CLBPT - Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Writing for Communication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You receive an email about a company potluck on Friday. Which reply is most appropriate?
- k
- Thank you for the invitation! I'd be happy to attend. I'll bring a vegetable tray. Should I arrive at noon or is there a different start time? Best regards, Priya (Correct answer)
- Maybe I'll come, maybe I won't.
- I HATE potlucks
Correct answer: Thank you for the invitation! I'd be happy to attend. I'll bring a vegetable tray. Should I arrive at noon or is there a different start time? Best regards, Priya
This confirms attendance, offers a contribution, asks a relevant question, and uses a professional closing.
Responding to workplace event invitations involves appreciation, confirmation, offering to contribute (common potluck expectation in Canada), and asking a practical question.
Question 2: You need to email a college requesting an application deadline extension. Which structure is best?
- Just: 'I need more time.'
- Subject: Request for Extension — Student #4521. Body: greeting, explanation, specific new deadline requested, appreciation, professional closing. (Correct answer)
- A three-page essay about your life
- Subject: URGENT!!! HELP ME!!!
Correct answer: Subject: Request for Extension — Student #4521. Body: greeting, explanation, specific new deadline requested, appreciation, professional closing.
This includes an informative subject line, clear body, and professional tone.
Academic correspondence requires an informative subject line, proper greeting, explanation, specific new deadline, appreciation, and professional closing.
Question 3: Your child is sick and cannot attend school. Which message is most appropriate?
- My kid is sick.
- Dear Ms. Johnson, My daughter Maia (Grade 3, Room 204) will be absent today, April 7th, due to a fever. I expect her to return Wednesday. Please let me know about homework. Thank you, David Okafor (Correct answer)
- Little Maia has the sniffles lol!
- Send no message.
Correct answer: Dear Ms. Johnson, My daughter Maia (Grade 3, Room 204) will be absent today, April 7th, due to a fever. I expect her to return Wednesday. Please let me know about homework. Thank you, David Okafor
This identifies the teacher, student with class details, reason, expected return, and requests homework info.
Canadian schools expect formal notification with teacher's name, student identification, date, reason, expected return, and academic follow-up.
Question 4: You are writing a thank-you email after a job interview. Which element is LEAST important?
- Thanking the interviewer
- Reiterating interest in the position
- Mentioning what you had for lunch (Correct answer)
- Referencing a specific discussion topic
Correct answer: Mentioning what you had for lunch
What you had for lunch is irrelevant to a post-interview thank-you.
Important elements: gratitude, reiteration of interest, and referencing a discussion topic. Lunch is irrelevant personal information.
Question 5: You want to text a coworker asking to swap shifts. Which message balances brevity with politeness?
- Swap shifts.
- Hi Raj! Any chance you could swap shifts next Thursday? I have a dentist appointment at 2 PM. I could cover your Saturday morning. Let me know! Thanks (Correct answer)
- Dear Esteemed Colleague, I am writing to formally request...
- yo can u work thurs or nah??
Correct answer: Hi Raj! Any chance you could swap shifts next Thursday? I have a dentist appointment at 2 PM. I could cover your Saturday morning. Let me know! Thanks
This is casual but polite, explains the reason, and offers a fair exchange.
Workplace texts should balance the informal medium with professional content: greeting, polite request, reason, fair exchange offer, and appreciation.
Question 6: You are reporting a broken elevator to your building manager. Which details should you include?
- Only that it's broken
- When you noticed the problem, which elevator, relevant details, and safety concerns for elderly or disabled residents (Correct answer)
- Your opinion about the building's overall maintenance
- A request for a rent reduction
Correct answer: When you noticed the problem, which elevator, relevant details, and safety concerns for elderly or disabled residents
Effective reports include timing, identification, observations, and safety implications.
Building maintenance reports should be factual and comprehensive: timing, which elevator, specific observations, and safety concerns for vulnerable residents.
CLBPT - Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Writing for Communication 2
You receive an email about a company potluck on Friday.
Which reply is most appropriate?