CELPIP Vocabulary: Words and Phrases Worth Learning
By Natania · Study tips · Published · Updated · 4 min read
Vocabulary is one of the four dimensions raters use for both Writing and Speaking, and it decides how quickly you understand Reading and Listening. You do not need rare academic words. You need precise, everyday words for the situations CELPIP uses, and the confidence to use them correctly.
What CELPIP raters mean by vocabulary
In Writing and Speaking, the Vocabulary dimension looks at the range and precision of your word choice. Range means you do not repeat the same few words. Precision means the word fits exactly. 'The apartment is not good' is vague; 'the apartment is noisy and poorly insulated' gives the reader a clear picture.
Precision matters more than difficulty. A long word used in the wrong place lowers your score, while a simple word used exactly does not. Aim for the word a fluent Canadian speaker would choose in that situation.
Vocabulary also helps your other scores. In Reading and Listening, many wrong options use words from the text with a slightly different meaning, so knowing words precisely helps you spot the trap. And in Writing, the right word for the reader (a manager, a neighbour, a friend) supports the tone that Task Fulfillment looks for.
Topics that come up again and again
CELPIP is set in everyday Canadian life: work, home, community, shopping, travel and local news. Build small word groups for each topic rather than learning random words.
| Topic | Words and phrases |
|---|---|
| Housing | landlord, tenant, lease, deposit, maintenance request, utilities, renovation, move out |
| Work | colleague, supervisor, shift, deadline, workload, performance review, time off, training session |
| Community | neighbourhood, volunteer, fundraiser, community centre, residents, local council, by-law |
| Shopping and services | refund, exchange, receipt, warranty, out of stock, customer service, appointment |
| Transport and travel | commute, transit pass, delay, itinerary, reservation, cancellation, detour |
| Health and lifestyle | physiotherapy, prescription, check-up, work-life balance, routine, membership |
Phrases for opinions and persuasion
Writing Task 2 and Speaking Tasks 5 and 7 all ask you to take a position and support it. Learn a few ways to state, support and balance an opinion so you do not repeat 'I think' every sentence.
- Stating: 'In my view…', 'I am convinced that…', 'I would strongly prefer…'
- Supporting: 'The main reason is that…', 'This would also mean that…', 'For example, …'
- Persuading: 'I understand why you like…, but…', 'If we choose this, we would…'
- Conceding: 'Admittedly, …', 'Although this option costs more, …'
- Concluding: 'Overall, …', 'For these reasons, …'
Original CELPass example: 'Admittedly, the downtown apartment is closer to your office. However, the suburban one has a second bedroom, and that would give you space to work from home.'
Phrases for advice, experiences and predictions
| Task | Useful phrases |
|---|---|
| Speaking Task 1: giving advice | 'If I were you, I would…', 'It might be worth…', 'Have you considered…?', 'Whatever you decide, …' |
| Speaking Task 2: personal experience | 'A few years ago, …', 'At first, …', 'What surprised me was…', 'Looking back, I realise…' |
| Speaking Task 4: predictions | 'It looks like…', 'He will probably…', 'She is likely to…', 'In a few minutes, they might…' |
| Speaking Task 6: difficult situation | 'I am really sorry, but…', 'I hope you understand that…', 'Would it help if I…?' |
Describing pictures precisely
Speaking Tasks 3 and 8 ask you to describe a picture to someone who cannot see it. Location words and specific nouns do most of the work.
- Location: in the foreground, in the background, on the left-hand side, in the top corner, next to, behind, across from.
- Actions: is pouring, is reaching for, is leaning against, seems to be arguing, is setting up.
- Specific nouns instead of 'thing': stroller, cash register, folding table, extension cord, bulletin board.
- Describing shapes and materials (useful for Task 8): rectangular, round, made of wood, about the size of a backpack.
Linking words that improve Readability and Listenability
Linking words help your ideas flow, which raters notice under Readability in Writing and Listenability in Speaking. Use a variety, but only where the logic really connects.
| Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|
| Adding | In addition, Moreover, Not only that, but… |
| Contrasting | However, On the other hand, Even though, Whereas |
| Cause and result | Because of this, As a result, That is why, Since |
| Examples | For instance, Take… as an example, Such as |
| Sequence | First, After that, Finally, By the end of the day |
How to build your own vocabulary list
A generic list of 1,000 words is less useful than 100 words you have actually needed. Build your list from your own practice.
To start, use our list of 500 essential CELPIP words by topic, each with an example sentence, and add the words you need from your own practice.
- After each practice task, note any word you wanted but could not find, and any word you used that a reviewer marked as imprecise.
- Write each one in a full sentence about a CELPIP-style situation, not as a single word with a translation.
- Review the list for 10 minutes a day, saying the sentences out loud.
- Use two or three new words on purpose in your next Writing or Speaking answer.
- Check spelling carefully: the Writing test has no spell checker.
Practise vocabulary in context
Vocabulary sticks when you use it in real tasks. CELPass scores each Writing and Speaking answer on all four dimensions, including Vocabulary, and turns the words you got wrong into short daily drills.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need advanced vocabulary for CELPIP?
No. Raters look for range and precision. Everyday words used exactly and naturally score better than difficult words used in the wrong place.
Is there an official CELPIP word list?
Paragon does not publish an official word list that we know of. Build your own from the topics in the test and the words you miss in practice.
Keep reading
CELPass is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Paragon Testing Enterprises. CELPIP is a trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises. Check the official CELPIP website and IRCC for current test rules and requirements.