CELPIP Speaking Task 2: Talking about a Personal Experience

CELPIP Speaking Task 2 Sample Answer: A Time You Lost Something Important

Tell about a time when you lost something important. What did you lose, how did you try to find it, and what happened in the end?

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking

60 seconds

Tense

Mostly past tense

The question

Tell about a time when you lost something important. What did you lose, how did you try to find it, and what happened in the end?

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

A few years back, I lost a necklace my grandmother gave me before she passed away—it was one of my most treasured possessions. I tore my house apart looking for it, checked every drawer and pocket, and even called the restaurant I’d been to that day. After days of searching, I found it tangled in a scarf at the bottom of my closet. The wave of relief was overwhelming, and it taught me to be more mindful with things that carry sentimental value.

83 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

Once, I lost my wallet while shopping at the mall. It had my ID and some cash, so I panicked. I retraced my steps and asked at the stores I visited. After an hour, someone turned it in to the lost and found. I was so relieved and thankful it wasn’t gone for good.

54 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

I lose my phone one day. It was in my bag, but then gone. I look everywhere. I not find it. I feel sad.

24 words

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