CELPIP Speaking

Task 1 sample answers: Giving Advice

68 giving advice questions in the CELPIP format. Each one has a plan, useful vocabulary and three sample answers, around CLB 4–5, 7–8 and 11–12, with notes on what moves an answer from one level to the next. Give advice to a friend or family member who is facing a choice or a problem.

Questions

Speaking Up in Team Meetings
This prompt asks you to coach a skilled but quiet co-worker on speaking up in meetings so he can earn a promotion. The tricky part is giving practical, step-by-step tactics while sounding encouraging rather than critical of him.
Finding a Family Doctor
This prompt asks you to help a friend who has just moved to Nova Scotia get medical care for her family while she waits for a family doctor. The tricky part is that her son's asthma needs ongoing care, so the advice must cover both routine and urgent needs.
Planning a Surprise Party
Gurpreet needs a plan for her husband's 40th birthday surprise that he cannot stumble onto. The catch is that he works from home, so every tip has to deal with secrecy, not just party logistics.
Driving Safely in Winter
A co-worker from Australia needs advice before her first Alberta winter of daily highway driving. The answer must cover two things, preparing the car and preparing the driver, without turning into a random list.
Renovating a Kitchen on a Budget
Nikolai needs a plan to update an old kitchen with only $8,000 while still using it daily with a baby. The hard part is solving three problems, cabinets, floor and counter space, while keeping the kitchen usable.
Adjusting to Living with a Roommate
Your friend is moving into an apartment with a roommate for the first time. He is worried about sharing space, setting rules, and handling conflicts. He asks for your advice on how to have a good living experience with…
Getting Ready for a First Pet
This prompt asks you to help a recently retired neighbour get ready to adopt his first dog from a shelter. The tricky part is covering both what he should prepare and what daily life will really be like, without making it sound either too easy or too difficult.
Adopting a Pet
Your coworker is thinking about adopting a pet for the first time but is unsure if they’re ready for the responsibility. They’re worried about making the wrong decision. Give them advice on what to consider before…
Building a Morning Routine
Your sibling wants to start their day better but always feels rushed and disorganized in the morning. They’ve asked for your advice on how to create a good morning routine. Give them some suggestions.
Building Better Sleep Habits for Productivity
Your coworker often feels tired and struggles to focus at work because of poor sleep. They ask you for advice on building better sleep habits.
Finding Good Pieces at Thrift Stores
This prompt asks you to guide a friend who wants to buy used clothes but has been burned by poor-quality items before. The tricky part is covering both halves of the request, where to shop and how to inspect clothes, while still reassuring her.
Buying Your First Car
Your younger cousin is thinking about buying their first car and feels unsure where to start. They ask for your advice on what to consider.
Choosing a Hobby
Your younger sibling wants to start a new hobby but is unsure which one to pick. They feel overwhelmed by all the options and don’t know where to begin. Give them advice on how to choose a hobby that suits them.
Choosing a University
Your younger sibling is trying to decide which university to attend after high school. They’re feeling confused because there are so many options, and they don’t know what to consider. Give them advice on how to choose…
Choosing the Right Pet for Your Lifestyle
A friend wants to adopt a pet but isn’t sure what kind of animal would be best for their busy lifestyle. They ask you for advice.
Communicating Clearly During a Group Project
Your team keeps missing deadlines because people misunderstand tasks. You ask for advice on how to communicate clearly and keep everyone aligned.
Coping with Exam Anxiety
Your best friend is preparing for an important exam but is feeling very anxious and stressed. They’re worried they might fail and don’t know how to calm down. Give them advice on how to cope with exam anxiety.
Dealing with Homesickness
Your friend recently moved to a new country for studies and is feeling very homesick. They miss their family and friends and are finding it hard to adjust. Give them advice on how to cope with homesickness.
Dealing with Noisy Neighbors
Your friend just moved into a new apartment, but their neighbors are often noisy, making it hard to relax or sleep. They ask you for advice on how to handle the situation.
Finding Balance Between Multiple Part-Time Jobs
You have two part-time jobs with different schedules, and you’re exhausted and worried about slipping at both. You ask a close friend for advice on how to manage your time, energy, and income without burning out.
Brewing Good Coffee in Your Own Kitchen
This prompt asks you to help a friend who wants to stop buying expensive café lattes and brew coffee at home. The tricky part is recommending specific, affordable equipment and coffee, so your advice actually supports his goal of saving money.
Hosting Dinner Guests for the First Time
This prompt asks you to calm a nervous friend who is hosting a dinner for her co-workers for the first time. The tricky part is covering three worries, cooking, timing and the guests' enjoyment, in an organized way that also reassures her.
