Newcomer settlement services feedback survey (CLB 7)
Task prompt
A newcomer settlement agency wants feedback from recent immigrants about the services they received. Complete the survey about language support, employment help, housing guidance, and overall experience. Suggest one improvement.
Your task
Complete a newcomer settlement services survey. You must:
- Comment on language support, employment help, housing guidance, and overall experience
- Give honest, specific feedback in each section
- Suggest one concrete improvement
- Use a respectful, constructive tone
Word count target: 140–170 words
Model answer (CLB 7)
Newcomer Settlement Services Survey — Bridgeview Immigration Services
Language Support Very good. The ESL classes were well-organized and the instructors were patient. The beginner and intermediate levels were clearly different, which helped me learn faster.
Employment Help Fair. The resume workshop was useful, but the job search support ended after two sessions. I would have liked more ongoing help, especially with job interview preparation.
Housing Guidance Good. The staff explained the rental process clearly and gave me a helpful checklist. I felt much less confused after the orientation.
Overall Experience I felt welcomed and supported. The staff were friendly and easy to reach by phone or email.
One Suggested Improvement I suggest adding a mock interview workshop to the employment program. Many newcomers, including myself, have difficulty with job interviews in English. Practising with a counsellor before a real interview would make a big difference.
Why this scores CLB 7
| CLB Criterion | What this response does well |
|---|---|
| Purpose | All four sections rated with specific feedback; one suggestion provided |
| Detail | Class levels noted, resume workshop mentioned, checklist referenced |
| Organization | Follows survey structure clearly; suggestion is specific and explained |
| Tone | Honest but positive — balanced feedback, not a complaint |
| Vocabulary | ”well-organized,” “mock interview,” “ongoing help,” “orientation” |
| Grammar | Accurate simple sentences; basic subordination |
Common mistakes at CLB 5–6
| Weak version | Why it loses marks |
|---|---|
| ”Services were OK.” | No specific detail in any category |
| Skipping a section | All four areas are required |
| ”Everything was bad.” | No nuance; unbalanced responses score lower |
| Suggestion with no reason | At CLB 7, your suggestion should include one sentence of explanation |
Examiner tip
Settlement surveys are personal, but they should not sound like a diary entry. Think of each section as a mini-report: what was the service, how did it help, what was missing. The most memorable CLB 7 answers are honest and specific — they name what worked AND what could be better. That balance shows mature communication judgment.