CELPIP Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice

CELPIP Speaking Task 1 Sample Answer: Getting Started with Photography Lessons

This prompt asks you to encourage a friend who wants to learn photography but worries about camera costs and course format. The tricky part is answering both questions clearly and actually recommending one type of class rather than just listing pros and cons.

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking

90 seconds

Listener

Someone you know well

The question

Your friend Aisha in Edmonton has wanted to learn photography for years, but she has never taken a course. She believes she would need to buy an expensive camera first, and she is not sure whether she should sign up for an online course or a class at a community centre. Advise Aisha on how she can start learning photography.

How to plan your answer

What they want

Advise your friend Aisha, who wants to learn photography but thinks she needs an expensive camera and can't choose between online and in-person classes, on how to begin.

Plan (90 sec)

Open: "Aisha, you can start this week with what you already have."
Camera: begin with your phone; learn light and composition first; buy or rent a used camera later.
Class: in-person at a community centre for feedback and photo walks; online for flexibility and price.
Your pick: maybe a short in-person beginner class, then online videos.
Practise: a photo challenge, one picture a day; join a local photography club.
Close: offer to go on a photo walk with her.

Useful vocabulary

composition, lighting, lens, settings
feedback, photo walk, beginner course, second-hand

Phrases

"You don't need... to get started."
"The advantage of an in-person class is..."
"If I were you, I'd..."

Avoid

Not choosing: give your recommendation on online vs in-person.
Naming camera models and prices in a long list.

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

Aisha, I'm so glad you're finally doing this. And honestly, you can stop worrying about the camera, because the phone in your pocket is more than enough to start. What makes a photo good isn't really the equipment. It's things like light, composition and timing, and you can learn all of those with a phone. If you're still hooked after a few months, look for a second-hand camera on Kijiji, or rent one for a weekend to see what you like. As for the class, if I were you, I'd start in person. The community centre courses usually include photo walks, and having a teacher look at your shots and say, "Try getting lower," is so much more useful than a video. Once you know the basics, online courses are great for specific skills, like editing. In the meantime, try a little challenge: one photo a day for thirty days. Actually, why don't we do a photo walk in the river valley this weekend?

164 words

Why it scores high

Content/Coherence: The statement "What makes a photo good isn't really the equipment" answers the camera worry with a clear reason before any suggestions.
Task Fulfillment: A firm "if I were you, I'd start in person" plus the teacher's sample comment, "Try getting lower," makes the recommendation vivid and decisive.
Vocabulary: Natural choices like "still hooked," "second-hand camera on Kijiji" and "photo walk in the river valley" sound relaxed and locally specific.

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

Hey Aisha, it's great that you're finally going to try photography. And good news: you don't need an expensive camera to begin. Honestly, the phone you have now takes great pictures. The most important skills, like understanding light and how to frame a shot, are the same with any camera. If you still love it after a few months, you can buy a used camera. As for the class, I'd recommend an in-person course at a community centre first. The teacher can look at your photos and tell you what to fix, and you'll meet other beginners. Online courses are cheaper and flexible, so they're good later on. Meanwhile, try to take a few photos every day. Let me know when you sign up. I'd love to see your pictures.

130 words

What works, and what's missing

Task Fulfillment: Both questions get clear answers, with a direct recommendation of "an in-person course at a community centre first."
Content/Coherence: Reasons back up each point, such as the teacher being able to "tell you what to fix," making the advice convincing.
Vocabulary: Good phrases like "frame a shot" appear, but the practice tip, "take a few photos every day," stays general and could use a specific challenge.

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

Hi Aisha, I think photography is really fun hobby. You don't need expensive camera at first. Your phone camera is very good now, you can use it for start. About the class, online is cheap and you can watch anytime. But class in community centre, teacher can see your photo and help you. I think community centre is better for beginner. Also, you need to practise every day. Take picture of anything, like your street or your food. Later, if you really like it, you can buy camera, maybe used one. Good luck, I want to see your photo!

99 words

What holds it back

Vocabulary: Missing articles in "expensive camera" and "buy camera," plus "for start" and "Take picture," weaken the grammar throughout.
Content/Coherence: The answer compares online and in-person classes, but the comparison is brief and sentences like "But class in community centre, teacher can see" are awkward.
Task Fulfillment: Both worries are addressed, yet the practice tip, "Take picture of anything," is general and doesn't explain what to focus on.

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