CELPIP Speaking Templates: All 8 Tasks with Sample Answers
Master every CELPIP speaking task with proven response templates and sample answers at CLB 7, 9, and 12 levels. Each template gives you a ready-to-use framework so you never freeze during the test. Practice all 8 speaking tasks with CELPIP Simulator's AI scoring for instant feedback on fluency, vocabulary, and structure. Start with 2 free AI-scored exams, no credit card required.
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CELPIP Speaking Test Format
The CELPIP Speaking test has 8 tasks. Here is an overview of each task, including preparation and speaking times.
| Task | Name | Prep Time | Speaking Time | What You Do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giving Advice | 30 sec | 90 sec | Give advice to someone about a situation |
| 2 | Talking About a Personal Experience | 30 sec | 60 sec | Describe a personal experience related to a topic |
| 3 | Describing a Scene | 30 sec | 60 sec | Describe what is happening in a picture |
| 4 | Making Predictions | 30 sec | 60 sec | Predict what will happen next based on a picture |
| 5 | Comparing and Persuading | 60 sec | 60 sec | Choose between two options and persuade someone |
| 6 | Dealing with a Difficult Situation | 60 sec | 60 sec | Handle a problem or conflict |
| 7 | Expressing Opinions | 30 sec | 90 sec | Give your opinion on a social topic |
| 8 | Describing an Unusual Situation | 30 sec | 60 sec | Describe something unusual and explain how to handle it |
Speaking Scoring Criteria
Fluency
Natural pace, minimal hesitation, smooth delivery
Vocabulary
Range and accuracy of word choice
Listenability
Clear pronunciation and intonation
Task Fulfillment
All parts of the prompt fully addressed
CELPIP Speaking Templates for All 8 Tasks
Each template gives you a proven response framework with a sample prompt and CLB 9 level answer. Use these structures during your preparation time to organize your thoughts quickly.
Task 1 Template: Giving Advice
Response Framework:
- 1Opening: State what you would advise and why it matters.
- 2Point 1: Give your first piece of advice with a reason or example.
- 3Point 2: Give your second piece of advice with a reason or example.
- 4Point 3: Give a third piece of advice or mention what to avoid.
- 5Closing: Summarize and offer encouragement.
Sample Prompt:
Your friend has just started a new job and feels nervous. Give your friend some advice on how to make a good impression in the first week.
Sample Answer (CLB 9):
If I were you, I would focus on three things during your first week. First, I would strongly recommend arriving early every day. This shows your manager that you are reliable and serious about the position. It also gives you a few quiet minutes to settle in before the day gets busy. Second, I think it is really important to introduce yourself to as many colleagues as possible. Do not wait for people to come to you. Walk up to them, shake their hand, and ask about their role. People appreciate that kind of initiative, and it will help you build a support network quickly. Third, I would suggest keeping a notebook with you at all times. Write down instructions, names, and any processes you learn. Nobody expects you to remember everything on day one, but showing that you are making an effort to learn goes a long way. Overall, just be yourself, stay positive, and remember that everyone was new at some point. You are going to do great.
Task 2 Template: Talking About a Personal Experience
Response Framework:
- 1Opening: Introduce the experience and when/where it happened.
- 2Details: Describe what happened step by step.
- 3Feelings: Explain how you felt during the experience.
- 4Lesson/Outcome: Share what you learned or how it ended.
Sample Prompt:
Talk about a time you helped someone who was in difficulty.
Sample Answer (CLB 9):
I would like to tell you about a time I helped a stranger at a grocery store about two years ago. I was shopping on a Saturday afternoon when I noticed an elderly woman struggling to reach something on the top shelf. I walked over and asked if she needed help. She smiled and said she was trying to get a bag of flour but could not reach it. I grabbed it for her and placed it in her cart. She then mentioned that she also had trouble carrying heavy bags to her car, so I offered to help with that as well. After loading her groceries, she thanked me warmly and said that small acts of kindness like that reminded her of her late husband, who always helped others. I felt genuinely moved by her words. That experience taught me that helping others does not require grand gestures. Even a few minutes of your time can make a real difference in someone's day, and honestly, it made my day better too.
Task 3 Template: Describing a Scene
Response Framework:
- 1Opening: Give a general overview of what you see.
