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CELPIP Speaking Task 5: Comparing and Persuading

CELPIP Speaking Task 5 Sample Answer: Restaurant Seating Layout

By David

Your restaurant is undergoing a redesign, and you’ve been asked to choose between two seating layout options. You need to decide which option is better for the restaurant. After making your choice, you’ll persuade the…

Choosing time
60 seconds
Preparation
60 seconds
Speaking
60 seconds

The question

Your restaurant is undergoing a redesign, and you’ve been asked to choose between two seating layout options. You need to decide which option is better for the restaurant. After making your choice, you’ll persuade the restaurant manager why your choice is the best option by comparing both layouts.

Option 1: Open Layout

-Spacious and airy design with no partitions between tables

-Flexible seating arrangement (tables can be moved around for large groups or private seating)

-Modern and contemporary aesthetic with natural lighting

-Estimated cost: $30,000 for setup

-Expected completion time: 3 weeks

Option 2: Traditional Layout

-Fixed tables and booths with dividers for privacy

-Cozy, intimate setting with more defined spaces

-Classic and elegant interior design with soft lighting

-Estimated cost: $25,000 for setup

-Expected completion time: 2 weeks

Your Manager’s Choice:

-A small, casual seating area at the front

-Limited seating capacity

-Simple design with limited space for larger groups

-Estimated cost: $15,000 for setup

-Expected completion time: 1 week

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

I understand your preference for the Traditional Layout, but I believe the Open Layout will be much more beneficial for the restaurant’s success. The flexibility of the Open Layout allows us to easily adapt the seating arrangements to accommodate varying group sizes, from intimate dinners to large parties. Additionally, its modern and airy design, with abundant natural light, will create a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere that will enhance the dining experience. While the Traditional Layout offers a cozy and intimate setting, it limits our ability to change the seating arrangement, which could be restrictive. Furthermore, the small casual seating area does not have enough capacity to serve a larger customer base, which could limit our potential sales. Given the versatility, the aesthetic appeal, and the ability to attract a larger number of customers, I’m confident the Open Layout is the best option for our restaurant.

145 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

While I understand the appeal of the Traditional Layout, I believe the Open Layout would be the better choice for our restaurant. It offers a more spacious and flexible environment, which is ideal for accommodating both large groups and intimate gatherings. The design is modern and airy, with lots of natural light, which will create a pleasant dining experience. In contrast, the Traditional Layout has fixed tables that limit our ability to adapt the seating for different group sizes. Additionally, the small casual seating area is impractical for a larger number of customers. Overall, the Open Layout will offer greater versatility and attract more customers.

105 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

I think we should choose the Open Layout. It’s bigger and has more space, so we can have more people come in. We can move the tables for big groups or make it smaller for people who want privacy. The Traditional Layout is nice, but it’s too fixed and won’t allow for change. The small casual seating area is not a good idea because it doesn’t fit many people. The Open Layout is better because it’s flexible and can look more modern.

82 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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