CELPIP Speaking Task 2: Talking about a Personal Experience

CELPIP Speaking Task 2 Sample Answer: You Got Lost

By David

Tell me about a time when you got lost. Where were you, how did you find your way, and what was the experience like?

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking

60 seconds

Tense

Mostly past tense

The question

Tell me about a time when you got lost. Where were you, how did you find your way, and what was the experience like?

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

During a solo trip to a new city, I got completely lost in a maze of narrow streets while searching for a museum. My map app failed, and I didn’t speak the local language, so I wandered for hours, asking strangers for help with gestures. Eventually, a kind shopkeeper drew me a sketch to guide me back. It was disorienting and a bit nerve-wracking, but it turned into an unexpected adventure that showed me the kindness of strangers.

78 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

Once, I got lost hiking in a forest with my friends. We took a wrong path, and our phones had no signal. After an hour of walking in circles, we found a sign that led us back to the trail. It was stressful, but we laughed about it later.

49 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

I get lost in big store. I not know way out. I ask man and he help. It scary but I okay.

22 words

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