CELPIP Writing at a glance
CELPIP Writing has two tasks in 53 minutes: Task 1, Writing an Email (27 minutes) and Task 2, Responding to Survey Questions (26 minutes). Each asks for about 150 to 200 words, typed on the computer, with a timer, a word counter and a spelling checker on screen. The email answers three bullet points; the survey response chooses one of two options and argues for it. To reach Level 9, which is CLB 9 for Express Entry, you need organised paragraphs, precise vocabulary, control of complex sentences and the right tone for the reader. This page gives you a structure for each task, four Level 9 samples written by TalkDrill, and the habits that lose marks.
| Task 1: Writing an Email | Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 27 minutes | 26 minutes |
| Length | About 150 to 200 words | About 150 to 200 words |
| What the prompt gives you | A situation, the person to write to, and usually three things the email must do | A short survey context and two options (Option A and Option B) |
| What you must do | Cover every bullet point in a tone that fits the reader | Choose one option and explain the reasons for your choice |
| Typical reader | A manager, a company, a neighbour, a friend | An organisation collecting opinions |
Sources: CELPIP's test format page for the 53 minutes and the task names; CELPIP's Writing Pro: Target 9+ Study Pack (March 2026) for the 27 and 26 minutes; the sample prompts on CELPIP's Score Comparison Chart for "about 150 to 200 words". All read on 21 October 2026. Writing is only in CELPIP-General, the test designated for permanent residence; CELPIP-General LS, taken for citizenship, has no Writing. The format guide compares the two.
How CELPIP Writing is rated
CELPIP raters score your writing in four dimensions, per its Writing Performance Standards. Three match Speaking; the fourth, Readability, replaces Listenability.
| Dimension | Important factors (CELPIP) | Guiding question (CELPIP) |
|---|---|---|
| Content/Coherence | Number of ideas; quality of ideas; organisation of ideas; examples and supporting details | How well are the ideas organised and developed? |
| Vocabulary | Word choice; suitable use of words and phrases; range of words and phrases; precision and accuracy | What is the range of the test taker's vocabulary, and can they use it naturally? |
| Readability | Format and paragraphing; connectors and transitions; grammar and sentence structure; spelling and punctuation | How easy is it to read and understand the response? |
| Task Fulfillment | Relevance; completeness; tone; word count | How well did the test taker follow the instructions? Did they use an appropriate tone? |
CELPIP's Level 9 writing descriptors say a Level 9 writer can "write short formal and informal texts of some complexity", "support key ideas with relevant facts, descriptions, details, or quotations", "choose words and phrases to provide accurate details, descriptions, and comparisons", "write well-organized paragraphs", write "with control of a range of complex and diverse grammatical structures", and use a tone that "follows some formal and most informal writing conventions". The Level 9 "things to work on" in the Writing Pro study pack are short: fully develop ideas, use more context-specific vocabulary, and reduce grammar and vocabulary errors.
Two details from CELPIP's own Level 9 samples on the Score Comparison Chart are worth knowing. First, the Level 9 sample email does not address its third bullet point at all, and CELPIP's analysis calls it "somewhat incomplete", so a gap does not automatically sink a response; but it is a risk you do not need to take. Second, the analysis names the writer's most noticeable vocabulary error as "rent" instead of "borrow" for library books. Precision in everyday words matters more than rare words. For how Writing levels convert to CLB and what IRCC does with them, see CELPIP scoring and the CLB chart.
A time plan for 27 and 26 minutes
CELPIP's Writing Pro study pack recommends about 4 to 5 minutes planning each response and about 3 minutes checking it after you write. Its planning steps: brainstorm for 2 to 3 minutes in point form, choose your main ideas, put them in order, think of supporting details, and write a strong, clear purpose statement. CELPIP's tips page gives a slightly longer review window, 5 to 7 minutes. Both fit inside the time with room to spare, because 150 to 200 words is short.
| Minutes (Task 1 / Task 2) | What to do |
|---|---|
| 0 to 5 | Read the prompt twice. On notepaper, number the bullet points (Task 1) or write your choice and three reasons (Task 2). Add one specific detail to each: a name, a place, a time, a number. |
| 5 to 20 | Write. One paragraph per main idea. Watch the word counter at the halfway point: about 90 to 100 words should be written by minute 13. |
| 20 to 27 (Task 1) / 20 to 26 (Task 2) | Reread three times, each time for one thing: first, did I answer every part; second, tone and repeated words; third, grammar, spelling and punctuation. |
Do not save time on Task 1 hoping to use it on Task 2; each task has its own timer, and the screen moves on when the time runs out. If you finish early, use the remaining minutes to check, as CELPIP's podcast on time management advises.
