Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP ee A Christien LeeTest Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP Christien LeeTABLE OF CONTENTS © How to Use This Book, page 4 * Introduction to CELPIP 7 * Study Tips for CELPIP 10 Writing Task 1 * Introduction a © Analysis of a Response 23 * Step-by-Step Guide 5 © Topic 1.1 (Noise Disturbance) 18 * Topic 1.2 (A Student Dropping Out) 22 * Topic 1.3 (A Family Event) 26 © Topic 1.4 (A Rescued Dog 30 © Topic 1.5 (Great Hotel Service) 34 * Additional Topics 38 Writing Task 2 * Introduction 41 © Analysis of a Response 43 * Step-by-Step Guide 45 * Topic 2.1 (Office Party Transportation) 48 * Topic 2.2 (Reward for Employees) 52 Topic 2.3 (Apartment Building Improvements) 55 * Topic 2.4 (Online or Classroom Teaching) 60 * Topic 2.5 (Employee Health Plan) 64 + Additional Topics 68 Suggested Responses and Useful Language * Suggested Responses 72 * Index of Useful Language 102HOW TO USE THIS BOOK This book is designed to help you improve your ability to write effective, high-scoring responses to Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2 in the CELPIP Test. It is not designed to be a complete guide to specific to the tasks you will see in the writing section of the CELPIP-G test. If you study this guide carefully and practice writing responses based on. the expert responses in this guide, you will become a more effective writer. Key Features This book has numerous features designed to help you write more effective responses to the questions you will see in the CELPIP Test: © Detailed introductions to the CELPIP Test as well as Writing Task 1 and Writing Task 2. © Step-by-step guides for how to write effective responses to Task 1 and Task 2. * Forty-two writing topics; 21 for Writing Task 1 and an additional 21 for Writing Task 2. ‘+ Forty-two model responses written by a test expert, many with detailed analysis and advice. + Ten writing practice exercises to help you avoid common mistakes and write natural sentences. ‘+ Ten writing challenges to give you practice responding to typical writing topics in CELPIP. + Lists of over 120 useful words and phrases that you can copy and use in your own responses. * Several valuable tips to help you study in the most effective way to improve your score. 4 Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP"Suggested Approach You can use this book in any way that will benefit you, but following these ten steps is recommended: sTep1__ Read the introduction to CELPIP that starts on page 7. Then read the introduction to Writing Task 1 that starts on page 11. sTep2 Study the analysis of @ response to writing task that starts on page 13. sTEP3 Read the step-by-step guide to Writing Task 1 that starts on page 15. sTeP4 Look at Topic 1 for Writing Task 1 on page 18. Read the analysis of the topic and the expert’s response. stePS Type out the Expert's Response to Topic 1. This step is optional, but it will help you learn and use the expert’s perfect vocabulary, grammar, and organization. You will probably get even more benefit if you type out the response several times. stEP6 Complete the Writing Practice on page 20. Then turn to page 21 and study the list of useful phrases before completing the Writing Challenge under test conditions. STEP? Repeat steps 4 to 6 for Writing Topics 2, 3, 4, and 5. STEPS — Repeat steps 2 to 7 for Writing Task 2. steP9 Look at the additional writing topics starting on page 38 for Task 1 and on page 68 for Task 2. Write a response to at least one of these topics under test conditions every day. Then compare your response with the sample response at the back of this book. STEP19 After you have finished all of the writing challenges and practice tasks in this book, find other writing topics and continue practicing every day until the day of your CELPIP Test. (You will find suggestions for finding additional topics or coming up with your own topics on pages 40 and 71.) Note that when you complete a Writing Challenge in Step 6 or write a response to an additional topic in Step 9, you may find it helpful to follow this procedure: * While writing, work under test conditions. This means finishing your response in 27 minutes (for Task 1) or 26 minutes (for Task 2), typing your response rather than writing it by hand, and not using a dictionary or other reference book. ‘+ After writing, ask a teacher (or somebody else whose judgement you trust) to review your response and provide some feedback. Then review your response yourself and find at least five things to improve. © Christien Lee, 2016 5About the Author ‘The author, Christien Lee, was born in the UK, but has lived in Canada since 2002. He started teaching in 1992, and has specialized in helping people pass English language tests since 1997. These tests include CELPIP, IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, MELAB, PTE Academic, and Cambridge tests like FCE and CAE. In addition to his work as a language teacher, he has been a teacher-trainer, a curriculum developer, a materials writer, a language training consultant, an e-learning developer, a programmer, and an author. He has written the following books: * ATOEFL textbook published by Oxford University Press * AMELAB study guide published by Cambridge Michigan Language Assessments * An LPI Writing guide published by Paragon Testing Enterprises (this is the organization that develops and administers the CELPIP Test) * An academic skills book based on TED Talks published by Cengage / National Geograp! Learning Speaking Guide The author of this writing guide is currently working on a similar book that provides practice for the speaking section of the CELPIP Test. This book, which will be available soon, will include a detailed introduction to each speaking task, model responses for each task, practice and challenge activities, and a list of useful words and phrases. (Note that the image shown is not the final design.) 6 ‘Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP®INTRODUCTION To CELPIP® CELPIP is a computer-based English language proficiency test. The name stands for Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program. There are three versions of the test: CELPIP-General (or CELPIP-G), which tests reading, listening, speaking, and writing; CELPIP-LS, which tests listening and speaking only; and CELPIP- Academic. This book is designed to help people taking CELPIP-G only. If you are taking CELPIP-LS, this book will not benefit you. The Department of Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) Canada has designated CELPIP-G as an accredited test to demonstrate proficiency in English. It is typically taken by people in order to become a permanent resident of Canada or in order to prove their skills for immigration to Canada under a program such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program, In total, CELPIP-G takes around three hours to complete. There are four sections in CELPIP-G: Section _ Description The listening section has six scored parts and one unscored part. You ‘ will listen to two conversations between two people, listen to one 4 Listening ‘ 40 minutes person interviewing another person, watch a video that shows two or three people talking, and listen to two talks or reports, ‘The reading section has four scored parts and one unscored part. 2 Reading —_Youwill read several letters, emails, and short texts. You will also 60 minutes have to read information about diagrams or photographs, ‘The writing section has two scored tasks. It does not have any 3 Writing —_unscored tasks. You will write one email based on information that is 53 minutes given to you. You will also write a response to a survey question. ‘The speaking section has eight scored tasks and one unscored ractice task. The tasks include expressing your opinion about a 4 Speaking Practice ee ace - 20 minutes topic, giving advice to somebody, describing 2 personal experience, and describing what you can see in a picture. CELPIP-G is a computerized test. Every part of the test will take place on a computer, including speaking and writing. If you are not comfortable using a computer, practice as much as possible before your test. stien Lee, 2016Introduction to the Writing Test Writing is the third part of CELPIP-G. At the start of the writing test, you will see specific instructions about how to answer the writing test. The instructions will look similar to this: CELPIP-General - Writing Test © writ * There are 2 tasks in this test. Test Instructions Use the computer keyboard to write your response. * You can see how many words you have written by looking at the bottom of the writing area to see the word count. © You have 27 minutes to complete Task 1 and 26 minutes to complete Task 2. Watch the timer in the top right corner to make sure that you complete each task before the time is up. ‘© IF you do not finish Task 1 in 27 minutes, the screen will move to Task 2. You cannot go back. © You have 53 minutes to complete the Writing Test. When you take the writing test, you must type your answers. You cannot write your answers by hand. As you are typing, you will have access to features such as word count, spell check, and basic editing functions like cut, copy, paste, delete, undo, and redo. ‘The writing section lasts approximately 53 minutes and has two scored tasks. These tasks are intended to be similar to the kinds of writing in English you might have to do in everyday life: Task Question Type Required Words Time 2 Writing an email 150-200 27 minutes 2 Responding to survey questions 150-200 26 minutes 8 Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP®How the Writing Test is Scored In total, four different specially-trained raters will assess your responses: two raters will assess your response to Writing Task 1, and two different raters will assess your response to Writing Task 2. Each rater will assess your response according to four criteria: Explanation of Scoring Criteria 1 Coherence / Meaning How clear your ideas are and how well your ideas work together + Have you explained your ideas clearly? * Have you organized your response in a way that makes it easy for the rater to follow your ideas? * Have you shown the ability to express information precisely and with deep meaning? 2 Lexical Range How accurately and naturally you use vocabulary * Does your response have a sufficient range of vocabulary to complete the task well? * Have you shown the ability to use natural words and phrases to express ideas accurately? 3 Readability / Comprehensibility How fluent your writing is and how easy itis to understand * Are grammar, spelling, punctuation, or word errors likely to confuse the reader? ‘+ Have you used a variety of different sentence types, including simple, compound, and complex? ‘= Does your response have clear, well-organized, logical paragraphs and appropriate formatting? ‘+ Have you used connectors and transition words and phrases clearly and effectively? 4 Task Fulfillment How well your response addresses the task + Does your response answer every part of the task effectively? + Is your response long enough? Is the tone of your response appropriate, or isit too formal or informal? The rater will assign you a score out of 12 for each criterion. Your final mark from each rater will be the ‘erage of the scores for each criterion. Your final score for the writing test will be the average of the four 85 you received from the raters. e¢, 2016STUDY TIPS FOR CELPIP® ‘These study tips will help you achieve a good score in the writing section of CELPIP. Study Tip 1 - Get Authentic Practice When you type your own responses to CELPIP topics, you can get authentic practice by using the free CELPIP. sample test available from Paragon Testing Enterprises. Follow these steps: * Visit https: //secure. [Link]/InstructionalProducts/ and click on the orange button marked “Start Sample Test.” ‘© Choose “Free Online Sample Test - G” from the drop-down menu and then click “OK.” ‘© Click the orange button marked “Start” and then choose “Writing” from the drop-down menu. ‘© Click “Next” when the writing directions appear. You will see the screen for Writing Task 1 and the timer will start counting down. To practice Writing Task 2, click “Next” again. * Inthe space, type your response to a topic from this book rather than the official topic on the screen. (Note that when you use this free sample test, your response will not be saved. To save it, copy and paste your finished response into a document on your computer and click save.) Study Tip 2 - Be Accurate and Natural Rather Than Advanced ‘The scoring criteria for CELPIP do NOT say your writing must be advanced. To score well, it is often better to Use a variety of relatively simple English that is accurate and natural rather than trying to use advanced language, but using it in incorrect or unnatural ways. This is especially true because advanced language that hhas mistakes is more likely to confuse the rater, and this can have a significant effect on your overall score. Study Tip 3 - Write about Fami ir Topics When deciding which ideas to write about, always try to write about something familiar that you have previously written (or spoken) about in English. Writing about an unfamiliar topic will probably cause you to take more time writing your response, so you may not finish. You will also probably make more mistakes. Study Tip 4 - Read Like a Writer When you read something in English, think like a writer. Notice how the writer uses words and phrases to express his or her meaning. Also notice how the writer uses grammar and punctuation. Then memorize some of the best words, phrases, and grammar structures and use them in your own writing. 