CELPIP Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice

CELPIP Speaking Task 1 Sample Answer: Starting Out at a Climbing Gym

This prompt asks you to help a nervous beginner start rock climbing without getting hurt. The tricky part is answering both of his questions, safety and equipment, with clear steps that calm his fear of falling.

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking

90 seconds

Listener

Someone you know well

The question

Your friend Marcus watched a climbing competition on TV and now wants to try rock climbing in Vancouver. He has never climbed before, and he is nervous about falling and getting hurt. He also has no idea what equipment he needs. Advise Marcus on how he can start climbing safely.

How to plan your answer

What they want

Advise your friend Marcus, a complete beginner who is nervous about falling and doesn't know what equipment he needs, on how to start climbing safely.

Plan (90 sec)

Open: "Marcus, climbing is safer than it looks when you start the right way."
Where: an indoor climbing gym, not outdoor rock; book an intro lesson.
Gear: rent shoes and a harness first; buy only after a few months.
Safety: learn to tie in and belay; staff check your knots; padded floors for bouldering.
Falling: practise falling on purpose; warm up, start on easy routes.
Go with a partner; rest so your arms don't burn out.
Close: offer to go together.

Useful vocabulary

harness, belay, bouldering, climbing shoes
route, grip, instructor, warm up

Phrases

"The safest way to start is..."
"You don't need to buy... yet."
"Make sure you always..."

Avoid

Suggesting outdoor cliffs for a first try.
A long gear shopping list; he can rent.

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

Marcus, that's awesome! And honestly, climbing looks way scarier on TV than it is in real life, especially if you start indoors. My first piece of advice is to skip the outdoor cliffs for now and go to one of the climbing gyms in Vancouver. The walls are designed for every level, the floors are heavily padded, and there's always staff around. You also don't need to buy anything. Just rent shoes and a harness at the front desk. If you're still hooked after a month or two, then get your own shoes, because a good fit really matters. Definitely book an intro session. They'll teach you to tie in, how your partner controls the rope, and, most importantly, how to fall safely. Once you've practised letting go on purpose, the fear mostly disappears. And don't push yourself too hard. Warm up, start on the easiest routes and rest between climbs, or your forearms will be done in twenty minutes. Want to go together on Saturday?

166 words

Why it scores high

Task Fulfillment: Explaining that "Once you've practised letting go on purpose, the fear mostly disappears" directly solves Marcus's biggest worry.
Content/Coherence: The advice moves logically from where to climb, to gear, to a lesson, to pacing, with reasons attached to every step.
Vocabulary: Natural, vivid phrases like "still hooked," "tie in" and "your forearms will be done in twenty minutes" sound fluent and authentic.

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

Hi Marcus, climbing is such a fun sport, and if you start the right way, it's actually very safe. The best place to begin is an indoor climbing gym. They have thick padded floors and ropes, and the staff watch everyone. You don't need to buy any gear yet. Most gyms rent climbing shoes and harnesses for a few dollars, so try it a few times before spending money. I'd also book an introduction lesson. An instructor will show you how to tie the knots and how to fall properly, so falling won't feel so scary. When you climb, always warm up first and start with the easiest routes, even if they look boring. If you'd like, I can come with you on your first visit.

126 words

What works, and what's missing

Content/Coherence: Each tip gives a clear reason, such as renting so he can "try it a few times before spending money."
Vocabulary: Accurate terms like "padded floors," "harnesses" and "easiest routes" show good topic vocabulary used naturally throughout.
Task Fulfillment: The fear of falling is addressed through the lesson, but explaining how practising a fall reduces fear would make it stronger.

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

Hey Marcus, climbing is very cool sport, I think you will like it. First, don't go outside on real rock. Go to indoor climbing gym. It's more safe because they have soft floor and rope. You don't need buy equipment now. The gym rent shoes and harness, it's cheap. Take beginner class first. The instructor teach you how to use the rope and how to fall. Falling is normal, don't scared. Also, start with easy wall and do warm up before, so you don't hurt your arm. After some time, you can buy your own shoes. Have fun!

98 words

What holds it back

Vocabulary: Errors like "very cool sport," "more safe," "You don't need buy" and "don't scared" show frequent problems with articles and verb forms.
Content/Coherence: The order is logical, but tips like "The gym rent shoes and harness" are stated without explaining why renting is smart.
Task Fulfillment: Safety and gear are both covered, though his fear of falling only gets "Falling is normal," which doesn't really reassure him.

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