Good writing is easy to read. In this section you’ll make your 150–200 words clear with strong sentence structure, clean grammar, and smart punctuation.

What readability means.

It is how easily your writing can be read and understood. Four things sit inside it: paragraphing, connectors such as because and so, grammar and sentence structure, and spelling and punctuation.

Grammar is one of those four, and those four are one of the four scoring areas, so grammar is one of sixteen factors in total. That is worth knowing if grammar is the only thing you have been practising.

Two of the four are about shape rather than correctness. Paragraphs with a blank line between them, and connectors used once or twice per paragraph, do as much for this score as your verb tenses do.

🎥 What readability actually means (5:24)

Covers what the test maker means by readability, the three format items that are marked, and the spell checker most test takers never use.

Jump to: 3:03 the three things that are marked · 3:46 what readability means · 3:58 the spell checker

Clear sentence architecture

Keep one idea per sentence

Say the point, then add one fact or short example.
Avoid long chains with many commas.

Vary the pattern

Simple: The bus is late.
Compound (FANBOYS = for/and/nor/but/or/yet/so): The bus was late, so I missed my class.
Complex (because/when/although/if): Because the route changed, riders waited longer.

Place modifiers close to the word they describe

Weak: The manager approved the plan yesterday that saves costs.
Clear: The manager approved the cost-saving plan yesterday.

Prefer active voice when it’s shorter

Passive: The forms were submitted by residents.
Active: Residents submitted the forms.

Common grammar fixes that boost readability

Subject–verb agreement

The buses are crowded. / The service is reliable.

Verb tense control

Use the same tense inside one paragraph unless the time changes.

Articles (a, an, the)

a/an = not specific: I bought a monthly pass.
the = specific/known: Please repair the elevator in the north tower.
No article with many uncountable or plural general nouns: Residents need information. / Students need computers.

Prepositions that sound natural

on the bus, at the stop, in winter, during rush hour, for residents, to request help.

Commas and friends (the problems markers often see)

1) Comma splice (two sentences joined with only a comma)

Wrong: The bus was delayed, I missed my interview.
Fix A: The bus was delayed. I missed my interview.
Fix B: The bus was delayed, so I missed my interview.
Fix C: The bus was delayed; I missed my interview.

2) Introductory word or phrase

After winter storms, buses often run behind schedule.

3) Items in a list

The notice asked for name, unit number, and date.

4) Extra (non-essential) detail

The south elevator, which was repaired last month, broke again.

5) No comma between subject and verb

Wrong: The city manager, approved the plan.
Clear: The city manager approved the plan.

Punctuation & capitalization that keep the page clean

Periods end every sentence. Do a “period check” before you submit.
Semicolons link two complete, close ideas; use them rarely.
Colons introduce a list or example: We suggest three steps: post updates, add staff, adjust routes.
Apostrophes show possession: residents’ parking, manager’s email.
Capitalization: first word of each sentence; I; names of people and places; don’t capitalize common nouns (university, city) unless part of a name (University of Calgary).

The spell checker in the exam

There is a spell checker built into the CELPIP writing platform. A lot of test takers never open it, which is a free check they are giving away.

Use it in your last few minutes. It will catch the typing slips your eyes pass over.

But do not depend on it, and do not study with one running. Two reasons.

It cannot see a word that is spelled correctly and simply wrong. There for their, its for it's, affect for effect, to for too. Every one of those passes a spell check and none of them passes an examiner.

And if you write with a checker on your phone and your laptop every day, you slowly stop knowing the real spelling of words. That shows up on test day in exactly the words a checker never flags.

Practice without one. Use one at the end.

Readability tactics for typed responses

Use the tools, but don’t trust them blindly

The checker catches spelling, not meaning. It won’t fix there/their/they’re or affect/effect.
Names and some formal words may show as errors even if correct—don’t change them without reason.

Quick on-screen habits

Watch the word counter and aim near 150–200.
Make short paragraphs (2–4 sentences each).
Do a final 2–3 minute pass: periods present, commas in the right spots, tone stays semi-formal, every bullet covered.

Consistency

Use one spelling style throughout (e.g., centre/colour or center/color). Pick one and stay consistent.

Before → After (readability upgrades)

Run-on / vague

The city changed the route it caused delays and people were angry, this is a big problem.

Clear / precise

The city changed the route, so buses started to arrive late. As a result, riders missed transfers and complained to the service desk.

Article / preposition fixes

Please add a schedule board at the entrance and post the updates on the website.

Mini language bank (sentence variety)

Cause/Result: because, so, therefore, as a result
Add/Contrast: also, however, although, while
Clarify/Example: for example, for instance, in particular
Time/Order: first, next, then, finally, during, after

Micro-checklist (before you submit)

One idea per sentence; mix simple + compound + complex
Verbs agree and tenses are steady
Articles are correct (a/an/the) or omitted when general
Commas used for lists/intro/non-essential info; no comma splices
Periods at the end of every sentence; names capitalized
Word counter near 150–200; quick final read on screen

5-minute edit drill

Circle two long sentences; split or join them with so/because.
Fix one comma splice using a period or a FANBOYS word.
Scan for a/an/the errors; adjust two nouns.
Do a period check and remove one extra comma.

Readability: Sentence Variety, Grammar, & Punctuation