10 ‘Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP®TASK 1: INTRODUCTION ‘When you begin the writing test, you will see Task 1. The computer screen will look something like this: ‘Writing Task 1; Writing an Email © Read the following information. You went out for dinner at a restaurant with your family yesterday last month. When you checked your credit card statement today, you saw that you had been charged twice for the meal. ‘Time remaining: 26 minutes 43 seconds @ Inabout 150-200 words, write an email to the restaurant manager. Your email should do the following things: ‘Say when and why you went to the restaurant Describe the problem in detail © Explain how the manager should fix the issue. At the top of the screen, you will see the title bar, which explains which writing task you are currently responding to, and how much time you have left. For Task 1, you have 27 minutes in total. When the time is, up, the computer will automatically proceed to Writing Task 2. ‘Writing Task 1: Writing an Email © Read the following information. You went out for dinner at a restaurant with your senily yesterday last month. When you checked your creditcard statement today, you saw that you had n charged twice for the meal Time remaining: 26 minutes 43 seconds On the left side of the screen, you will see some background information that describes a situation. You will need to read thi understand the task. information in order to. u"On the right of the screen, you will see the prompt. This explains who you should write to. This information will help you decide how to begin your @ In about 150-200 words, write an email to the restaurant manager. Your email should do the following things: email. For example, if the prompt tells you to write to the manager of a restaurant, you might begin © Say when and why you went to the restaurant. “Dear Sir or Madam” or perhaps “Dear Manager.” ® Describe the problem in detail In contrast, ifthe prompt tells you to write to a © Explain how the manager should fix the issue. sister or another family member, you might begin “Hi,” “Hi Mary,” or “Dear Sis.” ‘The prompt also mentions what information your email should include. Typically, the prompt includes three things that your email should do. These are in the form of bullet points, and usually begin with imperative verbs like “say,” “describe,” or “explain.” In order to get a good score, your response must include sentences that cover all this information. As a result, it is very important that you read the information carefully and understand it fully. The white box below the prompt is where you should type your response. As you type, a scroll bar will appear so that you can see your whole response. You will see the word count below the white box. ‘As a general rule, a good response to Writing Task 1 will include five elements: © Agreeting, such as “Dear Sir or Madam,” or “Hi Mary.” The greeting should be short. ‘© A first body paragraph. This paragraph will often explain why you are writing. In general, the paragraph should also cover the information in the first bullet point in the prompt. ‘+ Asecond body paragraph. Generally, speaking, this paragraph should cover the information in the. second bullet point in the prompt. © Athird body paragraph. Generally, speaking, this paragraph should cover the information in the third bullet point in the prompt. © Aclosing, such as “I look forward to hearing from you,” “Please contact me if you need more information,” or simply “Thanks.” You may also wish to add a name below the closing. This does not have to be your real name. Because Task 1 questions follow a standard pattern, itis likely that you can use these elements in every response. 12 Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP®TASK 1: ANALYSIS oF A RESPONSE Read the prompt and response by a test expert on ti Writing Tas: Writing an Email © Read the following information. You went out for dinner at a restaurant with your family yesterday last month. When you checked your credit card statement today, you saw that you had been charged twice for the meal. istien Lee, 2016 Page. Then read the analysis of the response on the next page. This will help you understand how to write effective, high-scoring responses to Task 1 prompts. “Te remsining: 00 minutes 43 seconds @ tnabout 150-200 words, write an email tothe restaurant manager. Your email should do the following things: Say when and why you went to the restaurant. Describe the problem in detail. Explain how the manager should fix the issue. ‘To Whom It May Concern | My family and | visited your restaurant last month. It was my wife's birthday, and we | wanted to have a delicious family meal as a celebration. The food and service were both good, but unfortunately you charged too much. This is why am writing to you J ordered the salmon salad, my wife had pasta with chicken, and our children both had pizza and salad. We only ordered water. According to your website, the total cost of this meal should have been $72. Unfortunately, when I checked my credit card statement today, | saw that we were charged for this meal twice. Please could you email me today to let me know when you can refund this second charge to my credit card? If you prefer, you can telephone me at my office on 123.456 7890 (extension 321). | look forward to hearing from you soon. Mr R Smith BMy family and | visited your restaurant last month. It was my wife's birthday, and we wanted to have a deli 1us family meal as a celebration. The food and service were both good, but unfortunately you} charged too much, This is why | am writing to you. J ordered the salmon salad, my wife had pasta with chicken, and our children both had pizza and salad. We only ordered water. According to your website the total cost of this meal should have been $72. Unfortunately, when | checked my credit card statement today, | saw that we were charged for this meal twice. Please could you email me today to let me know | when you can refund this second charge to my credit card? If you prefer, you can telephone me at my office on 123 456 7890 (extension 321). Hook forward to hearing from you soon _| werent d To Whom It May Concern <——— Every email should begin with a greeting. “To Whom It May Concern” is a good greeting for formal emails when you do not know the name of the other person. | The opening paragraph should explain why you are writing the email. It should also address the task given in the first bullet in the prompt. The writer does both of these things well. The second paragraph should address the task in the second bullet in the prompt. The writer does this very well, with plenty of specific, believable details. The third paragraph should address the task in the third bullet in the prompt. Again, the writer does this effectively and includes specific, believable detail L- tt is often a good idea to add a closing line to each email. Because the writer wants the ‘manager to contact him, “| look forward to hearing from you soon” sounds very natural Finish your email with a name. As a general rule, it is better not to use your own name. If you use ‘an imaginary name, choose one that is easy to spell. This email, which has 156 words, is clearly organized, well written, and addresses the task fully. Its only weakness is that the language is deliberately somewhat simple in places. It would probably score 11-12, 4 ‘Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP®TASK 1: STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE Writing Task 1 questions follow a standard pattern. As a result, you can follow the same steps each time you ‘write @ Task 1 response either for practice or during the official CELPIP test. Step1 Read the background information carefully. Look for useful information that will help you understand your task, For example, does the background information mention a negative experience that you will need to complain about, or does it describe a situation in which you will need to ask somebody for help? Also make a note of any information that will help you respond to the prompt. For instance, if the situation asks ‘you to complain, look for specific details that explain why you are complaining. Next read the prompt carefully. Notice who you should write to and what information your message should include. This information will be explained in the three bullet points. Decide how best to organize your response. In most cases, the best organization will be the five-element organization explained on page 12: A greeting + A paragraph that says why you are writing and addresses the first bullet point of the prompt + A paragraph that addresses the second bullet point of the prompt + A paragraph that addresses the third bullet point of the prompt + Aclosing sentence or phrase, and then a name = some cases, however, you may think that two of the paragraphs should be combined. For instance, you might feel it would be more natural if you write one paragraph that addresses both the first and second bullet points, or one that addresses the second and third bullets. (Note that unless you are completely confident that doing this will make your response easier for the rater to understand, you should probably stick with the five-element organization.) Pian to spend up to two minutes on Step 1, but doing it in less time is better, if possible. @Crristien Lee, 2016Step2 After reading the background information and prompt carefully, and after deciding how to organize your response, you should brainstorm ideas. This means to think of ideas that match the task, and to decide which of those ideas you will include in your response. When you brainstorm, you should: © Think of ideas, details, and examples that match either the background information or the things mentioned in the prompt that you need to address {You can also brainstorm words, phrases, and grammar structures that would be natural to use when you type your response to the prompt.) If you wish, you can make a note of your ideas on a piece of paper. This is not necessary, but it will help you remember your ideas when you are typing your response, so it is usually a good idea to do this. For example, for the Task 1 topic shown on page 18, you might brainstorm and note down ideas like these: = loud noise from equipm & shouting where live = across street from site affects life = cannot sleep well = work at home so cannot concentrate want = workers should work usual hours (4 to 5) ‘After you have brainstormed your ideas, decide which of them you will include in your response. If you ‘came up with many ideas, you will probably not have enough time to include all of them, so just include the ones that are most familiar to you. These will be easier for you to write about than less familiar ideas, so you will probably be able to write about them more quickly and with fewer mistakes. Plan to spend up to five minutes on Step 2. This may seem like a long time, but responses that are written without any brainstorming or plan are often more disorganized and have more mistakes. 