CELPIP Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice

CELPIP Speaking Task 1 Sample Answer: 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.

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking

90 seconds

Listener

Someone you know well

The question

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

Moving into a small apartment can be tricky, but with some clever organizing, it’ll feel spacious! I’d recommend maximizing vertical space—install wall shelves or stackable bins for items like books, clothes, or kitchen supplies. Use multi-purpose furniture, like a bed with storage drawers underneath, to tuck things away. Declutter ruthlessly: keep only essentials and donate or sell the rest to free up room. A friend of mine transformed her studio by adding a foldable desk and clear bins, making it both functional and cozy. Experiment with layouts, and you’ll find a setup that works perfectly.

95 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

Hey, I know a small apartment can feel crowded, but you can fix it! Try using storage boxes that fit under your bed or couch for extra space. Put up some shelves on the walls for books or decorations. Also, go through your stuff and donate what you don’t use—it helps a lot. My brother lives in a tiny place, and he keeps it neat this way. You’ll feel better soon.

71 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

Hi, a small place is hard! I think you should use boxes under your bed. Get shelves for walls. Keep only what you need—throw old stuff out. It will look nice and clean!

33 words

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