CELPIP Speaking Task 1 Template — Giving Advice

CELPIP Speaking Task 1 asks you to give advice: you are shown a short situation in which someone faces a problem or a decision — often a choice between two options — and you must talk them through what to do. You get 30 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to speak into a microphone (there is no live examiner). This guide gives you a repeatable structure, two ready-to-use phrase banks, a fill-in template, and a high-scoring model answer you can copy the rhythm of.

Ninety seconds feels short, but it is long enough to sound rushed if you have no plan and long enough to sound empty if you over-prepare. The trick is a structure you can run on autopilot, so your 30 seconds of prep go into ideas, not into wondering how to start.

What the examiner is looking for

Speaking is scored on four criteria. Here is each one and how to hit it on a Giving Advice task.

The single biggest scoring lever is development: weaker speakers say what to do; strong speakers say what to do and why, with a specific example.

Your 30 seconds of prep: the Rule of 3

Don't try to write sentences in 30 seconds — you can't. Instead jot three things: (1) which option/recommendation you'll lead with, (2) one strong reason, and (3) a backup suggestion or a reassuring closer. That's your spine. Everything else you improvise around it. The structure below maps onto your 90 seconds: roughly 15 seconds to open, 55 seconds for two pieces of advice with reasons, and 20 seconds to wrap up.

Step 1 — Open with empathy and a clear stance (about 15 seconds)

Address the person by name (the prompt usually gives one), show you understand the problem, and state that you have advice. This does double duty: it fulfils the task framing and buys you a moment to settle. For example: "Hi Jordan, I totally understand — choosing between two apartments is stressful. Here's what I'd do if I were in your shoes." Naming the dilemma proves you read the situation, which protects your Task Fulfilment score.

Step 2 — Give your first piece of advice with a reason (about 25 seconds)

Lead with your strongest recommendation and immediately justify it. The reason is what separates a CLB 9 from a CLB 7. For example: "First, I'd go with the apartment closer to work. You'd save almost an hour of commuting every day, and that time adds up — you'd be less tired and have more evenings free." Notice the structure: recommend, then explain the benefit in concrete terms.

Step 3 — Add a second recommendation or address the trade-off (about 30 seconds)

Give a second piece of advice, or acknowledge the downside of your choice and offer a workaround. This shows balanced thinking. For example: "That said, I know the rent is a bit higher there. So I'd suggest setting a small monthly budget — maybe cooking at home more often — to make up the difference. Honestly, the extra time you gain is worth more than the savings." Using that said and so keeps your ideas connected, which lifts Coherence.

Step 4 — Close with encouragement (about 20 seconds)

Wrap up warmly and confidently. Restate your advice in one line and reassure them. For example: "At the end of the day, go with the place near work — I really think you'll be happier with more free time. Whatever you choose, you'll make it work. Good luck!" A clean ending signals control of your time and leaves a strong final impression.

The fill-in template

Keep this skeleton in your head and slot in the situation's details. Practise until you can produce it without thinking about the frame.

Hi [NAME], I completely understand — [restate the problem in your words] can be really tough.
Here's what I'd suggest.

First, I'd recommend [advice 1], because [reason / concrete benefit].
For example, [short specific example].

That said, [acknowledge the trade-off or other option].
So I'd also suggest [advice 2 / workaround], which would help you [benefit].

Honestly, if I were you, I'd [your clear final stance].
At the end of the day, [one-line restatement of your advice].
Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll make the right call. Good luck!

Sentence-starter bank for giving advice

These are the building blocks. Mix them so you don't repeat the same opener twice — variety helps your Vocabulary score.

Useful phrases for sounding confident and natural

CELPIP rewards a relaxed, conversational tone. These phrases make you sound like a real person giving a friend advice — which is exactly the register Task 1 wants.

Buying time and staying fluent

A short, natural filler is far better than a silent freeze or a string of "umms." Keep one or two of these ready so a pause sounds like thinking, not panicking. Use them sparingly — overusing fillers hurts Listenability.

Two delivery habits matter most: pause at the commas, not in the middle of words, and keep your pace steady rather than racing to fit everything in. If you only get through one well-developed piece of advice, that beats two rushed, half-finished ones.

Model answer

The prompt: Your friend Maya can't decide whether to accept a job in another city or stay in her current job close to family. Give her advice. (Spoken in about 90 seconds, ~165 words.)

Why this answer scores high

• Opening line names Maya, restates the dilemma, and adds empathy ("don't feel bad") — instant Task Fulfilment and a warm, natural tone.
• First advice is clear and immediately justified ("The main reason is career growth…"), then developed with a consequence ("might be something you regret"). That development is what lifts Content & Coherence above a basic answer.
• The trade-off ("That said, I know leaving family is the hard part") shows balanced thinking, then offers a concrete workaround (visit monthly, call regularly) instead of just naming the problem.
• Connectors — First, That said, So, Honestly, At the end of the day — knit the whole thing together, which is exactly what Coherence rewards.
• Vocabulary is varied and precise: lean towards, career growth, take that kind of risk, chasing this — no over-reliance on good or nice.
• The close restates the stance in one line and reassures her, leaving a confident final impression within the time limit.

What CLB 7, 9 and 11 look like

• CLB 7: Gives relevant advice and is understandable, but development is thin — often one recommendation with a weak or repeated reason, simple connectors (and, but, so), and noticeable hesitation or filler that interrupts the flow.
• CLB 9: Two clear pieces of advice, each with a real reason and at least one concrete example; smooth pacing, varied vocabulary, and connectors used naturally. Minor slips don't affect understanding.
• CLB 11: Sounds effortless and persuasive — weighs the trade-off explicitly, uses idiomatic phrasing ("a chance like this doesn't come around often"), controls stress and intonation for emphasis, and finishes with time to spare and full composure.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Giving advice with no reason. "Take the job" scores low; "Take the job because…" scores high. Always justify.
• Sitting on the fence. Listing pros and cons without ever recommending anything fails the core task — you must actually give advice.
• Running out of time mid-sentence. Practise with a timer so your wrap-up lands cleanly around the 85-second mark.
• Sounding robotic or scripted. Memorised, stiff phrasing hurts Listenability. Aim for the tone of advising a friend.
• Overusing fillers. A few "umms" are human; constant ones drag down your fluency score. Replace them with the time-buying phrases above.
• Ignoring the person and situation. Forgetting to address the named person or misreading the scenario costs Task Fulfilment marks even if your English is strong.