CELPIP Writing Task 1: The Email Template That Gets You a 9+ (Share Yours!)

Most people lose marks on Writing Task 1 NOT because of grammar — but because they don't follow a clear structure the examiner can easily score.

Here's the 5-step framework that consistently produces high scores:

Step 0 – Salutation Match: Your opening greeting MUST match your closing sign-off. "Dear Sir or Madam" → "Yours Faithfully." "Dear [First Name]" → "Best Regards." Mismatching these is a red flag for the examiner.

Step 1 – Opening (Who + Why): Don't just say "I am a customer." Use Present Perfect to show history: "I have been a resident of unit 1207 for five years." This one shift makes you sound 10x more natural and demands the reader's respect.

Step 2 – Bullet Point 1 (Set the Scene): Use transition phrases like "To briefly review the situation…" to guide the examiner through your email smoothly. This is your context paragraph.

Step 3 – Bullet Point 2 (The Problem): This is where you flex complex grammar. Use subordinating conjunctions (although, since, furthermore) to connect problems with consequences. Short choppy sentences = low score.

Step 4 – Bullet Point 3 (The Solution): Use modals like "I would suggest" or "I strongly urge" instead of "I want." Polite but firm = high marks.

Step 5 – Closing + Signature: "Thank you in advance for taking this matter into consideration." + Sign-off + Full Name. Never skip your name — it's a formatting error that costs you marks.

Remember, examiners score on 4 criteria: Task Fulfillment, Coherence & Cohesion, Grammar Range, and Vocabulary. Once you start targeting each one deliberately instead of just "writing a good email," your score jumps significantly.

Quick cheat sheet for opening lines by email type:

• Complaint: "I am writing to express my dissatisfaction regarding…"
• Request: "I am writing to inquire about… and request…"
• Suggestion: "I am writing to offer a suggestion regarding…"
• Apology: "I am writing to express my sincere apologies regarding…"
• Incident Report: "I am writing to formally report an incident regarding…"

Now we want to hear from YOU:

• What template or structure do you use for Writing Task 1?
• Any specific phrases or tricks that boosted your score?
• Did you struggle more with time management or content?

Drop your template below — let's build the ultimate resource for this community together. 👇