CELPIP Speaking

Task 7: Expressing Opinions

By David

Give and support your opinion on a question, such as whether cities should ban cars downtown.

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking

90 seconds

Structure

Opinion, reasons, conclusion

What happens in Task 7

The prompt asks a yes-or-no or choice question about a social issue.
Raters look for a clear position supported by reasons and examples.

Tips for a higher score

State your opinion in the first sentence.
Give two or three reasons, each with an example.
Finish by restating your opinion in different words.

Common mistakes

Changing your opinion halfway through.
Repeating the same reason in different words.

Task 7 template

Opinion. Answer the question directly in the first sentence and preview your reasons. About 10 seconds.
- In my opinion, cities should...
- I strongly believe that...
- Personally, I'm against... for two main reasons.
- I think it's a good idea, and here's why.
Reason 1 + example. Give your strongest reason and support it with a concrete example from your experience, your city or common knowledge. About 30 seconds.
- The main reason is that...
- First of all,...
- For example, in my neighbourhood,...
- A good example of this is...
Reason 2 + example. Give a second, different reason with its own example, so it doesn't repeat the first. About 30 seconds.
- Another reason is...
- On top of that,...
- Take... for instance.
- I've seen this myself when...
Counterpoint (optional). If time allows, briefly acknowledge the other side and explain why your view still holds. About 10 seconds.
- Some people might say..., but...
- I understand that..., however...
- Of course, there are downsides, like..., but...
- Even though..., I still think...
Conclusion. Restate your opinion in different words and summarise the reasons. About 10 seconds.
- So, overall, I believe...
- That's why I think...
- For these reasons,...
- All things considered,...

Task 7 vocabulary and useful phrases

Stating an opinion

In my opinion, · Personally, I think · I'm convinced that · I'm firmly against · I'm all for · As far as I'm concerned, · The way I see it, · I'd have to say

Adding reasons

The main reason is · Another key point is · On top of that · Not only that, but · What's more · Besides that

Giving examples

For example, · For instance, · Take... as an example. · In my own experience, · Just look at · A good example is · Like when

Acknowledging the other side

Some people argue that · I can see why some people feel · That's a fair point, but · While it's true that · Even so, · On the other hand,

Concluding

All things considered, · That's why I believe · To sum up, · At the end of the day, · For all these reasons, · Overall,

Common Task 7 topics

public transit · screen time · remote work · mandatory volunteering · affordable housing · community safety · the environment · tuition fees · healthy eating

Sample question and answer

Some people think cities should build more bike lanes, even if it means less space for cars. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your opinion.

Sample answer (transcript): estimated CLB 9–10

I definitely agree that cities should build more bike lanes, even if it means giving up some space for cars, and I have two main reasons. The first reason is safety. A lot of people would like to cycle to work, but they're nervous about riding next to fast traffic. For example, on the main street near my apartment, I hardly ever saw cyclists until the city added a protected bike lane last year. Now I see dozens every morning, including parents riding with their kids, because they finally feel safe. The second reason is that it helps drivers too. Every person who bikes to work is one less car in traffic and one less car looking for parking downtown. Over time, that means shorter commutes and cleaner air for everyone. Of course, some people argue that removing car lanes will make traffic worse, and that might be true for the first few months. But once people have a safe alternative, I think many of them will switch, and traffic will settle down again. So, all things considered, I believe more bike lanes make our cities safer, cleaner and easier to get around, for cyclists and drivers alike.

Why it scores well

Task Fulfillment: States a clear position in the first sentence and keeps it to the end, filling most of the 90 seconds.
Content/Coherence: Two distinct reasons, each developed with a concrete example, plus a counterpoint that is answered rather than left open.
Vocabulary: Precise topic words such as "protected bike lane", "commutes" and "safe alternative" instead of repeating "good".
Listenability: Clear signposting ("the first reason", "of course", "all things considered") and well-formed sentences at a steady pace.

The same question at a lower level

Sample answer (transcript): estimated CLB 6–7

I agree that cities should build more bike lanes. Bike lanes are good for the environment, because bikes don't make pollution. Cars make a lot of pollution, and it's bad for the air. Also bike lanes are good for health. When people ride bikes they do exercise, and exercise is good for health. Many people don't do exercise because they are busy. Also, a bike is cheaper than a car. You don't need gas, and parking is expensive downtown. Um, but some people say bike lanes make traffic worse. Maybe it's true, I don't know. But I still think bike lanes are good. So, I agree with more bike lanes.

What holds it back

Task Fulfillment: States a clear position and keeps it, with three reasons, though it uses only about 60 of the 90 seconds.
Content/Coherence: The reasons are general facts with no real example, and "maybe it's true, I don't know" weakens the argument instead of answering the counterpoint.
Vocabulary: "Good" carries almost every point; precise words such as "emissions", "commute" or "safer" would show more range.
Listenability: Grammar is mostly accurate and easy to follow, but repeated "also" and short sentences make the delivery flat.

These are original CELPass examples. The CLBs are our estimates, not official CELPIP scores.

Task 7 practice questions

Should high school students be required to do volunteer work in their community before they graduate? Explain your opinion.
Some people think employees should be allowed to work from home whenever they want. Others think they should come to the office most days. Which do you prefer? Explain why.
Should cities make public transit free for everyone? Explain your opinion.
Some people believe children under 12 should not have their own smartphones. Do you agree or disagree? Explain why.
Should junk food advertising be banned on children's television and websites? Explain your opinion.

Speaking Task 7 questions, answered

How long is CELPIP Speaking Task 7?

CELPIP Speaking Task 7 gives you 30 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to speak. With 90 seconds, you have time for two well-developed reasons, each with an example, plus a short conclusion.

Can I say I partly agree in Task 7?

You can, but a clear position is usually easier to support and easier for raters to follow. If you choose a balanced view, state it clearly at the start and keep it the same until the end. Changing your opinion halfway through is a common mistake.

How many reasons should I give in CELPIP Speaking Task 7?

Two or three reasons is ideal, and two well-explained reasons often score better than three thin ones. Each reason should have an example or detail that makes it convincing. Avoid giving the same reason twice in different words.

Does my opinion have to be my real opinion?

No, your opinion does not have to be your real one. Raters score how clearly you state and support it, not which side you take. Choose the side you can give the best reasons and examples for in 30 seconds.

What template should I use for Task 7?

A reliable Task 7 template is: opinion, reason one with an example, reason two with an example, and a conclusion that restates your view. If you have time left, add a brief counterpoint before the conclusion. This keeps your answer organised for the full 90 seconds.

More CELPIP Speaking

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