16 ‘Test Expert Writing Practice for CELIStep3 After brainstorming your ideas, you need to type your response. Remember: you will not be able to write your response by hand. When you type, you should follow the organization you decided on in Step 1 and write about the ideas you chose in Step 2. Thi where having notes can be very helpful. is ‘As you type each sentence, focus on the following things: * Be careful about mistakes, especially basic mistakes like forgetting to put -s or -ed on the ends of words, or using the wrong tense. Mistakes like these are likely to reduce your score. * Avoid writing sentences that are too long because these are likely to confuse the rater, which may affect your score. Asa rule, sentences up to 20 words long are generally OK. * Make sure each sentence directly addresses one of the points from the prompt (or adds a relevant detail or example). If your sentences are off-topic, your score might be affected. * Donot use too many simple sentences — good responses usually have a balance of simple, compound, and complex sentences. (If you are not sure what these terms mean, check a grammar book or look up the information online.) Spend as much time as you need on Step 3. Do NOT try to save time at the end; itis better to write a full response than to write a shorter one just so you have a few minutes left at the end. Step4 you finish Task 1 early, you cannot add any remaining minutes or seconds to the time you have for y2sk2. Asa result, if you have any time left at the end, try to improve your response: = Check you have used clear connectors (e.g., As a result) and sequence words (e.g., Firstly). = Lok for opportunities to add details or examples to make your ideas and points clearer. = Faxany mistakes that you notice. (But keep in mind that you will probably not be able to fix all of your mistakes; as a result, fixing mistakes is unlikely to affect your overall score.) esiien Lee, 2016 7TASK 1: TOPIC 1.1 Topic Read this Writing Task 1 topic. What information in the topic is important? How could this information help you to write an effective response to the topic? ‘Writing Task 1: Writing an Email 27 minutes @ inabout 150-200 words, write an email to the ‘owner of the building company. Your email You live in an apartment near a building site should do the following things: Recently, the construction workers have begun working on the site from early every morning and | ¢ Give information about where you live. @ Read the followin, continuing until late in the evening. Their work © Describe the problem and how it affects you, disturbs you because it makes a lot of noise. Say how you think the owner could resolve the issue. Analysis | Read this analysis of the topic by a test expert. Do the expert's ideas about the topic match your ideas? The background information describes a negative situation. Specifically, it explains that you are being disturbed by noise from a construction site. From this, you can understand that you will need to write a complaint email. This is a common type of email writing task in CELPIP. The prompt tells you to write to a company owner, which means your email should be relatively formal. It also tells you to do three things. First, you have to give information about where you live. A good response will make it clear that your home is close to the building site, Second, you have to descr e the problem and say how it affects you. A good response will paraphrase the background information from the topic. Copying too many words and phrases may have an effect on your score. In addition, a good response will give specific details or examples about how the noise affects you. Just saying “The noise disturbs me” or “There is too much noise” is not specific or detailed enough Finally, you have to say how you think the owner could resolve the issue. A good response will include one or more specific and detailed suggestions to improve the situation. 8Expert's Response | Read this response by a test expert and the detailed analysis that explains why itis a good response. Dear Company Owner <—___________} Ilive at 123 New Street in Newtown, Manitoba. My,J home is just across the street from the construction’ site operated by your company at 128 New Street. lam weiting to complain about noise from the —<_| construction site. Since last month, people have been working on the site from approximately GAM. to 10PM each day. The workers often shout and use noisy equipment. This has a big impact on my life. For one thing, the noise disturbs my sleep. For another thing, | work from home, but the noise makes it difficult for me to concentrate. | would like you to instruct your workers to keep regular business hours. This means that they 2 | should start work no earlier than 9AM each day, and finish no later than SPM each day. This would not be perfect for me, as | would still find it hard to focus when working at home, but it would certainly improve the situation. | am sure that other people living on my street would feel happier if your workers adopted this schedule. Thank you eat Rise —— | + The greeting is relatively formal. An alternative would be “Dear Sir or Madam”. In the first paragraph, the writer clearly covers the first bullet point in the prompt. The address that the writer uses is obviously fake. In general, it is better not to use your real name or address. In the second paragraph, the writer clearly covers the second bullet point in the prompt. Notice how the writer adds specific, believable details such as the time when the work begins and ends, and the causes of the noise. The writer also gives two examples of how the problem affects him, which is good. In the third paragraph, the writer clearly covers the third bullet point in the prompt. Again, the writer adds specific details about times. In the final sentence, the writer explains how other people would also benefit from his suggestion, which is @ natural, believable thing to say. The writer closes the email by saying “thank you.” Because the writer has asked the other person to do something, this is a natural way to end. L~ The writer uses a fake name to end the email, Because he does not know the name of the person he is writing to, he uses only his initial “R” rather than his first name. This response has excellent coherence and meaning, good lexical range, very good readability and comprehensibility, and great task fulfillment. Like all responses in this book, it would likely score 11 ~12. Christien Lee, 2016 19Practice Topic 1.1 ‘Many test-takers make mistakes with prepositions (words like in, on, or with). Such errors may reduce a response’s overall score. Type out this response to a practice topic. As you type, add in the correct reposition at each of the ten blanks. When you have finished, check your answers on page 72. ‘Writing Task 1: Writing an Email 27 minutes © Read the following information. @ in about 150-200 words, write an email to the city council. Your email should do the ‘You live near a park. Recently, some students from following things: a local college have been spending time in the park in the evenings and at night. They talk loudly, play Give information about where you live. noisy games, and listen to loud music. + Describe the problem and how it affects you. * Say what you would like the city council to do about the problem. Dear Sir or Madam live ~_]123 New Street in Newtown, Manitoba. My home is just across the street from the entrance [2 North Lake Park, | am writing to complain about noise the park. Since last month, some students from Newtown College have been hanging out in the park from approximately 8PM[4__] late at night. They do this most days, but especially [5 |weekends. The students talk and play music loudly, and sometimes they even play soccer or other sports and games. This has a big impact on my life because the noise makes ithard[s_____]me and my family to sleep. | would like you to put up signs in North Lake Park asking people to be quiet if they use the park in the evening or [7 night. Alternatively, ! would like you to lock the park(8___]8PM so that nobody can hang out there after dark and disturb others [9 being noisy. | am sure that other people living. ‘on my street would feel happier if you adopted one[10____| these suggestions. Thank you Mr R Smith 20 ‘Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP”Useful Language These words and phrases may help you write an effective response to a Task 1 writing topic, especially one similar to the topics on this page and pages 18 and 20. There are more useful phrases on page 102. For one thing, ... Use this phrase to introduce one point or reason for your opinion For another thing, Use this phrase to introduce a second point or reason for your opinion am sure that other people ... Use this phrase when you want to introduce an opinion that other people are likely to share tam writing to complain about... Use this phrase to introduce something you wish to complain about would like you to ... Use this phrase when you want another person to perform a particular task or take a specific action This means that ... Use these words either to clarify the meaning of an idea you have Just mentioned, or to talk about the result of something Challenge Topic 1.1 Type a response to this Writing Task 1 challenge topic in 27 minutes. Use the expert’s response on page [Link] a guide. (See page 10 for a suggestion about how to get authentic practice when you type your response.) When you have finished, compare your response to the suggested response on page 72. _ Writing Task 4: Writing an Email 27 minutes © Read the following information. @ in about 150-200 words, write an email to the ‘owner of the nightclub. Your email should do A popular new nightclub has opened near where the following things: ‘you live. The noise from the nightclub is very loud, 25d many people who visit the club are also noisy | * Give information about where you live. when they arrive and leave. * Describe the problem and say how it affects you. ‘Say how you think the owner could resolve the issue. ien Lee, 2016 aTASK 1: TOPIC 1.2 Topic Read this Writing Task 1 topic. What information in the topic is important? How could this information help you to write an effective response to the topic? Writing Task 1: Writing an Email 27 minutes @ Read the following information. @ in about 150-200 words, write anemailto | your student. Your email should do the You are a professor at a university. One of your following things: students has excellent ideas and studies hard. However, this person is thinking about dropping | * Explain why you think this person is a good out of university and finding a job. student. * Describe some of the disadvantages of dropping out. + Mention some benefits of graduating from university. Analysis | Read this analysis of the topic by a test expert. Do the expert’s ideas about the topic match your ideas? The background information says that you are a university professor. From this, you can imagine that your ‘email should be relatively formal. Specifically, the background information describes a situation that requires you to give advice to someone. This is a common type of email writing task in CELPIP. The prompt tells you to write to your student. This tells you that it would be natural to use the student’s first name (e.g., Mary”) rather than his or her family name (e.g., “Ms Jones”). The prompt also tells you to do three things. First, you have to give information about why you think this person is a good student. A good response will give one or more details or examples that explain this clearly. Second, you have to discuss some disadvantages of dropping out of university. Because the prompt says “some of the disadvantages,” a good response must mention at least two disadvantages. Finally, you have to mention some benefits of graduating from university. Again, the prompt says “some benefits,” so a good response will need to discuss at least two specific (not general) benefits. 2 ‘Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP®rt's Response Mary <— heard that you are considering dropping out “=wersity. | have been impressed with your © | and with how hard you study. In my view you 2 good student, and its my hope that you will Sider your plan. ‘two problems with dropping out. First, <——L- srs will see from your resume that you quit. ity. This might make them feel you are iy who quits easily, which could make decide not to hire you. And second, the. my is not doing well at the moment and few snies are hiring workers. In my opinion, now not 2 good time to look for work. re orn oe | have a university education, so graduating will “jake it easier for you to find employment. In “section, in a few years, the economy might be "Seng better, and more companies may be willing, "= dre people. For these two reasons, | strongly _sévse you to continue your studies. ‘Pease come to my office anytime if you wish to — | ‘Sscuss this further. Professor Smith wien Lee, 2016 ‘od this response by a test expert and the detailed analysis that explains why it is a good response. The prompt says the professor is writing to a student he or she knows. For this reason, it is natural to use the student's first name here. In the first paragraph, the writer explains why he or she thinks the student is a good student. This clearly addresses the first bullet in the prompt. In the second paragraph, the writer covers the second bullet in the prompt. The first sentence of the paragraph states that the writer will mention two disadvantages. Then the writer introduces each disadvantage with a clear signpost expression: “First, ..” and “And secon In the third paragraph, the writer clearly covers the third bullet in the prompt by discussing two benefits of graduating from university. In this case, the writer does not use a signpost expression before the first benefit, but does before the second benefit (“in addition, ..”). in the final sentence, the writer explicitly advises the student to continue studying. The prompt does not say that the writer needs to do this, but it is a ‘natural thing to include in an email like this. The writer closes the email by offering to give ‘further support if needed. This is a natural way to close an email like this one. As usual, the writer uses a common, easy-to-spell fake name. “es response has 185 