Task 1: the email structure
A CELPIP email prompt gives a situation, names the reader ("Write an email to the chief librarian", "to your friend", "to the manager"), and lists what the email should do, usually three bullet points. CELPIP's Task 1 strategies in the Writing Pro study pack: make an outline first, start with a purpose statement and end with a concluding statement, complete the tasks in order, support each main idea with at least one specific detail, mention real places, people and situations, avoid overusing words from the question, start a new paragraph for each main idea, and use a greeting and sign-off that fit the situation.
The five-part structure (a plan, not a script)
- Greeting that fits the reader.
- Purpose paragraph, one or two sentences: who you are (if the reader does not know you) and why you are writing.
- One paragraph per bullet point, in order, each with a specific detail. Most bullets need two to four sentences, not one.
- Closing paragraph: what you want to happen next, and thanks.
- Sign-off that matches the greeting.
Tone: match the reader
| Reader | Greeting | Typical moves | Sign-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| A company, an office, someone you do not know | Dear Sir or Madam / Dear Property Manager | "I am writing to...", "I would appreciate it if...", full forms, no slang | Kind regards / Yours sincerely |
| A manager, a teacher, a landlord you know | Dear Ms Lee / Dear Mr Patel | Polite and warm: "I hope you are well", "Would it be possible to..." | Best regards / Kind regards |
| A friend, a neighbour, a relative | Hi Sam / Hello Aunty | Contractions, a friendly opening line, a personal detail, an exclamation or two | Cheers / Take care / See you soon |
Skip the subject line and email addresses: CELPIP staff say on the Official CELPIP Podcast that raters do not need them and that writing them wastes time. Our guide to professional emails in English has more openings and closings for the formal register.
Task 1: two Level 9 sample emails
Both prompts and both emails below were written by TalkDrill to CELPIP's Level 9 descriptors. CELPIP has not rated them. Read them for structure and phrasing, then write your own answer to the same prompt without looking.
You live in a large apartment building. For the past two weeks, the heating in your apartment has not worked properly, and the building manager has not answered your phone messages. Write an email to the property management company in about 150 to 200 words. Your email should do the following things:
- Describe the problem with the heating.
- Explain how the problem is affecting you.
- Say what you would like the company to do, and by when.
Sample email A (TalkDrill, written to the Level 9 descriptors; 179 words)
Dear Property Manager,
My name is Harpreet Sandhu, and I rent unit 1407 in your Maple Crescent building. I am writing because the heating in my apartment has not worked properly for two weeks, and my messages to the building manager have not been returned.
The radiators in the living room and both bedrooms are only slightly warm, even when the thermostat is turned to its highest setting. By early morning, the temperature inside drops to around 15 degrees.
This is having a serious effect on my family. My three-year-old daughter has had a cough for a week, and my mother, who lives with us, cannot sit in the living room without a blanket. We have also bought two electric heaters, which will noticeably increase our electricity bill.
I would therefore ask you to send a technician to inspect the system by the end of this week. If the repair will take longer, I would appreciate a written explanation and a reduction in this month's rent.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Kind regards,
Harpreet Sandhu
Why it works. The purpose is clear in the first paragraph. Each bullet has its own paragraph, in order, with specific detail (which rooms, 15 degrees, a daughter with a cough). The vocabulary is precise without being showy ("thermostat", "inspect the system", "a reduction in this month's rent"). The tone is firm and formal but never rude, which CELPIP's study pack asks for: "Avoid rudeness, sarcasm, and casual slang."
Last month you moved to a new apartment. Your friend Daniel took a day off work to help you move. Write an email to Daniel in about 150 to 200 words. Your email should do the following things:
- Thank him and explain why his help was important.
- Describe your new apartment and neighbourhood.
- Invite him to visit and suggest a plan.
Sample email B (TalkDrill, written to the Level 9 descriptors; 183 words)
Hi Daniel,
I've been meaning to write since the move, and I'm sorry it's taken me a whole month! I just wanted to say a huge thank you for giving up your day off to help me. Without you and your truck, I'd have needed two trips and a moving company I really couldn't afford. And I still can't believe you got that sofa round the corner of the stairs.
