback on content completeness, vocabulary diversity, grammatical accuracy, and coherence. Target your weakest category in the next writing session. Candidates who use AI-scored writing practice improve 2–3× faster than those who practice without any feedback loop. This iterative writing practice methodology is the cornerstone of achieving CLB 9+ writing scores.
The fifth and final step is deliberately studying high-scoring writing samples. Read our scored before-and-after writing samples above and internalise the patterns: specificity over vagueness, structured paragraphing over stream-of-consciousness, advanced vocabulary deployed naturally rather than forced. When you combine writing templates, timed writing practice, AI scoring feedback, and consistent exposure to exemplary writing samples, a CLB 9+ writing score is not aspirational — it is inevitable.
Additionally, candidates preparing for the writing test should recognise the profound overlap between writing and speaking skills. The vocabulary structures, transition phrases, and argument frameworks that elevate writing scores also strengthen speaking performance. For comprehensive speaking strategies that complement your writing practice, explore our CELPIP Speaking Practice guide — it includes AI-scored practice for all 8 speaking tasks.
For a deeper study resource that covers both writing and speaking modules with 100+ practice prompts, writing templates, scored writing samples, and detailed strategy guides, download our CELPIP eBooks. These comprehensive resources have helped thousands of candidates achieve their target writing scores on the first attempt.
AI Writing Feedback in Action
After every writing practice submission, our AI delivers a detailed breakdown of your writing performance across four dimensions. Here is what a typical AI feedback report looks like for a CLB 8 writing response:
8.5
Content
7.8
Coherence
8.2
Vocabulary
8.0
Grammar
Sample AI writing feedback scores. Actual scores update in real time after each writing submission.