CELPIP Writing Task 10+ How to write a perfect response
Model Answers, Vocabulary and Grammar Strategies + Practice + checklist
By Language Flow Lab | CELPIP Writing Preparation
Develop a Writing Strategy You Can Use Every Time
Strong CELPIP responses follow a consistent process: understand the question, plan your response, develop relevant ideas, and review for accuracy. A high-scoring response is not about using fancy words; it is about developing your ideas clearly and supporting them with relevant explanations.
For Task 1, prioritize a clear purpose, a polite request, a relevant explanation, and practical reassurance.
For Task 2, prioritize a clear position, developed reasons, logical connections, and a consistent conclusion.
This guide covers both writing tasks, with sample answers, practical planning frameworks, and checklists to help you write clearly and confidently.
Part 1: CELPIP Writing Task 1 —Formal E-mail
Question
You are studying overseas and need to return to your home country before the end of the semester to attend an important family event.
Write a letter to your academic supervisor. In your letter:
Explain why you need to leave early.
Request permission to take time off.
Reassure your supervisor that your studies will not suffer.
Your letter needs to accomplish three things: explain the situation, make a clear request, and describe how you will manage your academic responsibilities.
Sample answer
Dear Mr. Anderson,
I am writing to request permission to leave before the end of the semester to attend an important family event in my home country. My sister’s wedding date has unexpectedly been moved forward by two months due to personal circumstances, making my early departure necessary.
I would be grateful if you would consider granting me a short leave of absence. As I have maintained consistent attendance and strong academic performance throughout the semester, I am committed to meeting my academic responsibilities despite this change in plans.
Please be assured that my studies will remain a priority while I am away. I intend to bring my study materials, review any missed lessons, and use online resources to complete assignments by their deadlines. I will also contact my instructors in advance to clarify any outstanding coursework.
I understand the importance of completing the semester successfully and will make every effort to ensure that my absence does not affect my progress. I would appreciate your guidance regarding any additional arrangements I should make before leaving.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
This sample illustrates effective task fulfilment, organization, and formal language. It does not guarantee a particular CELPIP score.
How to organize your e-mail
Use this five-part framework:
Purpose → Request → Reason → Reassurance → Closing
Paragraph | Function |
1. Purpose | Explain why you are writing. |
2. Request | Ask for permission politely and provide relevant context. |
3. Reason | Explain why you need to leave early. |
4. Reassurance | Describe how you will manage your studies. |
5. Closing | Thank the reader and invite further instructions. |
The most important paragraph to develop carefully is the reassurance paragraph. Instead of simply promising not to fall behind, explain the actions you will take, such as reviewing missed lessons, completing assignments, and contacting instructors.
Language strategies for Task 1
Use precise, professional expressions
Basic expression | More formal alternative |
I want to ask for time off. | I am writing to request permission to take a short leave of absence. |
I got good grades. | I have maintained strong academic performance. |
I need to go home early. | I need to return to my home country before the semester concludes. |
I will study while I am away. | I will use available resources to keep up with my coursework. |
Choose language that sounds natural in context. Advanced vocabulary is useful only when it communicates your meaning accurately.
Vary your sentence structures
Complex sentences help connect ideas, but not every sentence needs to be complicated.
Example: “Although I will need to miss some classes, I intend to keep up with the course material while I am away.”
Also check common accuracy issues:
Subject–verb agreement and verb forms.
Articles and prepositions.
Apostrophes and commas.
Natural word choice and spelling.
For this specific writing task checklist, pay attention to the dimension below
Task 1 checklist
Content and organization
Have I explained why I need to leave early?
Have I made a clear, polite request?
Have I described how I will manage my studies?
Does each paragraph have a clear purpose?
Is my tone appropriate for a formal letter?
Language accuracy
Have I checked grammar, spelling, and punctuation?
Are my vocabulary choices natural and precise?
Does my response follow the word limit and instructions?
Part 2: CELPIP Writing Task 2 — Survey Response
Question
Your local municipality is considering two projects for residents.
Option A: An amusement park
Open to families.
Includes a playground and a water park.
Option B: A local theatre
Hosts a variety of performances on a wide range of topics.
Which project would you prefer your municipality to develop? Explain your choice and support your opinion with reasons.
Sample answer
While both projects offer cultural and recreational benefits, I believe an amusement park would provide a more inclusive space where residents of different ages could enjoy a variety of activities.
To begin with, an amusement park would appeal to a broader audience by offering entertainment for children, teenagers, and adults. The playground and water park would encourage physical activity while giving families opportunities to spend quality time together. These shared experiences could strengthen family relationships and create lasting memories.
