CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) Writing is one of the four sections of the CELPIP-General test used for Canadian immigration and professional purposes.
The CELPIP writing section evaluates your ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English.
For an overview of the CELPIP Writing section, please watch this video:
CELPIP Writing Test Format
The CELPIP Writing section consists of two tasks and lasts 53 minutes:
Task 1: Writing an Email (27 minutes)
You must write an email (150-200 words) based on a given situation. The situation might be formal (e.g., writing to a company, boss, or government office) or semi-formal/informal (e.g., writing to a friend or colleague).
The email should include:
- A proper greeting (Dear [Name],)
- A clear purpose for writing
- Well-organized paragraphs
- A polite closing
CELPIP Writing Task 1 Sample Question
On test day, when Writing Task 1 appears on your computer screen, it will look like this:
CELPIP Writing Task 1: Plan Your Answer and Follow These 4 Steps
You have 27 minutes to complete Task 1. CELPIP strongly recommends that you spend around 4-5 minutes planning your response before writing. Here are 4 steps that you can follow to help improve your answer on test day.
Step 1: Think of several rough ideas and write them down as notes. Use point form and don’t worry about spelling/grammar.
Step 2: Start your email with a ‘purpose’ statement (the reason you are writing)
Step 3: Choose your main ideas and begin to put those ideas in order. For each main idea, think of supporting details.
Step 4: Finally, write a strong, clear, and purposeful statement.
It is also recommended that you spend around 3 minutes checking your response after you write. Reread your response several times to ensure you can’t see any mistakes, the ideas are organized, and you answered the whole question.
CELPIP Writing Task 1: Sample Answer with steps
| Text Input | Explanation |
| Dear Restaurant Manager, | Here, we added a salutation. |
| I am writing because when I recently visited your restaurant on March 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM, I had a disappointing experience. | This sentence contains both a purpose statement and deals with the first bullet point: date and time |
| First, the service was extremely slow. It took over 30 minutes for the waiter to take our order, and we had to remind the staff multiple times. Additionally, when the food finally arrived, my grilled salmon was undercooked, making it unsafe to eat. Despite informing the waiter, no replacement was offered. To make matters worse, the restaurant was not clean, with food crumbs on the table and a sticky floor. | This paragraph deals with the second bullet point- ‘the problem you faced’. Note that it begins addressing ‘the problem’: the slow service. This is further supported by several additional points, including food quality and restaurant cleanliness. |
| I expected a much better experience, as your restaurant has good reviews. I would appreciate it if you could offer a partial refund or a discount on my next visit as compensation. I hope you take my feedback seriously and improve your service. | This paragraph deals with the third bullet point- a request for compensation or an apology. Note that it is firm, but polite in tone. |
| Looking forward to your response.Best regards, John Smith |
A closing and sign-off is required to complete the email. |
CELPIP Writing Task 2: Responding to a Survey (26 minutes)
For CELPIP Writing Task 2, you will be given a statement and two options. You need to choose one option and explain why you chose that option. Make sure you only select one option and explain it. The time limit for the task will be 26 minutes, and the answer needs to be 150-200 words long.
- You are given a survey question with two options to choose from.
- You must write a response (150-200 words) explaining and supporting your choice with two or three reasons.
- The structure should include:
- An introduction stating your opinion
- Body paragraphs with supporting reasons/examples
- A conclusion summarizing your view
CELPIP Writing Task 2 question example
CELPIP Writing Task 2: Plan Your Answer and Follow These 4 Steps
As mentioned above, you have 26 minutes to plan and write a 150 – 150 word answer. Here is a 4 step strategy to help you improve your CELPIP Writing Task 2 score.
Step 1: Read and understand the question carefully by clearly understanding the scenario given in the left-hand column of the question. Once you have done that, then read the information you are given in the right hand column. It will include the instructions and the two answer options you are given. Note that the instruction says to explain your reasons for your chosen option.
Tip: You don’t need to choose the “right” option. Choose the one you can write about more convincingly!
Step 2: Plan your answer by, first, choosing one answer option and sticking to it. Then, think of two strong reasons why your choice might be better. It is important that you think of a specific example for each reason.
For example: if the question asks whether a career development program or a fitness program is better, your reasons might be:
Reason 1: a career development program helps unemployed people find jobs → Example: your friend who got a job after resume training.
Reason 2: career growth helps to build a better economy → Example: employees get access to higher paid jobs if they have better skills.
Step 3: Write your response using a clear and structured format that includes:
Introduction (2-3 sentences):
- State your choice clearly.
- Mention why it is better.
Body Paragraph 1 (4-5 sentences):
- State Reason 1.
- Give a specific example to support it.
Body Paragraph 2 (4-5 sentences):
- State Reason 2.
- Give another specific example.
Conclusion (2-3 sentences):
- Summarize your points.
- Restate why your choice is the best option.
Step 4: Review and edit (3-5 min)
- Check for grammar & spelling mistakes
- Ensure sentence variety (mix of short and long sentences)
- Use transition words (e.g., firstly, secondly, in addition, therefore)
- Keep it formal but natural.
CELPIP Writing Task 2: Sample Answer with steps
| I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts on the new program. In my opinion, a career development program would be more beneficial for residents. Here are my reasons. | Introduction: This sentence contains both a purpose statement and provides a good introduction that clearly states your choice- ‘in my opinion career development…’ |
| First, many people in our community struggle with finding jobs due to a lack of proper guidance. A program that offers job search support, resume writing workshops, and interview coaching can help individuals gain employment and achieve financial stability. For instance, a friend of mine recently spent months looking for a job, but after receiving resume feedback and attending interview training, he secured a great position. | Body Paragraph 1: The first sentence states your first reason for choosing this answer option: ‘lack of proper guidance’. This is then supported by specific and more detailed answers to support it. |
|
Second, career growth is essential for long-term success. Many residents may already have jobs but want to advance in their careers. By providing networking opportunities and skills training, the program can help people move up in their fields. This would lead to a stronger economy and a more satisfied community.. |
Body Paragraph 2: The second sentence states your second reason for choosing this answer option: ‘career growth’. This is then supported by specific and more detailed answers to support it. |
| Although fitness programs are valuable, individuals can find free exercise routines online. In contrast, career guidance requires professional support, which the community center can provide effectively.For these reasons, I strongly support the career development program, as it will help more people find stable jobs and improve their future prospects. |
Conclusion: A strong conclusion that re-states your position with a supporting statement completes the essay. |
CELPIP Writing task 2 pro tip: Don’t forget to review your answers
After you have written a draft of your answer, you need to review and edit it. This step is assisted by knowing the scoring criteria CELPIP uses. You want to edit your draft with an eye to ensuring that you tick off all scoring requirements:
- Content/Task Fulfillment – Did you address all parts of the task?
- Coherence & Organization – Is your response well-structured and logical?
- Vocabulary – Did you use a variety of words correctly?
- Grammar & Accuracy – Are your sentences correct and well-formed?
- Spelling & Word Choice – Did you avoid major spelling errors?
Next Steps
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