CELPIP Writing Practice Course: Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions

1. Question 1 of 17

   In Task 2, what must you do with the two options in the survey?

   • ASummarize the survey results for your manager
   • BChoose one option and explain why it is better
   • CDescribe both options fairly without choosing either one
   • DInvent a third option and explain why it is the best
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Choose one option and explain why it is better

   Task 2 asks you to choose between two options and explain your choice: why is it better?

2. Question 2 of 17

   Do you need to use email format, with a greeting and sign-off, in Task 2?

   • AYes, it must start with "Dear Sir or Madam"
   • BNo, Task 2 is not an email
   • COnly if the survey is from your employer
   • DYes, but only the sign-off is needed
   Show answer

   Answer: B. No, Task 2 is not an email

   The official overview says there is no need to use email format in Task 2.

3. Question 3 of 17

   Where should you state your choice in a survey response?

   • ANowhere, so the reader can guess
   • BIn the middle of the second paragraph
   • CAt the beginning of the response
   • DOnly in the very last sentence
   Show answer

   Answer: C. At the beginning of the response

   Official advice is to state your choice at the beginning, with a clear opinion statement.

4. Question 4 of 17

   According to official CELPIP advice, what should a survey response focus on?

   • AReasons why your choice is better
   • BSuggestions for completely new projects
   • CStories that are not about the options
   • DDetailed descriptions of each option
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Reasons why your choice is better

   Focus on reasons, not suggestions or descriptions. Reasons explain why your choice is better.

5. Question 5 of 17

   How many reasons does the official Target 5 study pack suggest giving in Task 2?

   • AAs many as fit in a list
   • BFive or six
   • COnly one
   • DTwo or three
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Two or three

   The study pack suggests giving 2–3 reasons, with a new paragraph for each reason.

6. Question 6 of 17

   How should you organize the reasons in your survey response?

   • AGive the reasons only in the last line
   • BUse a bullet-point list with no sentences
   • CStart a new paragraph for each reason
   • DPut all the reasons into one long sentence
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Start a new paragraph for each reason

   A new paragraph for each reason makes your response clear and easy to follow.

7. Question 7 of 17

   A survey asks you to choose between a new playground (Option A) and more street lighting (Option B). Which is the best opening sentence?

   • AI believe the city should choose Option B, more street lighting.
   • BPlaygrounds and street lights both cost the city quite a lot of money.
   • CPeople in my area have many different opinions about this topic.
   • DThere are two different options in this survey about the neighbourhood.
   Show answer

   Answer: A. I believe the city should choose Option B, more street lighting.

   A strong opening states your choice clearly. The other sentences do not tell the reader which option you prefer.

8. Question 8 of 17

   A survey offers a new bike shelter at the bus station. Which sentence gives a REASON rather than a description?

   • AThe shelter would have a green metal roof and glass walls on two sides.
   • BIt would be built on the north side of the station, near the ticket office.
   • CThe shelter would have room for about forty bicycles in two long rows.
   • DA dry place to lock bikes would get more people cycling to the bus.
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A dry place to lock bikes would get more people cycling to the bus.

   A reason explains why the option is better. The other sentences only describe what the shelter looks like or where it is.

9. Question 9 of 17

   What style does official advice recommend for a survey response?

   • AA friendly text message with emojis and short forms
   • BA list of short notes in point form under headings
   • CA clear, organized response, not an academic essay
   • DA formal academic essay with a thesis and citations
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A clear, organized response, not an academic essay

   The Target 9 study pack says not to write an academic essay and to avoid list or point form. Use paragraphs and transitions.

10. Question 10 of 17

    What tone fits a survey response?

    • ASlightly persuasive, but still respectful
    • BAngry, to show how strongly you feel about it
    • CVery casual, like a chat with a friend
    • DNeutral, without giving any opinion at all
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Slightly persuasive, but still respectful

    In Task 2 you share an opinion, so your tone can be a little persuasive, but it should stay respectful and organized.

11. Question 11 of 17

    A response supports this reason: "A community garden would help families save money." Which sentence supports it best?

    • AParking lots are usually covered with asphalt, concrete or gravel.
    • BI visited a large rose garden in Ottawa with my family a few years ago.
    • CGardens need a lot of water, especially during the hot summer months.
    • DFor example, a family could grow beans all summer instead of buying them.
    Show answer

    Answer: D. For example, a family could grow beans all summer instead of buying them.

