CELPIP, Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice
Office Kitchen Water Pressure: sample answer
A model answer to this exam-style CELPIP giving advice question, written to a level 10 target. See the question, the full answer and exactly why it works, then try it yourself.
- Task
- Giving Advice
- Time
- 30s to prepare, 90s to speak
- Answer length
- 200 words, ~89s
- Written to
- Level 10 target
The question
Situation
Your colleague is frustrated by very low water pressure in the office kitchen sink, making washing dishes difficult. They're unsure how to effectively complain.
Task
What advice would you give your colleague about this situation?
Sample answer
Linking words are highlighted: they show the structure a rater follows.
Oh, Sarah, I'm so sorry to hear you're still dealing with that incredibly frustrating low water pressure in the office kitchen sink. It's truly inconvenient when you're just trying to quickly wash a mug or fill your water bottle, and I completely empathize with your struggle to figure out the best way to address it. My strongest recommendation would be to formally report the issue to the facilities management team or, if we don't have one, to our office manager, perhaps in writing via email. Firstly, documenting it in an email creates a clear record of your complaint, including the date and time, which can be useful if it isn't resolved promptly. Secondly, you could also mention that it's a consistent problem and perhaps suggest that others might be experiencing it too, which could highlight the urgency. Alternatively, before sending the email, you might discreetly ask a few other colleagues if they've noticed it, as a collective complaint often carries more weight. This isn't just about convenience; it's about maintaining a functional and pleasant shared workspace. I really hope this helps you get the problem sorted out quickly, Sarah. Let me know if you need any help drafting that email.
200 words, about 89s spoken
Why it works
What you can measure in this answer, and what CELPIP raters mark.
- The right length. 200 words, about 89 seconds at a natural pace: inside the 90-second limit with room to finish calmly.
- Clear links between ideas: “firstly”, “secondly”. They make the answer easy to follow, which raters reward under coherence.
- 9 sentences in 89 seconds: complete thoughts at a steady pace, without rushing to fit more in.
How CELPIP marks giving advice
- Content & CoherenceLevel 1–12
Enough relevant ideas, organised clearly and supported with detail.
- VocabularyLevel 1–12
Words chosen precisely and appropriately for the topic.
- ListenabilityLevel 1–12
Rhythm, pronunciation, intonation and few distracting pauses or self-corrections.
- Task FulfillmentLevel 1–12
Answers every part, with the right tone and length.
Common questions
How long should a CELPIP Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice answer be?
You get 30 seconds to prepare and up to 90 seconds to speak. At a natural pace that's roughly 165 to 233 words. This sample is 200 words, about 89 seconds spoken.
How is CELPIP Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice scored?
CELPIP marks it on Content & Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability, Task Fulfillment, each on a Level 1 to 12 scale. Your result for the task comes from these together.
Is this a real CELPIP question?
No. It's an original, exam-style question written to match the official format. Nobody can legally publish real test questions.
Should I memorise this answer?
No. Use it to see the structure, length and linking words that work, then answer in your own words. Memorised answers rarely fit a new question and raters notice.
Where can I practice this question and get a score?
Open it on PrepScroll: record or type your own answer and get an instant estimated score on each CELPIP criterion, with what to fix. It's free to start.
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