CELPIP Speaking Task 1 sample answers

CELPIP Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice

Thirty seconds to prepare, ninety seconds to speak, one take.

30 seconds to prepare90 seconds to speakOne take on the test

How to use the time

Use the 30 seconds to decide, not to write a script. One recommendation, two reasons, and a concrete detail for each. Jot words if you need them. You will not have time to read sentences aloud.
Show you heard them, in one sentence. Then give the advice. The next line is “If I were you, I’d…” You are talking to that person. Do not spend the opening retelling their story.
Say the first reason, then a detail. Then the second reason, then a detail. This is most of the 90 seconds. The test does not count your reasons. It listens for advice that is explained, in a tone that fits a friend or a coworker.
Say the advice once more, in one line. If a few seconds remain, add a detail to a reason you already gave. Stopping around halfway leaves the reasons thin. Opening a new topic just to fill the clock does too.

A long “it depends,” with no recommendation, does not finish this task. You can mention the other option in a clause, then still say what you would do.

Three situations

Task example

A coworker has to present a project update to the whole team in English next Friday. Their everyday English is fine, but they freeze when everyone is looking at them. They ask you what they should do.

Sample answer

Heard themThat sounds nerve-racking, especially with the whole team in the room.

AdviceIf I were you, I’d practise the update out loud three times before Friday, and I’d keep a few cue cards instead of a full script.

Reason 1Saying it aloud shows you which lines are too long, and the cards give you a place to look if you go blank.

Reason 2Ask one teammate to listen once and interrupt you, so Friday is not the first time another person is in the room. Send them a short summary the day before, so they already know the points.

CloseSo practise out loud, use the cards, and do that one rehearsal before Friday.

CELPIP Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice

Thirty seconds to prepare, ninety seconds to speak, one take.

30 seconds to prepare90 seconds to speakOne take on the test

How to use the time

Use the 30 seconds to decide, not to write a script. One recommendation, two reasons, and a concrete detail for each. Jot words if you need them. You will not have time to read sentences aloud.
Show you heard them, in one sentence. Then give the advice. The next line is “If I were you, I’d…” You are talking to that person. Do not spend the opening retelling their story.
Say the first reason, then a detail. Then the second reason, then a detail. This is most of the 90 seconds. The test does not count your reasons. It listens for advice that is explained, in a tone that fits a friend or a coworker.
Say the advice once more, in one line. If a few seconds remain, add a detail to a reason you already gave. Stopping around halfway leaves the reasons thin. Opening a new topic just to fill the clock does too.

A long “it depends,” with no recommendation, does not finish this task. You can mention the other option in a clause, then still say what you would do.

Three situations

Task example

Sample answer

Heard themThat sounds nerve-racking, especially with the whole team in the room.

AdviceIf I were you, I’d practise the update out loud three times before Friday, and I’d keep a few cue cards instead of a full script.

Reason 1Saying it aloud shows you which lines are too long, and the cards give you a place to look if you go blank.

Reason 2Ask one teammate to listen once and interrupt you, so Friday is not the first time another person is in the room. Send them a short summary the day before, so they already know the points.

CloseSo practise out loud, use the cards, and do that one rehearsal before Friday.