    A good supporting detail gives an example that proves the reason. Only this sentence shows how a garden would save money.

12. Question 12 of 17

    What is a good way to show that your choice is better than the other option?

    • ABriefly compare the two, for example with "In contrast"
    • BDescribe the other option in much more detail than yours
    • CSay that anyone who disagrees with you is simply wrong
    • DNever mention the other option anywhere in your response
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Briefly compare the two, for example with "In contrast"

    The official Target 9 study pack advises comparing your choice with the other choice. Keep the comparison short and respectful, and spend most of your words on your own reasons.

13. Question 13 of 17

    Read the prompt and sample response. What is its main weakness?

    Prompt: Your public library has extra money for ONE of these: Option A, longer opening hours on weekends; Option B, a new collection of e-books and audiobooks. Choose one option and explain why.

    Sample response:

    Both options have good points. Longer weekend hours would help people who work during the week. On the other hand, e-books are popular, and many people like to read on their phones. The library should think carefully about what people want, and maybe it could do both if there is enough money later. In the end, it is a difficult decision.

    • AIt chooses Option A much too strongly
    • BIt is written in email format with a greeting
    • CIt never clearly chooses one option
    • DIt uses too many paragraphs for a short answer
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It never clearly chooses one option

    Task 2 asks you to choose one option and explain why. This response discusses both and never makes a choice.

14. Question 14 of 17

    Which opening sentence would most improve this response?

    Prompt: Your public library has extra money for ONE of these: Option A, longer opening hours on weekends; Option B, a new collection of e-books and audiobooks. Choose one option and explain why.

    Sample response:

    Both options have good points. Longer weekend hours would help people who work during the week. On the other hand, e-books are popular, and many people like to read on their phones. The library should think carefully about what people want, and maybe it could do both if there is enough money later. In the end, it is a difficult decision.

    • AIn my opinion, the library should use the money to open longer on weekends.
    • BI have had a library card since I was a young child in elementary school.
    • CLibraries are important places in every community across Canada, big or small.
    • DThere are several different things to think about with this decision.
    Show answer

    Answer: A. In my opinion, the library should use the money to open longer on weekends.

    Starting with a clear opinion statement tells the reader your choice. The rest of the response can then give reasons for it.

15. Question 15 of 17

    Read the prompt and sample paragraph. What should the writer do to improve it?

    Prompt: Your city will build ONE of these: Option A, an outdoor skating rink in Elm Park; Option B, a covered bike shelter at the main bus station. Choose one option and explain why.

    Sample paragraph:

    I prefer Option A. The rink would be in Elm Park, next to the playground. It would be about the size of a hockey rink and would have lights. There would be benches around it and a small building where people could put on their skates.

    • ARemove the first sentence, which states the choice
    • BExplain why the rink is better, not only what it is like
    • CDescribe the rink's size, lights and benches in more detail
    • DRewrite the whole paragraph as a list in point form
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Explain why the rink is better, not only what it is like

    The paragraph states a choice but then only describes the rink. Official advice is to focus on reasons, not descriptions.

16. Question 16 of 17

    Which sentence would best follow "I prefer Option A" in this paragraph?

    Prompt: Your city will build ONE of these: Option A, an outdoor skating rink in Elm Park; Option B, a covered bike shelter at the main bus station. Choose one option and explain why.

    Sample paragraph:

    I prefer Option A. The rink would be in Elm Park, next to the playground. It would be about the size of a hockey rink and would have lights. There would be benches around it and a small building where people could put on their skates.

    • AElm Park also has a small pond where ducks and geese live in summer.
    • BThe rink would have a wooden fence around it, painted dark green.
    • CThe bike shelter would be built right next to the main bus station.
    • DA free rink would give families a healthy winter activity close to home.
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A free rink would give families a healthy winter activity close to home.

    After the opinion statement, the next sentence should give a reason. This one explains why the rink is a good choice.

17. Question 17 of 17

    Which sentence makes the best conclusion for a response that supports a company transit pass?

    • ASome of my coworkers also enjoy cycling to work when the summer comes.
    • BNext, I will describe the extra paid day off in a lot more detail.
    • CFor these reasons, the transit pass is the more useful benefit for staff.
    • DThere are many different kinds of benefits that companies can offer.
    Show answer

    Answer: C. For these reasons, the transit pass is the more useful benefit for staff.

    A conclusion sums up your choice and reasons. "For these reasons" links it to the reasons you gave earlier.

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