CELPIP READING TASK 1 – COMPLETE GUIDE
CELPIP READING TASK 1 – COMPLETE GUIDE
The PPRN Method
P – Purpose
P – Problem
R – Request
N – Next Step
This method works for almost every Reading Correspondence passage.
1. WHAT IS CELPIP READING TASK 1?
Task 1 is Reading Correspondence.
You will:
- Read an email or email chain
- Answer 5–6 questions
- Questions include:
- Main purpose
- Details
- Inference
- Vocabulary
- What should happen next
- Best reply
Most emails are about:
- complaints
- bookings
- work schedules
- school issues
- deliveries
- meetings
- apartment problems
- customer service
2. THE PPRN METHOD – DETAILED
P – Purpose (Why are they writing?)
Look in:
- subject line
- first paragraph
- first 2 sentences
Common purposes:
- complain
- request
- inform
- apologize
- confirm
- reschedule
- ask for help
- give update
Example sentences:
- I am writing to inform you…
- I am contacting you regarding…
- I would like to request…
- Unfortunately, I need to report…
- I am writing to confirm…
Usually Question 1 = Purpose
P – Problem (What is the issue?)
Look for words:
- unfortunately
- problem
- issue
- delay
- mistake
- damaged
- unable
- concerned
- not working
- missing
- cancelled
Usually in middle paragraph
Questions:
- What happened?
- Why is the writer upset?
- What is the issue?
- Why did the meeting change?
R – Request (What do they want?)
Look for:
- could you
- please
- I would like
- I request
- I was hoping
- I would appreciate
- please let me know
- can you
Questions:
- What does the writer want?
- What should the manager do?
- What is the writer asking for?
- What is the best response?
N – Next Step (What will happen next?)
Look for:
- I look forward to
- please reply
- we will contact
- I will send
- the meeting will be
- delivery will arrive
- we will arrange
- let me know
- confirm
Questions:
- What will happen next?
- What should the reader do next?
- What is the next step?
3. HOW TO USE THIS METHOD IN EXAM
Step-by-step strategy:
- Read questions first
- Read email
- Find:
- Purpose
- Problem
- Request
- Next Step
- Answer questions
- Do inference questions last
4. IMPORTANT VOCABULARY FOR TASK 1
Complaint Emails
- damaged
- incorrect
- missing
- delay
- refund
- replace
- apologize
- inconvenience
- dissatisfied
Work Emails
- schedule
- arrange
- confirm
- meeting
- deadline
- project
- update
- reschedule
- available
Request Emails
- could you
- please
- I would like
- I was hoping
- I would appreciate
- kindly
- let me know
Next Step Words
- reply
- confirm
- arrange
- schedule
- delivery
- meeting
- call
- send
- provide
Students who know these words understand emails faster.
5. PRACTICE PASSAGE 1
Email PASSAGE 1
Dear Mr. Patel,
I am writing regarding the conference room booking I made for this Thursday afternoon. I was informed this morning that the room will not be available due to maintenance work that was scheduled unexpectedly.
This meeting is quite important as we will be presenting the quarterly budget to the senior management team. I was wondering if there is another conference room available around the same time, or if the maintenance work might be postponed until later in the day.
Please let me know what options are available.
Best regards,
Nina
Questions
1. Why did Nina most likely write this email?
2. What problem did Nina encounter?
3. Why is the meeting important?
4. What does Nina want Mr. Patel to do?
5. What will Mr. Patel most likely do next?
6. What can be inferred about Nina?
Solve Using PPRN
Purpose → room not available / asking alternative
Problem → maintenance / room unavailable
Request → another room or postpone maintenance
Next Step → Patel reply with options
Inference → She is concerned because meeting is important
Answers
1. To ask for another room or solution
2. Conference room unavailable
3. Present quarterly budget to senior management
4. Provide another room or postpone maintenance
5. Reply with options
6. She is concerned about the meeting
PASSAGE 2 – CUSTOMER SERVICE (MORE INFERENCE)
Dear Customer Service Team,
I placed an order for a bookshelf two weeks ago, and according to the tracking information, it was delivered yesterday. However, when I returned home in the evening, the package was not at my door, and none of my neighbors reported receiving it.
I have checked the delivery confirmation photo on the website, but it appears to show a different house. Could you please investigate this issue and advise me on what steps I should take next?
