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CELPIP Speaking Task 2: Talking about a Personal Experience

CELPIP Speaking Task 2 Sample Answer: Accidentally Breaking a Neighbor’s Window and Resolving the Issue

By David

Tell me about a time when you accidentally broke a neighbor’s window and how you resolved the issue. What happened, and how did you feel?

Preparation
30 seconds
Speaking
60 seconds
Tense
Mostly past tense

The question

Tell me about a time when you accidentally broke a neighbor’s window and how you resolved the issue. What happened, and how did you feel?

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

Two summers ago, while practicing my golf swing in the backyard, I misjudged a shot, and the ball smashed through my neighbor’s kitchen window. The loud crash left me mortified, and I felt a wave of guilt for causing trouble. I immediately went over, apologized profusely, and assured them I’d handle everything. They were initially frustrated but appreciated my honesty. I contacted a repair service, paid for the replacement, and even brought them some homemade cookies as a gesture of goodwill. The incident taught me to be more mindful of my surroundings and strengthened my relationship with my neighbors, who later invited me over for coffee. It was a humbling experience that underscored the importance of taking responsibility.

118 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

A couple of years ago, I accidentally broke my neighbor’s window while playing basketball in my driveway. The ball slipped from my hands and crashed through their glass. I felt really embarrassed and worried about their reaction. I immediately went to their house, apologized sincerely, and explained it was an accident. They were understanding but upset. I offered to cover the repair costs and arranged for a professional to fix it quickly. Afterward, they thanked me for taking responsibility. I felt relieved and learned to be more careful when playing near their property. It was a lesson in accountability.

99 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

One day, I was playing soccer in my backyard, and I kicked the ball too hard. It hit my neighbor’s window and broke it. I felt scared and guilty. I went to their house and told them what happened. I said sorry and offered to pay for it. They were kind and said it was okay, but I paid for the new window. After, I felt better because I fixed the problem.

72 words

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

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