How many speaking tasks are on CELPIP?

CELPIP-General Speaking has eight tasks: giving advice, talking about a personal experience, describing a scene, making predictions, comparing and persuading, dealing with a difficult situation, expressing opinions, and describing an unusual situation. Each has a short prep time (30–60 seconds) and a 60–90 second recording window.

How long do you get to speak in each CELPIP task?

Most speaking tasks give you 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak; a few give 60 seconds of prep and up to 90 seconds to speak. You should keep talking for the whole window — stopping early leaves points on the table.

What makes a high-band CELPIP speaking answer?

A high-band answer directly addresses the task, is organized (a quick opener, developed body, brief close), uses a range of vocabulary and connected sentences, and fills the time with a natural pace. Recurring grammar errors, long pauses, and one-word reasons hold answers at CLB 5–6.

CELPIP Speaking Sample Answers — All 8 Tasks (2026 Guide)

The eight speaking tasks at a glance

CELPIP-General Speaking is eight short recorded tasks, about 15–20 minutes in total. There's no examiner in the room — you speak to a microphone, with a short prep time and a fixed recording window for each. The golden rule: keep talking for the whole window and make sure you actually do what the task asks.

#	Task	Prep	Speak
1	Giving advice	30s	90s
2	Talking about a personal experience	30s	60s
3	Describing a scene	30s	60s
4	Making predictions	30s	60s
5	Comparing & persuading	60s	60s
6	Dealing with a difficult situation	60s	60s
7	Expressing opinions	30s	90s
8	Describing an unusual situation	30s	60s

Task 1 — Giving Advice

30s prep · 90s speak

Prompt: A friend has just moved to a new city and feels lonely. Give them practical advice on how to meet people and settle in.

Model answer

Hey, I know moving somewhere new can feel really isolating at first, but honestly it gets so much better once you put yourself out there a little. My biggest piece of advice would be to join something regular — a gym class, a hobby group, even a weekly board-game night. When you see the same people every week, friendships form naturally without you having to force it. I'd also say try to say yes to things, even when you're tired. That coworker who invites you for coffee, the neighbour who mentions a local event — those small moments are usually how it starts. And give it time; feeling at home somewhere takes a couple of months, not a couple of days. You've got this — just be patient with yourself.

Why it works: speaks directly to the friend, gives two concrete pieces of advice with a reason, and fills the time with a warm, natural close. Note the connected sentences and everyday-but-precise phrasing ("put yourself out there," "form naturally").

Task 3 — Describing a Scene

30s prep · 60s speak · you're shown a picture

Prompt: Describe what is happening in the picture (a busy farmers' market) to someone who cannot see it.

Model answer

In this picture, I can see a busy outdoor farmers' market on what looks like a sunny weekend morning. In the foreground, there's a stall covered with colourful fruit and vegetables — baskets of red apples, bright orange carrots, and leafy greens. A woman in an apron is standing behind the table, handing a paper bag to a customer. To the left, a father is holding a small child on his shoulders while they look at a flower stand. In the background, I can see white tents lined up along the street, and a few people carrying reusable shopping bags. Overall, the atmosphere seems cheerful and relaxed, with lots of people browsing and chatting in the sunshine.

Why it works: uses spatial signposting (foreground / to the left / in the background) so the listener can build the picture, and finishes with an overall impression. Present continuous ("is standing," "is holding") is exactly right for describing an ongoing scene.

Task 5 — Comparing & Persuading

60s prep · 60s speak

Prompt: Your family is choosing a holiday: a relaxing beach resort or an active hiking trip. Choose one and persuade a family member to agree with you.

Model answer

Okay, I really think we should go with the hiking trip this year, and here's why. I know the beach resort sounds relaxing, but we do that almost every summer, and honestly we come back feeling like we just sat around the whole time. The hiking trip would actually be something different. We'd be outside, getting exercise, seeing incredible views we'd never see otherwise — and the kids would have real stories to tell instead of just "we swam a lot." Yes, it's a bit more effort, but the cabins have proper beds and hot showers, so it's not exactly roughing it. And it's actually cheaper than the resort. Come on — let's try something new this time. I really think we'll remember it for years.

Why it works: names the alternative and rebuts it ("I know the beach sounds relaxing, but…"), stacks three persuasive reasons, and closes with a direct appeal. That compare-then-persuade move is what Task 5 rewards.

Task 7 — Expressing Opinions

30s prep · 90s speak

Prompt: Some people think working from home is better than working in an office; others disagree. Say which you prefer and give reasons.

Model answer

Personally, I prefer working from home, and I feel fairly strongly about it for a couple of reasons. The first is time. Without a commute, I save nearly two hours a day, and I can put that time into actual work or into resting, which makes me more productive and a lot less stressed. The second reason is focus. In an open office, I'm interrupted constantly — someone stops by my desk every few minutes — whereas at home I can put my head down and finish deep work much faster. Now, I do understand the argument for the office: some people find it lonely at home, and it's true that quick face-to-face chats can be easier than a video call. But for me, the flexibility and the focus clearly outweigh those downsides. So overall, I'd choose remote work almost every time.

Why it works: clear opinion up front, two developed reasons ("The first is… The second is…"), a fair acknowledgement of the other view, then a confident restatement. Filling the full 90 seconds without rambling is the mark of a strong Task 7.

Timing habits that lift your band

Use every second of prep to pick one clear position and two supporting points — don't script full sentences, just anchors.
Open in the first three seconds. Don't waste the window with "um, so, let me think." Start with your point.
Keep going until the timer stops. Trailing off early reads as "ran out of ideas."
Aim for steady pace over perfect grammar. A natural flow with a few small slips beats a halting, over-corrected answer.

Record a real speaking task — free

Our free demo exam lets you record a genuine CELPIP speaking task. It's transcribed and graded by our Gradient Engine against a CELPIP-style rubric, so you get an estimated band and specific feedback on what to improve. No sign-up, all four skills, one sitting.

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