CELPIP Writing Samples: Annotated Email and Survey Response Examples at CLB 7, 9, and 10

Why Sample Answers Matter More Than Grammar Rules

Most CELPIP Writing guides focus on grammar rules and vocabulary lists. But grammar alone does not distinguish CLB 7 from CLB 9. What separates bands is the combination of content coverage, organizational clarity, and vocabulary range — visible only when you compare full sample responses side by side. This guide gives you annotated samples at three CLB levels for both Writing tasks. After reading them, you will see the exact patterns that move scores up and down — not just know them in theory.

Task 1 (Email Writing) — CLB 7 Sample

**Prompt:** You ordered a laptop online two weeks ago but have not received it. Write an email to the company's customer service asking for an update. **CLB 7 Response (143 words):** *Dear Customer Service, I am writing to you because I have a problem with my order. I ordered a laptop two weeks ago and I still have not received it. This is very frustrating for me. My order number is 48291 and I placed the order on May 14. The website said it would arrive in 5-7 days but it has been two weeks already. I want to know what happened to my order. Can you please check? I need the laptop for my work and it is very important. I have already paid for it. Please reply as soon as possible. I hope you can help me solve this problem. Thank you, Michael* **Why this scores CLB 7:** The email addresses the task but relies on simple, repetitive sentence structures. Vocabulary is basic ("very frustrating," "very important"). The tone is appropriate but the content development is thin — no clear request for resolution, no deadline mentioned. Organization is adequate but predictable.

Task 1 (Email Writing) — CLB 9 Sample

**Same Prompt — CLB 9 Response (167 words):** *Dear Customer Service Team, I am writing to follow up on order #48291, placed on May 14, which has not been delivered despite the stated 5–7 day shipping window. Could you please investigate the current status of this shipment and advise on the expected delivery date? As this laptop is required for upcoming work commitments, a timely resolution would be greatly appreciated. If the item has been lost in transit, I would ask that you arrange either an expedited replacement or a full refund. For your reference, the order was placed under the name Michael Reyes and paid in full via credit card at the time of purchase. I have not received any shipping confirmation or tracking number, which has made it difficult to monitor the parcel independently. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to your response. Regards, Michael Reyes* **Why this scores CLB 9:** Sentence structures vary throughout — simple, compound, and complex. Vocabulary is precise ("expedited replacement," "in transit," "at the time of purchase"). The request is specific with clear conditions. The closing is professional and forward-looking. All three implicit bullet points (the problem, a request for action, and contact context) are fully developed.

Task 1 (Email Writing) — CLB 10 Distinguishers

A CLB 10 email response looks similar to CLB 9 in structure — but demonstrates higher range and precision throughout. Key differences you would see in a CLB 10 version of the above:

• More sophisticated conditional framing: "Should the item have been lost in transit, I would request..." instead of "If the item has been lost..."
• Passive construction used naturally: "the order was placed" and "the account was charged" rather than restating "I placed" and "I paid"
• Precise register maintenance throughout — no informal contractions, no hedging phrases like "I hope"
• Cohesion markers that do more work: "Notwithstanding the absence of tracking information..." rather than "I have not received tracking information..."

CLB 10 writers do not just use correct English — they use the most precise and varied English available for every sentence. The difference is consistent throughout the response, not limited to a few impressive phrases.

Task 2 (Survey Response) — CLB 7 Sample

**Prompt:** Some people think employees should be allowed to work from home permanently. Others believe that working from the office is better for productivity. Which view do you agree with and why? **CLB 7 Response (154 words):** *I agree that employees should be allowed to work from home permanently. There are many advantages to working from home. First, working from home saves time. People do not need to travel to the office every day. This can save one or two hours each day. They can use this time for work or rest. Second, working from home is more comfortable. People can work in their own environment and they feel relaxed. This helps them do better work. Some people think that working in the office is better because they can communicate with colleagues. But I think this problem can be solved with video calls. In conclusion, working from home is better for most employees. It saves time and makes people more productive. I think companies should consider giving this option to their employees.* **Why this scores CLB 7:** The position is clear and the two reasons are present. However, both reasons are vague — no statistics, no specific scenarios. Vocabulary is basic and repetitive ("time," "work," "better"). Sentences follow the same structure throughout. The counterargument is acknowledged but not effectively refuted.

Task 2 (Survey Response) — CLB 9 Sample

**Same Prompt — CLB 9 Response (172 words):** *I firmly believe that employees who can perform their roles effectively from home should be given the option to do so permanently. Two factors strongly support this position. First, remote work eliminates commuting — a time cost that, for workers in cities like Toronto or Vancouver, can easily consume two hours per day. A 2023 Stanford study found that remote workers were 13% more productive on average, partly because those recovered hours were redirected toward focused work rather than transit. Second, workplace flexibility directly supports employee retention. Organizations that offer remote arrangements consistently report lower staff turnover — a significant saving when the average cost of replacing a professional employee exceeds $10,000 CAD. Opponents argue that in-person collaboration produces better outcomes for team-based work. While this is valid for certain project types, modern communication tools have largely replicated the spontaneous interaction that offices once monopolized. For these reasons, a default remote option benefits both employees and organizations significantly.* **Why this scores CLB 9:** The position is stated immediately in the first sentence. Both reasons are supported with specific data and concrete examples. Vocabulary is precise and varied ("eliminates," "redirected," "monopolized"). The counterargument is acknowledged and specifically refuted. Cohesion markers ("First," "Second," "While this is valid") guide the reader clearly.

The Three Patterns That Separate CLB 7 from CLB 9 in Every Response

After reading both task comparisons, the same three patterns explain the gap at every CLB level:

• Specificity of support — CLB 9 responses use data, named examples, or concrete scenarios; CLB 7 responses use vague assertions ("saves time," "makes people comfortable")
• Sentence variety — CLB 9 responses mix simple, compound, and complex structures in every paragraph; CLB 7 responses repeat the same subject-verb pattern throughout
• Vocabulary precision — CLB 9 responses replace overused words with accurate alternatives; CLB 7 responses recycle the same core vocabulary (good, bad, help, work, better)

The fastest improvement strategy: write a practice response, then go sentence by sentence and ask — Can I replace this with a more precise word? Can I merge these two sentences into one complex sentence? Is this point supported with a specific detail? Answering those three questions closes most of the gap between CLB 7 and CLB 9.

Practice with Instant CLB Scoring

Reading samples teaches you what CLB 9 looks like — but you only improve by writing your own responses and getting scored. CELPIPACE offers AI-evaluated Writing practice for both Task 1 and Task 2, with instant band feedback on all four criteria: Content, Organization, Vocabulary, and Conventions. You see your CLB per criterion after every submission, so you can track which dimension is holding your score back. For the email formula that consistently produces CLB 9+ responses in Task 1, see the complete guide on how to score CLB 10 in CELPIP Writing.