CELPIP Writing · Free practice

Free CELPIP Writing Practice

Master both CELPIP Writing tasks — the email and the survey response — with templates, band-by-band sample answers, and AI feedback on your own writing.

Writing practice is free, with 40 AI scorings a month for your Writing and Speaking.

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What the CELPIP Writing test looks like

CELPIP Writing has two tasks and a 53-minute time limit: 27 minutes for the email and 26 for the survey response. Both are scored on the same four criteria: content/coherence, vocabulary, readability and task fulfillment.

Task 1 — Writing an Email: respond to an everyday situation in about 150–200 words, in 27 minutes.
Task 2 — Responding to Survey Questions: choose one of two options and justify it in about 150–200 words, in 26 minutes.
Scored on content/coherence, vocabulary, readability, and task fulfillment.
Typed on a computer, with spellcheck and an automatic word count on screen.

The two CELPIP Writing tasks in detail

Both tasks are typed on a computer, and the writing screen includes spellcheck and an automatic word count, so you never need to count words by hand.

Task 1

Writing an Email

27 minutes · about 150–200 words

You read a short everyday situation — a problem with something you bought, a request to your manager, news for a friend — and write an email that does the things the instructions list, usually about three. The instructions name the reader, so your tone has to fit that person: formal for a company or an official, relaxed for a friend.

What a complete email contains

A greeting that suits the reader — no subject line or addresses needed
One sentence that says why you are writing
A paragraph for each thing the instructions ask, with a specific detail
A closing line that says what you want to happen next
A sign-off that matches the tone, then a name

The Task 1 email template, block by blockSample emails: complaint, request, informalThe 150–200 word format, explained

Task 2

Responding to Survey Questions

26 minutes · about 150–200 words

You read a short survey that asks you to choose between two options — for example, whether a new sports complex or a public library would serve a community better — then pick one and explain why. Neither option is the right answer: raters look at how clearly you state your choice and how well your reasons support it. It is a survey answer, not a letter, so it has no greeting or sign-off.

What a complete survey response contains

A first sentence that names the option you prefer
Two or three reasons, each starting a new paragraph
A specific detail or example behind every reason
One closing sentence that sums up your choice

The Task 2 survey response frameworkOne survey answer written at CLB 7, 9 and 11

How to spend your 27 and 26 minutes

The official CELPIP study material recommends about 4–5 minutes of planning before you write and about 3 minutes of checking at the end. That leaves roughly 18–19 minutes of writing for each task.

4–5 min
Plan
Brainstorm in point form, choose your main ideas, put them in order and note a supporting detail for each. Then write a clear purpose statement, or name your choice.
18–19 min
Write
Follow your plan one paragraph at a time. Don't stop to polish; if a word won't come, use a simpler one and keep going.
3 min
Check
Reread for the errors you know you make — articles, verb tense, agreement — and make sure every point in the instructions has been answered.

The four scoring criteria

Trained raters score both responses on the same four dimensions. These are the factors Paragon lists under each one.

Content/Coherence

The number and quality of your ideas, how they are organized, and the examples and supporting details behind them.

One concrete detail — a date, a number, a consequence — develops a point more than three extra adjectives.

Vocabulary

Word choice, using words and phrases that suit the situation, range, and precision.

Replace vague words like good, bad and thing with precise ones, and put the prompt in your own words instead of copying it.

Readability

Format and paragraphing, connectors and transitions, grammar and sentence structure, spelling and punctuation.

Leave a clear break between paragraphs, and use a connector only where ideas really add to, contrast with or follow from each other.

Connectors and transitions by function

Task Fulfillment

Relevance, completeness, tone and word count.

Treat the instructions as a checklist, keep one tone from start to finish, and land near the suggested length.

Paragon does not publish a formula for how the four dimensions combine into your level, so give each of them the same attention.

What each CLB level looks like in Writing

From level 3 up, a CELPIP level equals the same CLB level: CELPIP 7 is CLB 7. These summaries follow the official CELPIP level descriptors for Writing.

CLB 5–6Acquiring to developing

Short, coherent texts that express a main idea with some supporting detail, in common words and phrases. Simple grammar is under good control and related ideas begin to be grouped into paragraphs, but the tone is only sometimes right for the situation.

CLB 7Adequate

Short, moderately complex factual texts. The main idea has supporting detail, related ideas are organized into paragraphs and some context-specific words appear. Simple grammar, spelling and punctuation are well controlled, complex structures adequately, and the tone follows most common writing conventions.

CLB 8Good

A main idea developed with supporting details, in well-organized paragraphs. Complex grammar, spelling and punctuation are under good control, and the tone follows common writing conventions.

