CELPIP Speaking: All 8 Tasks, Strategies, and Sample Answer
October 2, 2025
The Speaking section is often the most stressful part of the CELPIP test. Instead of talking to a person, you speak into a microphone and your answers are recorded. This can feel unnatural at first, but with practice and the right strategies, you can perform well.
This guide covers all 8 tasks with their exact time limits, explains how you are scored, and gives you practical strategies for each task type.
Format Overview
The Speaking section has 8 tasks and takes 15–20 minutes in total. All responses are recorded through a microphone — there is no face-to-face examiner.
Important details:
- Each task gives you preparation time (30 or 60 seconds) before you start speaking
- Your speaking time is either 60 or 90 seconds depending on the task
- The section starts with a practice task so you can test the microphone
- At least 3 raters evaluate your recorded responses
All 8 Tasks with Time Limits
| Task | Name | Prep Time | Speaking Time | What You Do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giving Advice | 30 sec | 90 sec | Give advice to someone facing a problem |
| 2 | Talking about a Personal Experience | 30 sec | 90 sec | Share a relevant personal story |
| 3 | Describing a Scene | 30 sec | 60 sec | Describe what is happening in a picture |
| 4 | Making Predictions | 30 sec | 60 sec | Look at a picture and predict what might happen next |
| 5 | Comparing and Persuading | 60 sec | 60 sec | Choose between two options and convince someone |
| 6 | Dealing with a Difficult Situation | 60 sec | 60 sec | Explain how you would handle a challenging scenario |
| 7 | Expressing Opinions | 60 sec | 60 sec | Share and support your opinion on a topic |
| 8 | Describing an Unusual Situation | 60 sec | 60 sec | Describe what is happening in an unusual picture |
How Your Speaking Is Scored
Each response is evaluated on four areas:
| Criteria | What Raters Listen For |
|---|---|
| Task Fulfillment | Did you fully address the task? Did you cover all parts of the prompt? |
| Content and Coherence | Are your ideas organized logically? Do they flow from one to the next? |
| Vocabulary | Did you use a range of words accurately and appropriately? |
| Listenability | Is your speech clear? Are your pronunciation, rhythm, and pace easy to follow? |
"Listenability" is unique to CELPIP. It means raters assess not just what you say, but how easy it is to listen to you. Speaking clearly at a steady pace matters more than using complex grammar.
Strategies for Each Task
Tasks 1 and 2: Advice and Personal Experience (90 seconds)
These are the longest speaking tasks. You have 90 seconds, so plan for 3–4 points to fill the time.
- Task 1: Give 2–3 pieces of advice and explain why each one would help. Use phrases like "First, I would suggest..." and "Another thing you could try is..."
- Task 2: Tell a short story with a beginning, middle, and end. Include details like when it happened, who was involved, and how you felt.
Tasks 3 and 4: Describing a Scene and Making Predictions (60 seconds)
Both tasks are based on pictures. You have 60 seconds to speak, so be organized.
- Task 3: Start with the big picture ("This picture shows..."), then describe specific details — people, actions, objects, and the setting. Move from left to right or from foreground to background.
- Task 4: Describe what you see briefly, then make 2–3 predictions about what will happen next. Use phrases like "I think that..." and "It is likely that...". Explain your reasoning.
Task 5: Comparing and Persuading (60 seconds)
You see two options and must choose one, then convince someone to agree with you.
- Quickly state your choice, then give 2 strong reasons why it is better.
- You can briefly mention why the other option is weaker: "While Option B has some benefits, Option A is better because..."
Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation (60 seconds)
You are placed in a challenging scenario and must explain how you would handle it.
- Acknowledge the problem first, then describe your solution step by step.
- Show empathy if the situation involves other people: "I understand this is frustrating, and here is what I would do..."
Task 7: Expressing Opinions (60 seconds)
You are asked to agree or disagree with a statement and explain why.
- State your opinion clearly in the first sentence.
- Give 2 reasons with examples. Use linking phrases like "The main reason is..." and "In addition..."
Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation (60 seconds)
You see a picture showing something strange or unexpected. Describe what is happening and suggest possible explanations.
- Describe the scene first, then explain what might have caused the unusual situation.
- Use phrases like "It seems like..." and "One possible explanation is..."
Sample Response: Task 1 (Giving Advice)
Prompt: Your friend is starting a new job next week and feels very nervous. Give your friend advice on how to feel more confident.
Sample Response:
"I completely understand why you are feeling nervous — starting a new job can be stressful. But there are a few things you can do to feel more confident.
First, I would suggest preparing as much as you can before your first day. Read about the company, review your job description, and plan your route to the office so you are not rushed in the morning.
Another thing that might help is to set small goals for your first week. Instead of trying to learn everything at once, focus on getting to know your coworkers and understanding the basic routine. This will help you feel less overwhelmed.
Finally, remember that everyone feels nervous when starting something new. Your employer hired you because they believe in your skills, so trust yourself. After a few days, you will start to feel much more comfortable."
Why this works: The response acknowledges the friend's feelings, gives 3 clear pieces of advice, uses linking words (First, Another, Finally), and fills the full 90 seconds. The tone is warm and natural.
General Tips for All Tasks
1. Use your preparation time wisely
During your 30 or 60 seconds of prep, jot down 2–3 key points you want to mention. Do not write full sentences — just keywords to keep you on track.
2. Fill the time
Aim to speak for the entire time available. If you finish early, add more details or another example. Short responses score lower even if the content is good.
3. Speak at a steady pace
Do not rush — it makes you harder to understand. Do not speak too slowly either, or you will run out of time. Practice finding a natural, comfortable speed.
4. Reduce filler words
Occasional "um" or "well" is normal, but repeating them constantly makes you sound unprepared. If you need a moment to think, use a short phrase like "That is a great question..." or "Let me think about this..." instead.
5. Do not memorize scripts
Raters can tell when a response sounds rehearsed. Practice common topics and structures, but speak naturally on test day. It is fine to use familiar phrases — just make sure your content fits the specific prompt.
6. Practice with a microphone
Speaking into a microphone feels different from talking to a person. Record yourself on your phone or computer and listen back. Pay attention to your pace, clarity, and whether you filled the time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Hurts Your Score | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Finishing too early | Short responses suggest underdeveloped ideas | Add details, examples, or another point to fill the time |
| Excessive filler words | Repeating "um, uh, like" constantly reduces listenability | Use short phrases to buy time instead |
| Going off topic | Raters score task fulfillment — irrelevant content does not count | Quickly re-read the prompt during prep to stay focused |
| Memorizing scripted answers | Raters detect rehearsed responses and mark them down | Practice structures and phrases, not full scripts |
| Speaking too fast or too quietly | Poor listenability lowers your score even if content is good | Speak clearly at a steady pace — practice recording yourself |
| Not organizing your response | Jumping between ideas sounds confusing | Use a simple structure: point 1, point 2, point 3, conclusion |
Quick Summary
- The Speaking section has 8 tasks completed in 15–20 minutes
- You speak into a microphone — there is no face-to-face examiner
- Tasks 1–2 give you 90 seconds to speak; Tasks 3–8 give you 60 seconds
- Prep time is 30 seconds for Tasks 1–4 and 60 seconds for Tasks 5–8
- You are scored on task fulfillment, coherence, vocabulary, and listenability
- Fill the time, speak clearly, stay on topic, and do not memorize scripts
Start Practicing
The best way to build speaking confidence is through regular practice. Try our free CELPIP-style speaking practice tests with instant AI feedback to help you improve your fluency, vocabulary, and organization.