What raters look for
Content/Coherence
How many ideas you develop, how well they are organized, and how specific your examples are.
Vocabulary
Words that fit the situation and the reader, used precisely and with some range.
Readability
Paragraphs, connecting words, grammar and punctuation that make the email easy to follow.
How well you answered the task
Whether you do every thing the prompt lists, in the right tone, within the word range.
A plan for the 27 minutes
- 0–3 min
Plan
Note the reader, the tone it needs, and one concrete detail for each of the three points.
- 3–20 min
Write
One short paragraph per point, plus an opening that says why you are writing and a polite close.
- 20–25 min
Review
Check every point is covered, then fix verb tenses, articles and plurals.
- 25–27 min
Count and finish
Stay between 150 and 200 words. Cut repetition rather than adding filler.
Sample prompt: a noisy neighbour
You live in an apartment building. For the past two weeks, the tenant above you has been playing loud music late at night, and you have had trouble sleeping before work.
Write an email to your building manager. In about 150–200 words, your email should:
- explain the problem
- describe how it has affected you
- suggest what the manager could do
An original practice prompt written for CELPIP Trainer.
Sample answers at three levels
Dear Manager, I am writing because there is a problem with noise in my building. My neighbour upstairs plays loud music at night. It started two weeks ago and it happens almost every night, even on weekdays. This problem is very bad for me because I cannot sleep. I have to wake up early for my job, so I am tired every day. Sometimes I have headache and I cannot focus at work. I did not talk to him because I don’t know him very well. I think you can talk to my neighbour and tell him to stop the music after 10 p.m. Also, you can put a paper in the building about the quiet time. I hope you can help me with this problem soon. Thank you very much. Regards, Daniel
- Task Fulfillment · all three points are there, but each is thin and the email is under 150 words.
- Vocabulary · simple and repeated: “problem” appears three times.
- Readability · small errors: “I have headache” should be “I have a headache”.
- To reach 8–9 · give one specific detail for each point, such as when the music starts.
Dear Ms. Grant, I am writing to report a noise problem in our building. For the last two weeks, the tenant in Unit 504, which is right above my apartment, has been playing loud music late at night, usually from 11 p.m. until after midnight, even on weeknights. Because of this, I have not been sleeping well. I start work at 7 a.m., and I have felt tired and less focused during the day. Last week I even made a mistake at work because I was so exhausted, and I had to stay late to fix it. I would appreciate it if you could speak to the tenant and remind them about the building’s quiet hours. It might also help to put a notice in the lobby so that everyone knows the rules. If the noise continues, please let me know what else I can do. Thank you for your time and help with this matter. Best regards, Daniel Okoro Unit 404
- Content/Coherence · every point is developed with a concrete example, like the mistake at work.
- Vocabulary · good range with precise phrases: “remind them about the building’s quiet hours”.
- Readability · clear paragraphs and varied sentences, with no errors that affect meaning.
- To reach 10–11 · add one more precise detail per point and vary how sentences begin.
Subject: Late-night noise from Unit 504 Dear Ms. Grant, I am writing about a noise problem that has continued for the past two weeks. Almost every night, loud music from the unit directly above mine, Unit 504, starts around 11 p.m. and often lasts past 1 a.m. The bass is strong enough that I can hear it clearly with my windows closed. This has started to affect my work. I begin my shift at a hospital lab at 7 a.m., and after several short nights I have found it hard to concentrate on tasks that require real precision. I have also had to cancel plans with friends because I was simply too tired. I would rather not escalate this, so I have not confronted my neighbour directly. Could you remind all tenants of the building’s quiet hours, perhaps with a notice in the lobby, and speak to the resident of Unit 504? If the problem continues, I would be glad to meet with you to discuss next steps. Thank you for your help. Kind regards, Daniel Okoro, Unit 404
- Content/Coherence · specific details (the unit, the times, the hospital lab) in a clear three-part plan.
- Vocabulary · precise and natural: “escalate”, “require real precision”, “next steps”.
- Readability · complex sentences handled with ease and no errors.
- Task Fulfillment · all three points covered in depth, with a polite, formal tone throughout.
Useful phrases
- I am writing to let you know about…
- For the past two weeks, …
- This has made it difficult for me to…
- As a result, …
- I would appreciate it if you could…
- Could you please…?
- It might also help to…
- Thank you for looking into this.
- I look forward to hearing from you.
Try the public writing exercise
This practice editor does not submit your answer. Copy any draft you want to keep before opening a new task. A free account includes 3 AI reviews; one review covers one writing task.
Common mistakes
Listing points without developing them
Each point needs a detail and a consequence, not just a mention.
The wrong tone for the reader
A manager or company needs a formal tone; a friend can be warm but still polite.
Going far over 200 words
Extra words rarely earn marks and leave less time to check.
Memorized openers that do not fit
Raters notice templates. Write a first line about this situation.
Questions about Task 1
How long should a Task 1 email be?
Formal or informal?
Can I get AI writing feedback for free?
More Task 1 prompts
- FormalComplaining about a late furniture delivery
- Semi-formalAsking your manager to change a shift
- InformalThanking a neighbour who helped you move