words, excellent coherence and meaning, good lexical range, high readability and sSworchensibility, and great task fulfillment. Like all responses in book, it would likely score 11-12.Practice Topic 1.2 Many test-takers make mistakes with tenses, such as using present tense, not past tense. Such errors ‘may reduce a response’s overall score. Type out this response to a practice topic. As you type, choose the correct tense at each of the blanks. When you have finished, check your answers on page 73. Writing Task 1: Writing an Email 27 minutes @ Read the following inform: You are a manager at a company. One of your employees has excellent ideas and works hard, However, this person is thinking about quitting work in order to go back to university. @ In about 150-200 words, write an email to ‘your employee. Your email should do the following things: Say why you think this person is a good worker. Describe some of the disadvantages of quitting work to attend university. Mention some benefits of continuing to work at the company. Dear Mary Ea Ihave heard that you are considering quitting your job at this company in order to attend university. | (nave been / willbe) impressed with your ideas and with how hard you work. In my view you are an excellent employee, and it [2 Gs / will be) my hope that you will reconsider your plan. | see several issues with quitting your job. As you {had known / know), the economy is not doing. [ear] well at the moment and few companies reports that| work in this job | strongly advise you to continue working. Please come to my office anytime if you Robert Smith Although many employers want to hire those who have a university education, they [é often more interested in employing people with relevant work experience. As a result, continuing to [2] ras ven / wit eve) you valuable work skills. With improved skills you may get a promotion at this company, or you may find a great position at another company. For these two reasons, (are / were) hiring new workers. | have read many 5 (adsaid sy) this situation will probably continue for a number of years. When you look for work again after going back to university, | am worried that you may find it hard to get a job. (ore / were) (wil wish / wish) to discuss this further. 24 ‘Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIUseful Language These words and phrases may help you write an effective response to a Task 1 writing topic, especially one similar to the topics on this page and pages 22 and 24, There are more useful phrases on page 102. And second, ... First, For these two reasons, ... Thave heard that. I see two problems with .. ft is my hope that . These days, Challenge Topic 1.2 Use this phrase to introduce a second point, opinion, problem, and ‘50 on; note that including “And” suggests that this is your final point Use this word to introduce a first point, opinion, problem, and soon Use this phrase before you summarize your opinion about a topic or the option you chose Use this phrase to introduce some information that you heard from somebody else, read in a newspaper, and so on Use these words to introduce problems or issues with something, such as somebody's plan Use these words as a somewhat formal alternative to "I hope that" Use this phrase to introduce a situation that is currently true Type a response to this Writing Task 1 challenge topic in 27 minutes. Use the expert’s response on page 23 as. guide. (See page 10 for a suggestion about how to get authentic practice when you type your “=sponse.) When you have finished, compare your response to the suggested response on page 75. = 4: Writing an Email 27 minutes 1B Fead the following information. ‘end is an excellent cook. For many years, following things: ‘Send has wanted to become a chef. ,, however, your friend is thinking of giving | * Say why you think your friend is good at cooking. ‘Ss cream and getting a job working ina store. | ¢ Describe some of the benefits to your friend of @ nabout 150-200 words, write an email to your friend. Your email should do the ‘trying to achieve his or her dream, * Mention some disadvantages of finding a job working in a store. 25TASK 1: TOPIC 1.3 Topic Read this Writing Task 1 topic. What information in the topic is important? How could this information help you to write an effective response to the topic? | Writing Task 1: Writing an Email 27 minutes @ Read the following information. @ inabout 150-200 words, write an email to your sister. Your email should do the Every year your whole family spends one day following things: together in the summer. This year, your sister is organizing the day. You want to suggest an activity | * Describe the activity you think the family should that you think your family would enjoy. do this year. * Give details about where the activity is and how much it costs. + Explain why this activity is good for everybod your family. Analysis | Read this analysis of the topic by a test expert. Do the expert's ideas about the topic match your ideas? The background information describes a situation with your family. From this, you can expect that your ‘email should be informal. Specifically, the background information mentions a regular family event and says that you want to make a suggestion, so you can understand that your email should focus on the benefits of something. This isa common type of email writing task in CELPIP. The prompt tells you to write to your sister. This tells you that it would be natural to use your sister’s name (c.g., "Sue"). Writing to “Dear Sister” or “Dear Sis” might also be possible, or just beginning “Hi.” ‘The prompt also tells you to do three things. First, you have to describe an activity you think your family should do. A good response will include specific details about the activity. To avoid errors, make sure you write about a familiar activity. Second, you have to give details about where this activity is and how much it costs. A good response will be specific (e.g, “It is one hour north of the city by car’) rather than general (eg,, “Its outside the city”). Finally, you have to explain why the activity is good for everyone in the family. A good response will mention family members by name and give specific reasons why they would enjoy it. 26 ‘Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP®Expert's Response "hope you and your family are well. Things here | are fine. ‘As you know, our family day is coming soon. | have. zn idea for something we could do that | think ‘we'd all enjoy. Why don’t we spend the day picking apples? There is an apple farm north of Toronto that lets people pick their own apples on weekends. It’s easy to get to the farm by car or by subway and shen bus. | went there last year with some friends, 2nd it took only 40 minutes or so. There is no cost so enter, and the apples are just $3 per kilogram, ‘which is much cheaper than most supermarkets. There are several reasons why | think this would be ‘=cecially when Mom makes them into an apple Se! And the farm has plenty of fun things for Spidren to do, such as a play area, so all of the kids would have fun, too. ‘Sue mea call so we can discuss further. oy 4 ee | Read this response by a test expert and the detailed analysis that explains why itis a good response. Hi Mary y questions about what | saw. Mc R Smith es response has 199 words, excellent coherence and — The writer must write to a newspaper reporter; it is likely the writer does not know the reporter's ‘name, so “Dear Sir or Madam” is a good greeting. }~ This paragraph does not address any of the bullet points. However, itis often natural to include @ sentence that explains your reason for writing. In the second paragraph, the writer covers the first bullet in the prompt. Notice how the writer gives specific details about where he was and what he saw. This makes the email seem natural. In the third paragraph, the writer clearly covers the second bullet in the prompt. Again, the writer includes some natural, believable details. In the fourth paragraph, the writer addresses the last bullet in the prompt. This paragraph is longer than the second and third paragraphs. In general, each paragraph should be about equal in length, but for this topic, the last paragraph is longer as the final bullet requires more information. This final sentence is a natural way to end an ‘email like this. Notice how the writer says “at this email address.” Because all emails automatically include the sender's email address, there is no need for the writer to include his email address in the body of the message. Ifyou start an email with “Dear Sir or Madam,” it is natural to close with just your family name or your initial and then your family name, as here. meaning, good lexical range, high readability and -=Smerehensibility, and great task fulfillment. Like all responses in this book, it would likely score 11-12. Lee, 2016 aPractice Topic 1.4 ‘Many test-takers make small grammar, vocabulary, or punctuation mistakes. Such errors may reduce a response’s overall score. Type out this response to a practice topic. As you type, correct each of the underlined mistakes. When you have finished, check your answers on page 78. ‘Writing Task 2: Writing an Email 27 minutes @ Read the following information. @ about 150-200 words, write an email to your friend. Your email should do the You recently saw a police officer prevent a woman following things: from being hit by a car. Your friend has asked you i © Explain wh the police officer hel to describe what you saw. ‘plain where you saw the pol cer help the woman. © Give details about how and why the woman. almost got hit by a car. * Describe how the police officer helped the woman and what happened afterwards. Hi Mary hope you and your family are well. Things here are fine. As you requested, | ws situation | saw the another day. totell you about a | was walking home two days before along the North River near Newtown. I had just passed the Old Bridge when I see a woman jogging. She was listening loud music and wearing the dark sunglasses. As | watched her, she suddenly turned and started to run across the road. A truck was driving towards her very quick, and the driver used his horn to warn her. However, because of she was wearing sunglasses and headphones, | think the woman did not see or hear him. Suddenly, | saw a police officer run towards the woman. She pushed the woman out of the way of the truck and then jumped out of the way herself. The jogging woman fell over, but she was not hurt by the fall or by a truck. She thanked the police officer many of times for saving her life, Give me a call if you any questions about what | saw. | Robert 32 ‘Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP°Useful Language These words and phrases may help you write an effective response to a Task 1 writing topic, especially one similar to the topics on this page and pages 30 and 32. There are more useful phrases on page 102. As you requested, ... At first, .. However, .. 1am writing to tell you about ... or something like that Please contact me / Give me a call you have any questions ... Challenge To; Use this phrase to introduce some information that somebody has asked you to give Use these words to say what happened or how something was at the beginning; contrast these words with a phrase like “but soon or “after a while ..” Use this word to introduce some contrasting information Use this phrase to explain your reason for writing to somebody Use these words to make it clear that you cannot remember something exactly, or did not see something clearly; for example, you might say the cost was “S50 or something like that.” Use either of these phrases to let the person reading your email know that he or she can get in touch with you for more details, Type a response to this Writing Task 1 challenge topic in 27 minutes. Use the expert’s response on page 21.03 a guide. (See page 10 for a suggestion about how to get authentic practice when you type your response.) When you have finished, compare your response to the suggested response on page 79. meng Tank 1: Writing an Email 27 minutes © Read the following information, ‘ye= recently went on a business trip. During your following things: =, you saw a demonstration of a new computer. ‘Yeer boss thinks the computer might be useful for see company. Your boss wants you to desc jebst you saw. @ in about 150-200 words, write an email to your boss. Your email should do the Explain where you saw the demonstration. © Give details about what the computer is like and what it can do. © Say whether you think the computer would be useful for your company, and why. Btesten Lee, 2016TASK 1: TOPIC 1.5 Topic Read this Writing Task 1 topic. What information in the topic is important? How could this information help you to write an effective response to the topic? Writing Task 1: Writing an Email 27 minutes @ Read the following information. @ in about 150-200 words, write an email to the hotel manager. Your email should do the You recently stayed at a hotel for a few nights. The following thin staff at the hotel were excellent and took very good care of you. It was the best service you have Explain when you stayed at the hotel, for how ever received at a hotel. long, and why. + Give examples of the service you received. + State how you feel about the hotel and its staff. Analysis | Read this analysis of the topic by a test expert. Do the expert’s ideas about the topic match your ideas? ‘The background information describes a positive situation. Specifically, it describes a great experience you had at a hotel. From this, you can understand that you will need to give positive examples. Writing an email to say thank you for a positive experience is a relatively common type of email writing task in CELPIP. The prompt tells you to write to a hotel manager. From this you can understand that you should write a relatively formal email that is addressed to “Dear Sir or Madam” or “Dear Hotel Manager” because most people would not know or find out the manager’s actual name. The prompt also tells you to do three things. First, you have to explain when, why, and for how long you stayed at the hotel. A good response will mention all three pieces of information clearly and give supporting details as necessary. You do not have to describe a real hotel, but it may help you think of supporting details if you write about an actual hotel you have stayed at. Second, you have to give examples of the service you received. Notice that the prompt asks you for “some examples.” A good response will include at least two examples with details. Finally, you have to express how you feel about the hotel and its staff. A good response will make it clear that the writer is very thankful and satisfied. Be careful to avoid repetition: one or two sentences may be enough to cover this part of the prompt. 