FlexiLingoCELPIP Writing Task 1 Template: The Fill-in Email That Hits CLB 9+
CELPIP Writing Task 1 is one email of about 150–200 words in 27 minutes. This guide gives you a fill-in template you can reuse on any prompt, the tone rules for formal and friendly emails, a time plan, the traps that cost marks, and three annotated sample emails.
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1CELPIP Writing Task 1 in short: the task, the scoring, the template
CELPIP Writing Task 1 is an email. You read a short everyday situation, then have 27 minutes to write about 150–200 words to the person it names — a manager, a neighbour, a company, a friend. The prompt usually lists three things your email must do. Cover all three, each with one specific detail, in a tone that fits the reader, and use the template below as your skeleton.
Dear [Mr./Ms. Last name / Sir or Madam], I am writing to [your purpose: complain about / ask for / apologise for] [the situation]. [One sentence of background: what happened, when and where.] [Point 1 from the prompt]. [One specific detail: a date, a name, a number.] In addition, [point 2 from the prompt]. [One specific detail.] Finally, [point 3, usually your request or suggestion]. [Why it matters or what it would solve.] I would appreciate it if you could [the next step you want] by [day or date]. Sincerely, [Your full name]
This is the formal version. Writing to a friend? Open with "Hi [first name],", use contractions, and sign off with "Talk soon," — section 3 has the friendly version and explains every block.
Your email is scored on four dimensions: Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability (organisation, paragraphing, cohesion), and Task Fulfillment (did you address every point in the prompt and match the right tone). Several trained raters score each response on those dimensions, and Paragon derives your Writing level from their ratings. It does not publish the exact formula, so give all four equal attention.
The biggest misconception: this task does not reward fancy vocabulary or long sentences. It rewards a clear, well-organised email that addresses every bullet point in the prompt, in a tone that matches the relationship between sender and reader. Test-takers who try to sound "academic" usually score lower than test-takers who write a believable, well-structured email.
What the grader is looking for in 60 seconds: clear paragraphs, an opening that frames the email, a body that covers each bullet point with at least one specific detail, a closing that matches the opening, correct tone, and few grammar errors. If they have to re-read a sentence, you're losing points.
The free CELPIP mock test includes Writing Task 1 on its official timer. With a free account, your email comes back with an AI-estimated CLB band broken down by the four rating criteria.
2The 27-minute time budget — split it like this
Most test-takers run out of time because they start writing before they finish reading. Use this split every single time.
Read the scenario twice. On the second pass, identify (a) the recipient and your relationship to them — boss, friend, neighbour, customer service; (b) the tone that follows from that relationship; (c) every bullet point or sub-task you must cover. Many prompts hide three sub-tasks inside one paragraph. Miss one, and Task Fulfillment suffers however good the rest of the email is.
On scratch paper, write the recipient and tone at the top. Then list 3 bullets — one per body paragraph. Each bullet should map to one sub-task in the prompt. Add one specific detail under each bullet (a name, a date, a number, an example). Specifics are what separate CLB 9 from CLB 7.
Sixteen minutes for ~180 words is comfortable. Stick to the 8-block template (next section). Don't edit while you write; just write. If you forget a word, write a synonym or leave a placeholder and keep moving.
Five minutes is a lot if you know what to look for. Run the 60-second self-check (section 15) twice. Targets: subject-verb agreement, articles (a/an/the), prepositions, tense consistency, and the closing matching the opening.
If you finish writing at minute 18, do not start a fourth paragraph. Spend the extra time proofreading. Adding more text usually adds more errors.
3The 8-block email template (sentence by sentence)
Memorise this skeleton. It works for almost every Task 1 prompt and naturally lands you in the 150–200 word range.
Formal: "Dear Mr. Davies," / "Dear Sir or Madam,". Semi-formal: "Hello Sarah,". Friendly: "Hi Mark,". Match the relationship signalled in the prompt. Never use "To whom it may concern" if the prompt names the recipient.
