Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions
Master the opinion, comparison and justification vocabulary you need to choose an option and defend it in writing for CELPIP Writing Task 2.
How to use these words: Task 2 gives you two options and asks you to choose one and explain why. State your choice clearly, support it with reasons and examples, and use contrast connectors to dismiss the alternative.
The area around where you live.
“It is a quiet, friendly neighbourhood.”
Often used: quiet neighbourhood · safe neighbourhood
A personal belief or judgement.
“In my opinion, the plan needs more detail.”
Often used: in my opinion · a strong opinion
The regular journey between home and work.
“My daily commute takes about an hour each way.”
Often used: daily commute · long commute · commute to work
Absolutely necessary; extremely important.
“Good communication is essential for teamwork.”
Often used: absolutely essential · essential for
Comments about how well something is done.
“My manager gave me helpful feedback.”
Often used: give feedback · positive feedback
The state of being physically healthy.
“Swimming improves overall fitness.”
Often used: physical fitness · fitness level
A show given for an audience.
“The evening performance sold out quickly.”
Often used: live performance · give a performance
Harmful substances that damage the environment.
“Air pollution is worse in large cities.”
Often used: air pollution · reduce pollution
Having a strong desire to succeed.
“He is ambitious and wants to lead the team.”
Often used: ambitious goal · highly ambitious
The protection of nature and natural resources.
“The park is a model of successful wildlife conservation.”
Often used: wildlife conservation · water conservation
A style of cooking from a place or culture.
“The city is famous for its diverse cuisine.”
Often used: local cuisine · fine cuisine
The subjects and content taught in a course or school.
“The new curriculum includes more hands-on science projects.”
Often used: design a curriculum · core curriculum
Money that you owe to someone.
“She worked hard to pay off her student debt.”
Often used: pay off debt · in debt
A disadvantage or negative feature.
“The main drawback of the plan is the cost.”
Often used: major drawback · main drawback · only drawback
Facts that show whether something is true.
“There is strong evidence for the claim.”
Often used: scientific evidence · clear evidence
A test done to learn something.
“The experiment confirmed their theory.”
Often used: run an experiment · controlled experiment
One thing that helps cause a result.
“Cost was the deciding factor in our choice.”
Often used: a key factor · an important factor
Traditions and culture passed down.
“The festival celebrates local heritage.”
Often used: cultural heritage · preserve heritage
Free time for relaxation and fun.
“He reads in his leisure time.”
Often used: leisure time · leisure activities
A substance in food that the body needs to grow and stay healthy.
“Vegetables are full of important nutrients.”
Often used: essential nutrients · rich in nutrients
Full of substances that keep you healthy.
“A nutritious lunch keeps me focused.”
Often used: nutritious meal
Large or important enough to have an effect.
“There has been a significant improvement in sales.”
Often used: significant impact · significant increase
Worth the time, money, or effort spent.
“The course was difficult but worthwhile.”
Often used: worthwhile investment · well worthwhile
To make a process work by machines, not people.
“They automated the entire billing process.”
Often used: automate a task · fully automate
A gas or substance sent into the air.
“Cars produce harmful carbon emissions.”
Often used: carbon emission · reduce emissions
Extreme tiredness.
“Chronic fatigue can affect daily life.”
Often used: mental fatigue · suffer from fatigue
The ability to act and decide independently.
“She showed initiative by solving it herself.”
Often used: take the initiative · show initiative
Introducing new ideas or methods.
“The startup created an innovative app.”
Often used: innovative approach · innovative design
To become part of a group or society.
“Newcomers work hard to integrate into society.”
Often used: integrate into · fully integrate
Not too much or too little; reasonable.
“Moderate exercise improves your mood.”
Often used: moderate exercise · in moderation
Highly skilled and competent at something.
“She is proficient in three programming languages.”
Often used: proficient in · highly proficient · become proficient
Unwilling and hesitant to do something.
“He was reluctant to change his plans.”
Often used: reluctant to · somewhat reluctant
The total sales of a business in a period; also staff leaving rate.
“High staff turnover increased training costs.”
Often used: annual turnover · staff turnover
Responsible and required to explain actions.
“Managers are accountable for their teams.”
Often used: hold accountable · accountable for
To publicly support a cause; a supporter.
“She advocates for better public transport.”
Often used: advocate for · strong advocate
Careful with money; not wasteful.
“Living a frugal lifestyle helped them save.”
Often used: frugal lifestyle · frugal spending
No longer used because something newer exists.
“That technology is now completely obsolete.”
Often used: become obsolete · obsolete technology
Involving a lot of sitting; not active.
“A sedentary lifestyle can harm your health.”
Often used: sedentary lifestyle · sedentary work
To weaken or damage something gradually.
“Constant criticism can undermine confidence.”
Often used: undermine confidence · undermine efforts
mention worries or problems formally
“Several employees raised concerns about the new scheduling policy at the staff meeting.”
accept or begin handling new duties
“She was willing to take on additional responsibilities after her colleague resigned.”
increase the amount or quality of work output
“Flexible work hours have been shown to boost productivity among office employees.”
present a convincing argument or justification
“She made a compelling case for hiring two additional staff members.”
discuss and agree on the terms of a formal agreement
“The sales director spent three weeks negotiating a contract with the overseas supplier.”
come to an agreement that everyone accepts
“After two hours of discussion, the board finally reached a consensus on the budget.”
actively deal with global warming problems
“World leaders met to discuss new policies to tackle climate change.”
generate or increase income for a business
“The marketing campaign was designed to drive revenue during the slow season.”
encourage and build a supportive workplace culture
“Leadership training helps managers foster a positive work environment for their teams.”
make something clearer or easier to understand
“This new study sheds light on the causes of urban poverty.”
make business processes more efficient
“The new software helped the company streamline its operations and reduce costs.”
Because of this; consequently.
“Sales rose, and as a result, profits grew.”
Often used: result
Used to introduce the first point.
“Firstly, let me explain the background.”
Often used: sequence
Used to introduce a contrasting idea.
“The plan is costly; however, it is effective.”
Often used: contrast
As well as; besides.
“In addition to English, she speaks French.”
Often used: addition
Used to introduce a final summary.
“In conclusion, the benefits are clear.”
Often used: conclusion
Said in a simpler or clearer way.
“It failed; in other words, we start over.”
Often used: clarification
Especially; specifically.
“I enjoy sports, in particular tennis.”
Often used: emphasis
For that reason; as a result.
“The data is incomplete; therefore, we must wait.”
Often used: result
As a result.
“He missed the train and consequently was late.”
Often used: result
Used to compare two contrasting facts.
“He likes tea, whereas she prefers coffee.”
Often used: contrast
Simple to suggest but hard to do.
“Saving money is easier said than done.”
Over a long period; eventually.
“Saving now pays off in the long run.”
The most important fact or point.
“The bottom line is that we need more time.”
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See passesFrequently asked questions
Do I have to pick one option in Writing Task 2?⌄
Yes. Commit to one choice and justify it. A clear position supported with reasons scores higher than weighing both options without deciding.
What vocabulary raises a Writing Task 2 score?⌄
Precise opinion phrases, varied reasoning connectors and accurate comparison language. The higher-CLB entries below are exactly this kind of vocabulary.
More Writing vocabulary
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