34 Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP®Expert's Response 1 Read this response by a test expert and the detailed analysis that explains why it is a good response. Dear Sir or Madam + Lest week | had to go to Boston on business. After s=ading some reviews online, | decided to stay at | your hotel from Monday to Wednesday night. | am so happy about my decision because | received such great service. When | arrived on Monday evening, | was late and Sungry because of a delayed flight. The young <—} woman working at the front desk arranged for inner to be sent to my room despite the kitchen being closed. In addition, when | left the hotel on Thursday morning, | forgot several items. One of your friendly maids followed me out of the hotel and gave them to me just before | got into a taxi to goto the airport. When | tried to give her a tip, she refused and said she was just happy to help. can honestly say that your staff provided: wonderful service, and | would like to thank you and everyone who works at the hotel. I will Gefinitely stay at your hotel again the next time | visit Boston, and | will recommend your hotel to all (—The writer must write to a hotel manager, It is likely the writer does not know the manager's name, so “Dear Sir or Madam” is a good greeting. This paragraph clearly addresses the first bullet in the prompt with specific details. The last sentence in the paragraph summarizes the writer's overall opinion and indirectly explains why he is writing. — The second paragraph covers the second bullet in the prompt. The details that the writer gives are clear and believable. The writer's use of language is clear and simple, too. This means that his response will be easy for the rater to follow. (It ‘also means the response is an excellent model for people who are not native speakers to copy.) In the third paragraph, the writer clearly covers the third bullet in the prompt. Again, the writer includes some natural, believable details. The final sentence is not mentioned in the prompt, but it is a natural thing to say in an email thanking somebody for excellent service. The closing phrase is simple but natural. It would also be possible to say something like “Yours sincerely,” “Yours faithfully,” or “Yours truly.” Mr Robert Smith <—__________- Because the writer has stayed at the hotel before, This response has 199 words, excellent coherence and it is natural for him to include his first name as well as his family name. However, giving only his family name would also be OK. meaning, good lexical range, high readability and comprehensibility, and great task fulfillment. Like all responses in this book, it would likely score 11 - 12. Christien Lee, 2016 35Practice Topic 1.5 Using adverbs to modify verbs and adjectives is an effective and easy way to make your response Jonger and more natural. Type out this response to a practice topic. As you type, choose the adverb (or adverbs) that could complete each blank. When you have finished, check your answers on page 79. ‘Writing Task 1: Writing an Email 27 minutes @ Read the following information. @ in about 150-200 words, write an email to the cruise ship company. Your email should do You recently took a short cruise vacation with your the following things: family. The staff on the ship were excellent and, took very good care of you. It was the best vacation you have ever taken, © Explain when you went on the cruise, for how long, and where. ‘Give some examples of the service you received. State how you feel about the ship and its staff. Dear Sir or Madam Last month my family and I took a five-night cruise vacation with your company. We travelled in Europe from Norway south to the United Kingdom. We are[ (60 / usually ew) happy about our decision to take a vacation with your company because we received great service and had a wonderful time. When we arrived in Norway, a young woman from your staff was at the airport to greet us. Our hotel lost our reservation, but she helped us sort the problem out (etectively/ quickly / realy) and easily. Next day she drove us and several other families to the cruise ship. While we were enjoying the cruise, the great service continued from [3 amost/ near /oray every member of staff. In addition, we were|[a_crediy most / ray happy with the wonderful food and the excellent activities and entertainment. Allin all, it was [5 (closely raly/ very a fantastic trip. lean[é honestly /neaty / totally) say that your staff provided wonderful service, and I would like to thank you and everybody who works on your cruise ship. Everyone in my family wants to take another cruise with your company next year, and | will definitely recommend you to my friends and colleagues, too. Yours Mr Robert Smith 36 Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIUseful Language These words and phrases may help you write an effective response to a Task 1 writing topic, especially ‘one similar to the topics on this pagé I can honestly say that ... Iwill definitely... | will recommend ... I would like to thank you ... In addition, ... sort (the problem) out Challenge Topic 1.5 je and pages 34 and 36. There are more useful phrases on page 102. Use these words when you wish to express a strong, honest opinion ‘about something Use these words to introduce something that you are certain you will do in the future Use these words to introduce something that you will suggest to other people Use these words to introduce something that you would like to say thank you to other people for Use this phrase to introduce a second or third point Use this phrasal verb to describe solving or fixing a problem; note that both “sort a problem out” and “sort out a problem” are both correct English; also note that you can “sort out a problem” or “an issue” or “a situation” and so on. Type a response to this Writing Task 1 challenge topic in 27 minutes. Use the expert’s response on page 35 as a guide. (See page 10 for a suggestion about how to get authentic practice when you type your response.) When you have finished, Writing Task 1: Writing an Email @ Read the following information. You recently stayed at a hotel for a few nights. The following things: staff at the hotel were unprofessional provide you with good care. It was the worst service you have ever received at a hotel. hristien Lee, 2016 compare your response to the suggested response on page 81. 27 minutes @ in about 150-200 words, write an email to the hotel manager. Your email should do the and did not ‘* Explain when you stayed at the hotel, for how long, and why. * Give some examples of the service you received. * State how you feel about the hotel and its staff. 37TASK 1: ADDITIONAL TOPICS Use these five additional topics to get more writing practice for Task 1. You will get the most benefit i write under test conditions. This means typing each response in 27 minutes. (The study tip on page 10 explains how to use a free online CELPIP test to get an authentic experience when typing your responses.) you Ad nal Topic 1.6 | 4 sample response to this topic written by a test expert is on page 82. Writing Task 1: Writing an Email 27 minutes @ Read the following information. @ in about 150-200 words, write an email to a local company. Your email should do the You volunteer at a local hospital for children. Your following things: manager has asked you to contact local businesses to raise money for new equipment to save * Explain who you are and why you are writing. children’s lives. * Describe how the hospital will use any money that is raised. * Say how much money you need and how the company can donate it nal Topic 4 | 4 sample response to this topic written by a test expert is on page 83. Writing Task 4: Writing an Email 27 minutes @ Read the following information. @ in about 150-200 words, write an email to your co-workers. Your email should do the Every day you take lunch to work and leave it in a following things: refrigerator at your office. For the last few days, somebody has been eating part of your lunch. Explain why you bring lunch every day and what your lunch looks like ‘© Say what has been happening for the last few days and how it makes you feel. ‘+ Describe what you will do if somebody continues to eat items of food from your lunch. 38 ‘Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP®Additional Topic 1.8 | A sample response to this topic written by a test expert is on page 84. (Writing Task 1: Writing an Emai 27 minutes @ Read the followi You recently went out for dinner at a popular and expensive restaurant near your home. It was not a good experience: the service was average, the food ‘was poor, and you were charged too much. Neither the chef nor the restaurant manager was available to help you. @ in about 150-200 words, write an email to the ‘manager of the restaurant. Your email should do the following things: * Explain when you went to the restaurant, why, and what you expected. ‘+ Give examples of the problems you experienced while eating there. + Suggest how the manager could fix the issues to your satisfaction. Additional Topic 1.9 | Asomple response to this topic written by a test expert is on page 85. | Writing Task 4: Writing an Email 27 minutes @ Read the following information. | You saw a poster at the library about a new hiking group that is starting in your area. You love hiking | and would like to join this group. @ inabout 150-200 words, write an email to the person organizing the hiking group. Your email should do the following things: * Say who you are and why you would like to join the hiking group. * Ask how you can become a member and how often the group will meet, '* Suggest some places you have previously been that are good for hiking. © Christien Lee, 2016 39Add nal Topic 1.10 | A sample response to this topic written by a test expert is on page 86. ‘Writing Task 1; Writing an Email 27 minutes @ Read the following information. @ inabout 150-200 words, write an email to the store manager. Your email should do the You recently shopped at a store that is two hours following things: from your home by car. When you got home, you. realized that the store charged you too much. You | * Say which items you were overcharged for. called the store, but were told you had to return in| * Explain why you do not wish to return to the person to have the extra charge corrected. store in person. ‘+ Suggest what actions the manager could take to solve the problem. Suggestions for Finding Additional Practice Topics Here are some suggestions for creating and finding additional writing topics for Task 1. 1. Create your own topics by making small changes to the topics in this book Itis relatively easy to come up with new topics by making small changes to the topics in this book (or other books). Look at Writing Challenge 1.1 on page 21. Notice how Challenge 1.1 changes the original topic slightly so that instead of writing about how noise from a building site disturbs you, you have to write about noise from a nightclub. Also notice how Writing Challenge 1.5 on page 37 asks you to write about the ‘opposite of the original prompt: instead of praising great service, you have to complain about poor service. 