- 2People: Describe who is in the scene and what they are doing.
- 3Details: Mention specific objects, locations, or background elements.
- 4Atmosphere: Describe the mood, weather, or overall feeling of the scene.
Sample Prompt:
Describe what is happening in this picture. (Imagine: a busy outdoor farmers market on a sunny day)
Sample Answer (CLB 9):
This picture shows a busy outdoor farmers market on what appears to be a beautiful sunny day. There are quite a few things happening in this scene. In the centre, I can see several vendors standing behind long tables covered with fresh fruits and vegetables. There are bright red tomatoes, green lettuce, and what looks like baskets of strawberries. The vendors seem to be engaged in friendly conversations with their customers. On the left side, a young family is walking through the market. The mother is carrying a large canvas bag that already looks full, while the father is holding a small child on his shoulders. The child seems to be pointing at something excitedly. In the background, I can see colourful tents and banners set up along the pathway. There is also a musician playing guitar near one of the stalls, which probably adds a pleasant atmosphere to the market. Overall, the scene feels lively, cheerful, and very community-oriented. It looks like a perfect weekend outing.
Task 4 Template: Making Predictions
Response Framework:
- 1Opening: Briefly describe the current situation shown.
- 2Prediction 1: State what you think will happen next and why.
- 3Prediction 2: Offer an alternative possibility.
- 4Conclusion: Say which prediction you think is most likely.
Sample Prompt:
Look at this picture and predict what will happen next. (Imagine: a student sitting at a desk with textbooks, looking stressed, with a clock showing late night)
Sample Answer (CLB 9):
Based on what I see in this picture, I think a few things are likely to happen next. The student appears to be studying very late at night and looks quite stressed and exhausted. My first prediction is that she will probably decide to take a short break. She might get up, stretch, and make herself a cup of coffee or tea to help her stay focused. This is a common strategy when people feel overwhelmed by studying. Another possibility is that she will realize she cannot absorb any more information tonight and decide to go to bed. She looks so tired that continuing might not be productive anyway, and getting some sleep could help her remember what she has already studied. I think the most likely outcome is the second one. When you reach that level of exhaustion, pushing through often does more harm than good. She will probably set an alarm to wake up early and review her notes in the morning when her mind is fresh.
Task 5 Template: Comparing and Persuading
Response Framework:
- 1Opening: State which option you prefer clearly.
- 2Reason 1: Give your strongest argument for your choice.
- 3Reason 2: Give a second supporting argument.
- 4Address the other option: Acknowledge it briefly but explain why yours is better.
- 5Closing: Restate your preference confidently.
Sample Prompt:
Your company can either give employees a gym membership OR an extra day off per month. You think the extra day off is better. Persuade your manager.
Sample Answer (CLB 9):
I really appreciate you asking for our input on this. While a gym membership is generous, I strongly believe the extra day off would benefit everyone more, and I would like to explain why. First, an extra day off gives employees the flexibility to use their time however they need. Some people might use it for exercise, others for family time, errands, or simply resting. Not everyone is interested in going to a gym, but everyone values their personal time. It is a benefit that works for every single employee regardless of their lifestyle. Second, research consistently shows that well-rested employees are more productive. An extra day to recharge each month could actually improve our team's output during the days we are in the office. It is an investment that pays for itself. I understand that a gym membership promotes health, which is important. However, an extra day off can achieve the same goal while also addressing mental health and work-life balance, which are just as critical. For these reasons, I am confident the extra day off is the better choice for our team.
Task 6 Template: Dealing with a Difficult Situation
Response Framework:
- 1Opening: Acknowledge the problem clearly and calmly.
- 2Solution 1: Propose your first step to resolve it.
- 3Solution 2: Offer an additional step or compromise.
- 4Tone: Stay polite, calm, and solution-focused throughout.
Sample Prompt:
You ordered food at a restaurant 45 minutes ago and it still has not arrived. Other tables that ordered after you have already received their meals. Talk to the server.
