CELPIP Speaking Tips: How to Answer All 8 Tasks

Quick answer: To do well on CELPIP Speaking, answer the exact task in your first sentence, use the full speaking time, and speak clearly at a steady pace. The test has eight tasks, each with a short prep time and a short speaking time, recorded into a microphone. The best preparation is rehearsing all eight out loud — which you can do free with AI feedback.

How CELPIP Speaking works

CELPIP Speaking is delivered on a computer: you read or hear a task, get 30–90 seconds to prepare, then 60–90 seconds to speak into a microphone. There's no examiner — your response is recorded and scored later on content, vocabulary, listenability and task fulfilment.

The eight tasks each test a different function of everyday English:

1. Giving Advice
2. Talking about a Personal Experience
3. Describing a Scene
4. Making Predictions
5. Comparing and Persuading
6. Dealing with a Difficult Situation
7. Expressing Opinions
8. Describing an Unusual Situation

The habits that raise your score

• Answer the task directly, immediately. If it asks for advice, your first sentence should give advice. If it asks for an opinion, state it. Raters reward task fulfilment.
• Use all your speaking time. Trailing off ten seconds early leaves marks on the table. Aim to still be developing a point when the timer ends.
• Prep with keywords, not sentences. In your 30–90 seconds, jot two or three points. Reading a script aloud sounds flat; talking around notes sounds natural.
• Structure every answer the same way: a direct opening, two developed points with examples, and a one-line wrap-up so you don't stop abruptly.
• Mind your pace and tone. A few short pauses are fine; long silences and monotone delivery hurt "listenability."

Task-by-task quick tips

• Describing a Scene (Task 3): narrate top to bottom or left to right so you don't repeat yourself. Use present continuous — "a man is carrying…".
• Making Predictions (Task 4): use future language — "they're probably going to…", "she'll likely…".
• Comparing and Persuading (Task 5): pick one option and sell it; don't sit on the fence.
• Dealing with a Difficult Situation (Task 6): stay polite and propose a clear solution — raters look for tact.

How to practise Speaking without a partner

Because the real test is recorded, you don't need a speaking partner — you need reps and honest feedback. Record yourself, listen back, and you'll immediately catch filler words ("um", "like"), flat intonation and answers that end too soon.

If you're not sure how to begin a task, the guided speaking lessons break each of the eight tasks into a beginning, middle and end you can rehearse until it's automatic.

Rehearse all 8 tasks — free

CELPIP Trainer runs the same prep and speaking timers as the real test, records your voice, and returns AI feedback with a band score on the 1–12 scale — completely free. Pair it with Listening practice to sharpen comprehension too. Practise CELPIP Speaking free →