CELPIP LS (Listening and Speaking) Course: Speaking practice with model answers

1. Question 1 of 16

   Read the Task 1 prompt and the start of the model answer. Why is "First," a good choice here?

   Task 1 prompt: Your friend Mei is moving to Calgary in January for a new job. She has never lived in a cold place. Give her advice about getting ready for winter.

   Model answer (start): "Hi Mei, congratulations on the new job! I have a few suggestions to help you get ready for winter. First, buy a warm winter coat, boots and gloves before you arrive, because you'll need them on your first day…"

   • AIt shows that the speaker is about to finish
   • BIt signals the first of several suggestions
   • CIt starts a story about something in the past
   • DIt changes the topic to Mei's new job
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   Answer: B. It signals the first of several suggestions

   Transitions like "First," "Another idea is" and "Finally" signal each new suggestion and help Content/Coherence.

2. Question 2 of 16

   Read the Task 1 prompt and the start of the model answer. Who is the speaker talking to?

   Task 1 prompt: Your friend Mei is moving to Calgary in January for a new job. She has never lived in a cold place. Give her advice about getting ready for winter.

   Model answer (start): "Hi Mei, congratulations on the new job! I have a few suggestions to help you get ready for winter. First, buy a warm winter coat, boots and gloves before you arrive, because you'll need them on your first day…"

   • AA group of raters
   • BA stranger she meets on the bus
   • CMei, directly, as a friend
   • DA manager at Mei's new job
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   Answer: C. Mei, directly, as a friend

   In Task 1 you speak directly to the person who needs advice. Saying "Hi Mei" and using "you" sets the right friendly tone.

3. Question 3 of 16

   Read the Task 7 prompt and the start of the model answer. What does the first sentence do?

   Task 7 prompt: Do you think cities should make public transit free for everyone?

   Model answer (start): "In my opinion, cities should make public transit free. I have three main reasons. To begin with, it would help people with low incomes get to work and school…"

   • ADescribes a picture
   • BGives an example
   • CSummarizes both sides without choosing
   • DStates a clear opinion
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   Answer: D. States a clear opinion

   A strong Task 7 answer starts by stating your opinion clearly, then supports it with reasons.

4. Question 4 of 16

   You plan to spend 10 seconds stating your opinion and 10 seconds concluding in Task 7. About how much time is left for each of three reasons?

   • AAbout 27 seconds
   • BAbout 30 seconds
   • CAbout 23 seconds
   • DAbout 20 seconds
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   Answer: C. About 23 seconds

   Task 7 has 90 seconds. 90 − 10 − 10 = 70 seconds, and 70 ÷ 3 is about 23 seconds for each reason.

5. Question 5 of 16

   In Task 2 (Personal Experience), which verb tense will you use most?

   • APast tense ("I moved")
   • BCommands only ("Move!")
   • CFuture tense ("I will move")
   • DPresent tense only ("I move")
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Past tense ("I moved")

   Task 2 is a story about something that already happened, so most verbs are in the past tense.

6. Question 6 of 16

   Read the start of the Task 3 model answer. What does the first sentence do?

   Task 3 model answer (start): "This picture shows a busy farmers' market on a sunny morning. In the middle, a man is choosing apples at a fruit stand, and on the right a young girl is holding a big bunch of balloons…"

   • AA prediction about what will happen next
   • BThe speaker's opinion of farmers' markets
   • CA general statement about the scene
   • DA description of one small detail
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   Answer: C. A general statement about the scene

   The first sentence sums up the scene. Then the speaker moves to details, using place words like "in the middle" and "on the right".

7. Question 7 of 16

   Which sentence is the best way to make a prediction in Task 4?

   • A"I really like balloons, and I buy them often."
   • B"The girl was holding the balloons yesterday morning."
   • C"The balloons will probably fly away."
   • D"There are many colourful balloons in this picture."
   Show answer

   Answer: C. "The balloons will probably fly away."

   Task 4 is about what will happen next, so use future forms like "will probably", "is going to" or "might".

8. Question 8 of 16

   Read the Task 5 situation and the start of the model answer. What does the speaker do first?

   Task 5 situation: Your family is choosing a weekend trip. You chose a cabin by a lake. Your brother suggests a hotel downtown.

   Model answer (start): "I can see why the hotel sounds nice, because it's close to restaurants. However, I really think the cabin is a better choice. It's quieter, and it costs less…"

   • AAgrees that the hotel downtown is the better choice
   • BAccepts the other idea, then argues for the cabin
   • CTells a story about a family trip in the past
   • DDescribes only the hotel and its restaurants
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   Answer: B. Accepts the other idea, then argues for the cabin

   Persuading works well when you show you understand the other choice, then compare and explain why yours is better.