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Robert
Questions
1. Why did Robert write this email?
2. What problem did Robert experience?
3. Why did Robert check the delivery photo?
4. What does Robert want the company to do?
5. What will probably happen next?
6. What can be inferred about the delivery?
PPRN
Purpose → missing package
Problem → delivered to wrong house
Request → investigate issue
Next Step → company investigate
Inference → delivery mistake
Answers
Why did Robert write this email?
→ To report that his package was not delivered to his house.
What problem did Robert experience?
→ The package was delivered to the wrong location.
Why did Robert check the delivery photo?
→ To verify where the package was delivered.
What does Robert want the company to do?
→ Investigate the delivery issue and advise him.
What will probably happen next?
→ The company will investigate and respond.
What can be inferred about the delivery?
→ The package was likely delivered to the wrong house.
PASSAGE 3 – WORK EMAIL (FOLLOW UP)
Hi Amanda,
I wanted to follow up on the report that was due last Friday. I understand that the team has been very busy preparing for the client presentation this week, but we need to finalize the report before the end of the month.
Could you please let me know when the report will be ready? If you need any assistance completing it, I would be happy to help.
Thanks,
Brian
Questions
1. Why did Brian send this email?
2. Why was the report not finished?
3. What does Brian want Amanda to do?
4. What does Brian offer to do?
5. What will probably happen next?
6. What is Brian’s tone in this email?
PPRN
Purpose → follow up report
Problem → report not finished
Request → tell when ready
Next Step → Amanda reply
Tone → polite / professional
Answers
Why did Brian send this email?
→ To follow up on the unfinished report.
Why was the report not finished?
→ The team was busy preparing for a client presentation.
What does Brian want Amanda to do?
→ Tell him when the report will be ready.
What does Brian offer to do?
→ Help complete the report.
What will probably happen next?
→ Amanda will reply and give an update.
What is Brian’s tone?
→ Professional and supportive.
PASSAGE 4 – SCHOOL EMAIL
Dear Admissions Office,
I recently received an acceptance letter for the Business Administration program starting in September. I am very excited about the opportunity to join the program.
However, I noticed that the tuition payment deadline is listed as July 1, and I am currently waiting for my scholarship results, which will be announced in mid-July. I was wondering if it would be possible to extend the payment deadline until I receive the scholarship decision.
Please let me know if this arrangement would be possible.
Sincerely,
Liam Chen
Questions
1. Why did Liam write this email?
2. What problem does Liam have?
3. Why does Liam mention the scholarship results?
4. What is Liam requesting?
5. What will the admissions office most likely do next?
6. What can be inferred about Liam?
PPRN
Purpose → request deadline extension
Problem → scholarship results later
Request → extend deadline
Next Step → office reply
Inference → He may need scholarship money to pay tuition
Answers
Why did Liam write this email?
→ To request an extension for the tuition payment deadline.
What problem does Liam have?
→ The tuition deadline is before the scholarship results are announced.
Why does Liam mention the scholarship results?
→ Because he may need the scholarship to pay tuition.
What is Liam requesting?
→ An extension of the payment deadline.
What will the admissions office most likely do next?
→ Reply and inform him whether the extension is possible.
What can be inferred about Liam?
→ He is waiting for financial support before paying tuition.
PASSAGE 5 – EVENT / SCHEDULE CHANGE
Dear Volunteers,
Due to the weather forecast predicting heavy rain this Saturday, the community cleanup event has been postponed until next weekend. The event will now take place on Sunday at 9 a.m. instead of Saturday morning.
Please confirm whether you are still available to participate on the new date. If you are unable to attend, please inform us so we can adjust the volunteer schedule.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
Best regards,
Event Coordinator
Questions
1. Why was the event postponed?
2. When will the event take place now?
3. What are volunteers asked to do?
4. What should volunteers do if they cannot attend?
5. What will probably happen next?
6. What is the tone of this email?
Answers
Why was the event postponed?
→ Heavy rain forecast.
When will the event take place now?
→ Sunday at 9 a.m. next weekend.
What are volunteers asked to do?
→ Confirm their availability.
What should volunteers do if they cannot attend?
→ Inform the organizers.
What will probably happen next?
→ Volunteers will reply and confirm availability.
What is the tone of the email?
→ Informative and polite.
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