CLB 9Effective

Formal and informal texts of some complexity. Key ideas are backed by relevant facts and details, word choice gives accurate descriptions and comparisons, and a range of complex grammar is controlled. The tone follows most informal and some formal conventions.

CLB 10Highly effective

Precise details, descriptions and comparisons, clear transitions within and between paragraphs, and good control of a range of complex structures. The tone follows most formal and informal conventions.

CLB 11–12Advanced to expert

Writing for an undefined audience in formal or informal situations, with ideas developed through relevant facts and descriptions, specialized and formal vocabulary, and accurate control of a broad range of complex grammar.

For immigration, the Federal Skilled Worker Program needs at least CLB 7 in Writing and in each other ability. In Express Entry, CLB 9 or higher in all four abilities earns the higher skill-transferability points for language, and for an applicant without a spouse or partner a single ability is worth 17 points at CLB 7 and 31 at CLB 9. Check IRCC for the program you are applying to.

What CLB 9, 10 and 11 actually require

Common mistakes that hold a score down

Most of these are habits rather than gaps in your English, and each one costs a specific criterion.

1Leaving out one of the required pointsNumber the points in the instructions before you write and tick each one off. Completeness is part of task fulfillment.
2A tone that doesn't fit the readerDecide who is reading — a landlord, a manager, a friend — and keep the same register from the greeting to the sign-off.
3Claims with no support"Better and more convenient" tells the rater nothing. After every reason, add a concrete example, number or consequence.
4Hiding your choice in Task 2Name the option you prefer in the first sentence and spend the rest of the response supporting it.
5One block of textGive each point its own paragraph. Paragraphing is scored under readability, and it makes your structure visible.
6Memorised sentences that don't fitLearn a structure, not a script. A sentence you could paste into any prompt says nothing about this one.
7Texting languageShort forms like gonna, wanna or u, and emojis, belong in text messages. Keep them out of both tasks.

12 mistakes that cap you at CLB 7, with fixes

Practise both tasks under real timing

The free full mock exam includes both Writing tasks with the official time limits and returns an AI-estimated CLB band with a breakdown across the four criteria. Still learning a task? Practice mode lets you take it on its own, untimed.

See the free CELPIP mock test

Sources: CELPIP test format · CELPIP level descriptors · CELPIP Writing study pack

How to practice CELPIP Writing free on FlexiLingo

Practice real prompts, compare your answer to sample responses at CLB 7, 9, and 11, and get AI feedback that shows exactly which dimension is holding your band down.

1Write a Task 1 email and a Task 2 survey response against real prompts.
2Compare against band-by-band sample answers to see what a CLB 9+ answer does.
3Get AI feedback on content, vocabulary, readability, and task fulfillment.

Quick tips to raise your band

Answer the whole prompt — completeness is part of your task-fulfillment score.
Use clear connectors to organize paragraphs; readability is scored.
Leave about three minutes to proofread for verb tense and article errors.

CELPIP Writing guides & samples

Task 1: Email Template Task 1: Sample Emails Task 2: Survey Response Task 2: Sample Answers Connectors & Transitions Grammar for CLB 9

Frequently asked questions

Is CELPIP Writing practice free?

Yes. Taking Writing practice is free. The free plan includes 40 AI scorings a month, shared with Speaking, and Pro removes the monthly limit.

What are the two CELPIP Writing tasks?

Task 1 is writing an email in response to a situation; Task 2 is responding to survey questions by choosing an option and justifying it.

How is CELPIP Writing scored?

On four dimensions: content/coherence, vocabulary, readability and task fulfillment. Trained raters score each response, and your Writing level is derived from their ratings. CELPIP 7 equals CLB 7, CELPIP 9 equals CLB 9, and so on.

How long is the CELPIP Writing section?

53 minutes: 27 minutes for Task 1, the email, and 26 minutes for Task 2, the survey response.

What happens if I write fewer than 150 or more than 200 words?

The instructions ask for about 150–200 words, and word count is one of the factors under task fulfillment. Paragon does not publish a fixed penalty. A response far below the range usually leaves a point underdeveloped, and one far above it leaves little time to check for errors.

Can I use a template for CELPIP Writing?

A flexible structure helps: greeting, purpose, one paragraph per point, closing. Memorised sentences do not. When they don't fit the prompt they read as off-task and pull you away from the points you were asked to cover.

What CELPIP Writing level do I need for Express Entry?

The Federal Skilled Worker Program needs at least CLB 7 in every ability, Writing included. Higher levels earn more Comprehensive Ranking System points, and CLB 9 or higher in all four abilities earns the higher skill-transferability points for language. Always check IRCC for your program.

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