2. Borrow or purchase official CELPIP writing questions Paragon Testing Enterprises is the organization that develops and administers the CELPIP Test. This organization sells official practice tests and study materials for CELPIP. You may be able to borrow these from the library or purchase them online from this website: https: //www. paragontestin| 3. Use Writing Task 1 questions from study materials for the IELTS General test The first writing task in IELTS General is very similar to the Writing Task 1 in CELPIP. You may be able to borrow study materials for IELTS General from a library. (Note that only Writing Task 1 in IELTS General is useful for CELPIP; practicing Writing Task 1 from IELTS Academic would not help you for CELPIP.) 40 Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP'TASK 2: INTRODUCTION Ser your time for Task 1 ends, or after you choose to fi when Task 2 begins, the screen will look something like this ‘Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions © Read the following information. Office Location ‘Your company is planning to move to a new location. ‘Your manager is considering two locations and wants to know your views. One location would be a larger ‘office in the suburbs 30 minutes away from the city that has alot of space for employees, but which clients cannot visit easily. The other location isa smaller office in the centre of the city with less space for workers, but which clients could visit easily. th Task 1 early, the computer will go on to Task 2, ‘Time remaining: 25 minutes 43 seconds @ choose the option that you prefer. Explain the reasons for your choice. Why do you prefer it? Write about 150-200 words. © option A: Large Suburban Office: The company will pay $10,000 in rent per month. ‘© Option B: Small Downtown Office: The company will pay $20,000 in rent per month. At the top of the screen, you will see the title bar, which explains which writing task you are currently responding to, and how much time you have left. For Task 2, you have 26 minutes in total. When the time is up, the computer will automatically save your responses and move on to the Speaking Test. Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions © Christien Lee, 2016 Time remaining: 25 minutes 43 seconds a© ead the following information. Office Location Your company is planning to move to a new location. ‘Your manager is considering two locations and wants, to know your views. One location would be a larger office in the suburbs 30 minutes away from the city that has alot of space for employees, but which cients cannot visit easily. The other location isa smaller office in the centre of the city with less space for workers, but which clients could visit easily On the right of the screen, you will see the prompt. This explains what information your response should include. in general, the prompt will ask you to do two things: explain which option you prefer, and why. In some cases, the prompt will also ask you to discuss any problems with the other option. You will see the options below the prompt, usually labelled Option A and Option B. Each option will also have a short title, and a description. This, description is will help you make choose the option you prefer; it will also help you write an effective response. On the left of the screen, you will see some background information. This information describes a situation. You will need to read this information to, understand the task. The background information often mentions who has asked you for your opinion, but in most cases, this information is not useful © choose the option that you prefer. Explain the reasons for your choice. Why do you prefer it? Write about 150-200 words. © Option A: Large Suburban Office: The company will pay $10,000 in rent per month. © Option B: Small Downtown Office: The company will pay $20,000 in rent per month, The white box below the prompt is where you should type your response. As you type, a scroll bar will appear so that you can see your whole response. You will see the word count below the white box. ‘As a general rule, a good response to Writing Task 2 will include these clements: * An introduction that briefly states which option you prefer. ‘* Two or three body paragraphs that each give a reason why you prefer your chosen option. Each reason should be supported with details or an example. It is often a good idea to discuss any problems with the ‘other option, too, even if the prompt does not specifically ask you to do this. * Aconclusion that summarizes your preference. Test Expert Writing Practice for CELITASK 2: ANALYSIS oF A RESPONSE the prompt and response by a test expert on this page. Then read the analysis of the response on the >ext page. This will help you understand how to write effective, high-scoring responses to Task 2 prompts. wiring Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions © ead the following information, office Location Your company is planning to move to a new location. Your manager is considering two locations and wants ‘to know your views. One location would be @ larger office in the suburbs 30 minutes away from the city that has a lot of space for employees, but which clients cznnot visit easily. The other location is a smaller office ‘a the centre of the city with less space for workers, but which clients could visit easily. > Christien Lee, 2016 @ Choose the option that you prefer. Explain the reasons for your choice. Why do you prefer it? Write about 150-200 words. (© Option A: Large Suburban Office: The company will pay $10,000 in rent per month. © Option 8: Small Downtown Office: The company will pay $20,000 in rent per month Both options have some advantages, and | can see why some might prefer Option A. If! had to make a choice, however, there are several reasons why | would go for Option B. ‘The main reason is that a small downtown office would be more convenient for clients to visit. Without clients the company might not be profitable and could have to close. ‘Therefore, | think the company should do everything it can to give clients not the best service. In my view, forcing them to travel to an inconvenient, suburban location would not achieve this aim. Of course, the limited space and high cost are two disadvantages of Option B. However, having extra space for employees ‘would not help them work more efficiently. ‘And the company could easily afford the monthly rent of $20,000 if it could attract ‘one or two new clients per month. So for the reasons that | have outlined, | feel Option A is the better choice. 43Both options have some advantages, and I can see,_ why some might prefer Option A. If had to make a choice, however, there are several reasons why | ‘would go for Option B. The main reason is that a small downtown office ‘would be more convenient for clients to visit. Without clients the company might not be profitable and could have to close. Therefore, | think the company should do everything it can to give clients not the best service. In my view, forcing ‘them to travel to an inconvenient, suburban location would not achieve this aim. Of course, the limited space and high cost are two disadvantages of Option B. However, having extra | space for employees would not help them work more efficiently. And the company could easily afford the monthly rent of $20,000 if it could attract one or two new clients per month. So for the reasons that | have outlined, | feel <—t Option A is the better choice. L- Every survey response should begin with an introductory paragraph. The introduction should clearly state which of the two options you prefer. In most cases, survey responses will need two or three body paragraph. In this case, the writer decides to use two body paragraphs. In the first body paragraph, the writer gives one advantage of his preferred option. Notice the writer’s use of words and phrases that suggest conditional possibility rather than certainty, such as “would be” or “might not be.” In the second body paragraph, the writer mentions some disadvantages of his preferred option and how the company could overcome these disadvantages, so it is still clear why he favours Option 8. And again, notice the conditional language that the writer uses. Itis not necessary to have a concluding paragraph in the survey response, but it will increase the length of your response and make it seem well balanced. If you do add a conclusion, it should summarize your reasons and opinion, as this conclusion does. This response, which has 163 words, is clearly organized, well written, and addresses the task fully. Its only weakness is that the language is deliberately somewhat simple in places. It would probably score 11-12. Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP®TASK 2: STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ‘Writing Task 2 questions follow a standard pattern. As a result, you can follow the same steps each time you write a Task 2 response either for practice or during the official CELPIP test. Step1 Read the background information carefully. Look for seful information that will help you understand your ‘2sk, For example, is the survey about a work situation, bout the place where you live, or about something else? {in most cases, it will be about a work situation.) Next read the prompt and the two options carefully, and ecide which option you prefer. (You can wait until Step 2 ‘zo make this decision, if you prefer to brainstorm first.) Step2 After carefully reading the background information and prompt, you should brainstorm ideas. ‘When you brainstorm, you should: ‘+ Think of ideas, supporting details, and examples that match either the background information or the option that you prefer (if you wish, you can also brainstorm words and grammar structures that would be natural to use when you ‘ype your response to the prompt.) If you wish, you can make a note of your ideas on a piece of paper. This is not necessary, but it will help you remember your ideas when you are typing your response, so itis usually a good idea to do this. © Christien Lee, 2016 45Step2 continued For example, for the Topic 2.1 shown on page 48, you might brainstorm and note down ideas like these: + Option B = everyone arrives on time > no problen with late people ople can relax and enjoy party > no problem if people eat / drink a lot = people can chat while going to party > not possible with option A ‘After brainstorming and deciding which of your ideas to write about, you also need to decide how best to organize your response. Typically, this will depend on how many reasons with examples you have thought of to support your preference. For example, if you came up with two reasons and examples, you should probably include an introduction, two body paragraphs (one for each reason), and a conclusion. However, if you came up with three reasons ‘each with examples, it might be better to organize your response with an introduction, three body paragraphs (one for each reason), and a conclusion. Note that if you have two or three reasons that are on the same theme — for example, two reasons that are both related to money, or three reasons that are all connected with time ~ you may wish to have an introduction, a single longer body paragraph, and a conclusion. You can see an example of this in the response to Topic 2.5 on page 64. Plan to spend up to five minutes on Step 2, but do it more quickly if you can. 46 Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIStep3 _s&=r brainstorming your ideas, you need to type your response. (Remember: you will not be able to write seer response by hand.) When you type, you should follow the organization you decided on in Step 2 and ‘srite about the reasons you thought of in Step 2. As you type each sentence, focus on the following things: = 8e careful about mistakes, especially basic mistakes like forgetting to put -s or -ed on the ends of words, or using the wrong tense. Mistakes like these are likely to reduce your score. = Avoid writing sentences that are too long because these are likely to confuse the rater, which may affect your score. As a rule, sentences up to 20 words long are generally OK. * Donot use too many simple sentences ~ good responses usually have a balance of simple, compound, and complex sentences. (If you are not sure what these terms mean, check a grammar book or look up the information online.) ‘+ Inyour introduction and conclusion, make sure each sentence is clearly relevant to the topic and to your preferred option. + Inyour body paragraphs, make sure each sentence either expresses your preference, gives a reason for your preference, adds information that supports your preference, or discusses problems with the option that you do not prefer. Spend as much time as you need on Step 3. Do NOT try to save time at the end; itis better to write a full response than to write a shorter one just so you have a few minutes left at the end. Step 4 you have any time left at the end, try to improve your response by doing one of these things: ‘* Check you have used clear connectors (e.g., As a result) and sequence words (e.g. Firstly). ‘© Look for opportunities to add details or examples to make your ideas and points clearer. ‘¢ Fix any mistakes that you notice. (But keep in mind that you will probably not be able to fix all of your mistakes; as a result, fixing mistakes is unlikely to affect your overall score.) © Christen Lee, 2016 47TASK 2: TOPIC 2.1 Topic Read this Writing Task 2 topic. What information in the topic is important? How could this information help you to write an effective response to the topic? ‘Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions 26 minutes @ Read the following information. @ Choose the option that you prefer. Explain the reasons for your choice. Why do you Office Party Transportation prefer your choice? Write about 150-200 words. Your company is planning a party to celebrate the end of the year. The party will take place at a © Option A: Individual Transportation: Workers location about one hour outside of town. The should use their own transportation to travel to person organizing the party wants your opinion the place where the party will be held. about the best way for employees to travel to the location of the party. © Option B: Group Transportation: The company should arrange transportation to take workers to the place where the party will be held. Analysis | Read this analysis of the topic by a test expert. Do the expert's ideas about the topic match your ideas? The background information describes a work situation. This is the most common type of Task 2 situation that you will see in CELPIP. In this case, the background information explains that your company is hosting a party for workers and wants to know your views on transportation. The prompt asks you to choose one option, and explain why this is your choice. It does not specifically ask you to discuss problems with the other choice, but you can do this, if you wish. The first option is for workers to use their own transportation to get to the party. The second option is for the company to arrange transportation for all workers. Remember that neither option is better than the other, and the raters will judge your response based on the quality of your writing, not based on which option you chose. A good response will give at least two clear reasons why one option is better than the other. These could be reasons that are true only for you, or reasons that are true for you and other workers. 4B Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIExpert's Response | Read this response by a test expert and the detaile why some of my colleagues might choose Option A. On the whole, however, there are several reasons, why Option B would be my preference. For one thing, if the company were to arrange <—} ‘transportation, everybody would arrive on time and nobody would get lost. At past office parties, some people who travelled on their own have been late. This caused the people who arrived on time to get frustrated while waiting for them. For another thing, if people know they do not have to drive themselves, they can relax and enjoy the <1 celebration more. They can eat and drink whatever they ike without worrying. In contrast, people travelling to the party in their own cars might not enjoy the party because of concern about driving home after it finished. Finally, ifthe company arranges transportation for, everyone, people can chat with each other on the | way to and from the party. This will promote good feelings and help the party to be a big success. Ifa lot of people were travelling to the party on their ‘own, however, this would not be possible. So as far as | am concerned, Option B is the better < choice. This response has 206 words, excellent coherence and comprehensibility, and great task fulfillment. Like all responses in this book, it would © Christien Lee, 2016 d analysis that explains why it is a good response. Both options have some advantages, and | can see <|— This introductory paragraph begins by stating that both options have advantages. In the final sentence, the writer states his preferred option using natural language. | in the first body paragraph, the writer gives one reason why he thinks Option B is better than Option A. He supports this reason with a detailed and believable example that refers to previous events that were similar. This is an effective way to support one’s opinion about something. In the second body paragraph, the writer gives a second reason why he thinks Option 8 is better. Again, he supports his reason with an example that shows a disadvantage of the other option. L- In the third body paragraph, the writer gives a final reason why Option B is his preference. Like the earlier body paragraphs, he supports his view with an example that shows a disadvantage of the other option. {— The concluding paragraph sums up the writer's opinion and explicitly states his preference. meaning, good lexical range, high readability and ely score 11-12. 49Practice Topic 2.1 Type out this response to a practice topic. As you type, complete the blanks in your own words. Use the response on page 49 as a guide. Then compare your completed response with the one on page 87. Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions 26 minutes @ Choose the option that you prefer. Explain the reasons for your choice. Why do you 2? Write about 150-200 @ Read the following inform: ‘Transportation to Training Session Your company is holding a special training session for all senior employees next week. The training | © Option A: individual Transportation: Workers will take place at a location about one hour away should use their own transportation to travel to from the office. The person organizing the training | the training session. wants your opinion about the best way for staff to travel to the training location. © Option B: Group Transportation: The company should arrange transportation to take staff to. the training session. Both options have some advantages, and [i____]. On the whole, however, there are several reasons why Option B would be my preference. For one thing, if the company were to arrange transportation, [2____]. At past training sessions, some people who travelled on their own have been late. This caused the people who arrived on time to become frustrated while waiting for them. For another thing, if people know they do not have to drive themselves, . In contrast, people travelling to the training session in their own cars might not be able to concentrate because of concern about driving home in heavy traffic after it finished. Finally, if the company arranges transportation for everyone, people can chat with each other on the way to and from the session. [« __]. Ifa lot of people were travelling to the training on their own, however, this would not be possible. So as far as | am concerned, Option B is the better choice. 50 Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP®Useful Language These words and phrases may help you write an effective response to a Task 2 writing topic, especially ‘one similar to the topics on this page and pages 48 and 50. There are more useful phrases on page 102. As far as | am concerned, .. Use this phrase to introduce your opinion about something; note that this phrase sounds especially natural if other people might hold an alternative opinion Both options have some advantages, .. For one thing, ... For another thing, ... Finally, .. On the whole, ... Use these words to make it clear that you believe two choices both have benefits Use this phrase to introduce one point or reason for your opinion Use this phrase to introduce a second point or reason for your view Use this phrase to introduce a final point or reason for your view Use this phrase to introduce your opinion about something; note that this phrase suggests you think another view has some benefits Challenge Topic 2.1 Type a response to this Writing Task 2 challenge topic in 26 minutes. Use the expert’s response on page 49 as a guide. (See page 10 for a suggestion about how to get authentic practice when you type your response.) When you have finished, compare your response to the suggested response on page 88. \Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions @ Read the following information. ‘Transportation to Meeting Your company is holding a meeting for many staff members next month. The meeting will take place in another city. The person organizing the meeting wants to know whether employees prefer to travel to this city by train or by bus. 26 minutes @ choose the option that you prefer. Explain the reasons for your choice. Why do you prefer your choice? Write about 150-200 words. © Option A: Train: The journey takes five hours. Employees arrive in the other city at 9 PM. © Option B: Bus: The journey takes nine hours. Employees travel overnight and arrive in the other city at 6 AM. © Christien Lee, 2016 stTASK 2: TOPIC 2.2 Topi Read this Writing Task 2 topic. What information in the topic is important? How could this information help you to write an effective response to the topic? ‘Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions: 26 minutes @ Read the following information. Reward for Employees Your company has been successful recently, and your manager wants to reward everyone, One ‘option is to give employees a transportation pass that would allow free use of public transit for six months. The second option isto give employees a financial bonus equal to half their regular monthly salary. Your manager wants to know your views. @ Choose the option that you prefer. Explain the reasons for your choice. Why do you prefer it? What problems are there with the other choice? Write about 150-200 words. © Option A: Transportation Pass: You would not have to pay any tax if you get the pass. © Option B: Finar pay tax on the bonus amount if you receive the financial bonus. Bonus: You would have to. Analysis | Read this analysis of the topic by a test expert. Do the expert’s ideas about the topic match your ideas? The background information describes a work situation. This is the most common type of Task 2 situation that you will see in CELPIP. In this case, the background information explains that your company wants to reward employees and asks workers for their views about which of two rewards is more attractive. The background information gives details about the rewards that the prompt does not mention. For example, it explains that the transit pass is valid for six months. A good response will include this kind of information. ‘The prompt asks you to choose one option, and explain why this is your choice. It specifically asks you to discuss problems with the other choice, too. If you do not do this, your score will be affected. The first option is for workers to receive a transportation pass. The second option is for workers to get a financial bonus. Remember that neither option is better than the other, and the raters will judge your response based on the quality of your writing, not based on which option you chose. A good response will give at least two clear reasons why one option is better than the other. These could be reasons that are true only for you, or reasons that are true for other workers, 82 ‘Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP®Expert's Response | Read this response by a test expert and the detailed analysis that explains why itis a good response. Both options have some advantages, and I can see | ‘why some of my colleagues might prefer Option A. If had to make a choice, however, there are several reasons why | would go for Option B. On the one hand, as far as | know only about 50 <—} percent or so of people who work at the office use public transportation to commute to work. Everyone else comes to the office by car, by bike, or on foot. This means that about half of all employees would not find the six-month transit pass particularly useful. Of course, they could use the pass in other ways, not just for commuting to work, but itis stil not a very useful reward for them. On the other hand, if employees were to get a <— financial bonus, all of them would benefit depending on their needs or wishes. | expect some would choose to spend the extra money on regular expenses, such as bills or groceries. Others might purchase a luxury item, such as a new television or a tablet computer. And still others might use the money for a short vacation. In other words, a financial bonus would give employees more choice. So for the reasons that | have outlined, | feel < Option B is the better choice. This introductory paragraph begins by suggesting that Option A has advantages. In the final sentence, the writer makes his preference clear using natural, conditional language. In the first body paragraph, the writer gives one reason why he thinks Option A is not as good as Option B. He supports this reason with details. The use of statistics — like “50 percent or so” and “about half of all” —is especially effective. Note that the writer does not explicitly state that his preference is Option B in this paragraph, but this is obvious from