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Tip: Speaking Task 5: pick one option and stay with it. Comparing both is fine, switching sides isn't.
Tip: Speaking Task 5: pick one option and stay with it. Comparing both is fine, switching sides isn't.
Analyze high-scoring Task 1 examples and identify their strengths.
You have learned the theory. You know the 4-paragraph structure, how to control tone, how to invent details, and how to execute a polite Canadian sign-off.
Now, we bring it all together. To achieve a CLB 9+, you must understand how these individual elements interact to create a cohesive, high-scoring email. In this chapter, we will deconstruct a perfect response.
Before writing, we must analyze the prompt to establish our boundaries.
The Prompt: You recently purchased a new laptop from a local electronics store. When you opened the box at home, the screen was cracked. You tried to return it, but the cashier was very rude and refused to help you. Write an email to the store manager (150-200 words) explaining what happened, complaining about the cashier, and requesting a refund.
The 60-Second Brainstorm:
Word Count: 176 words
[The Greeting]
Dear Store Manager,
[Paragraph 1: Statement of Purpose]
I am writing to express my profound disappointment regarding a defective product I recently purchased from your location, as well as the unacceptable customer service I received when attempting to return it.
[Paragraph 2: The Details & Escalation]
To provide some context, I purchased a Dell XPS laptop from your store last Saturday afternoon. Upon opening the sealed box at my residence, I discovered that the display screen was severely shattered. I immediately returned to the store with my receipt to request an exchange. To make matters worse, the cashier on duty, a young man whose name tag read "Kevin," was incredibly dismissive. He rolled his eyes at my request, stated it was "not his problem," and flatly refused to process the return or call a supervisor.
[Paragraph 3: The Polite Action]
Moving forward, I would greatly appreciate it if you could investigate this incident and process a full refund to my original credit card.
[The Closing Sentence]
I expect a prompt resolution and look forward to your reply.
[The Sign-off & Name]
Sincerely,
Michael Chen
Let's look at this email through the lens of the 4 Pillars of the Rubric:
The email flows perfectly. The paragraphs are visually separated by white space. The transitional phrases (To provide some context, To make matters worse, Moving forward) guide the reader effortlessly from the problem, to the escalation, to the solution.
The writer did not use basic words like "bad" or "sad." They used high-level, precise vocabulary: profound disappointment, defective product, unacceptable customer service, severely shattered, incredibly dismissive, flatly refused.
The sentence structures vary. There are short, punchy sentences (He rolled his eyes...) mixed with longer, complex sentences (I am writing to express my profound disappointment regarding...). There are zero contractions (no I'm or didn't), maintaining the formal tone.
The writer did exactly what the prompt asked: they explained the broken laptop, complained about the specific cashier, and requested a refund. The tone remained polite but firm throughout.
For contrast, here is how a failing test-taker might write the same email:
"Hi manager. I am writing to complain about a broken laptop. I bought it on saturday and when I opened it, it was broken. I went back to the store but the guy was really mean to me. He said no to my return. I am very angry about this. Give me my money back right now or I will never shop here again. Thanks, Mike."
Why it fails: Informal greeting (Hi), informal tone (guy, really mean, mad), direct aggressive command (Give me my money back), poor capitalization (saturday), lack of invented details, and no clear paragraph structure.
Train your brain to recognize perfection:
You have conquered the Email format. Now, we must shift gears entirely and tackle the second half of the Writing test: Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions.