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Task 1 · Formal email · Band 9

CELPIP Writing Task 1 Sample: Email to a Landlord

A complete Task 1 email sample for the 2026 CELPIP format. Below you will find the prompt, a full band 9 model answer, and a breakdown of exactly why it scores high on each rating criterion.

CELPIP Writing Task 1 gives you a short situation and three points to cover in an email of 150 to 200 words. It is scored on four criteria, each from 1 to 12: Content and Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability and Task Fulfilment. This sample walks through one common prompt, a formal complaint to a landlord, and shows what a band 9 response looks like. Read the model first, then the breakdown, then write your own version and score it on a free writing mock test.

The prompt

Task 1. You are having a problem in your apartment. Write an email to your landlord in about 150 to 200 words. In your email:

  • describe the problem
  • explain how it is affecting you
  • say what you would like the landlord to do

Band 9 model answer

Subject: Urgent Repair Needed: Leaking Kitchen Ceiling, Unit 4B Dear Mr. Thompson, I am writing to report a plumbing problem in my apartment, Unit 4B at 120 Maple Street, that needs your urgent attention. Since Tuesday evening, water has been dripping steadily from the kitchen ceiling, directly above the stove. The leak appears to be coming from the unit above mine, and it has already left a large brown stain and a small bulge in the drywall. I am concerned that the ceiling could give way if it is not repaired soon. The situation is making daily life difficult. For safety reasons, I have stopped using the stove, and I am placing buckets on the counter to catch the water, which I have to empty several times a day. Could you please arrange for a plumber to inspect both units as soon as possible, ideally within the next two days? I am happy to be home at any time that suits the repair schedule. Thank you for looking into this promptly. I look forward to your reply. Sincerely, Daniel Reyes

Word count: 182. Register: formal. Time to write on test day: aim for about 18 to 20 minutes, leaving the rest for Task 2.

Why this answer scores a band 9

A high band is not about big words. It is about covering the task fully, organising it clearly, and writing accurately in the right tone. Here is how this email earns marks on each criterion.

Task Fulfilment: all three points, fully developed

Every bullet is answered and expanded, not just mentioned. The problem is specific (a leak above the stove, a stain, a bulge), the effect is concrete (stove unusable, buckets emptied several times a day), and the request is clear and reasonable (a plumber to inspect both units within two days). Vague answers lose marks here, so give real detail rather than "there is a problem and it is annoying."

Content and Coherence: one idea per paragraph

The email follows a clean shape: purpose, problem, effect, request, close. Each paragraph does one job, so the reader never gets lost. The subject line states the issue in a few words, which immediately orients the landlord. This logical flow is what raters mean by coherence.

Vocabulary: precise, not showy

Notice words like dripping steadily, bulge in the drywall, give way, and arrange for a plumber. They are accurate and natural for the situation. You do not need rare vocabulary to reach band 9, you need the right vocabulary used correctly. Forced "advanced" words that do not fit actually lower the score.

Readability: correct grammar and a consistent formal tone

The register stays formal throughout, from "Dear Mr. Thompson" to "Sincerely," with no contractions or slang. Sentences vary in length, punctuation is clean, and there are no errors that slow the reader down. Readability rewards control, so it is better to write a slightly simpler sentence correctly than a complex one with mistakes.

Quick tips to copy this into your own writing

  • Open by stating your purpose in the first sentence, then give context.
  • Match the tone to the reader: formal for a landlord, manager or company; warm and casual for a friend.
  • Turn each bullet point into its own short paragraph with a concrete detail.
  • End with a polite, specific request and a courteous sign-off.
  • Leave 90 seconds to proofread for verb tenses, articles and spelling.
Now write your own and get it scored

Try this exact task type under exam conditions. Our free CELPIP writing mock gives you expert feedback and an estimated CLB band so you can see where your marks are slipping.

Take a free writing mock test

More CELPIP writing samples

Frequently asked questions

How long should a CELPIP Writing Task 1 email be?

Aim for 150 to 200 words. Under 150 words usually means you have not developed the three bullet points fully, and going far over 200 wastes time you need for Task 2. The sample on this page is about 180 words, which is a comfortable target.

Should the CELPIP Task 1 email be formal or informal?

It depends on who you are writing to. Writing to a landlord, a manager, a company or an official is formal, so use a polite greeting, full sentences and no slang. Writing to a friend or family member is informal, so a warmer, more casual tone is expected. Matching the register to the reader is part of Task Fulfilment.

Do I need a subject line in the CELPIP Task 1 email?

A short, specific subject line is a good habit and takes only a few seconds. It signals organisation and helps the reader see your purpose immediately, which supports the Coherence score. Keep it brief and relevant, like "Urgent Repair Needed: Leaking Kitchen Ceiling."

This is an original practice sample written to match the CELPIP format, not a real exam question. CELPIP is a registered trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises; celpipmocks is independent and not affiliated with them.