CELPIP Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice

CELPIP Speaking Task 1 Sample Answer: 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.

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking

90 seconds

Listener

Someone you know well

The question

Your friend Priya, who lives in Ottawa, has decided to buy used clothing instead of new clothes, both to cut her spending and to help the environment. However, she has had bad luck in the past with second-hand items that fell apart or had stains she didn't notice. Advise Priya on where she should shop and how she can pick out clothes that are in good condition.

How to plan your answer

What they want

Advise your friend Priya, who wants to buy used clothing to save money and help the planet but worries about poor quality, about the best places to shop and how to check each item.

Plan (90 sec)

Open: "Priya, it's a smart move, and you can find great pieces if you know what to look for."
Where: consignment stores (checked, better quality), big thrift stores on weekday mornings, apps like Facebook Marketplace.
Check fabric: hold it to the light for thin spots, look at armpits, collars and cuffs for stains.
Check details: zippers, buttons, seams; read the label for wool or cotton.
Try it on: sizes vary; skip it if it needs expensive alterations.
Wash everything before wearing.
Close: offer to go together.

Useful vocabulary

second-hand, consignment, thrift store, gently used
fabric, seams, stains, wear and tear

Phrases

"Before you pay, always check..."
"A good trick is to..."
"If it needs too much fixing, just..."

Avoid

Only naming stores; she also needs how to choose.
Forgetting her bad experience with items that fell apart.

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

Priya, I totally get why you're nervous after your last experience, but honestly, most of my favourite clothes are second-hand, so I'm sure you'll have better luck this time. First, think about where you shop. Consignment stores, like the ones in the Glebe, are a great place to start, because they inspect everything before they put it out. You'll pay a little more, but you won't waste money on things that fall apart. Second, give every item a quick inspection. Hold the fabric up to the light to spot thin patches, check the collar and underarms for stains, and gently tug on the seams. If a zipper sticks or a button is missing, decide right there whether you'd really bother fixing it. It also helps to read the label. Wool and good cotton usually last much longer than cheap polyester. If you like, we could go together this Saturday. I love a good thrift hunt.

155 words

Why it scores high

Task Fulfillment: Opening with "I totally get why you're nervous after your last experience" responds directly to Priya's past problem before moving into the two parts of her request.
Content/Coherence: Signposts like "First, think about where you shop" and "Second, give every item a quick inspection" make the structure easy to follow.
Vocabulary: Precise, natural choices like "spot thin patches," "gently tug on the seams" and "a good thrift hunt" sound confident and conversational.

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

Hey Priya, I think switching to used clothing is a great idea, and you can definitely find good stuff if you're a bit careful. For where to shop, I'd start with consignment stores, like the ones in the Glebe. They only accept clothes in good condition, so the quality is higher. Big thrift stores are cheaper, but go on a weekday morning when they've just put out new items. When you pick something up, check the collar, the cuffs and under the arms for stains. Then test the zipper and pull gently on the seams to see if they're strong. Also, try everything on, because older sizes can be really different. Finally, wash it as soon as you get home. You'll save a lot of money this way.

128 words

What works, and what's missing

Content/Coherence: The answer is neatly split into where to shop and how to check items, with clear reasons like "They only accept clothes in good condition."
Vocabulary: Practical phrases such as "put out new items" and "pull gently on the seams" show a good range of everyday vocabulary.
Task Fulfillment: The tips are solid, but Priya's earlier bad luck with damaged clothes is never acknowledged, so the reassurance she needs is missing.

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

Hi Priya, buying used clothes is very good idea, it save money and it is good for environment. I think you can go to Value Village or small consignment store. Consignment store is more expensive but clothes is better. When you choose, you have to look carefully. Look for stain, especially under the arm and on the collar. Also check the zipper and button, they need to work. And please try it on before you buy, because the size is sometimes different. After you buy, wash it first. I think you will find nice clothes!

95 words

What holds it back

Vocabulary: Agreement errors like "it save money," "clothes is better" and "very good idea" without an article make the speaker sound less fluent.
Task Fulfillment: Both parts are answered, but Priya's bad past experience is never mentioned, so the advice doesn't speak to her real worry.
Content/Coherence: "Consignment store is more expensive but clothes is better" is a useful point, yet it is not explained, and the tips stay at one line each.

The CLBs are estimates of the level each sample was written at, not official CELPIP scores. How we estimate CLB