Trying to Break a Bad Habit

The task

Talk about a habit you once wanted to change, such as staying up too late, spending too much time on your phone or eating too much fast food. Describe what you tried and what happened.

• Read the task, prepare during the preparation time, then speak aloud for the speaking time.
• This is an original practice question written in a CELPIP-style format. It is not a real test question.
• The CLB level of each model answer was reviewed by a TESOL-certified instructor. It is not an official CELPIP score. This practice material is not affiliated with or endorsed by Paragon Testing Enterprises.
• CELPIP is a registered trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises. This site is not affiliated with Paragon Testing Enterprises.

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking time

60 seconds

Question

24 of 30

Last year I used my phone too much, especially at night in my bed. Sometimes I was scrolling until two o'clock, and in the morning I was so tired at work. So I decided to change. I bought a cheap alarm clock and I put my phone in the kitchen before I go to sleep. The first week was really hard. I wanted to check my messages all the time. One night I went to the kitchen to get it, you know, just for five minutes. But after two or three weeks it was more easy. Now I sleep better. Not perfect, but better.

Why this answer works

• Gives the habit, the reason, one clear strategy, a hard moment and a result, in that order.
• Everyday words with slips ("before I go to sleep", "more easy") and a light filler ("you know"), consistent with a CLB 7.
• The ending ("Not perfect, but better") is honest but very brief.

A couple of years ago, I realized I was buying lunch from a fast-food place almost every workday. It was costing me a lot, and honestly, I felt sluggish every afternoon. So I decided to start bringing my own lunch. On Sunday evenings I'd cook a big batch of something simple, like chili or pasta salad, and divide it into containers. The first two weeks went really well, but then I had a busy weekend, skipped the cooking, and ended up right back at the drive-through. That's when I realized I needed a backup plan, so I kept a few frozen meals at work for emergencies. After about two months, it just became routine. I still treat myself on Fridays, though.

Why this answer works

• Includes a relapse and a solution ("I needed a backup plan"), which gives the story a real turning point.
• Natural, specific phrases: "sluggish", "a big batch", "right back at the drive-through".
• Would for a repeated past action ("I'd cook a big batch") is used correctly.

For years I was a terrible night owl. I'd swear I'd be asleep by eleven, and suddenly it was one-thirty and I was halfway through another episode. Last January, after nodding off in a meeting, I decided enough was enough. I knew willpower alone wouldn't do it, so I changed my evenings instead. An alarm went off at ten, not to wake me but as a cue to start winding down, and the TV moved out of the bedroom altogether. The first couple of weeks were rough. I'd lie there wide awake, sure it wasn't working. Gradually, though, my body adjusted, and by March I was drifting off without a struggle. Weekends still slip, admittedly, but I'm far sharper at work.

Why this answer works

• Explains the thinking behind the change ("I knew willpower alone wouldn't do it, so I changed my evenings instead"), not just the actions.
• Precise, idiomatic language: "night owl", "nodding off", "enough was enough", "winding down".
• An honest, balanced ending ("Weekends still slip, admittedly") sounds natural and complete.