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CELPIP Speaking Task 5: Comparing and Persuading

CELPIP Speaking Task 5 Sample Answer: City Road Improvement Project

By David

The city council is considering a road improvement project with two different plans. You need to choose which one is best for the community. After making your decision, you’ll persuade the council why your choice is…

Choosing time
60 seconds
Preparation
60 seconds
Speaking
60 seconds

The question

The city council is considering a road improvement project with two different plans. You need to choose which one is best for the community. After making your decision, you’ll persuade the council why your choice is better.

Option 1: Widening Major Roads

-Expands lanes on busy roads to reduce traffic congestion

-Allows for faster commutes and more vehicles to pass through

-Estimated cost: $50,000 for setup

-Expected completion time: 4 months

Option 2: Adding Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Paths

-Adds separate lanes for cyclists and wider sidewalks for pedestrians

-Promotes eco-friendly transportation and reduces traffic

-Estimated cost: $30,000 for setup

-Expected completion time: 3 months

Your City Council’s Choice:

-Paving existing streets

-Improves road conditions without changing the layout

-Estimated cost: $10,000 for setup

-Expected completion time: 2 months

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

While widening major roads may alleviate traffic congestion in the short term, I firmly believe that adding bike lanes and pedestrian paths is the more sustainable and forward-thinking solution. By prioritizing eco-friendly transportation, we can encourage cycling and walking, which will reduce the overall traffic volume in the city. The added infrastructure would not only make the city more accessible and safer for pedestrians and cyclists, but also help in reducing pollution and promoting healthier lifestyles. Widening roads simply increases vehicle capacity without addressing long-term sustainability, and paving existing streets only addresses immediate road conditions without improving future transportation needs. Adding bike lanes and pedestrian paths will ensure the city’s growth is both environmentally and socially responsible.

117 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

I believe adding bike lanes and pedestrian paths is the best option for the city. It supports eco-friendly transportation and ensures that cyclists and pedestrians have safe spaces to travel. The road widening might help with traffic flow, but it doesn’t promote sustainable or alternative transportation options. Paving existing streets is a good maintenance step but doesn’t address the long-term needs of our city. Adding bike lanes will make the city more pedestrian-friendly and reduce traffic congestion over time.

79 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

I think adding bike lanes and pedestrian paths is the best choice because it helps people walk and ride bikes safely. The major roads are already too busy, and adding more lanes won’t help. The street paving is not enough for the future. Adding bike lanes and paths is better for everyone, especially for people who don’t drive.

58 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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