Sample Answer (CLB 9):
Excuse me, I am sorry to bother you, but I wanted to check on the status of my order. I placed it about 45 minutes ago, and I have noticed that a few tables that came in after me have already received their food. I understand that the kitchen is probably very busy tonight, and I know these things happen. However, I do have somewhere to be later this evening, so I would really appreciate it if you could check with the kitchen and let me know how much longer it might take. If the meal is going to be significantly delayed, I wonder if it might be possible to either expedite it or perhaps adjust the bill to reflect the wait time. I want to be reasonable about this, and I am not looking to make a fuss. I really enjoy coming to this restaurant, and I am sure this is just an unusual situation. I would appreciate your help in sorting this out. Thank you so much.
Task 7 Template: Expressing Opinions
Response Framework:
- 1Opening: State your opinion clearly.
- 2Reason 1: Support it with your strongest argument.
- 3Reason 2: Provide a second supporting point with an example.
- 4Counterargument: Briefly address the opposing view.
- 5Closing: Restate your position firmly.
Sample Prompt:
Do you think social media has a positive or negative effect on society? Explain your opinion.
Sample Answer (CLB 9):
In my opinion, social media has had a largely negative effect on society, and I have several reasons for thinking this way. First and foremost, social media has significantly reduced the quality of face-to-face interactions. People spend hours scrolling through their phones instead of engaging with the people around them. I have seen families sitting at dinner tables where everyone is looking at their screens instead of talking to each other. This is damaging our ability to form deep, meaningful relationships. Additionally, social media platforms create unrealistic expectations about life. People tend to share only their highlights, which makes others feel inadequate by comparison. Studies have linked heavy social media use to increased rates of anxiety and depression, particularly among young people. I do acknowledge that social media has some benefits, such as connecting people across distances and providing a platform for small businesses. These are genuine advantages. However, I believe the harm to mental health and social skills outweighs these benefits. Until platforms take more responsibility for their impact, I think we need to be much more cautious about how much time we spend on them.
Task 8 Template: Describing an Unusual Situation
Response Framework:
- 1Opening: Describe what is unusual about the situation.
- 2Details: Explain specific aspects that make it strange or unexpected.
- 3Reaction: Say how you or others would likely react.
- 4Resolution: Suggest how the situation could be handled or resolved.
Sample Prompt:
You arrive at work and find that all the furniture in your office has been rearranged overnight, and nobody knows who did it. Describe the situation and explain what you would do.
Sample Answer (CLB 9):
This is certainly a bizarre situation. I arrived at the office this morning and discovered that every piece of furniture had been completely rearranged overnight. My desk was where the bookshelf used to be, the meeting table was in the corner, and even the plants had been moved around. The strangest part is that nobody in the office seems to know who did it or why. My first reaction would be surprise and curiosity. I would probably walk around the entire office to see the full extent of the changes and check if anything was damaged or missing. Security should obviously be notified to review the overnight camera footage, because someone clearly had access to the building after hours. After the initial investigation, I would send a polite email to all staff asking if anyone has information about what happened. It is possible this was a prank by a colleague, a misunderstanding with the cleaning crew, or perhaps a maintenance team that went to the wrong floor. In the meantime, I would suggest that everyone adjusts to the new layout for the day rather than trying to move everything back immediately. We can sort out the furniture once we understand what happened.
CELPIP Speaking Tips: How to Score CLB 9+
Apply these strategies across all 8 speaking tasks to maximize your score.
- 1
Use the full speaking time
Silence counts against you. If you finish early, add more details, examples, or rephrase your closing. Aim to speak until the timer runs out.
- 2
Use preparation time to mentally outline your response
Map your response to the template: opening, 2-3 points, closing. Do not try to script word-for-word. A mental outline keeps you organized without sounding rehearsed.
- 3
Speak at a natural pace
Rushing sounds nervous and leads to pronunciation errors. Speaking too slowly sounds uncertain. Aim for a conversational speed with natural pauses between points.
- 4
Use transition words consistently
Words like "first", "additionally", "on the other hand", and "in conclusion" signal clear organization and make your response easier to follow.
- 5
Vary your vocabulary
Avoid repeating the same words. Instead of saying "good" multiple times, use "beneficial", "valuable", or "advantageous" where appropriate.
- 6
Stay on topic throughout
Going off-track hurts your task fulfillment score. Every sentence should directly address the prompt. If you feel yourself drifting, redirect with a transition phrase.
- 7
For opinion tasks, always address the counterargument
Briefly acknowledging the other side before restating your position shows critical thinking and boosts your coherence score.
- 8
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