The new place is great. It's a two-bedroom on the third floor, so I finally have a small office instead of working at the kitchen table, and the living room gets sun all afternoon. The neighbourhood is quieter than downtown, but there's a bakery on the corner that makes the best cinnamon buns I've ever tasted, and a park with a walking trail right behind the building.
You have to come and see it properly, without boxes everywhere! How about dinner one Saturday later this month? I'll cook my famous butter chicken, and we can walk round the park afterwards if the weather's nice.
Let me know what works for you.
Cheers,
Simran
Why it works. Same structure, completely different tone: contractions, exclamations, a shared memory (the sofa on the stairs) and a concrete plan. The thanks is specific, which is what "explain why his help was important" asks for. A Level 9 email to a friend is not a formal letter with "Hi" at the top.
Task 2: the survey response structure
A CELPIP survey prompt describes a decision an organisation is making (a city, a government, an employer, a school), gives two options, and asks you to choose one and explain why. The official samples end with "Choose the option that you prefer. Why do you prefer your choice? Explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150 to 200 words." CELPIP's Task 2 strategies: make an outline, start with an opinion statement, end with a concluding statement, use meaningful transitions, support each main idea with at least one concrete detail or example, compare your choice to the other choice, avoid list or point form, state your choice at the beginning, focus on reasons rather than suggestions or descriptions, and do not write an academic essay.
The four-part structure (a plan, not a script)
- Opinion statement: your choice in the first sentence, with a preview of your main reasons.
- Reason 1 in its own paragraph, with a concrete example from your life or your area.
- Reason 2 (and a short third if you have words to spare), including one direct comparison with the other option ("whereas...", "on the other hand...").
- Concluding statement that restates your choice.
Pick the option you can support with the best examples, not the one you would vote for in real life. The reader is an organisation collecting opinions, so the tone is polite and clear, like a thoughtful resident or employee, not a university essay.
Task 2: two Level 9 sample survey responses
Written by TalkDrill to CELPIP's Level 9 descriptors; not rated by CELPIP.
The city has money for one improvement to your neighbourhood park this year and wants to hear from residents. Choose the option that you prefer. Why do you prefer your choice? Explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150 to 200 words.
Option A: A covered picnic area with tables and barbecues.
Option B: An outdoor fitness area with exercise equipment.
Sample response C (TalkDrill, written to the Level 9 descriptors; Option A; 189 words)
I would prefer the city to build a covered picnic area with tables and barbecues, mainly because it would serve more people and could be used in more kinds of weather.
First, a picnic area is something the whole community can enjoy together. On summer weekends, our park is already full of families, birthday parties and cultural groups, but there is nowhere to sit except the grass. Covered tables would let grandparents, parents and young children share a meal comfortably, whereas fitness equipment would mostly be used by adults who want to exercise.
Second, the roof would make the park useful for a much longer part of the year. In our area it rains often in spring and autumn, and outdoor events are regularly cancelled at the last minute. A shelter would allow schools, seniors' clubs and community organisations to plan events with confidence, even when the forecast is uncertain.
Finally, residents who want to exercise already have good options nearby, including the community centre gym and the trail around the lake.
For these reasons, I believe a covered picnic area would be the better investment for our neighbourhood.
Why it works. The choice and the two main reasons are in the first sentence. Each paragraph has one reason and a concrete detail (birthday parties, cancelled events). It compares directly with the other option ("whereas fitness equipment would mostly be used by adults") and answers the obvious objection in one line. No suggestions, no descriptions of how the picnic area should look: only reasons, as CELPIP's strategy asks.
Your employer has a small budget to support staff wellbeing and is asking employees which benefit they would prefer. Choose the option that you prefer. Why do you prefer your choice? Explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150 to 200 words.
Option A: A free healthy lunch for all staff once a week.
Option B: A monthly allowance of $40 towards a gym or sports club membership.
Sample response D (TalkDrill, written to the Level 9 descriptors; Option B; 182 words)
I would prefer the monthly allowance of $40 towards a gym or sports club membership, because it would support our health every week rather than on a single day, and it would suit each person's individual needs.