State your purpose immediately. "I am writing to..." / "I hope this message finds you well — I'm writing because..." / "I wanted to reach out about...". Don't start with weather, niceties, or autobiography.
One line that gives the reader the background they need. "Last Saturday, I bought a kettle from your store on King Street." The grader should understand the situation by the end of paragraph 1.
First sub-task from the prompt. Topic sentence + one specific detail + one consequence or example. Keep it tight.
Second sub-task. Same structure. Use a transition like "In addition," / "On top of that," / "Another thing is that".
Third sub-task. Transition with "Finally," / "Last," / "To make matters worse,". This is often where the prompt asks you to make a request, propose a solution, or set expectations.
Tell the reader what you expect next. "I would appreciate a reply by Friday." / "Let me know what works for you." / "Please contact me at the number below." The closing must match the opening's purpose.
Formal: "Sincerely," / "Best regards,". Semi-formal: "Best," / "Kind regards,". Friendly: "Thanks," / "Talk soon,". Then your first name (formal: full name).
Total: 8 blocks → 1 + 1 + 1 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 1 + 1 = about 13 sentences, which comes to roughly 150–180 words. You land inside the range without padding.
The same skeleton for a friend, a neighbour or a colleague you know well:
Hi [first name], I hope you're doing well! I'm writing because [your purpose]. [Point 1 from the prompt]. [One specific detail.] Also, [point 2 from the prompt]. [One specific detail.] Anyway, [point 3, usually what you'd like them to do]. Let me know [what you need from them] by [day]. Talk soon, [Your first name]
4Tone calibration: formal, semi-formal, friendly
Tone mismatch is the single most common Task 1 error. Read the prompt, identify the relationship, and lock the tone before you write a single word.
Full salutation ("Dear Mr. Davies,"), no contractions ("I am", not "I'm"), longer sentences, hedged language ("I would appreciate it if you could..."), no exclamation marks. Sign-off: "Sincerely," / "Best regards,".
First-name salutation ("Hello Sarah,"), some contractions are fine, mix of short and longer sentences, polite but warmer ("Could you let me know if..."), one exclamation mark allowed. Sign-off: "Best," / "Kind regards,".
"Hi Mark," / "Hey Sam,". Contractions everywhere, shorter sentences, idiomatic language ("by the way", "out of nowhere"), questions and exclamations are natural. Sign-off: "Thanks," / "Talk soon," / "Cheers,".
Don't mix tones. "Dear Mark, I'm so excited!! Please be advised that..." reads as confused. Pick one register and stay there start to finish.
Quick test: read your draft out loud. If a real friend wouldn't say it, you're too formal for a friendly prompt. If you'd be uncomfortable saying it to a stranger in a meeting, you're too casual for a formal prompt.
5The opening sentence — 5 patterns by prompt type
The opening sentence locks your purpose for the grader. Use the pattern that fits the prompt type.
"I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with [product/service] that I [bought/used/experienced] on [date]." Variants: "I would like to bring a serious issue to your attention regarding..."
"I am writing to request [thing], which I will need by [date] for [reason]." Variants: "I would like to ask whether it might be possible to..."
"I am writing to apologise for [event] and to explain what happened." Variants: "I owe you an apology for..."
"I'd like to invite you to [event] on [date] at [place], and I hope you'll be able to join us." Variants: "I'm putting together a small [event] and I'd love for you to come."
"I'm sending you a quick note about [topic] so you know what to expect when [you arrive / it happens / you start]." Variants: "Just a heads-up that..."
Avoid "How are you?" / "I hope you're well." as your opener in formal or semi-formal emails — they don't establish purpose. Save the warmth for the closing.
6The body — how to deliver 3 specific details
The fastest way to lift Task 1 from CLB 7 to CLB 9 is to add concrete specifics. Specifics are nouns and numbers a grader can picture.
Rule: every body paragraph needs at least one specific. A name ("the cashier, Tom"), a date ("last Tuesday morning"), a number ("the third call this week"), a place ("the corner of Main and 7th"), or a quote ("she told me, 'It's not our problem'").
Each paragraph starts with a topic sentence — a single line that names the issue or request. Topic sentence first, evidence second. This is the order graders expect.
Use a transition word at the start of paragraphs 2 and 3 so the structure is visible. Good: "In addition," / "On top of that," / "Another concern is" / "Finally,". Avoid: "And" / "Also" at the start of a sentence in formal emails — they read as informal.
Vague: "The product was bad and didn't work." Concrete: "The kettle stopped heating after the second use, and the base now leaks water onto the counter." The concrete version is barely longer but reads at a much higher level.
If you can't think of a specific detail in the moment, invent a believable one. CELPIP Task 1 is fictional — graders are not fact-checking you.
7The closing and sign-off — match the tone
The closing should answer the question "What do I want the reader to do next?" and match the tone of the opening.
Complaint: "I would appreciate a refund or replacement within 7 business days. Please confirm receipt of this email." / "Please let me know how you intend to resolve this."
Request: "I would be grateful for your help. Please let me know if any information is missing." / "Could you confirm whether this is possible by Friday?"
Apology: "Once again, I'm very sorry, and I'll make sure this doesn't happen again." / "Please let me know how I can make this right."
Invitation: "Let me know by [date] whether you can make it. I really hope you can!" / "I'd love to see you there."
Instructions: "Let me know if anything is unclear." / "Text me when you arrive."
A common error is a perfect formal opening with a casual closing — "Sincerely, Sarah" then nothing, no closing sentence. Always include a closing sentence before the sign-off.
8Word-count discipline: why 150–200 is the sweet spot
CELPIP says "approximately 150–200 words." Going under or over both cost points — for different reasons.
Under 150: graders mark the email as underdeveloped. You probably skipped a sub-task or didn't elaborate on each body point. Task Fulfillment and Content/Coherence both drop.
Well past 200: graders see padding — repeated ideas, filler phrases, or a fourth body point nobody asked for. Paragon publishes no cut-off above the suggested range, but every extra sentence is another chance for a grammar error, and those drag Vocabulary and Readability down.
Target: comfortably inside the range, with a few words of margin at each end. The 8-block template gets you there without padding — the three sample emails below run from 164 to 175 words.
You do not need to count by hand: the screen shows a running word count as you type. Glance at it after each paragraph — roughly 35 words after the opening, roughly 150 after the third body paragraph — so you never have to cut in the final minute.
If you run over: cut adjectives and adverbs first ("very", "really", "quite", "actually"), then trim repeated ideas, then collapse two short sentences into one.
If you run short: add a specific detail to a body paragraph (a date, a name, a quote) — never add a fourth paragraph.
9Grammar variety that lifts your score
Graders reward variety, not complexity. A 165-word email with three different sentence structures and two tenses scores higher than the same content in 12 simple sentences.
Aim for this mix in 13 sentences: 6 simple, 4 compound (joined by and/but/so), 3 complex (with because, although, since, when, if). One conditional ("If this isn't resolved soon, I will need to...") and one passive ("I was told that...") signal advanced grammar without trying too hard.
Tense discipline matters. Past for events that happened, present perfect for events with current relevance ("I have called twice already"), future for what you expect ("I will follow up on Friday"). Switching tenses without reason hurts coherence.
Subject-verb agreement is the most common slip under pressure. "The team have decided" (UK / collective) vs "The team has decided" (US) — pick one and stay consistent. "Each of the items is" (singular), "The items are" (plural).
Articles (a/an/the) are scored visibly. Three quick rules: "a/an" first time you mention a countable noun, "the" the second time. "The" before unique things ("the manager", "the front door"). No article before plural generals ("customers expect", not "the customers expect").