9. Question 9 of 16

   Which phrase is most useful for comparing two options in Task 5?

   • A"…in the top left corner…"
   • B"…once upon a time…"
   • C"…will probably happen next…"
   • D"…is cheaper than…"
   Show answer

   Answer: D. "…is cheaper than…"

   Comparisons like "cheaper than", "more convenient than" and "better for" are the key language of Task 5.

10. Question 10 of 16

    Read the Task 6 situation and model answer. Why does the speaker say "I'm afraid" and "I'm really sorry"?

    Task 6 situation: You work at a bakery. A regular customer asks you to save the last chocolate cake for her, but your manager has already promised it to another customer. Explain the situation to the regular customer.

    Model answer (start): "Hi Mrs. Chen, thank you so much for asking. I'm really sorry, but I'm afraid the last chocolate cake has already been promised to someone else…"

    • ATo give bad news politely
    • BTo show the speaker is scared
    • CTo end the call fast
    • DTo make a prediction
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    Answer: A. To give bad news politely

    Task Fulfillment includes tone. With a customer, polite phrases like "I'm afraid" soften bad news.

11. Question 11 of 16

    In the Task 6 bakery situation, what would make the answer more complete?

    Task 6 situation: You work at a bakery. A regular customer asks you to save the last chocolate cake for her, but your manager has already promised it to another customer. Explain the situation to the regular customer.

    Model answer (start): "Hi Mrs. Chen, thank you so much for asking. I'm really sorry, but I'm afraid the last chocolate cake has already been promised to someone else…"

    • ASaying only "Sorry, no."
    • BTalking about your favourite cake
    • COffering a cake for another day
    • DDescribing the bakery's shelves
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    Answer: C. Offering a cake for another day

    A complete answer explains the problem and offers a helpful solution. A one-line answer would score low on Task Fulfillment.

12. Question 12 of 16

    Read the start of the Task 8 model answer. What makes this description clear for someone who cannot see the picture?

    Task 8 model answer (start): "Hi Alex, I'm looking at a really strange bicycle. It's about the size of a normal bike, but it has three wheels in a row, one behind the other. The seat is shaped like a hand, and it's bright orange…"

    • AThe speaker's opinion of bikes
    • BPrices of other bikes
    • CSize, shape, colour and a comparison
    • DA story about a childhood bike
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Size, shape, colour and a comparison

    In Task 8, the listener cannot see the picture, so details of size, shape, colour and position, and comparisons to familiar things, help most.

13. Question 13 of 16

    Read the Task 1 sample answer. Which dimension needs the most improvement?

    Task 1 prompt: Your coworker wants to start running to get fit. Give him advice.

    Sample answer: "Running is good. It is good for your heart. Also, good shoes are good. A good plan is good too. Running with friends is also good."

    • AVocabulary: "good" is used again and again
    • BTask Fulfillment: the answer is about cooking
    • CListenability: the sentences are far too long
    • DContent/Coherence: there are no ideas at all
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    Answer: A. Vocabulary: "good" is used again and again

    The ideas are on topic, but almost every sentence uses "good". Vocabulary rewards range and precise word choice, such as "healthy", "supportive" or "realistic".

14. Question 14 of 16

    Read the Task 7 sample answer. What is the main problem?

    Task 7 prompt: Do you think children should learn to cook at school?

    Sample answer: "I love cooking. Last weekend I made pasta for my family, and my sister helped me. We bought tomatoes at the store, and the sauce was delicious. Then we watched a movie together."

    • AIt is much longer than 90 seconds
    • BIt uses too many transitions
    • CIt describes a picture
    • DIt does not answer the question
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    Answer: D. It does not answer the question

    The speaker tells a story but never says whether children should learn to cook at school. Task Fulfillment checks relevance to the task.

15. Question 15 of 16

    You make a small grammar mistake while speaking. What is the best thing to do?

    • AStay silent until time runs out
    • BStart the whole answer again
    • CApologize to the raters
    • DFix it quickly and keep going
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Fix it quickly and keep going

    Listenability includes pauses and self-correction. A quick fix is fine, but long silences or restarting waste time and break the flow.

16. Question 16 of 16

    Which way of practising Speaking at home matches the official study tips?

    • AMemorize answers word for word
    • BRecord yourself with a timer and review it
    • CSpeak with no timer
    • DRead aloud from a book
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Record yourself with a timer and review it

    Recording yourself with the real task times lets you check Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability and Task Fulfillment, just as raters will.

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