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CELPIP Speaking Task 5: Comparing and Persuading

CELPIP Speaking Task 5 Sample Answer: Volunteering Locally vs. Volunteering Abroad

By David

You want to make a difference in the world and are deciding between volunteering with organizations in your local community or traveling abroad to volunteer in another country.

Choosing time
60 seconds
Preparation
60 seconds
Speaking
60 seconds

The question

You want to make a difference in the world and are deciding between volunteering with organizations in your local community or traveling abroad to volunteer in another country.

**Option 1:

-Volunteering Locally

-Support your own community

-No travel expenses

-Can volunteer regularly

-May feel less adventurous

**Option 2:

-Volunteering Abroad

-Experience new cultures

-Opportunity to travel

-Usually short-term

-Costs more and requires travel planning

***Alternative Choice (Friend’s Preference):

Volunteering abroad is more exciting and lets you see the world while helping others in need.

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

While volunteering abroad offers the adventure of experiencing new cultures and helping people in other countries, I find local volunteering more meaningful and sustainable. By supporting organizations at home, I can build lasting relationships and truly see the impact of my efforts over time. Additionally, it’s more cost-effective and allows me to give back regularly, rather than just for a short period. For those reasons, volunteering locally is my preferred choice.

71 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

Volunteering abroad is a great way to see new places and meet people, but I prefer to volunteer locally. It’s easier to do regularly, and I can see how my work helps my own neighborhood. Local volunteering costs less and fits better with my schedule.

45 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

I choose to volunteer locally. I can help people near me, and I don’t have to travel. Volunteering abroad sounds fun, but I want to make my own community better first.

31 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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