Writing Task 1 asks you to write an email in 27 minutes, between 150 and 200 words. The task gives you a situation and three or four points to cover. Raters score four things: Content and Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability and Task Fulfillment (celpip.ca, Test Format and Scoring).
1.A plan that fits most tasks
- Greeting. Match the reader. "Dear Ms. Lee," for a manager, "Hi Sam," for a friend.
- Why you write. One or two sentences that name the situation.
- One paragraph per point. Answer every point the task lists, in the same order. Give a reason or a detail for each one.
- What you want next. Say clearly what the reader should do, and by when.
- Closing. "Kind regards," or "Best," and your name.
Plan for 3 minutes, write for 20, and keep 4 minutes to read it again. Count your words at the end. A short answer is scored, but it is hard to cover every point in fewer than 150 words.
2.A worked example
Task (written for this guide): You bought a coffee maker online. It arrived broken. Write to the store. Explain what happened, say how this affects you, and say what you want the store to do.
Dear Customer Service Team,
I am writing about the coffee maker I ordered from your website on October 12. It arrived yesterday, but the glass jug was cracked and the box was wet on one side.
This is a problem for me because I bought it as a gift for my sister, who moves into her new apartment this weekend. I was planning to give it to her on Saturday, and now I have nothing to bring.
I would like a replacement sent by express delivery so that it arrives before Saturday. If that is not possible, please refund the full price, including shipping. I can send photos of the damage today if you need them.
Please reply by Thursday so that I can make other plans if needed.
Kind regards,
Daniel Ortiz
(158 words)
3.Why this example works
- Every point of the task has its own paragraph, in order.
- The details are specific: a date, what was damaged, why the timing matters.
- The request is clear and has a deadline.
- The tone is polite and direct, right for a store.
4.Next step
Try a Writing Task 1 now and get an estimated level with feedback on the four criteria: start a practice task. Not sure where you stand? Take the free level check. Want to see what a higher level is worth? Use the CRS calculator.
Scores on PR Language Test are estimates, not official results.