CELPIP Set 5-2 – Speaking

Speaking Test Instructions

• In this practice test, no score will be provided for any of the Speaking tasks. However, you can refer to the Performance Standards for Speaking or listen to sample speaking responses at the end of the Speaking Test.

• For this practice test, you should use a timer to make sure that you complete each task within the given time.

• The practice test will not record your answers. If you wish to record your own answers, record and save your responses using your computer microphone or your own recording device (cellphone, digital recorder, etc.).

• On the official test, if you do not finish a task in the time provided, the screen will move to the next task. You cannot go back to the previous task. However, in this practice test, in order to move forward in the test you must click on “NEXT.”

• Try to complete this practice Speaking Test in around 20 minutes. For more information on test format, click here.

Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice

Preparation: 30 seconds Recording: 90 seconds

A friend is buying her first house. Give her advice on how she should choose a good house to live in. You could advise about the size, number of rooms, location, or anything else you think is important.

Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice

Preparation: 30 seconds Recording: 90 seconds

A friend is buying her first house. Give her advice on how she should choose a good house to live in. You could advise about the size, number of rooms, location, or anything else you think is important.

Speaking Task 2: Giving Advice

Preparation: 30 seconds Recording: 60 seconds

Talk about a time when you got a new job. Maybe you can talk about a job in an office, at a shop, or on a farm. You can also talk about volunteer work, or you can talk about work you did for family or friends. What was the job, how did you feel when you started, and what did you have to do?

Speaking Task 2: Giving Advice

Preparation: 30 seconds Recording: 60 seconds

Talk about a time when you got a new job. Maybe you can talk about a job in an office, at a shop, or on a farm. You can also talk about volunteer work, or you can talk about work you did for family or friends. What was the job, how did you feel when you started, and what did you have to do?

Speaking Task 3: Describing a Scene

Preparation: 30 seconds Recording: 60 seconds

Describe some things that are happening in the picture below as well as you can. The person with whom you are speaking cannot see the picture.

Speaking Task 3: Describing a Scene

Preparation: 30 seconds Recording: 60 seconds

Describe some things that are happening in the picture below as well as you can. The person with whom you are speaking cannot see the picture.

Speaking Task 4: Making Predictions

Preparation: 30 seconds Recording: 60 seconds

In this picture, what do you think will most probably happen next?

Speaking Task 4: Making Predictions

Preparation: 30 seconds Recording: 60 seconds

In this picture, what do you think will most probably happen next?

Speaking Task 5: Comparing and Persuading

Preparation: 60 seconds 

Your co-worker Eddie wants to learn how to play a musical instrument, and has asked for your opinion on which instrument he should learn. You found two suitable options. Using the pictures and information below, choose the option that you prefer. In the next section, you will need to persuade Eddie that your choice is the better choice.

If you do not choose an option, the computer will choose one for you. You do not need to speak for this part.

Saxophone                                                                  Electric Keyboard

– play popular jazz songs                                                – improve two-hand coordination
– great instrument to play with a band                       – can play with a singer, or sing to your own song
– portable and can be played almost anywhere         – able to plug in headphones so others will not hear you play

Speaking Task 5: Comparing and Persuading

Preparation: 60 seconds Recording: 60 seconds

Eddie is suggesting another instrument. Persuade Eddie that the instrument you chose is more suitable by comparing the two.

Your Partner’s Choice                                                                                Your choice

Triangle                                                                          Saxophone                                                              

– gives a high-pitched ringing tone                                  – play popular jazz songs
– simple instrument                                                            – great instrument to play with a band
– must be played with other instruments                       – portable and can be played almost anywhere

Speaking Task 5: Comparing and Persuading

Preparation: 60 seconds Recording: 60 seconds

Eddie is suggesting another instrument. Persuade Eddie that the instrument you chose is more suitable by comparing the two.

Your Partner’s Choice                                                                                Your choice

Triangle                                                                            Electric Keyboard

– gives a high-pitched ringing tone                                  – improve two-hand coordination
– simple instrument                                                             – can play with a singer, or sing to your own song
– must be played with other instruments                       – able to plug in headphones so others will not hear you play

Speaking Task 5: Comparing and Persuading

Preparation: 60 seconds Recording: 60 seconds

Eddie is suggesting another instrument. Persuade Eddie that the instrument you chose is more suitable by comparing the two.

Your Partner’s Choice                                                                                Your choice

Triangle                                                                          Saxophone                                                              

– gives a high-pitched ringing tone                                  – play popular jazz songs
– simple instrument                                                            – great instrument to play with a band
– must be played with other instruments                       – portable and can be played almost anywhere

Your Partner’s Choice                                                                                Your choice

Triangle                                                                            Electric Keyboard

– gives a high-pitched ringing tone                                  – improve two-hand coordination
– simple instrument                                                             – can play with a singer, or sing to your own song
– must be played with other instruments                       – able to plug in headphones so others will not hear you play

Speaking Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation

Preparation: 60 seconds Recording: 60 seconds

You work in a retail store. You have a co-worker who always takes a very long lunch break so she can eat with her friend. This means that you always have to take a short lunch break, because the boss has strict rules about what time you must come back.

Choose ONE:
EITHER
Talk to your co-worker. Explain the problem and how you would like to resolve it.
OR
Talk to your boss. Explain what the problem is and what you think your boss should do.

Speaking Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation

Preparation: 60 seconds Recording: 60 seconds

You work in a retail store. You have a co-worker who always takes a very long lunch break so she can eat with her friend. This means that you always have to take a short lunch break, because the boss has strict rules about what time you must come back.

Choose ONE:
EITHER
Talk to your co-worker. Explain the problem and how you would like to resolve it.
OR
Talk to your boss. Explain what the problem is and what you think your boss should do.

Speaking Task 7: Expressing Opinions

Preparation: 30 seconds Recording: 90 seconds

Answer the following question.

Question: Do you think the government should limit the amount of sugar in drinks and food sold at restaurants and supermarkets to protect people’s health? Explain your reasons.

Speaking Task 7: Expressing Opinions

Preparation: 30 seconds Recording: 90 seconds

Answer the following question.

Question: Do you think the government should limit the amount of sugar in drinks and food sold at restaurants and supermarkets to protect people’s health? Explain your reasons.

Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation

Preparation: 30 seconds Recording: 60 seconds

You are shopping in a furniture store and see an interesting bed. You have a friend, Jerry, who likes unusual furniture. Call Jerry, describe in detail what the bed is like, and ask him if he would like to consider buying it for his home.

Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation

Preparation: 30 seconds Recording: 60 seconds

You are shopping in a furniture store and see an interesting bed. You have a friend, Jerry, who likes unusual furniture. Call Jerry, describe in detail what the bed is like, and ask him if he would like to consider buying it for his home.