CELPIP Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice

CELPIP Speaking Task 1 Sample Answer: 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.

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking

90 seconds

Listener

Someone you know well

The question

Your friend Nadia has invited six co-workers to her apartment in Regina for dinner next Saturday. She has never hosted a dinner before, and she is very nervous about the cooking, the timing and making sure her guests have a good time. Advise Nadia on how she can prepare for the evening.

How to plan your answer

What they want

Advise your friend Nadia, hosting six co-workers for dinner for the first time, on the cooking, the timing and keeping guests happy.

Plan (90 sec)

Open: "Nadia, your co-workers are coming to see you, not to judge your cooking."
Menu: a dish you've made before; something you can prepare ahead, like lasagna or a stew.
Ask about allergies and diets this week.
Timing: shop Thursday, cook what you can Friday, set the table early on Saturday.
Help: accept offers to bring dessert or drinks.
Guests: snacks on arrival, a playlist, introduce people.
Close: offer to come early and help.

Useful vocabulary

host, menu, make ahead, appetizers
dietary restrictions, set the table, atmosphere, potluck

Phrases

"Choose something you can..."
"The day before, you could..."
"Don't be afraid to..."

Avoid

Suggesting a new, complicated recipe.
Covering only food; she also worries about timing and guests.

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

Nadia, I think it's lovely that you invited everyone. And remember, they're coming to hang out with you, not to review a restaurant. My biggest tip is to keep the menu simple and familiar. Pick something you've cooked before that can be made ahead, like a lasagna or a big pot of chili. That way, you're not stuck in the kitchen while everyone's chatting. Just send a quick message first to check for allergies or vegetarians. Then spread the work out. Shop on Thursday, cook the main dish on Friday evening, and on Saturday morning, set the table and tidy up. When people arrive, all you have to do is put the dish in the oven. To keep the evening relaxed, have a few easy snacks out, like cheese and crackers, and some music playing in the background, so nobody feels awkward. And if someone offers to bring dessert, say yes! Hosting doesn't mean doing everything yourself. Want me to come over around four and give you a hand?

169 words

Why it scores high

Content/Coherence: Each step comes with a reason, such as making food ahead so "you're not stuck in the kitchen while everyone's chatting."
Vocabulary: Lively, idiomatic phrases like "not to review a restaurant," "spread the work out" and "give you a hand" sound natural.
Task Fulfillment: The line "Hosting doesn't mean doing everything yourself" speaks directly to Nadia's nerves, and the day-by-day plan solves her timing worry.

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

Hey Nadia, that sounds like fun! I know you're nervous, but your co-workers are coming to spend time with you, not to judge your cooking. For the menu, choose something you've made before, ideally something you can prepare ahead, like a big lasagna. And send a quick message this week to ask about allergies. To manage the timing, do your shopping on Thursday and cook as much as you can on Friday night. Then Saturday is just for heating things up and setting the table. When people arrive, have some snacks and drinks ready, and put on a playlist so it doesn't feel too quiet. Also, if anyone offers to bring dessert or wine, accept it. It's one less thing to worry about. Honestly, I'm happy to come early and help.

131 words

What works, and what's missing

Content/Coherence: Clear openers like "For the menu" and "To manage the timing" divide the advice neatly by Nadia's three worries.
Vocabulary: Natural phrases like "prepare ahead," "one less thing to worry about" and "heating things up" suit the topic.
Task Fulfillment: The guest section is shorter than the rest; an idea for helping co-workers mix and chat would complete the third worry.

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

Hi Nadia, don't be nervous, it will be fun! First, cook food you already know. Don't try new recipe, it is risky. Maybe pasta or chicken with rice. Also ask your coworker if somebody have allergy or don't eat meat. For time, you can cook some food on Friday. Then on Saturday you have more time to clean and prepare the table. When guests come, put some snack and drink on the table, so they are not hungry. And play music. If they want to bring something, say yes! Maybe dessert. I can come early to help you.

98 words

What holds it back

Vocabulary: Errors like "new recipe, it is risky," "somebody have allergy" and "For time" show weak articles and verb agreement.
Content/Coherence: The tips are practical, but they are listed one by one with little explanation, such as why "cook some food on Friday" helps.
Task Fulfillment: All three worries are covered, yet the reassurance is only "don't be nervous," which doesn't really calm her.

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