CELPIP Writing Practice Course: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: How the Writing test works

The CELPIP-General test checks Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The official CELPIP website says it is used for permanent residence applications and is recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The CELPIP-General LS test checks only Listening and Speaking, so it has no Writing test.

CELPIP-General takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes in one sitting. The Writing test takes 53 minutes and has two tasks.

On the screen

• Background information is on the left; the specific instructions are on the right.
• An automatic word counter under each task shows your length.
• An automatic spelling checker helps, but when it offers a choice of words, you must pick the right one.

The official tips page says there is a little room to write a bit less or more than 150–200 words, but your score may go down if you are far over or far under.

How Writing is rated

Each Writing performance is rated by four to six trained raters who work independently. If their ratings disagree, a benchmark rater is automatically assigned. Raters use four dimensions, each with five performance levels.

The ratings are converted into a CELPIP level, and CELPIP levels line up with Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels. Scores are available 2–4 business days after the test date.

Themaquiz 1: How the Writing test works

Lesson 2: Task 1, Writing an Email

In Task 1 you write an email about an everyday matter, such as a problem with a service, a request to an employer or thanks to an organization. The reader is usually not a close friend or family member, and not a government official, so the email should be neither too formal nor too informal. You are usually asked to do about three things, listed in the instructions.

Read the prompt: three questions

1. Who am I writing to? A manager, landlord, store, coworker or community group?
2. Why am I writing? To complain, request, thank, suggest or explain?
3. What must I do? Each bullet point needs at least one sentence, and most need more.

A simple structure

1. Greeting that fits the reader.
2. Purpose statement: one or two sentences that say why you are writing.
3. One paragraph for each bullet point, with details such as dates, times, numbers and examples.
4. Concluding statement: sum up, or say what you want the reader to do.
5. Sign-off and your name.

Cover every point. In one official sample response, the rater notes say the third task was not addressed. A missing point lowers Task Fulfillment (completeness). You may add realistic details, such as a date or a unit number, but keep the situation the prompt gives you.

Self-check list (answer yes or no):

• Do the greeting and sign-off fit the reader?
• Does your first sentence state your purpose?
• Did you cover every bullet point in its own paragraph, with details?
• Is the tone polite, with no slang or sarcasm?
• Is it about 150–200 words, and did you reread for errors?

Self-check list (answer yes or no):

• Do the greeting and sign-off fit the reader?
• Does your first sentence state your purpose?
• Did you cover every bullet point in its own paragraph, with details?
• Is the tone polite, with no slang or sarcasm?
• Is it about 150–200 words, and did you reread for errors?

Themaquiz 2: Task 1: Writing an Email

Lesson 3: Task 2, Responding to Survey Questions

In Task 2 an organization, such as a city, an employer or a library, asks for your opinion. You read two options, choose one and explain why it is better. You have 26 minutes for about 150–200 words. Task 2 is not an email: no greeting and no sign-off.

A clear structure

1. Opinion statement: your first sentence names your choice.
2. Reasons: the official Target 5 study pack suggests 2–3 reasons, each in its own paragraph with an explanation and example.
3. Short comparison: the official Target 9 study pack advises comparing your choice with the other option. Say briefly why the other option is less useful, with "In contrast" or "However".
4. Conclusion: one sentence that sums up, such as "For these reasons, …"

Official advice is to focus on reasons, not suggestions or descriptions. A description says what an option is like. A reason says why it is better for people.

• Choose one option. A response that says "both are good" does not answer the question.
• Support each reason with an example: "For example, a family could grow beans all summer instead of buying them."
• Do not write an academic essay or use point form. Use paragraphs and transitions.
• Your tone can be slightly persuasive, but keep it respectful.

Self-check list (answer yes or no):

• Does your first sentence name ONE option?
• Did you give 2–3 reasons (not descriptions), each in its own paragraph with an example?
• Did you link ideas with connectors, without point form or email format?
• Is it about 150–200 words, and did you reread for errors?

Self-check list (answer yes or no):

• Does your first sentence name ONE option?
• Did you give 2–3 reasons (not descriptions), each in its own paragraph with an example?
• Did you link ideas with connectors, without point form or email format?
• Is it about 150–200 words, and did you reread for errors?

Themaquiz 3: Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions

Lesson 4: Tone, register and word choice

Tone is how your writing sounds to the reader. Task 1 emails often go to a manager, landlord, customer service representative, coworker or community group, so the official CELPIP blog says a professional and respectful tone usually fits, even in a complaint. The goal is not to sound overly formal but right for the situation.

What to avoid

• Slang and texting forms: gonna, u, pls, thx, asap. Write full words.
• Rudeness and sarcasm, such as "Wow, great job sending my order late." Say it calmly: "I was disappointed that my order arrived two weeks late."
• Shouting with CAPITAL LETTERS or many exclamation marks (!!!).
• Showing off: the CELPIP blog says clear communication usually works better than complex words.

Make polite requests with "Could you please…?", "Would it be possible to…?" or "I would appreciate it if…". In a survey response you may be a little more persuasive ("I strongly believe…"), but stay respectful.

Precise and natural words

The Vocabulary dimension looks at word choice, range and precision. Replace general words like "bad", "good" and "nice" with exact ones: internet that keeps disconnecting is unreliable; prices can be fair; a location can be handy or convenient. Learn word partners: make a complaint, pay attention, take a break. Avoid repeating the same word.

Themaquiz 4: Tone, register and word choice

Lesson 5: Organization and cohesion

Content/Coherence looks at how well your ideas are organized and developed, and Readability includes paragraphing and connectors. The official tips page says making an outline before you write is the best way to make your ideas fit together.

Paragraphs

• Start a new paragraph for each main idea, and leave a blank line between paragraphs.
• Begin with a topic sentence, for example: "The main benefit of a transit pass is that it saves staff money."
• Then explain it and give an example.

Connectors

Choose the connector that matches the real link. "The bus is cheaper than a taxi. However, it takes longer" shows contrast. "The lot is full by 8:30 a.m. As a result, some staff arrive late" shows a result. "Although the gym is expensive, I go every week" joins two contrasting ideas. Do not start every sentence with one.

A good email follows this order: greeting, purpose, one paragraph per point, closing statement, sign-off.

Stay relevant

Relevance is part of Task Fulfillment. Every sentence should help answer the task. A sentence about a cousin's weather in another city does not belong in a paragraph about why a town needs a pool. Ideas joined by "and" again and again are also hard to read: split them into sentences and paragraphs with clear connectors.

Themaquiz 5: Organization and cohesion

Lesson 6: Grammar, spelling and final review

Time plan. Official CELPIP advice is to plan for about the first 5 minutes (the study packs say around 4–5), write, and keep time at the end to review (about 3 minutes in the study packs; 5–7 minutes on the tips page). For a 27-minute email: about 5 to plan, 17 to write and 5 to check.

Common errors

The official tips advise sentences of different lengths and complexity: mix short sentences with longer ones joined by "because", "although" or "which".

The spelling checker catches words that do not exist, such as "recieve". It may not catch a real word in the wrong place, such as "their" for "there". When it offers a choice, pick the word you mean.

Final review checklist

1. Did I do every bullet point, or choose one survey option with reasons?
2. Is it about 150–200 words? If far over, cut repeated or off-topic sentences.
3. Do the tone, greeting and sign-off fit the reader?
4. Check the types of errors you make most often, as the official tips advise.
5. Read once more for spelling, capitals and punctuation.

Themaquiz 6: Grammar, spelling and final review