Cutting Down on Grocery Waste
This prompt asks you to help a friend who wants to cut his garbage but feels overwhelmed in the grocery store. The tricky part is putting your tips in a clear order, so he knows exactly what to change first instead of hearing a long list.
Getting into Photography
Your cousin wants to start photography as a hobby but doesn’t know much about cameras or how to begin. They’ve asked for your advice on how to get started with photography. Give them some tips.
Getting Over a Fear of Public Speaking
Your friend has to give a presentation at work but is terrified of speaking in front of people. They’ve asked for your advice on how to overcome their fear of public speaking. Give them some tips.
Handling Peer Pressure at Work
A colleague feels pressured by coworkers to participate in after-work activities that make them uncomfortable. They ask for advice on how to handle this situation.
Handling Workplace Conflict
Your friend has been having a conflict with a coworker at their new job. They don’t get along, and it’s making work stressful. They’ve asked for your advice on how to handle the situation. Give them tips on managing…
Tips for a Better Night's Rest
This prompt asks you to help a cousin who has been sleeping badly for a month and now relies on coffee to get through the day. The tricky part is noticing that the coffee is part of the problem and building a complete routine instead of offering a single quick fix.
Improving Time Management
Your friend always feels rushed and can’t finish tasks on time. They’ve asked for your advice on how to manage their time better. Give them some suggestions.
Preparing for Your First Book Club Meeting
This prompt asks you to reassure a shy friend who is joining a library book club for the first time. The tricky part is answering both of her worries, speaking in front of strangers and choosing a book, with simple steps she can actually follow.
Where to Begin Learning French
This prompt asks you to help a friend in a bilingual city start learning French for his career. The tricky part is answering his two separate worries, grammar overload and embarrassing pronunciation, with a realistic plan rather than a single tip like using an app.
Cooking at Home as a Beginner
This prompt asks you to coach a friend who has never cooked and relies on takeout in his first apartment. The tricky part is covering tools, ingredients and his fear of mistakes in a short, practical plan instead of a long shopping list.
Learning to Cook with Limited Ingredients
A friend is trying to cook at home but only has a few basic ingredients and doesn’t know what to make. They ask you for advice.
Building Confidence Behind the Wheel
This prompt asks you to reassure a friend who is taking driving lessons but panics on busy roads and fears making mistakes. The tricky part is giving step-by-step ways to build confidence instead of simply telling her to relax.
Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Your coworker feels overwhelmed by work and wants advice on how to maintain a better balance between their job and personal life.
Making Friends in a New City
You’ve just moved to a new city, and a neighbor is asking for advice on how to make friends and build a social circle.
Managing Monthly Expenses on a Tight Budget
Your sibling is struggling to manage their monthly expenses after moving out. They want advice on how to save money and stick to a budget.
Handling Pressure in a New Job
This prompt asks you to support a friend who is overwhelmed in a new accounting job, missing deadlines and afraid of errors. The tricky part is covering both his workload and his stress with practical steps, rather than just telling him to work harder or relax.
Managing Stress at Work
Your coworker has been feeling stressed because of a heavy workload and tight deadlines. They’ve asked you for advice on how to manage their stress at work. Give them some suggestions to feel calmer.
Navigating Online Job Applications
Your friend is looking for a new job and finds online applications confusing. They ask you for advice on how to apply for jobs online.
Organizing a Small Apartment
Your friend just moved into a tiny apartment and feels stressed because there’s not much space for their things. They’ve asked for your advice on how to organize a small living space. Give them some ideas.
Running a Smooth Online Conference
This prompt asks you to guide a stressed co-worker who must run her first national online conference. The tricky part is covering all three of her worries, technology, scheduling across time zones and audience engagement, in a clear, organized order.
First Weekend Camping in Algonquin
This prompt asks you to prepare a friend for his first camping trip, covering gear, wildlife safety and cooking outdoors. The tricky part is answering all three worries in a calm, organized way without turning your answer into a long packing list.
Preparing for a Hiking Trip
Your friend wants to go on a hiking trip for the first time but doesn’t know how to prepare. She is unsure what to pack, how to stay safe, and how to choose a suitable trail. She asks for your advice.
Preparing for a Job Interview
Your classmate has a job interview coming up and feels anxious because it’s their first one. They’ve asked for your advice on how to prepare and feel more confident. Give them some tips.
Preparing for a Long Flight
