CELPIP Writing Task 1 · informal email

Email advising a friend who is moving to your city

A friend is moving to your city for a new job and has asked you for advice about where to live. Write an email to your friend.

Write an email of about 150–200 words in which you do the following:

Recommend a neighbourhood and explain why it would suit your friend
Give some practical advice about renting an apartment in your city
Offer to help with the move

Your response

27:00

0 words · target 150–200

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Write at least 50 words first.

Tips for this prompt

Connect your recommendation to your friend's life, such as their workplace, hobbies or pet.
Give one or two practical renting tips, for example how fast apartments are rented or what to check in a lease.
Make your offer of help specific, such as viewing apartments, lending a car or offering a place to stay.

Sample responses

Try the task first, then compare. Levels are our estimates, not official CELPIP scores.

Sample at about CLB 7156 words

Hi Jordan,

I am so glad you are moving to Winnipeg! It will be great to live in the same city again.

You asked me which area is good for living. I think Osborne Village is best for you. It is close to downtown and there are many cafes and shops. Also there is a park near there, so it is good for your dog. The rent there is not too cheap but it is okay. I think you will like it.

About renting, you should start to look early because good apartments go very fast. Be careful, some ads are fake, so don't send money before you see the place. Also the winter is very cold here, so ask about the heat.

When you arrive I can help you to move your things. I am free in weekends. You can also stay in my place for few days if you need.

See you soon! Mei

Why about CLB 7: Helpful and complete, but the reasons and advice are short and general. Errors such as "good for living", "is best for you", "in weekends", "stay in my place" and "for few days" are noticeable.

Sample at about CLB 9180 words

Hi Jordan,

Congratulations on the new job! I am so happy that you are moving to Winnipeg, and I can't wait to see you more often.

You asked me about where to live, and I think Osborne Village would be a great choice for you. It is only about fifteen minutes from downtown by bus, so getting to work will be easy. The neighbourhood has a lot of nice cafes and restaurants, and there are parks along the river where you can walk your dog.

As for renting, I would suggest starting your search as soon as possible, because good apartments are rented quickly here. Make sure you see the apartment in person or by video call before you pay anything. It is also a good idea to ask if heating is included, since winters here are very cold and heating can be expensive.

If you want, I can help you on moving day. I have a car, so I can pick you up from the airport too. Let me know when you are planning to arrive.

Take care, Mei

Why about CLB 9: Friendly, fluent and practical. The neighbourhood reasons are fairly general and the offer of help is brief; "asked me about where to live" should be "asked me where to live".

Sample at about CLB 11184 words

Hi Jordan,

Winnipeg is about to gain one excellent engineer and one very energetic beagle! I'm thrilled you took the job, and I've been thinking about where you two would be happiest.

My vote is Osborne Village. The number 16 bus gets you downtown in about fifteen minutes, which matters in January, when nobody wants a long wait at a frozen stop. The area has character too: independent coffee shops, a climbing gym and a riverside path where Biscuit could run every morning. Older walk-ups there also tend to be more pet-friendly than the new towers.

On the rental side, listings move fast, so set up alerts and be ready to apply within a day. Never send a deposit for a place you haven't seen in person or on a live video tour. Ask whether heat is included as well, because a poorly insulated suite can add a hundred dollars to winter bills.

As for the move, I'd be glad to view apartments on your behalf before you will arrive, and my brother has offered his truck for the big day.

Talk soon, Mei

Why about CLB 11: Each recommendation is tailored to Jordan's job and dog, and the renting advice is practical and specific. "Before you will arrive" should be "before you arrive".

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