10Vocabulary upgrades — replace weak verbs with strong ones
Weak, general verbs are one of the quickest signs of a mid-band email. Swapping a few of them for precise ones is the cheapest Vocabulary improvement you can make.
Weak: "I got the package." Strong: "I received the package." / "I was given the package."
Pick the verb that fits the speech act. "He explained that..." carries more meaning than "he said that..."
"I will do the report" → "I will complete the report." "We did a meeting" → "We held a meeting."
"There were a lot of mistakes" → "There were several mistakes" / "There were a number of mistakes."
"The service was bad" → "The service was disappointing" / "The service was unacceptable."
"very tired" → "exhausted". "very angry" → "furious". "very important" → "crucial". "very small" → "tiny". One precise word beats two weak ones.
Don't overdo it. Two or three vocabulary upgrades per email is the right dose. Twelve upgrades in 165 words reads as a thesaurus, not a person.
11Six rubric traps that quietly drop CLB
The same six mistakes come up again and again in Task 1 emails. Each one is easy to avoid once you know to look for it.
If the prompt has three bullet points, your email must address all three. A missed bullet pulls Task Fulfillment down however strong the rest of the email is. List the bullets on your scratch paper before you start writing and tick each one off.
"Hey John!! Please be advised that..." mixes friendly opener with corporate body. Pick one tone and stay there for all 8 blocks.
"The product was bad. The service was bad. I want a refund." The grader can't picture anything. Add at least one specific (name, date, place) per body paragraph.
Even with great content, one wall of text hurts Readability, because the rater cannot see your structure. Always: greeting, opening paragraph (1–2 sentences), 3 body paragraphs, closing line, sign-off. Visible structure earns points.
Don't quote the prompt: "Your friend Maria is moving and you want to ask her about the new job." Graders dock you for it. Paraphrase, then add your own context.
Going from the last body paragraph straight to "Sincerely, Sarah" leaves the email feeling unfinished. Always include one closing sentence that states what you want next.
12Worked example A — Complaint email (165 words)
Prompt: You bought a kettle from an online store last week and it broke on the second use. Write to customer service to (1) describe the issue, (2) explain why it's a problem, and (3) request a remedy.
Dear Customer Service Team, I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with a kettle I purchased from your online store on April 14th (Order #58213). The kettle stopped heating during its second use, just six days after delivery. The base now leaks a small amount of water onto the counter every time I plug it in, which I consider a safety concern. I have stopped using it and kept the original box and receipt. In addition, this is the second appliance I have had to return from your store this year. The previous order, a toaster, was replaced quickly, but I had hoped not to repeat the experience so soon. Finally, I rely on a working kettle every morning, and the one I bought is now unusable after less than a week. I would appreciate either a full refund to my original payment method or a replacement unit shipped this week. Please confirm by Friday how you intend to resolve this issue. Sincerely, Sarah Khan
Notes: 165 words, 8-block structure visible, three specifics (date, order number, named appliance), formal tone consistent throughout, closing matches opening's complaint purpose, sign-off is full name (formal).
13Worked example B — Request email (175 words)
Prompt: You need a reference letter from a former manager for a job application. Write to ask them. Include (1) what you need, (2) when you need it by, and (3) any details that will help them write it.
Hello Mr. Patel, I hope you've been well. I'm writing to ask whether you would be willing to write a reference letter for me for a job I'm applying to next week. The role is a Senior Operations Coordinator position at GreenLeaf Logistics, and the deadline for application is Wednesday, May 6th. The hiring team has asked for one professional reference from my most recent manager, which is why I'm reaching out to you. We worked together for almost three years, so you know my work better than anyone. If it would help, I can send you the job description and a short summary of the projects we worked on together — particularly the Q3 inventory rollout and the new vendor onboarding process — so you don't have to recall the details from memory. I know your schedule is busy, so please let me know by this Friday whether you're able to take this on. If not, I completely understand and will look for another option. Thank you very much for considering it. Best regards, Lin Chen
Notes: 175 words, semi-formal tone (first-name greeting, polite hedging), specifics include job title, company, deadline, two project names, closing offers an out ("if not, I completely understand") which graders read as advanced politeness.