Your friend is taking their first long flight soon and is worried about feeling bored or uncomfortable. They’ve asked for your advice on how to prepare for a long plane trip. Give them some tips.
Preparing for Your First Solo Camping Trip
Your friend is planning to go on their first solo camping trip but feels nervous and unsure about how to prepare. They ask you for advice on how to make the experience safe and enjoyable.
Preparing Your Home for Winter Weather
A neighbor has just moved from a warm climate and is unsure how to prepare their home for winter. They ask for your advice.
Recycling Electronics Responsibly
Your coworker wants to get rid of some old electronics, like a phone and a laptop, but isn’t sure how to recycle them properly. They ask for your advice.
Spending Less Time on Your Phone
This prompt asks you to help a friend whose late-night scrolling is hurting her sleep and her studies. The tricky part is that she has already tried to stop, so your advice needs concrete tricks that change her habits, not just a reminder to use the phone less.
Reducing Stress Before an Important Presentation
Your classmate is feeling extremely nervous about an important presentation they have to give. They ask for your advice on how to manage their stress and perform well.
Reestablishing a Daily Reading Habit
You used to read every day, but now you get distracted by your phone and feel guilty. You ask a friend how to rebuild a simple, enjoyable reading routine.
Settling In After a Job Move
This prompt asks you to support a co-worker who is moving across the country for a promotion and has never moved before. The tricky part is covering all three of his worries, housing, loneliness and adjusting to the city, with concrete steps instead of general reassurance.
Saving for a Long-Term Goal
A coworker wants to save for a big goal, like buying a house or taking a long vacation, but doesn’t know where to start. They ask you for advice.
Setting Up a Home Study Area for Children
A friend wants to create a good study space at home for their children, but their house is small. They ask you for advice on how to set up an effective study area.
Starting a Home Garden
Your neighbor is interested in starting a small garden on their balcony but isn’t sure which plants are best for the space or how to care for them. Offer some advice on beginning a home garden.
Starting a Side Hustle
Your cousin wants to earn extra money with a side hustle but doesn’t know what to do or how to begin. They’ve asked for your advice on how to start a small side business. Give them some ideas.
Growing Herbs and Vegetables on a Balcony
This prompt asks you to help a friend with no gardening experience grow herbs and vegetables on her balcony. The tricky part is answering both of her questions, which plants are easy and how to care for them, with simple tests she can actually use.
Starting a Vegetable Garden
Your friend wants to grow their own vegetables at home but has no gardening experience and doesn’t know where to begin. They’ve asked for your advice on how to start a small vegetable garden. Give them some tips.
Staying Motivated to Study
Your classmate is struggling to stay motivated while studying for exams and often procrastinates. They’ve asked for your advice on how to stay focused and keep studying. Give them some tips.
Staying Motivated While Working Remotely
A coworker is struggling to stay motivated while working from home and asks you for advice.
Studying for Language Proficiency Exams
Your friend is nervous about an upcoming language proficiency exam and wants advice on how to study effectively.
Supporting a Friend Through a Breakup
Your close friend recently broke up with their partner and feels really down. They ask for your advice on how to get through this tough time.
Getting Started with Photography Lessons
This prompt asks you to encourage a friend who wants to learn photography but worries about camera costs and course format. The tricky part is answering both questions clearly and actually recommending one type of class rather than just listing pros and cons.
Getting Your Hands into Clay
This prompt asks you to encourage a friend who loves handmade pottery but keeps avoiding it because it looks difficult and messy. The tricky part is answering both fears with specific first steps, so your advice is more than just telling her to try.
Eating Well on a Plant-Based Diet
This prompt asks you to help a friend who runs regularly and wants to try a vegan diet without losing protein or enjoyment. The tricky part is giving specific foods and meal ideas that answer both worries, not just general comments about eating healthy.
Starting Out at a Climbing Gym
This prompt asks you to help a nervous beginner start rock climbing without getting hurt. The tricky part is answering both of his questions, safety and equipment, with clear steps that calm his fear of falling.
Building a Better Morning Routine
This prompt asks you to help a friend who wants early workouts but keeps hitting snooze and drags through his mornings. The tricky part is giving a realistic step-by-step routine that covers waking up, the gym and his productivity at work.

How to use these samples

Read the question and answer it yourself first, within the real time limit.
Compare your answer with the Good and Excellent samples. Look at structure and detail, not just words.
Read the notes under each level and pick one thing to change in your next attempt.
Learn the format and template on the Task 1 guide.

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