The CELPIP Speaking Test consists of eight tasks designed to measure your ability to communicate in English. Each task presents a different scenario or challenge, testing how well you can convey information, describe events, and share your opinions. Here's a breakdown of each task with links to practice samples.
Task 1: Giving Advice
In this task, you’ll help someone by giving advice. The scenario might ask you to assist a friend or colleague in making a decision, such as which career path to choose or how to prepare for an upcoming event. You’ll have 30 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to speak.
Key points:
- Offer a solution to the problem.
- Explain your advice with reasons and examples.
Task 2: Talking About a Personal Experience
You’ll be asked to talk about a past experience related to a specific topic. For example, you might share a story about a memorable trip or a time when you overcame a challenge. The goal is to clearly narrate the event and provide relevant details.
Preparation: 30 seconds
Speaking time: 60 seconds
What to include:
- Describe what happened, who was involved, and where it took place.
- Mention the outcome or what you learned from the experience.
Task 3: Describing a Scene
Here, you’ll see a picture and describe what is happening in the scene. This could be an illustration of a park, a party, or a workplace. You’ll need to provide as many details as possible to help someone visualize the scene.
Preparation: 30 seconds
Speaking time: 60 seconds
Focus on:
- Describing the people, objects, and activities.
- Using descriptive words to create a vivid picture.
Task 4: Making Predictions
Using the same image from Task 3, you’ll be asked to predict what might happen next. For example, if the image shows people at a picnic, you might predict that they will start packing up because of dark clouds in the sky.
Preparation: 30 seconds
Speaking time: 60 seconds
Key points:
- Make logical predictions based on the scene.
- Explain why you think those events are likely to happen.
Task 5: Comparing and Persuading
This task has two parts:
- Comparison: You’ll compare two options, such as different types of vacation packages, and choose one.
- Persuasion: You’ll need to convince someone why your choice is the better option.
Preparation: 60 seconds
Comparison speaking time: No additional time
Persuasion speaking time: 60 seconds
What to include:
- Discuss the pros and cons of each option.
- Clearly explain why your choice is preferable.
Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation
In this task, you’ll explain how you would handle a challenging situation. The scenario could involve resolving a conflict, making a tough decision, or managing a stressful event.
Preparation: 60 seconds
Speaking time: 60 seconds
Focus on:
- Explaining your decision-making process.
- Justifying your actions with examples or reasoning.
Task 7: Expressing Opinions
You’ll be presented with a statement or question and asked to share your opinion. For example, you might be asked whether you agree that children should be limited in their screen time.
Preparation: 30 seconds
Speaking time: 90 seconds
What to include:
- State your opinion clearly.
- Provide reasons and examples to support your viewpoint.
Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation
You’ll see an image of something unusual, such as a person riding a bicycle built from tree branches. You’ll need to describe the image to someone who cannot see it.
Preparation: 30 seconds
Speaking time: 60 seconds
Key points:
- Clearly describe the unusual features.
- Use detailed language to help someone visualize the scene.
Final Thoughts
Each task in the CELPIP Speaking Test assesses different communication skills, from giving advice to expressing opinions. Understanding what happens in each task will help you feel more prepared. Be sure to practice using the sample links provided to improve your fluency and confidence!