CELPIP Speaking Task 7 Template — Expressing Opinions

Speaking Task 7 is the Expressing Opinions task on CELPIP-General. You see a short statement or issue on screen, get 30 seconds to prepare, and then 90 seconds to speak your answer into the microphone. There is no live examiner — you are simply recorded. Your job is to take a clear position, defend it with developed reasons and examples, and sound natural the whole way through. This guide gives you a plug-and-play structure, a sentence-starter bank, an argument-ideas table for almost any topic, a 150–180 word model answer, and a band-by-band breakdown so you know exactly what CLB 7, 9 and 11 sound like.

What the examiner is looking for

Task 7 is scored on the same four CELPIP Speaking criteria as every other task. Knowing what each one rewards lets you aim your 90 seconds precisely.

• Content & Coherence — Do you actually state an opinion and support it logically? Hit it by committing to one side, then structuring your answer with clear signposts (first… second… for example…) so the listener never gets lost.
• Vocabulary — Do you use precise, topic-appropriate words instead of vague ones? Hit it by swapping good/bad/nice for power verbs and specific adjectives (it strengthens the community; it is cost-effective).
• Listenability — Is your speech easy to follow, with natural pace, stress and pausing? Hit it by speaking in full sentences at a steady rhythm and using transitions instead of long silences or constant um.
• Task Fulfilment — Did you answer the actual prompt and use the full time? Hit it by addressing the exact issue given, giving two reasons (not one), and speaking until the recording ends.

The plan: 30 seconds of prep, then the Rule of 3

You cannot write a script in 30 seconds, but you can lock down a skeleton. Use the prep window to decide three things only: your stance, reason 1, reason 2. Jot a keyword for each. Do not try to plan exact sentences — your template supplies those. The Rule of 3 below maps cleanly onto 90 seconds, roughly 20–25 seconds per body reason.

Step 1 — State your opinion in one sentence (0–10s)

Open with a direct stance. Do not warm up with well, it depends — that wastes your strongest seconds and weakens Task Fulfilment. Commit: In my opinion, working from home is far better than commuting to an office every day. This single sentence tells the scorer you understood the prompt and chose a side. If the prompt offers two options, name the one you picked explicitly so there is zero ambiguity.

Step 2 — Give reason 1 with an example (10–40s)

State your first reason, then immediately make it concrete. Reasons without examples sound thin; examples are what move you up the band scale. For instance: The main reason is that it saves an enormous amount of time. I used to spend two hours a day commuting, and now I use that time to exercise and have breakfast with my kids. The personal detail does double duty — it develops the idea and shows natural, fluent vocabulary.

Step 3 — Give reason 2 with an example (40–70s)

Signal that you are moving on (On top of that… / Another important point is…) and deliver a second, different reason. Avoid repeating reason 1 in new words — scorers notice. Add a quick example again: On top of that, it lets me focus much better. At the office I was interrupted constantly, but at home I can do deep work and finish tasks faster.

Step 4 — Acknowledge the other side, then conclude (70–90s)

A short concession lifts you toward CLB 9–11 because it shows balanced, sophisticated thinking — then you rebut it and restate your stance. Of course, some people miss the social side of an office, but you can stay connected with video calls. That's why I firmly believe working from home is the better choice. If you run low on time, drop the concession and just restate your opinion so the answer feels finished.

The fill-in template

Memorise this skeleton and slot any topic into the brackets. It is built to fill 90 seconds with no awkward gaps.

OPINION:  In my opinion, [your stance] is the better option, and I feel
          quite strongly about it.

REASON 1: The main reason is that [reason 1].
          For example, [a specific, personal example].

REASON 2: On top of that, [reason 2].
          To give you an idea, [a second specific example].

CONCESSION: Now, some people might argue that [opposing point],
            but [your quick rebuttal].

CONCLUSION: So all things considered, that's why I strongly believe
            [restate your stance].

Sentence-starter bank

Mix and match these so you are never hunting for the next phrase mid-recording. Rotate them — using the same starter twice sounds rehearsed.

Argument-ideas bank

Most Task 7 prompts fall into a handful of familiar themes. This table gives you ready reasons, power verbs, and adjectives so you can generate content in your 30-second prep instead of freezing. The last row keeps you fluent when your mind goes blank.

Model answer

Prompt: Some people think children should be given pocket money every week. Others think children should earn money by doing chores. Which do you think is better? (90-second response, ≈170 words.)

Why this answer scores high

• Opening sentence states the stance directly and names the chosen option — instant Task Fulfilment, no hedging.
• Reason 1 is followed by a concrete personal story (washing the car… started saving), which develops the idea and shows natural vocabulary rather than a bare claim.
• Reason 2 introduces a genuinely different idea — responsibility, not a reworded version of reason 1 — with a clear example, satisfying Content & Coherence's demand for two developed points.
• Signposts (The main reason… On top of that… Now… So all things considered) make the structure obvious to the ear, lifting Listenability.
• The concession (some people might argue… but…) plus rebuttal demonstrates balanced thinking, a hallmark of CLB 9–11.
• Vocabulary is precise and varied: value of work, sense of responsibility, effort and reward, lasts a lifetime — far stronger than good or nice.
• It fills the time and ends on a clean restatement, so the recording never trails off into silence.

What CLB 7, 9 and 11 look like

• CLB 7 — A clear opinion and two reasons, but examples are short or generic and vocabulary leans on common words (good, important, helps a lot). Some pauses and self-corrections, yet the listener follows easily. The answer may finish early with a few seconds of silence.
• CLB 9 — A confident stance, two well-developed reasons each with a specific example, and a brief concession. Vocabulary is precise and varied, transitions are smooth, and the speaker uses nearly all 90 seconds at a natural pace.
• CLB 11 — Effortless, near-native delivery: nuanced reasoning, a genuine rebuttal, idiomatic phrasing, and controlled stress and intonation. Ideas connect seamlessly and the response sounds spontaneous rather than templated.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Sitting on the fence. Both have advantages… destroys Task Fulfilment. Pick a side in the first sentence and defend it.
• One reason stretched too thin. Repeating the same idea in new words is obvious. Prepare two genuinely different reasons in your 30 seconds.
• Reasons with no examples. Abstract claims feel flat. A quick personal example is the fastest way to add depth and length.
• Finishing at 60 seconds. Empty time hurts your score. Add an example, a concession, or a fuller conclusion to reach 90 seconds.
• Robotic, over-memorised delivery. Templates help, but vary your starters and let your voice sound natural — Listenability rewards genuine speech.
• Long silent gaps while thinking. Use a filler phrase (see below) instead of dead air, then carry on.

Buying time & staying fluent

When you need a second to think, fill the gap with natural language rather than silence — examiners score how easy you are to listen to, and a smooth filler beats a long pause every time.