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CELPIP Speaking Task 5: Comparing and Persuading

CELPIP Speaking Task 5 Sample Answer: Taking Notes by Hand vs. Using a Tablet or Laptop

By David

You are attending a series of lectures and must decide whether to take notes by hand or use a tablet/laptop.

Choosing time
60 seconds
Preparation
60 seconds
Speaking
60 seconds

The question

You are attending a series of lectures and must decide whether to take notes by hand or use a tablet/laptop.

**Option 1:

-By Hand

-Improves memory retention

-No device distractions

-Slower, can’t edit easily

-Need to carry notebooks

**Option 2:

-Tablet/Laptop

-Fast typing, easy to edit

-Organize and search notes

-Possible distractions

-Battery needed

***Alternative Choice (Your Professor’s Preference):

Taking notes by hand is better for remembering and understanding, and avoids distractions from devices.

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

Although handwritten notes can enhance memory and reduce distractions, using a tablet or laptop is far more efficient for most students today. Typing is much faster, making it easier to keep up with lectures. Notes can be organized, edited, and searched quickly. While there’s a risk of distraction, with discipline, digital note-taking offers superior flexibility and efficiency for effective learning.

60 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

Taking notes by hand helps you remember more, but I prefer using a laptop. I can type quickly and organize all my notes in one place. It is easier to find what I need later, and I can edit my notes easily. That’s why I choose the laptop.

48 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

I like to use my laptop. I can type fast and organize my notes. Writing by hand is slow, and I can lose my papers. Laptop is better for me.

30 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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