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CELPIP Speaking Task 2: Talking about a Personal Experience

CELPIP Speaking Task 2 Sample Answer: Finding an Old Friend in an Unexpected Place

By David

Describe a situation when you found an old friend in an unexpected place. What happened, and how did it affect you?

Preparation
30 seconds
Speaking
60 seconds
Tense
Mostly past tense

The question

Describe a situation when you found an old friend in an unexpected place. What happened, and how did it affect you?

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

Last spring, while attending a book reading at a small library in a city I’d just moved to, I noticed a familiar laugh—it was my best friend from high school, whom I hadn’t seen in over ten years. The surprise left me elated yet nervous. We embraced and spent hours catching up, sharing stories of our careers, families, and dreams. I felt a rush of nostalgia and warmth, as if no time had passed. We exchanged numbers and have since met up regularly. That serendipitous moment not only rekindled a cherished friendship but also reminded me of the joy of unexpected connections and the enduring bonds that shape who we are.

111 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

A few months ago, I was at a coffee shop in a new city when I spotted a familiar face—it was my childhood friend from my hometown, someone I hadn’t seen in nearly a decade. I was shocked and excited. We sat down, caught up on our lives, and laughed about old memories from school. I felt nostalgic and happy to reconnect. We exchanged contacts and planned to meet again. That unexpected encounter reminded me how small the world can be and how meaningful it is to reconnect with people from your past.

93 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

Last year, I was at a mall, and I saw my old school friend. I hadn’t seen her for five years, so I was surprised. We talked for a bit about school and our lives. I felt happy to see her again. We exchanged phone numbers and promised to meet later. It was nice to find her, and I felt good remembering old times.

64 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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