My main reason is flexibility. Our team is very diverse: some colleagues swim, some play cricket or badminton, and others attend yoga classes near their homes. An allowance would let each person choose an activity they genuinely enjoy, which makes it far more likely that they would keep doing it. A weekly lunch, on the other hand, would only benefit those who are in the office on that particular day, which leaves out part-time and remote staff.
In addition, regular exercise can make a lasting difference to energy and stress levels. One healthy meal a week is pleasant, but it is unlikely to change anyone's wellbeing in a meaningful way, while two or three workouts a week might.
To sum up, I believe the allowance would be the fairer and more effective way to spend the budget, and I hope the company chooses this option.
Why it works. A precise opinion statement, examples from a real-sounding team, a fairness argument that compares the options directly, and controlled complex sentences ("which makes it far more likely that..."). The tone suits an employer: confident, not demanding.
Where Writing marks are lost
Most of these come straight from the weaknesses CELPIP lists in its Writing Pro study pack, where it revises a Level 8 survey response: no clear purpose statement, no paragraphing, too much repetition of words from the question, no concluding statement, a tone that is too harsh in places, a first idea that drifts off topic, and, the biggest one, "The writer doesn't choose an option."
- Not choosing in Task 2, or choosing in the last line. State the choice in sentence one.
- A missed or thin bullet in Task 1. CELPIP's strategy is to write at least one sentence for each task, and it adds that most will need more.
- One block of text. Paragraphing is a named factor in Readability. Start a new paragraph for each main idea.
- Copying the prompt's words. If the prompt says "the opening hours don't work for you", write "the library is closed on the only days I am free", not the same phrase again.
- Suggestions or descriptions instead of reasons in Task 2. "The city should also add lights" is a suggestion; it does not explain your choice.
- Time spent on decoration. Fake email addresses, subject lines and dates add nothing, per CELPIP's podcast.
- Far over or under the word count. Word count is one of the four Task Fulfillment factors.
Phrases that read as unusual to a Canadian reader
Office email in India, the Philippines and Nigeria has its own well-established phrases. None of these is a "mistake" in its home context, but in a CELPIP email to a Canadian reader they can cost you precision and tone. Replace them with the plain version.
| Often seen | Plain version for CELPIP |
|---|---|
| Kindly do the needful. | Could you please send a technician this week? |
| Please revert back at the earliest. | I would appreciate a reply by Friday. |
| I am having a doubt regarding the same. | I have a question about this. |
| Can we prepone the meeting? | Could we move the meeting earlier? |
| Please find below the details for your perusal. | Here are the details. |
| I rent books from the library. | I borrow books from the library. (CELPIP names this error in its own Level 9 sample analysis.) |
For more on this, read our guide to email etiquette mistakes Indian professionals make. On spelling: the CELPIP materials we read do not say whether British or Canadian spelling is preferred. Whichever you use, be consistent within a response.
A two-week writing practice route
Writing improves fastest with timed tasks and slow, specific review. Here is a route for a candidate aiming at Level 9.
- Day 1: baseline. Write sample prompt A on this page in 27 minutes without reading the sample. Then compare paragraph by paragraph with the sample and mark what you missed.
- Days 2 to 4: the email. One email a day, alternating formal and informal readers. Before writing, spend the full 5 minutes on the plan. Check against the four dimensions in the table above.
- Days 5 to 7: the survey. One survey response a day, timed at 26 minutes. Write the opinion statement first, then the outline, then the text.
- Days 8 to 10: revise, do not rewrite. Take your weakest response and spend 20 minutes improving it: transitions, a more precise word in every sentence, one more complex sentence per paragraph. CELPIP's Writing Pro study pack shows exactly this revision process on a Level 8 response.
- Days 11 to 14: full Writing tests. Task 1 and Task 2 back to back, 53 minutes, on two separate days. Use CELPIP's free official practice tests for at least one of them.
Then go back to the official material. CELPIP's Score Comparison Chart has real rated emails and survey responses at every level, the Writing Pro: Target 9+ Study Pack (PDF, March 2026) has the strategies and a full revision example, and the CELPIP tips page covers word count and the spelling checker. The test format page lists both tasks and the 53 minutes.
Writing is one of four CELPIP-General scores, and Speaking is the other one that raters mark. If Speaking is also on your list, our guide to Speaking Tasks 1 to 8 and the Speaking practice bank follow the same approach. The 30-day plan to CELPIP 9 puts both skills on one calendar, and the CELPIP hub has everything else about the test.