MapleSpeakWhat the task looks like
You read a short situation, such as a problem with something you bought or an idea for your workplace. Below it, the task lists three things your email must do. You have 27 minutes and the box counts your words as you type.
| Time | 27 minutes |
|---|---|
| Length | 150 to 200 words |
| Points to cover | Three, listed in the task |
| Scored on | Content and coherence, vocabulary, readability, task fulfillment |
| Spell check | None |
Choose the tone first
Before you write a word, look at who will read the email. The same content written in the wrong tone loses points for task fulfillment.
| Reader | Greeting | Closing | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| A company, manager or official you don’t know | Dear Customer Service Team, / Dear Mr. Chen, | Sincerely, / Best regards, | Full sentences, no contractions, polite requests |
| Your manager or a colleague | Dear Ms. Taylor, / Hi Sam, | Kind regards, / Thanks, | Polite and direct, a few contractions are fine |
| A friend or family member | Hi Jenna, / Dear Uncle Tom, | Love, / See you soon, | Warm, natural, contractions welcome |
The template
Five parts, in this order. The three middle paragraphs follow the three points in the task, in the same order, so the reader can see you covered each one.
1. Greeting. Dear [name], or Hi [name],
2. Purpose, one or two sentences. I am writing about… / I’m so happy you’re coming to visit…
3. Point 1, one paragraph. The facts: what, when, where, with one specific detail.
4. Point 2, one paragraph. The problem, idea or plan, with a reason or example.
5. Point 3, one paragraph. What you want, suggest or offer. Make it concrete.
6. Closing line and sign-off. Thank you for your help. / I can’t wait to see you! Then Best regards, and your name.
Useful phrases for each part:
- Opening: I am writing to… · I am writing about… · Thank you for asking us for ideas…
- Explaining: Unfortunately, … · As a result, … · This was disappointing because…
- Requesting: I would appreciate it if you could… · Could you please… · I would like…
- Offering: I would be happy to… · Please let me know if… · I can also…
- Closing: Thank you for your attention. · I look forward to your reply. · I hope to hear from you soon.
Sample 1: a formal complaint
You bought a coffee maker from an online store, but it stopped working after one week. Write an email to the store’s customer service department in about 150 to 200 words. In your email: describe what you bought and when; explain the problem; say what you would like the store to do.
Dear Customer Service Team, I am writing about a coffee maker I ordered from your website on March 3. It is the BrewMaster 300 in black, order number 48215, and it arrived two days later. Unfortunately, the machine stopped working after only one week. On the first days it worked well, but now the power light turns on and nothing else happens. The water does not heat, and no coffee comes out. I followed all the instructions in the manual and tried different outlets, so I am sure the problem is with the machine. I would appreciate it if you could send me a replacement as soon as possible. If that is not possible, I would like a full refund, including the shipping cost. I still have the original box and the receipt, and I can send photos of the problem if you need them. Thank you for your help. I look forward to your reply. Best regards, Samir Haddad
Why it works: one paragraph per point, in the order of the task. Specific details (the model, order number and date) make the content believable. The request offers a second option, and the tone stays polite even though it is a complaint.
Sample 2: an idea for your manager
Your manager has asked employees for ideas to make the workplace better. Write an email to your manager in about 150 to 200 words. In your email: describe one problem at work now; explain your idea; say how your idea would help employees.
Dear Ms. Taylor, Thank you for asking us for ideas to improve our workplace. I would like to share one suggestion. Right now, our break room is very small, and it only has four chairs. At lunchtime, many employees eat at their desks because there is no space. As a result, people do not really take a break, and some colleagues say they feel tired in the afternoon. My idea is to turn the empty meeting room on the second floor into a second break room. We could add a few tables, a microwave and some plants. It would not be expensive, because we already have extra furniture in storage. I believe this change would help employees relax and come back to work with more energy. It would also give people from different teams a chance to talk and get to know each other better. Please let me know if you would like me to help organize it. Kind regards, Elena Ruiz
Why it works: the problem has a cause and an effect, the idea answers that exact problem, and the benefits link back to it. Mentioning that the idea is cheap anticipates the manager’s first question.
Sample 3: a friendly email
A friend who lives in another city is coming to visit you next month. Write an email to your friend in about 150 to 200 words. In your email: suggest places you can visit together; recommend what to bring; offer to help with something during the visit.
Hi Jenna, I’m so happy you’re coming to visit next month! I’ve already started planning what we can do together. First, I’d love to take you to the old harbour. There’s a great seafood restaurant there, and on Saturdays there’s a market with local food and crafts. If the weather is nice, we can also rent bikes and ride along the river trail. It’s about ten kilometres, so it’s not too hard. Since it’s still cold here in April, I recommend bringing a warm jacket and comfortable walking shoes. It often rains in the afternoon too, so an umbrella would be useful. You don’t need to book a hotel, because you can stay in my guest room. I can also pick you up at the train station when you arrive, so just send me your arrival time. And if there is anything special you would like to do, tell me and I’ll add it to our plan. I can’t wait to see you! Love, Maya
Why it works: a warm, natural tone with contractions, but the same clear structure. Every suggestion has a reason (it’s cold, it often rains), which shows range without sounding formal.
A plan for the 27 minutes
| Minutes | What to do |
|---|---|
| 0 to 3 | Read the task twice. Decide the tone. Write three key words for each point. |
| 3 to 22 | Write the email, one paragraph per point, in the task’s order. |
| 22 to 27 | Check that each point is covered, then check spelling, verb tenses and plurals. |
Common mistakes
- Missing a point. If the task lists three things, the reader should find three. A skipped point costs task fulfillment.
- The wrong tone. “Hey guys” to a store, or “Dear Sir or Madam” to your best friend.
- General content. “The product is bad” says less than “the power light turns on and nothing else happens”.
- One long paragraph. Paragraphs help readability, which is a quarter of the score.
- Going far over 200 words. It eats your checking time and adds errors.
Writing is one of the four skills that decide your CLB. See what each level unlocks in the CELPIP score chart, and the speaking side in our speaking sample answers.
Sources
Task timing, word count and rating criteria: CELPIP-General test format on celpip.ca and Paragon’s CELPIP-General overview study pack (2026). The sample tasks and emails were written for this guide and are not official CELPIP material. Checked October 7, 2026.
Questions
How many words should the CELPIP email be?
150 to 200 words. Writing much more takes time from checking and adds chances for errors; writing much less usually leaves a point underdeveloped.
Is CELPIP writing task 1 formal or informal?
It depends on who you are writing to. A company, manager or organizer needs a formal or semi-formal email; a friend or family member needs a friendly one. Choosing the right tone is part of task fulfillment.
Can I use a template in CELPIP writing?
Yes. A structure for the greeting, opening, one paragraph per point and closing saves time. Fill it with details from the task, and avoid memorised paragraphs that don’t answer the question.
Is there spell check in the CELPIP writing test?
No. The test has no spell check or grammar correction, so practise without autocorrect and keep a few minutes at the end to check your spelling.