CELPIP Speaking Task 1 Sample Answers: CLB 5, 7, 9 & 10+ Scripts
Read full CELPIP Speaking Task 1 (Giving Advice) transcripts at CLB 5, 7, 9, and 10-12, with each response marked against the four official scoring dimensions.
- 1.Compare full transcripts for the same task type at CLB 5, 7, 9, and 10-12 so you can hear exactly what separates each score band, sentence by sentence.
- 2.Time your own practice response to the official 30-second prep and 90-second speaking limit so your pacing instinct matches real test conditions.
- 3.Score your own answer against all four rated dimensions — Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability, and Task Fulfillment — instead of judging it on grammar alone.
- 4.Build a flexible structure rather than memorizing a fixed script, because Task Fulfillment is scored on how directly you respond to the specific person and problem in the prompt.
- 5.Rehearse against at least three different Task 1 scenarios (workplace, relocation, family) so an unfamiliar prompt on test day doesn't throw off your structure.
- 6.Record your response and check whether your closing line summarizes your advice, since a missing wrap-up is one of the most common ways a CLB 9-level answer gets pulled down.
A strong CELPIP Speaking Task 1 sample answer is a complete, 90-second spoken response to a "giving advice" prompt — not just an opening line — built from an intro, two or three pieces of advice with reasons, and a short closing. Below are four transcripts at different CLB levels for varied prompts, each marked against the four dimensions CELPIP raters actually use, so you can hear the gap between a passing answer and a strong one instead of just reading a template.
Timing First
Task 1 gives you 30 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to speak — one of the two longest response windows in the Speaking test, per CELPIP's own Guidebook for Test Takers. Aim for roughly 10-15 seconds of intro, 60-70 seconds of advice with reasons, and 10-15 seconds to close.
Four Samples, Four Levels
CLB 5 — Prompt: your friend is nervous about a job interview. "Um, I think you should... prepare good. Maybe practice questions. Also dress nice. It will be okay." This loses marks on Vocabulary (repetitive, no specific words) and Content/Coherence (advice isn't developed or connected).
CLB 7 — Prompt: a coworker must decide whether to accept a promotion that requires relocating. "If I were you, I'd make a pros-and-cons list first, because a big move affects your whole family, not just your job. Another thing you could do is negotiate a trial period before committing fully." Solid structure and two developed suggestions, but flatter Listenability (even rhythm, few natural pauses) than higher bands.
CLB 9 — Prompt: a neighbor's teenager wants to quit the school soccer team. "Honestly, the first thing I'd suggest is sitting down with her calmly instead of reacting right away — kids usually shut down if they feel judged. Beyond that, it might help to ask what's actually bothering her, because quitting is often about something deeper, like a conflict with the coach. And if she still wants to quit after that conversation, that's okay too — forcing her to stay could backfire." Natural transitions, varied sentence structure, and a real closing thought — strong across all four dimensions.
CLB 10-12 — Prompt: a sibling is torn between buying a car now or saving longer. *"My honest take? Don't rush into it just because everyone else your age is buying one. Crunch the numbers first — insurance and maintenance add up fast — and if the math doesn't work, holding off for six more months won't kill you." * Idiomatic phrasing ("crunch the numbers," "won't kill you") used naturally, not forced.
Why CLB 9 Beats CLB 7
| Element | CLB 7 | CLB 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | States advice immediately | Frames advice with reasoning ("the first thing I'd suggest is...") |
| Transition | "Another thing you could do is..." | Varies transitions, adds cause-effect ("because... could backfire") |
| Closing | None — response just stops | Wraps up with a conditional, complete thought |
Common Mistakes That Cost a Band
- Describing the friend's problem in detail instead of giving advice (a Task Fulfillment failure)
- Giving only one suggestion and repeating it in different words
- No closing sentence, so the response trails off mid-thought
The Memorization Trap
A grammatically perfect, fully memorized script still fails Task Fulfillment if it ignores the specific person and situation. For example, reciting "You should weigh the pros and cons and talk to your family" for every prompt — job, health, or move — sounds fluent but never engages with the actual scenario given, and raters score relevance directly.
How to Practice
Set a 30-second and 90-second timer, speak into your phone, then transcribe your own answer and check it against the four dimensions above. Celpip.me's free mock test includes real timed speaking prompts if you want to rehearse this format under exam conditions.
FAQ
How long should a Task 1 sample answer actually be? Long enough to fill close to 90 seconds at a natural pace — rushing or running out of things to say both hurt Content/Coherence. Can I memorize one script for every Task 1 prompt? No — Task Fulfillment specifically checks whether your response addresses the person and situation given, not just whether you speak fluently. What do CELPIP examiners actually listen for? Four things: Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability, and Task Fulfillment — not grammar accuracy alone.
Sources
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