Moreover, the facility could attract visitors from neighbouring communities, boosting local tourism and supporting nearby businesses. Increased visitor spending could benefit restaurants, shops, and other local services, contributing to the town’s economic growth.
Admittedly, a local theatre would enrich the community by providing access to artistic performances and cultural events. However, some residents might find ticket prices prohibitive, particularly if they have large families. An amusement park, by contrast, could offer a wider range of recreational activities in one location.
In conclusion, I strongly support developing an amusement park because it would encourage family bonding, promote community engagement, and create opportunities for local economic growth.
This sample demonstrates a clear position and developed supporting points. It is not a guarantee of a particular score.
Plan your response before writing
Spend approximately two to three minutes brainstorming. Choose the option you can support most convincingly.
Paragraph | Purpose | Example ideas |
Introduction | State your preference and main reason. | An amusement park offers inclusive recreation. |
Body 1 | Explain the first major benefit. | Activities for different ages; family bonding. |
Body 2 | Develop another benefit and compare the alternative. | Tourism and local businesses; theatre ticket affordability. |
Conclusion | Reinforce your preference. | Recreation, community engagement, and economic growth. |
You do not need to use every idea you brainstorm. Select your strongest points and explain why they matter.
Four strategies for a stronger argument
Strategy 1: Develop each point using What, Why, and How
Avoid simply listing benefits.
What: An amusement park would provide entertainment for different age groups.
Why: It would appeal to children, teenagers, and adults.
How: The playground and water park would encourage activity and give families opportunities to spend time together.
This framework helps you explain the impact of each point instead of adding unnecessary words.
Strategy 2: Use connectors purposefully
Purpose | Useful expressions |
Introduce a point | To begin with |
Add an idea | Moreover, Furthermore |
Show contrast | However, Although |
Explain a result | Consequently, As a result |
Conclude | In conclusion, Overall |
Use connectors only when they express a genuine relationship between ideas. Too many can make your writing sound mechanical.
Strategy 3: Choose precise vocabulary
Basic expression | More precise alternative |
Good for everyone | Inclusive |
Help tourism | Boost local tourism |
Improve the economy | Stimulate local economic growth |
Make people feel closer | Strengthen community connections |
Strongly support | Wholeheartedly support |
Prioritize accuracy and natural phrasing over impressive-sounding expressions. For example, the idiom “barking up the wrong tree” may feel out of place in a formal survey response. A direct explanation is often clearer.
Strategy 4: Compare the alternative fairly
Briefly acknowledge the other option’s strengths before explaining why your preferred choice better meets your priorities.
Example: “Although a local theatre would enrich the community culturally, an amusement park could offer recreational activities that appeal to a wider range of age groups.”
Avoid unsupported generalizations. Qualifying a claim with words such as could, may, or some can make your reasoning more credible when the outcome depends on circumstances.
For this specific writing task checklist, pay attention to the dimension below
Task 2 checklist
Content and organization
Have I clearly stated my preference?
Does each body paragraph have a clear purpose?
Have I explained why my reasons matter?
Have I supported my position with relevant details?
Does my conclusion reinforce my argument?
Language accuracy
Have I used connectors and vocabulary appropriately?
Have I varied my sentence structures?
Have I checked grammar, spelling, and punctuation?
Does my response follow the word limit and instructions?
Practise and Improve
Task 1: Writing an Email (27 minutes)
Read the following information.
In the mail, you received an advertisement about the opening of a new department store. The advertisement said that they have many items at special low prices. However, when you went to the store, you could not find the items.
Write an email to the department store manager in about 150–200 words. Your email should do the following things:
- Explain why you went to the opening.
- Complain about the store not having the items they advertised.
- Describe how you would like the store to fix the problem.
Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions (26minutes)
Read the following information.
Barbecues on Balconies Survey
Your apartment manager is surveying your opinion about people using barbecues on their apartment balconies. The apartment balconies are small. Some residents think that because barbecues can cause smoke and catch fire, they should not be allowed. However, others think that using barbecues should be allowed because people like to enjoy summer food at their home. Your manager asked you to complete an opinion survey.
Choose the option that you prefer. Why do you prefer your choice? Explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150-200 words.
Option A: Residents should not be allowed to use barbecues on their balconies.
Option B: Residents should be allowed to use barbecues on their balconies.
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At Language Flow Lab, we approach writing through planning, drafting, feedback, and revision. The goal is to identify your most significant gap and focus on the improvements that will make the greatest difference.
These examples are instructional resources, not official CELPIP scoring materials. Follow the current test instructions and word limits. No sample or template can guarantee a Level 12 score.
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