CELPIP Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice

CELPIP Speaking Task 1 Sample Answer: 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.

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking

90 seconds

Listener

Someone you know well

The question

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.

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

Starting a balcony garden can be very rewarding with the right steps. First, check how much sunlight your balcony receives to decide which plants will thrive best—herbs, succulents, and small vegetables are usually good options. Use containers with proper drainage and high-quality potting soil designed for container gardening. Create a regular care routine that includes watering, fertilizing, and checking for pests. With patience and care, your garden can become a relaxing green space in your home.

76 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

A balcony garden is a great idea! I suggest starting with easy plants like herbs, succulents, or small vegetables. Use containers that have good drainage and get quality potting soil. Check how much sunlight your balcony gets and choose plants that need that amount of light. Water your plants regularly and give them fertilizer sometimes to keep them healthy.

59 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

Starting a small garden on your balcony is fun! You should pick plants that grow well in pots, like herbs or small flowers. Make sure the pots have good drainage so water doesn’t stay too long. Water your plants regularly and use good soil. This will help your garden grow.

50 words

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