A useful complaint explains what happened, shows the effect on you and asks for a reasonable remedy. These examples handle a service error, a shared-space problem and an incorrect order without turning frustration into personal criticism.
Task 1: Writing an Email · Suggested response length: 150–200 words. These original PrepEx study examples are illustrative answers, not rated official CELPIP responses. Other relevant answers are possible.
A cancelled recreation class
Your task: You joined a six-week pottery course at a community centre. Two sessions were cancelled without advance notice, and the centre has not announced replacement dates.
Write to: The community centre program coordinator
Write about 150–200 words.
Explain the course problem.
Describe its effect on you.
Request a practical solution.
Worked email
172 words · Semi-formal tone. Word counts include greetings and sign-offs and count whitespace-separated words.
Dear Program Coordinator,
I am writing about the Wednesday pottery course that began this month. I was looking forward to learning how to make a small set of bowls, but two of our six sessions have already been cancelled without advance notice.
On both occasions, I arrived at the centre and found a handwritten sign on the classroom door. I had arranged childcare and left work early, so the cancellations cost me more than the missed instruction. Other participants were waiting outside as well, and none of us knew whether the next class would go ahead.
Could you please confirm the remaining schedule and offer replacement sessions for the two we missed? An evening option would suit me better than a weekday afternoon. If replacements are not possible, I would appreciate a refund for the cancelled classes. I would still like to continue the course rather than withdraw completely.
Please also send future cancellation notices by email before participants travel to the centre. Thank you for looking into this.
Sincerely,
Maya Patel
Noise in a shared study room
Your task: Your apartment building has a study room advertised as a quiet space. Several residents have recently used it for group video calls while you were studying.
Write to: Your building manager
Write about 150–200 words.
Describe the recurring problem.
Explain why the quiet room matters.
Suggest a fair change.
Worked email
180 words · Semi-formal tone. Word counts include greetings and sign-offs and count whitespace-separated words.
Dear Ms. Lee,
Could you please review how residents are using the study room? I have been preparing for a professional exam there in the evenings, and several group video calls have made it difficult to concentrate recently.
I understand that people need somewhere to work, especially when their apartments are busy. However, the room is described as a quiet study space, and conversations carry across all the desks. Wearing headphones does not completely solve the problem. Last night, I had to leave before finishing a timed exercise because a meeting continued beside me.
Rather than banning work calls throughout the building, could we keep this room quiet and allow calls in the small meeting room downstairs? A clear notice near each entrance would help residents choose the appropriate space. It might also be useful to add the room rules to the booking confirmation.
I enjoy having this shared facility and would like everyone to be able to use it comfortably. Please let me know whether these changes could be discussed at the next residents' meeting.
Kind regards,
Daniel Wong
The wrong bicycle part
Your task: You ordered a replacement bicycle basket from a local shop. The delivered basket has the wrong mounting system, despite the model information you supplied.
Write to: The shop customer service team
Write about 150–200 words.
Explain what you ordered and received.
Describe the inconvenience.
Ask how the shop can resolve it.
Worked email
176 words · Formal tone. Word counts include greetings and sign-offs and count whitespace-separated words.
Dear Customer Service Team,
I received my replacement bicycle basket yesterday, but its mounting system does not fit my bicycle. When placing the order, I supplied the model name and asked for a basket that attaches to the rear rack. The one delivered is designed for handlebars.
I use my bicycle to carry groceries, so I need a secure basket rather than a temporary bag hanging from the handlebars. I have kept the packaging and have not attempted to install the incorrect item. I can send photographs of both the basket and my bicycle if that would help you identify a suitable replacement.
Please let me know whether you can exchange it for the rear-rack model and arrange collection of the original basket. I would prefer an exchange to a refund, provided the correct item is available. As the shop is across town, a delivery exchange would save me making two trips.
I would appreciate a reply confirming the next steps and any information you need from me. Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Elena Ruiz
Before you finish
Separate an observed problem from a guess about its cause.
Explain the inconvenience with relevant detail.
Ask for a remedy the recipient can actually arrange.
Read the whole response for repetition, unclear references and missing links between ideas.
The four public Writing dimensions are Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Readability and Task Fulfillment. Completing every point and reaching a word target do not, by themselves, establish a CELPIP level.
Task timing, public criteria and the suggested response length were checked against the official 2026 Writing Pro study pack on October 2, 2026. The examples on this page are original PrepEx study material. They do not reproduce official questions, provide answer keys for graded previews or guarantee a score.