CELPIP Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice
Give clear, developed advice in 90 seconds: a response plan, an adaptable template and an original sample answer.
Independent review record
Reviewed on October 9, 2026 by a separate AI reviewer, distinct from the drafting agent. The review covered task fidelity, published 2026 requirements, English wording, and the evidence for score claims. It was not an official CELPIP assessment.
Conclusion: compatible with the published 2026 task format; useful for practising stronger responses; no verified band score or score guarantee. No recording or timed unseen-prompt performance was assessed.
These are original teaching materials, not official answers. A reusable structure can help you organize a response, but it has no score of its own. Replace the content for every prompt. The examples have not been rated by CELPIP.
Preparation :30s
Recording :90s
Task and timing
Preparation: 30 seconds. Speaking: 90 seconds. Give advice that addresses the person's situation. See the official 2026 Speaking Pro pack, pages 5 and 8.
Response plan
Identify the person's goal and constraints before choosing your advice.
- 10–10 secondsAddress the person and acknowledge the situation.
- 210–35 secondsExplain your first suggestion and how to carry it out.
- 335–60 secondsDevelop a second suggestion with a different benefit.
- 460–82 secondsAdd a useful third suggestion or contingency.
- 582–90 secondsRecommend a manageable first step and close naturally.
This is a practice plan, not an official timing formula. During preparation, note three actions and a reason for each. The official task guidance recommends at least three suggestions; this is strategy advice, not a published rule awarding points per suggestion.
Adaptable template
Replace every bracket. The skeleton needs prompt-specific details to become a full response.
- 1
Hi name. Since you're verb-ing phrase describing the situation, here are a few things I'd suggest.
- 2
I'd start by action in -ing form. Because relevant constraint, this would help you specific benefit. You could concrete way to do it.
- 3
Another option is to base-form verb phrase. That would different practical benefit. For example, brief realistic detail.
- 4
Finally, I'd recommend action in -ing form. If likely difficulty, you could backup action.
- 5
I'd tackle manageable first step first. I hope that helps you specific goal.
Choose an opening that fits:
“I can see why you're worried about…”
“Congratulations on…”
“Since you're deciding between…”
use “Hello” and an appropriate name or title.
Do not invent anxiety or congratulate someone when the prompt gives no reason to do so. After “start by,” use “checking,” not “check.”
Adapting the advice
| Situation | Useful directions |
|---|---|
| Choosing a job or home | Identify priorities, verify information, test practical fit. |
| Preparing for an event | Organize tasks, rehearse, prepare a backup. |
| Learning a skill | Set a small goal, practise regularly, seek feedback. |
| Managing a disagreement | Speak privately, make a specific request, agree on a next step. |
These are brainstorming options. Do not use the same three recommendations regardless of the person's circumstances.
Original practice prompt
Your friend Maya is starting a job across the city next week. She is worried about the long commute and arriving late. Give her advice on how to prepare.
Original sample response
Preparation :30s
Recording :90s
Hey Maya, I can see why you're nervous about getting to your new job on time, especially when you don't know the route yet. There are a few things you could try before Monday.
First, do a practice trip during the morning rush hour. A journey that takes thirty minutes on Sunday could take much longer on a weekday. Check when you actually reach the office, not just the nearest station, so you can include the walk in your plan.
Second, ask your manager what time you need to be there on your first day. There might be an orientation session before your regular shift. Once you know, aim to arrive a little early and bring something to read in case you have spare time.
Finally, save an alternative route on your phone. If your usual bus is delayed, you'll already know which connection to take instead of trying to figure it out under pressure.
I'd start with a practice trip on a weekday before your first shift. Having a realistic plan should make your first morning much less stressful.
What the sample demonstrates
The three recommendations address journey estimates, reporting-time uncertainty, and travel disruption. Each includes an action and a practical consequence. The language is conversational rather than essay-like.
High-score relevance and limits
This structure can support clear, developed advice. It does not demonstrate pronunciation, intonation, spontaneous fluency, or successful adaptation to an unseen prompt. No band score is assigned.
For stronger practice, make every suggestion fit one specific constraint. Replace “It would be helpful” with an explanation of what would become easier and why. More difficult words are useful only when they express the intended meaning accurately.
Try the template on a real question
A template feels natural only after you use it under time pressure. Pick a question and set a timer.
Practice Speaking Task 1