14Worked example C — Apology / explanation email (164 words)
Prompt: You missed a friend's birthday dinner without letting them know. Write to apologise. (1) Apologise, (2) explain what happened, (3) suggest a way to make it up.
Hi Mark, I'm so sorry for missing your birthday dinner on Saturday — and even more sorry for not letting you know I couldn't make it. What happened was that my mom had a fall on Saturday afternoon and I drove her to the hospital. By the time the doctor sent us home, it was almost midnight and my phone had died in the car. She's okay now, just bruised, but I should have asked someone to message you from a different phone. I only saw your texts the next morning, and I felt awful reading them. I know that doesn't undo missing your night, and I feel terrible about it. To make it up to you, I'd love to take you out for dinner this Saturday at that ramen place on College Street you've been wanting to try — my treat. Let me know if Saturday works, or pick any night that suits you better. Sorry again, Mark. You deserved better from me. Thanks, Dan
Notes: 164 words, friendly tone (contractions, short sentences, named restaurant), genuine apology before explanation, makes-up step is concrete and specific, closing repeats apology naturally.
15The 60-second self-check rubric
After you finish writing, run this 6-point check twice. Sixty seconds per pass is enough to catch most score-killing errors.
Don't try to rewrite sentences in the last 5 minutes. You'll create new errors faster than you fix old ones. Fix only what's clearly wrong.
16Practise Task 1 under real timing — free
Reading a template is not the same as producing one in 27 minutes. A short routine turns the structure on this page into a habit.
The full four-skill exam in the official order and timing, with Writing Task 1 on its 27-minute clock. Different questions on every attempt.
Task 1 and Task 2 on their own, with real prompts, sample answers at CLB 7, 9 and 11, and AI feedback on your own writing.
AI bands on FlexiLingo are estimates to guide your practice. Only an official CELPIP result counts for immigration.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. CELPIP Task 1 starts at the greeting and ends at the sign-off. A subject line is optional and most test-takers skip it. Use the time to add a specific detail to a body paragraph instead.
Avoid them in fully formal emails ("Dear Mr. Davies"). They're fine in semi-formal ("Hello Sarah") and expected in friendly ("Hi Mark"). Mismatched contractions are a tone tell — graders notice.
The instructions ask for about 150-200 words, and the on-screen counter shows where you are. Paragon publishes no penalty table for going over, and a few words past 200 will not hurt if each one earns its place. The risk grows with length: padding and accumulated grammar errors cost more than the extra words gain. Cut adjectives, adverbs and repeated ideas first.
Memorise the 8-block skeleton and the 5 opening patterns. Don't memorise full body paragraphs — graders recognise canned phrases and dock you for them. Your specifics must come from the prompt, not from a memorised script.
Write one Task 1 every two days for two weeks under timed conditions (27 minutes, no dictionary). Use prompts from official CELPIP practice tests or sample prompts online. After each one, run the 60-second self-check, then rewrite the email a second time fixing only what you found. The rewrite is where the learning happens.
No — graders care about whether the email works for the prompt, not whether you used a template. The 8-block structure is a skeleton, not a script. Your content fills it differently every time, so each email reads as fresh.
You get 27 minutes for Task 1 and are asked to write about 150–200 words. Task 2, the survey response, is timed separately at 26 minutes. A practical split for Task 1 is 3 minutes to read, 3 to plan, 16 to write and 5 to check — section 2 explains each step.
Task 1 is an email to a specific person about a practical situation, so tone and covering every bullet point matter most. Task 2 is a survey response: you choose one of two options and argue for it in about 150–200 words in 26 minutes. The email template on this page is for Task 1 only — Task 2 needs an opinion structure instead.
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