CELPIP writing samples: emails and survey responses, with notes

Dear Ms. Tremblay,

I am writing about ongoing noise from Unit 504, directly above my apartment. For roughly three weeks, I have heard loud music and what sounds like furniture being dragged across the floor, usually between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., on weeknights as well as weekends.

This is starting to affect my work. I am a nurse and my shifts begin at 7 a.m., so I need to be asleep by eleven. Since the noise started, I have often had only four or five hours of sleep, and last Tuesday I was so tired that I asked a colleague to double-check my medication charts.

I would rather not confront my neighbour directly, as we have never met and I would like to keep things friendly. Could you please remind them of the quiet hours in our lease, which run from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.? If the problem continues, I would be glad to discuss other steps, such as a written notice.

Thank you for your help. I can be reached by phone after 4 p.m.

Kind regards, Daniel Okafor

Hi Marco,

I'd like to request three days off next month, from Thursday, June 12 to Saturday, June 14. My cousin is getting married in Halifax, and since most of my family lives in Nova Scotia, it will be the first time in four years that we are all together.

I know June is a busy month for the garden centre, so I have tried to plan ahead. Priya has agreed to cover my Thursday and Friday shifts in exchange for two of her weekend shifts in July. I will also finish the spring inventory count before I leave and write a short handover note, so whoever is on the paint counter knows which special orders are due.

If losing me on the Saturday is a problem, I could fly back that morning and work a half shift in the afternoon. I would just need to know by Friday so that I can book my flight.

Thanks for considering this, and let me know if you have any questions.

Best, Amira

Dear Parks and Recreation team,

I am writing to report damage at the playground in Maple Grove Park, near the corner of Birch Street and 12th Avenue.

The lower section of the large slide has come away from the frame, leaving a sharp metal edge about a metre off the ground. In addition, one of the toddler swings has a deep crack across the seat. I noticed both problems last weekend, and neither has been taped off.

This worries me because the playground is extremely busy. A daycare brings about fifteen children there every morning, and after school it fills up with families from the nearby townhouses. A young child could easily cut a hand on the slide, or fall if the swing seat breaks.

I would suggest closing the slide and removing the damaged swing straight away, even before repairs are scheduled. Ideally, both should be fixed before the summer holidays, when the park is at its busiest. I have attached two photos that show the damage.

Thank you for looking into this.

Sincerely, Lin Zhou

I would choose Option A, the evening English conversation classes, because I believe they would make a bigger difference in our neighbourhood.

First, the need is real. Many families have moved here from overseas in the past few years, and a lot of the parents work long hours with little chance to practise English. Most classes run during the day, so an evening program would finally fit their schedules. Better conversation skills would help them talk to teachers, deal with landlords and apply for better jobs.

Second, the classes would bring people together. Newcomers often feel isolated in their first winter, and a weekly group where they can chat and meet local volunteers would help them feel at home.

I understand why sports leagues for teenagers are appealing, and young people certainly need activities. However, our area already has a free basketball program at the high school and two soccer clubs with low fees. Conversation classes are not offered anywhere nearby, so Option A would fill a gap instead of duplicating services we already have.

I prefer Option A. Closing Main Street to cars at weekends would make downtown more pleasant, and in my view it would also help local businesses.

On a Saturday, Main Street is noisy and crowded with drivers circling for parking, and the sidewalks are too narrow for strollers or wheelchairs. If the street were car-free, cafés could put tables outside, shops could set up displays and families could walk without worrying about traffic. Downtown would become somewhere people want to spend an afternoon, not just pass through.

Some people worry that shops will lose customers who drive. That is a fair concern, but most visitors already park a few blocks away, because spaces on Main Street are almost always full. A weekend shuttle from the lots by the arena would solve this far more cheaply than a new garage.

A parking garage would cost millions and would mostly save drivers a few minutes of walking. A pedestrian zone would change how the whole community uses downtown, so it is the better investment.

I think option B is more better for me and for many workers. Because flexible time is very good.

First reason is the traffic. In morning the traffic is very bad and I spend one hour in the bus. If I can start at 7 I will reach office fast and not stressful. Also my friend she has kids, she need drop them to school, so flexible time help her a lot.

Second reason, ten hour is too long. After eight hour people are tired and they make mistake. In my old job we work long day and everybody was tired in afternoon and the work was not good.

Option A have one extra day off and it is good for some people. But I think for most people option B is better. In conclusion I choose option B because of traffic and the long day. Thank you.