CELPIP Writing Practice Course: Task 1: Writing an Email

1. Question 1 of 17

   What is a Task 1 email usually about?

   • AAn academic topic, like a short research essay
   • BA news article that you must summarize
   • CAn everyday matter, like a problem
   • DA formal letter to a government minister
   Show answer

   Answer: C. An everyday matter, like a problem

   Task 1 asks for an email about an everyday matter. It is not an essay, a summary or a letter to a government member.

2. Question 2 of 17

   In Task 1, about how many things are you usually asked to do in your email?

   • AAbout three
   • BAbout ten things
   • CAbout six things
   • DOnly one thing
   Show answer

   Answer: A. About three

   The official overview says you will usually be asked to do around three things, listed in the instructions.

3. Question 3 of 17

   How formal should a Task 1 email be?

   • AIt does not matter, because tone is not rated
   • BVery formal, like a legal contract
   • CNeither too formal nor too informal
   • DVery informal, like a text to a close friend
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Neither too formal nor too informal

   The reader is usually not a friend or family member, and not a government official, so the tone should be in the middle. Tone is part of Task Fulfillment.

4. Question 4 of 17

   What should the first sentence or two of your email do?

   • ADescribe the weather where you live
   • BApologize for taking the reader's time
   • CState the purpose of the email
   • DList every complaint in point form
   Show answer

   Answer: C. State the purpose of the email

   Start with a purpose statement so the reader knows right away why you are writing.

5. Question 5 of 17

   You are writing to a landlord you have never met, Mr. Daniel Fraser. Which greeting is best?

   • ADear Sir or Madam,
   • BDear Mr. Fraser,
   • CHi buddy,
   • DHey Dan!
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Dear Mr. Fraser,

   Use a polite greeting with the title and family name when you know the name. "Dear Sir or Madam" is for when you do not know the name.

6. Question 6 of 17

   Which sign-off best fits an email to a store's customer service team?

   • ABye for now, talk soon!!
   • BLots of love, Maria Santos!
   • CSee ya later, Maria S.
   • DKind regards, Maria Santos
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Kind regards, Maria Santos

   "Kind regards" is a polite sign-off for someone you do not know personally. Add your full name after it.

7. Question 7 of 17

   You need to ask your manager for a day off. Which sentence is the best purpose statement?

   • AThere is something that I need to talk about with you at some point.
   • BMany families in Canada hold big celebrations when their children graduate.
   • CI'm writing to ask for Friday, May 16, off for my son's graduation.
   • DI hope you are well and that the busy season is going smoothly for you.
   Show answer

   Answer: C. I'm writing to ask for Friday, May 16, off for my son's graduation.

   A good purpose statement says clearly what you want and gives the key detail. The other sentences do not tell the manager why you are writing.

8. Question 8 of 17

   An email prompt says: "Explain why you need a schedule change." Which sentence does this best?

   • AI have worked in the shipping department for almost three years.
   • BMy class starts at 6 p.m., so I must leave by 5 p.m. on Tuesdays.
   • CPlease reply to this email as soon as you have a chance to read it.
   • DI would really like to change my schedule soon, if that is all right.
   Show answer

   Answer: B. My class starts at 6 p.m., so I must leave by 5 p.m. on Tuesdays.

   The task asks for a reason. Only this sentence explains why the change is needed, with a specific detail.

9. Question 9 of 17

   How should you organize the body of a Task 1 email?

   • AOne paragraph for each point in the instructions
   • BA single sentence that mentions every point
   • CA numbered list of short notes with no sentences
   • DOne long paragraph with all the points mixed together
   Show answer

   Answer: A. One paragraph for each point in the instructions

   Start a new paragraph for each main idea. Using one paragraph per bullet point also helps you check that nothing is missing.

10. Question 10 of 17

    What should the concluding statement of your email do?

    • ASummarize the email or say what you want the reader to do
    • BRepeat the greeting from the start of the email word for word
    • CIntroduce a new problem that was not mentioned in the email
    • DApologize to the reader for writing such a long email
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Summarize the email or say what you want the reader to do

    End with a sentence that sums up the email or tells the reader the action you want, then add a sign-off.

11. Question 11 of 17

    What is the best way to make your email specific and believable?

    • AChange the situation in the prompt to one you know better
    • BCopy the sentences from the prompt into your email word for word
    • CAdd realistic details such as dates, times and examples
    • DWrite about a different problem that you have had in the past
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Add realistic details such as dates, times and examples

    Supporting details make ideas clear. You can add realistic details, but official advice is not to change or ignore the information given in the question.

12. Question 12 of 17

    Read the prompt and sample response. Which part of the task is missing from the response?

    Prompt: You bought a coffee maker online, but it stopped working after one week. Write an email to the store's customer service team. In your email: describe the product and when you bought it; explain what is wrong with it; say what you would like the store to do.

    Sample response:

    Dear Customer Service Team,

    I am writing about a coffee maker that I ordered from your website on June 4 (order number 55218). It is the black 12-cup model.

    Unfortunately, it stopped working after only one week. When I press the power button, the light turns on, but the water does not heat up. I have followed every step in the instruction booklet, and I have tried two different outlets in my kitchen.

    Thank you for your time.

    Sincerely,
    Ravi Menon

    • ASaying what he would like the store to do
    • BA greeting and a sign-off
    • CExplaining what is wrong with the coffee maker
    • DDescribing the product and when he bought it
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Saying what he would like the store to do

    The response describes the product and the problem, but it never asks for a refund, repair or replacement. The third point is not addressed.

13. Question 13 of 17

    Which rating dimension is most directly affected by the missing point in this response?

    Prompt: You bought a coffee maker online, but it stopped working after one week. Write an email to the store's customer service team. In your email: describe the product and when you bought it; explain what is wrong with it; say what you would like the store to do.

    Sample response:

    Dear Customer Service Team,

    I am writing about a coffee maker that I ordered from your website on June 4 (order number 55218). It is the black 12-cup model.

    Unfortunately, it stopped working after only one week. When I press the power button, the light turns on, but the water does not heat up. I have followed every step in the instruction booklet, and I have tried two different outlets in my kitchen.

    Thank you for your time.

    Sincerely,
    Ravi Menon

    • ATask Fulfillment
    • BReadability
    • CNone, because only grammar is rated
    • DVocabulary
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Task Fulfillment

    Task Fulfillment includes completeness: did you do everything the instructions asked? Leaving out a required point weakens it.

14. Question 14 of 17

    Which sentence would best fix this response if added before "Thank you for your time"?

    Prompt: You bought a coffee maker online, but it stopped working after one week. Write an email to the store's customer service team. In your email: describe the product and when you bought it; explain what is wrong with it; say what you would like the store to do.

    Sample response:

    Dear Customer Service Team,

    I am writing about a coffee maker that I ordered from your website on June 4 (order number 55218). It is the black 12-cup model.

    Unfortunately, it stopped working after only one week. When I press the power button, the light turns on, but the water does not heat up. I have followed every step in the instruction booklet, and I have tried two different outlets in my kitchen.

    Thank you for your time.

    Sincerely,
    Ravi Menon

    • AI also bought a toaster from your store last year, and it works well.
    • BI would like you to send a replacement or give me a full refund.
    • CYour website is easy to use, and the delivery was quite fast.
    • DCoffee makers are very useful for busy people in the morning.
    Show answer

    Answer: B. I would like you to send a replacement or give me a full refund.

    This sentence completes the third point by saying what the writer wants the store to do. The others do not answer any bullet point.

15. Question 15 of 17

    Read the prompt and sample response. Which description of its problems is most accurate?

    Prompt: Your manager has asked staff to suggest ideas for the company's end-of-year party. Write an email to your manager. In your email: suggest an activity; explain why staff would enjoy it; offer to help organize it.

    Sample response:

    hey boss!!

    party ideas:
    - bowling
    - food truck
    - karaoke

    pls let me know asap thx
    Jay

    • AGives too many detailed reasons for each idea
    • BToo casual, in point form, and far too short
    • CToo formal, too polite and much longer than 200 words
    • DWell written and well organized, with no real problems
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Too casual, in point form, and far too short

    The response uses slang and texting forms, lists notes instead of sentences, and is far below 150 words. It also does not explain why staff would enjoy the ideas or offer to help.

16. Question 16 of 17

    What makes the first sentence of this email effective?

    Sample email opening:

    Dear Ms. Tremblay,

    I am writing to ask whether I could change my work schedule from mornings to afternoons starting in September. I have recently enrolled in a college program, and my classes are held every weekday morning.

    • AIt uses slang to sound friendly and relaxed
    • BIt states the purpose clearly and gives a time
    • CIt describes the writer's hobbies in detail
    • DIt apologizes several times before the request
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It states the purpose clearly and gives a time

    The opening sentence tells the reader right away what the writer wants and when. That is a strong purpose statement.

17. Question 17 of 17

    Which closing sentence would best suit this email?

    Sample email opening:

    Dear Ms. Tremblay,

    I am writing to ask whether I could change my work schedule from mornings to afternoons starting in September. I have recently enrolled in a college program, and my classes are held every weekday morning.

    • AWrite back to me today with a yes, because I need to know now.
    • BThat's all I wanted to say, so bye for now and talk to you later.
    • CPlease let me know if this change is possible. I'm happy to discuss it.
    • DAnyway, whatever works for you is fine, I guess, so let me know.
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Please let me know if this change is possible. I'm happy to discuss it.

    A good closing tells the reader what you would like them to do and keeps a polite, professional tone.

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