CELPIP Writing Practice Prompts

The tenant in the apartment above yours started a renovation three weeks ago. The work begins at 7 a.m., including on weekends, and you work evening shifts. Write an email to the building manager.

In about 150–200 words, write an email to the building manager. Your email should do the following things:

• Describe the problem and when it happens
• Explain how it is affecting you
• Suggest what the manager could do about it

You paid for an eight-week photography course at your community centre. After the third class the instructor was replaced, the content changed and two classes were cancelled without notice. Write an email to the program coordinator.

In about 150–200 words, write an email to the program coordinator. Your email should do the following things:

• Describe what you expected from the course
• Explain what went wrong
• Say what you would like the centre to do

A close friend who lives in another province has written to say they would like to visit you next month. Write an email to your friend.

In about 150–200 words, write an email to your friend. Your email should do the following things:

• Suggest the best dates and explain why
• Describe what you could do together
• Explain the arrangements for where they will stay

You have a one-year gym membership that you paid for in advance. You are moving to another city next month for a new job. Write an email to the gym.

In about 150–200 words, write an email to the gym’s membership office. Your email should do the following things:

• Explain why you need to cancel
• Ask what the cancellation process is
• Ask about the months you have already paid for

You recently found out that a coworker lives a few streets away from you and drives to the same office every day. Write an email to your coworker to propose sharing the drive.

In about 150–200 words, write an email to your coworker. Your email should do the following things:

• Explain why you think carpooling is a good idea
• Propose a schedule that could work for both of you
• Suggest how to share the costs

You attended a one-day conference at a hotel last Friday. When you got home you realised you had left a bag in one of the meeting rooms. Write an email to the hotel’s events office.

In about 150–200 words, write an email to the hotel events office. Your email should do the following things:

• Describe the bag and where you think you left it
• Explain why its contents are important to you
• Ask how you can get it back

You organised a cleanup of the park in your neighbourhood. A local hardware store donated gloves, bags and tools. Write an email to the store owner.

In about 150–200 words, write an email to the store owner. Your email should do the following things:

• Thank the owner for the donation
• Describe how the cleanup went
• Invite the store to take part in the next event

Your child’s daycare has announced that from next month it will close at 5 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. You finish work at 5:30 p.m. and cannot change your hours. Write an email to the daycare director.

In about 150–200 words, write an email to the daycare director. Your email should do the following things:

• Explain how the new closing time affects your family
• Ask whether any alternative is possible
• Propose a solution that could work for both sides

Your city’s public library can afford to extend its opening hours in one way only. It is asking residents which option they prefer.

Which option should the library choose?

Option A: Stay open until 9 p.m. on weekdays instead of 6 p.m.

Option B: Open on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Choose the option that you prefer and explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150–200 words.

Your employer is surveying staff about a new work arrangement that will start next year. Everyone will keep the same salary and the same total hours.

Which arrangement would you choose?

Option A: Work from home three days a week, five days in total

Option B: Work four longer days a week, all of them in the office

Choose the option that you prefer and explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150–200 words.

Your neighbourhood has received a grant to improve the local park. The residents’ association is asking which project the money should go to.

Which project should the association choose?

Option A: A new playground for children

Option B: A community garden with plots that residents can rent

Choose the option that you prefer and explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150–200 words.

The parent council of your local elementary school is asking families whether the school should introduce a uniform next year.

Which option do you support?

Option A: Introduce a simple uniform for all students

Option B: Keep the current policy: students wear their own clothes

Choose the option that you prefer and explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150–200 words.

Your city has a limited budget to make public transit more affordable and is asking residents how to spend it.

Which option should the city choose?

Option A: Make buses and trains free for all full-time students

Option B: Reduce the price of the monthly pass for everyone by 20 percent

Choose the option that you prefer and explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150–200 words.

Your neighbourhood association organises activities for residents. It has the budget for either one large event or several small ones each year.

Which option should the association choose?

Option A: One large summer festival with music, food and games

Option B: A small event every month, such as a market, a movie night or a sports day

Choose the option that you prefer and explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150–200 words.

A local college is redesigning its evening courses for working adults and wants to know which format students prefer.

Which format would you choose?

Option A: Live online classes that you can join from home

Option B: In-person classes on campus one evening a week

Choose the option that you prefer and explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150–200 words.

The organisers of your town’s weekly farmers’ market are deciding how vendors should accept payment next season and are asking customers for their opinion.

Which option do you prefer?

Option A: All vendors accept cards and phone payments only

Option B: Vendors keep accepting cash as well as cards

Choose the option that you prefer and explain the reasons for your choice. Write about 150–200 words.