When you tackle CELPIP Speaking Task 7, you’ll be asked to weigh in on a statement about a broader social or personal issue. You need to decide if you agree, disagree, or partially agree with it—and provide convincing reasons. Below is a six-part breakdown you can follow, now with expanded example lines and additional words/phrases to help you craft a strong, well-supported response.
1. Greeting & Introduction
Open by greeting or acknowledging the prompt, then state the topic you’ll be discussing.
- “Hello! Today, I’d like to discuss whether universities should be fully online.”
- “Hi there. I want to share my thoughts on the idea of banning cars in city centers.”
- “Good morning. I’m here to explain why I support limiting smartphone use in schools.”
- “Hey! Let me weigh in on whether companies should allow dogs in the workplace.”
- “Hi! I’d like to address the claim that everyone should do volunteer work at least once a month.”
2. State Your Position
Clearly say if you agree, disagree, or partly agree with the statement.
- “I firmly believe this policy would be beneficial.”
- “I totally disagree with this concept, for reasons I’ll explain.”
- “I’m partially in favor, although I see a few downsides.”
- “I wholeheartedly support the idea—it makes a lot of sense to me.”
- “I’m inclined to disagree, but I do acknowledge some valid points on the other side.”
3. Provide Reason(s)
Offer one or two strong reasons to support your viewpoint, including brief examples or details.
- “Firstly, having online university programs opens access for students in remote areas.”
- “Secondly, banning cars could significantly improve air quality and reduce noise pollution.”
- “Another reason is that restricting smartphone use at school helps students focus on class.”
- “Additionally, allowing pets in the office can decrease stress and boost morale.”
- “Moreover, mandatory volunteering fosters empathy and community engagement.”
- “For one thing, this policy saves both time and money.”
- “Another point is that it would encourage people to be more environmentally conscious.”
- “It could also promote healthier work-life balance.”
- “This measure might reduce accidents or conflicts, ultimately benefiting society.”
- “By implementing this idea, we could see a significant drop in overall crime rates.”
4. Address a Counterargument
Acknowledge an opposing view and explain why it’s less convincing or how you’d address it.
- “I understand some argue it isolates students socially, but virtual study groups can help.”
- “Of course, not everyone can afford electric cars, yet subsidies could make them more accessible.”
- “Yes, smartphones can be educational, but constant supervision is hard to maintain.”
- “I realize not everyone enjoys pets at work, but separate pet-free zones are possible.”
- “Granted, forced volunteering might feel insincere, yet it still provides real help to communities.”
- “I acknowledge that this change may be costly at first, but the long-term savings are undeniable.”
- “Some say it violates personal freedom, but I believe the overall benefits justify the restriction.”
- “Though some worry it lowers productivity, studies show it actually increases efficiency over time.”
- “I admit there could be confusion initially, but clear guidelines would solve that issue.”
- “People might claim it’s too extreme, but moderate steps can be taken instead of an absolute ban.”
5. Summarize or Conclude
Restate your stance briefly, and tie your points together.
- “In short, I strongly believe going fully online for universities is both practical and fair.”
- “All things considered, I remain convinced that car-free city centers are a step forward.”
- “Ultimately, limiting phones in the classroom leads to better academic performance.”
- “Overall, I feel pets in the office can be a positive force, as long as guidelines are respected.”
- “To sum up, encouraging everyone to volunteer will strengthen our communities and sense of unity.”
- “Hence, I stand by my view that this policy does more good than harm.”
- “Therefore, I continue to support this concept, believing the pros outweigh the cons.”
- “For these reasons, I’m committed to the idea that this approach is the right path.”
- “Because of these advantages, I advocate fully for implementing such a strategy.”
- “Thus, while not perfect, this solution offers the best balance between benefits and costs.”
6. Wrap Up Politely
Finish with a concluding remark or thank the listener for hearing your opinion.
- “Thanks for considering my perspective—I appreciate the chance to share my thoughts.”
- “I hope these points clarify why I feel this way, and I’d love to hear any follow-up questions.”
- “Thank you for listening, and I hope my stance sheds some light on the issue.”
- “I’m grateful for this opportunity to express my opinion, and I welcome any further discussion.”
- “That’s all I have to say on the matter. Thank you for your time!”
- “I’m glad I could elaborate on this topic, and I hope my reasoning resonates with you.”
- “I appreciate you letting me share my view—please let me know if you’d like more details.”
- “I’m thankful for the platform to voice this; I’m open to hearing other angles as well.”
- “Thanks for hearing me out. I trust this explanation offers a balanced perspective.”
- “Thank you again, and I hope my input proves useful to anyone making a decision.”
Most Important & Frequent Words/Vocabulary
Below is a longer list of helpful words to enhance your arguments. Each word or phrase includes a simple definition:
Agree/Disagree Adjectives
- favorable (to): supporting or agreeing with
- opposed (to): against or disagreeing with
- neutral: not taking sides
- partial: in support of some aspects but not all
- adamant: very firm or unshakeable in your stance
- hesitant: unsure or cautious about supporting a claim
- enthusiastic: strongly positive and eager
- reluctant: unwilling or disinclined
Transition/Linking Words
- furthermore: in addition or besides
- likewise: similarly, in the same manner
- nonetheless: despite what was just said
- consequently: as a result
- otherwise: if not; in another case
- additionally: in an added sense or extra point
- contrarily: in the opposite way
- respectively: in the order mentioned
Argument Verbs
- advocate: publicly recommend or support
- claim: state that something is the case
- maintain: assert or continue to argue a point
- question: express doubt or challenge a statement
- underline: highlight or emphasize
- reinforce: strengthen or support an argument
- indicate: point out or show evidence
- assert: state a fact or belief confidently
Hedging & Partial Agreement
- seems like: appears to be the case
- might: could possibly be
- to some extent: partly but not entirely
- arguably: can be claimed with some reason
- in many respects: in several ways or on multiple counts
- potentially: having the capacity to develop into something in the future
- in a sense: in a certain way or manner
- in moderation: within reasonable limits
Structuring Opinions
- overall: taking everything together
- in essence: fundamentally
- granted: acknowledging a point
- that said: introduces a contrasting or qualifying statement
- ultimately: in the end, after considering everything
- from my perspective: in my view or opinion
- in light of: because of or considering
- on the whole: in general or for the most part
Combining these extra example lines with the expanded vocabulary should give you the tools to confidently tackle CELPIP Speaking Task 7. By following the six-step template—Greeting & Introduction, State Your Position, Provide Reason(s), Address a Counterargument, Summarize or Conclude, and Wrap Up Politely—you’ll deliver a clear, structured, and persuasive response every time.