the way he says that the Option A reward is “not a very useful” one. In the second body paragraph, the writer explains why he thinks Option B is better than Option A. Again, he supports his reason with details and examples. In the final sentence, he sums up the main benefit of Option B: it gives people “more choice.” | The concluding paragraph sums up the writer's opinion and explicitly states his preference. This response has 217 words, excellent coherence and meaning, good lexical range, high readability and comprehensibility, and great task fulfillment. Like all responses in this book, it would likely score 11 — 12. © Christien Lee, 2016 53e To Type out this response to a practice topic. As you type, complete the blanks in your own words. Use the response on page 53 as a guide. Then compare your completed response with the one on page 89. ‘Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions 26 minutes @ Read the following information. Reward for Employees ‘Your company has been successful recently, and your manager wants to reward everyone, One option is to hold a large party for all employees. The second option is to give all employees one extra day off. Your manager wants to know what you think. @ Choose the option that you prefer. Explain the reasons for your choice. Why do you prefer it? What problems are there with the 3? Write about 150-200 words. other choi © Option A: Party for Employees: The party would be held on a Saturday or Sunday, © Option B: Extra Day Off: Employees would have to use the extra day off within six weeks, a z So for the reasons that | have outlined, [5_ On the other hand, if employees were to get an extra day off, Both options have some advantages, and I can see why some of my co-workers might prefer Option A. (On the one hand, a party would be fun and a nice way to celebrate the company’s success. However, the company already hosts a summer picnic, which is coming up soon, and having two events for staff so close together seems unnecessary. And because the party would be held on a Saturday or Sunday, - lexpect some would choose to spend the day doing regular things like shopping or doing work around the home. Others might combine the extra day with some vacation days and take a short trip somewhere nice. And still others e In other words, an extra day off would give employees more choice. ‘Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIUseful Language These words and phrases may help you write an effective response to a Task 2 writing topic, especially one similar to the topics on this page and pages 52 and 54. There are more useful phrases on page 102. can see why some .. Use these words to introduce an opinion that some people might hold about something if had to make a choice, ... Of course, Use this phrase to express a choice about a hypothetical situation Use this phrase when you want to say something that most people would consider to be obvious On the one hand, ... Use this phrase to introduce one idea that will be contrast with another idea that you later introduce with “On the other hand”. Use this phrase to introduce a second idea that contrasts with an earlier idea you introduced with “On the one hand”. This means that ... Use these words either to clarify the meaning of an idea you have just mentioned, or to talk about the result of something. Challenge Topic 2.2 Type a response to this Writing Task 2 challenge topic in 26 minutes. Use the expert’s response on page [Link] a quide. (See page 10 for a suggestion about how to get authentic practice when you type your response.) When you have finished, compare your response to the suggested response on page 90. | Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions 26 minutes | @ Read the following information. Financial Bonus from Your City The city where you live recently received a large sum of money from the government. The city | council will use the money to benefit local people. One option is to give every resident, excluding children, a small sum of money. The other option is to give taxpayers a tax rebate. @ Choose the option that you prefer. Expl: the reasons for your choice. Why do you prefer it? What problems are there with the other choice? Write about 150-200 words. © Option A: Money: Each adult resident of the city would get $500 immediately. © Option B: Tax Rebate: All taxpayers would get a rebate worth up to $600 at the end of the year. © Christien Lee, 2016 55TASK 2: TOPIC 2.3 Topic Read this Writing Task 2 topic. What information in the topic is important? How could this information help you to write an effective response to the topic? ‘Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions 26 minutes @ Read the following information. Apartment Building Improvements You live in a large apartment building. The building ‘owner is planning to improve the building either by @ Choose the option that you prefer. Explain the reasons for your choice. Why do you prefer it? Write about 150-200 words. © Option A: Function Room: The function room would have enough space to hold events for up ‘adding a large function room that residents could reserve to hold meetings or have events, or by adding a modern fitness centre, The owner has asked all residents of the building to fill out an. opinion survey. to 80 people. © Option B: Fitness Centre: The fitness centre would be free to use by up to 12 residents at one time. Analysis | | Read this analysis of the topic by a test expert. Do the expert’s ideas about the topic match your ideas? ‘The background information describes a situation related to where you live. This is a relatively common. ‘Task 2 situation in CELPIP. In this case, the background information explains that the owner of the apartment building where you live wants the opinion of residents about how to improve the building. ‘The prompt asks you to choose one option, and explain why this is your choice. It does not specifically ask you to discuss problems with the other choice, but you can do this, if you wish. ‘The first option is for the building owner to add a function room that residents can reserve for events. The second option is for the building owner to add a fitness centre. Remember that neither option is better than the other, and the raters will judge your response based on the quality of your writing, not based on which ‘option you chose. A good response will give at least two clear reasons why one option is better than the other. These could be reasons that are true only for you, or reasons that are true for ether people who live in your building. 56 ‘Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIIExpert's Response | Read this response by a test expert and the detailed analysis that explains why it is a good response. Both options have some advantages, and I can see why some building residents might choose Option B. On the whole, however, there are several reasons why Option A would be my preference. fitness centres located near the apartment building. There is also a large park just down the street. This means that residents who want to stay fit have a number of nearby options. In contrast, there are very few other places that people could reserve to hold meetings in the neighborhood, and all of them are very costly. For example, last month | reserved a small meeting room at the library and. it cost me over $200. Secondly, there are 250 or so people living in the <— apartment building. Even though having a new fitness centre in the basement would be nice, | ‘worry that its small size could be an issue. Itis only big enough for around five percent of residents to use it at one time. The function room, on the other hand, would be large enough for about one third of residents to use at the same time, and in my view | that makes it a more useful improvement to the building. L_ this introductory paragraph begins by stating that both options have advantages. In the final sentence, the writer states his preferred option using natural language. Firstly, there are several inexpensive gyms and <—1— In the first body paragraph, the writer begins by giving reasons why Option B is not a good choice. He then contrasts these reasons with information about why Option A is a better choice. In both cases, the writer gives specific details and examples. The use of a personal story about spending $200 to reserve a room is especially effective In the second body paragraph, the writer repeats the organization in the first body paragraph: he begins by giving a specific, detailed reason why Option B is not a good choice. He then contrasts this with a specific, detailed reason why Option A isa better choice. Notice how the writer gives a personal example in the first body paragraph, but an example that relates to many residents of the building in this body paragraph. So for the reasons | have outlined, | feel Option A€}— The concluding paragraph sums up the writer’s is the better choice. opinion and explicitly states his preference. This response has 219 words, excellent coherence and meaning, good lexical range, high readability and comprehensibility, and great task fulfillment. Like all responses in this book, it would likely score 11 - 12. © Christien Lee, 2016 57Practice Topic 2.3 Type out this response to a practice topic. As you type, complete the blanks in your own words. Use the response on page 57 as a guide. Then compare your completed response with the one on page 91. Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions 26 minutes @ Read the following information. Office Building Improvements You work in a large office building. The company president is planning to improve the building either by adding a cafeteria where employees could purchase healthy meals, or by adding a fitness centre where employees could work out. The president has asked all staff for their opinion. @ Choose the option that you prefer. Explain the reasons for your choice. Why do you prefer it? What problems are there with the other choice? Write about 150-200 words. © Option A: Cafeteria: It would offer a choice of meals daily, including one for vegetarians. © Option B: Fitness Centre: It would be free for employees between 7am and 7 PM every day. office, but [3 the building would be nice, it a On the whole, however, there are several reasons why Option A would be my preference. Firstly, there are several inexpensive gyms and fitness centres located near our office building. There is also 2____]. This means that workers who want to stay fit have a number of nearby options. In contrast, there are very few other places nearby where people can get delicious, healthy food, and all of them are very costly. For example, yesterday | got a sandwich from a restaurant up the street from the Secondly, there are 250 or so people working in this office. Even though having a new fitness centre in is not very large, only a few people will be able to use it at one time. The cafeteria, on the other hand, |, and in my view that makes it a more useful improvement to the building, le | feel Option A is the better choice. 58 Test Expert Writing Practice for CELPIP”Useful Language These words and phrases may help you write an effective response to a Task 2 writing topic, especially one similar to the topics on this page and pages 55 and 58. There are more useful phrases on page 102. Firstly, For exampl Use this word to give your first reason or point about something Use this phrase to introduce an example that supports your opinion or reason about something in my view .. —is the better choice Use this phrase as an alternative to “in my opinion” Use these words when you want to say which of two options is better; note that itis incorrect to say “the best choice” if you are referring to a choice between just two options Secondly, ‘There are several reasons why ... Challenge Topic 2.3 Use this word to give your second reason or point about something Use this phrase to introduce several reasons for something Type a response to this Writing Task 2 challenge topic in 26 minutes. Use the expert’s response on page 57 asa guide. (See page 10 for a suggestion about how to get authentic practice when you type your response.) When you have finished, compare your response to the suggested response on page 92. Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions. 26 minutes @ Read the following information. Campus Improvements You study at a small college. The college president is planning to improve the campus either by adding a new computer centre where students could use computers and print out documents, or by building, | a shopping area with space for a few stores. The | president has asked students for their views. | @ Choose the option that you prefer. Explain the reasons for your choice. Why do you prefer it? What problems are there with the other choice? Write about 150-200 words. © Option A: Computer Centre: The Centre would be free for students daily from 7 AM to 8 PM. © Option 8: Shopping Area: The shops would include a bookshop, grocery store, and café. © Christien Lee, 2016 59