CELPIP Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice

CELPIP Speaking Task 1 Sample Answer: 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.

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking

90 seconds

Listener

Someone you know well

The question

Your friend Sofia loves reading and has just been invited to join a monthly book club at her neighbourhood library in Winnipeg. She is excited, but she is shy about sharing her opinions with a group of strangers, and she is nervous because each member takes a turn picking the book. Advise Sofia on how she can get ready for the club and enjoy it.

How to plan your answer

What they want

Advise your friend Sofia, who is joining a library book club but is shy about speaking and nervous about choosing a book when it's her turn, on how to prepare and enjoy it.

Plan (90 sec)

Open: "Sofia, you love books, so you already have the most important thing."
While reading: use sticky notes to mark favourite lines and questions.
Speaking: listen first, then share one point; asking a question counts too.
Remember: there are no wrong opinions; people want different views.
Choosing a book: pick something not too long, available at the library, with a topic people can discuss.
Before her turn: check reading guides online for questions.
Close: "Give it three meetings before you decide."

Useful vocabulary

discussion, opinion, character, plot
sticky notes, reading guide, open-minded, break the ice

Phrases

"One thing that might help is..."
"Don't worry if..."
"When it's your turn to choose,..."

Avoid

Ignoring one of her worries: she has two (speaking and choosing).
Saying "just talk more"; give easy ways to join in.

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

Sofia, first of all, this is so exciting! And honestly, being a quiet person can actually be an advantage in a book club, because the best members are usually the ones who really listen. To feel prepared, keep a pack of sticky notes with you while you read. Whenever a line surprises you, or a character does something you disagree with, mark the page and jot down a word or two. That way, you'll walk in with a few ideas ready instead of trying to come up with them on the spot. In the first meeting or two, you don't need to give a big speech. Asking something like, "Did anyone else find the ending frustrating?" is a really easy way to join in. As for picking a book, go for something under three hundred pages that the library has plenty of copies of. A lot of publishers have free discussion guides online, which can really help you plan. Give it a few months, and I bet you'll be one of their favourite members.

174 words

Why it scores high

Content/Coherence: Reframing shyness as "an advantage in a book club" turns Sofia's main worry into a strength, giving the answer a warm, thoughtful start.
Task Fulfillment: A ready-made line, "Did anyone else find the ending frustrating?" shows Sofia exactly how to join in, and the book tip gives a clear "under three hundred pages" guideline.
Vocabulary: Choices like "jot down a word or two," "walk in with a few ideas" and "I bet" sound fluent and natural.

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

Hey Sofia, congratulations on joining the book club! I know you're a bit shy, but you love books, so you'll have plenty to say. While you're reading, try putting sticky notes on pages you really like or parts that confuse you. Then in the meeting, you can just look at your notes instead of thinking of something on the spot. You also don't have to talk much at the beginning. Listen for a while, and then share one opinion or ask a question about a character. When it's your turn to choose, pick a book that isn't too long and that the library has several copies of. Something with a strong story usually gets people talking. Just remember, everyone there is a book lover like you, so I'm sure you'll fit in.

132 words

What works, and what's missing

Task Fulfillment: Both of Sofia's worries are covered, with sticky notes for speaking and clear criteria for choosing a book "that isn't too long."
Vocabulary: Natural phrases like "on the spot," "gets people talking" and "fit in" suit a friendly conversation.
Content/Coherence: The advice to "ask a question about a character" is helpful but general; an example question would make it easier for Sofia to picture.

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

Hi Sofia, I know you are shy, but don't worry, book club is very friendly usually. When you read the book, you can write some note, like what part you like or don't like. Then in the meeting you can read your note, it's more easy. Also, you don't have to talk a lot. First listen to other people, and after you can say one thing. For choose the book, pick a book not too long, because people are busy. And check the library have many copy. I think you will make new friends there. Enjoy it!

97 words

What holds it back

Vocabulary: Phrases like "write some note," "it's more easy" and "For choose the book" show errors with plurals, comparatives and verb forms.
Content/Coherence: Both worries get a tip, but "check the library have many copy" is squeezed in at the end without any explanation of why it matters.
Listenability: The answer is short and simple, with ideas joined by "Also" and "And," so it sounds more like quick notes than real encouragement.

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