CELPIP Speaking Best Strategies for Success
With the best strategies and practice for CELPIP speaking, anyone can improve their speaking skills and perform well. In this blog post, we’ll break down three answers to a CELPIP Speaking Part 2 question at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels. Afterward, we’ll explain why each answer would score more or less and how you can apply this lesson to perfect your own responses.
Question: Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision. Explain the situation, your decision, and the outcome.
Answer 1: Basic (Score: CLB 4-5)
“Well, I had a hard time when I choose which job to take. I got two offers, and one was near my home, and the other one was far but had more money. I don’t like travel too much, but I like money. So, after thinking for a bit, I choose the closer job. It was good because I don’t have to travel a lot. In the end, I made a good decision because I enjoy my life without long travels.”
Why this will score lower: This answer contains several grammatical errors, including incorrect verb tenses (“choose” instead of “chose”) and sentence structure. The vocabulary is very basic, and there are many repetitive phrases. While the response addresses the question, it lacks depth, variety in sentence types, and advanced vocabulary. A CLB 4-5 score reflects a limited range of grammatical structures and vocabulary, with frequent errors that may affect understanding.
Answer 2: Intermediate (Score: CLB 7-8)
“I remember a time when I had to decide between two job offers. One job was close to my house but offered a lower salary, and the other was farther away but paid more. I thought about it a lot and discussed it with my family. In the end, I chose the job that was near my home because I didn’t want to spend a lot of time commuting. Now, I’m happy with my choice because I save time and enjoy a better work-life balance. It wasn’t easy, but I think I made the right decision.”
Why this will score higher: This intermediate-level answer demonstrates a good grasp of grammar and sentence structure. The speaker explains the situation clearly and gives a logical reason for their decision, which leads to a coherent conclusion. Although the response could use more advanced vocabulary and complex sentence structures, it meets the requirements for a CLB 7-8 score, reflecting the speaker’s ability to use language with moderate accuracy and fluency.
Answer 3: Advanced (Score: CLB 10-12)
“A few years ago, I found myself in a challenging situation where I had to choose between two job offers. The first was with a company located just a short distance from my home, which would allow me to have more time for my personal life. The second, however, offered a significantly higher salary but required a lengthy daily commute. After weighing the pros and cons and seeking advice from my mentors, I ultimately decided to prioritize my quality of life over financial gain. I chose the job closer to home, and this decision has positively impacted my mental health and overall happiness. Although the other offer was tempting, I’ve learned that time is a more valuable asset than money in the long run.”
Why this will score the highest: This advanced answer features complex sentence structures, a wide range of vocabulary, and idiomatic expressions like “weighing the pros and cons” and “quality of life over financial gain.” The speaker logically and fluently develops their thoughts, offering a reflective conclusion. This level of response demonstrates full command of the language, achieving a CLB 10-12 score for its clarity, fluency, and sophistication.
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How Students Can Use This Lesson to Perfect Their CELPIP Speaking
Understanding the differences between basic, intermediate, and advanced answers is crucial for improving your performance in CELPIP speaking. Let’s explore how you can apply these strategies to improve your score:
1. Focus on Sentence Structure and Grammar
One of the major differences between a basic and advanced answer is sentence structure. In the basic answer, the student relies on simple sentences, which are prone to grammatical mistakes. As you practice, aim to vary your sentence types by including compound and complex sentences. This demonstrates a higher level of English proficiency and will earn you more points.
For example, instead of saying, “I chose the closer job. It was good because I don’t travel much,” try, “After careful consideration, I opted for the closer job, which turned out to be beneficial as it greatly reduced my daily travel time.”
2. Use Advanced Vocabulary
Another key element of a high-scoring answer is vocabulary. A limited range of words is one of the factors that will cap your score at the intermediate or basic level. You don’t have to use extremely rare words, but incorporating more specific vocabulary will improve your score. For instance, in the advanced answer, phrases like “weighing the pros and cons” and “significantly higher salary” add depth and sophistication to the response.
Start by expanding your vocabulary for common topics. Practice using synonyms for basic words like “good” (beneficial, favorable) or “happy” (content, satisfied). Using these more advanced words will signal to the examiner that you have a strong command of the language.
3. Answer Fully and Clearly
In CELPIP, it’s important to fully address the question prompt. The more advanced answers don’t just state what decision was made, but also explain the reasoning behind it and reflect on the outcome. This shows a deeper understanding and thought process, which will help you achieve a higher score.
Basic answers often fall short because they fail to fully develop the idea. Simply stating, “I chose the closer job” without elaboration doesn’t demonstrate the depth needed for a high score. By expanding your ideas and providing reasons, you’ll be able to score higher on content and coherence.
4. Manage Your Time Wisely
One common reason students fail CELPIP is poor time management. The speaking section is timed, and students must give clear, developed answers within the allotted time. Practice speaking for the full length of the task, but avoid rambling or repeating yourself. Efficiently using your time to answer the question fully, while keeping your response focused and organized, is a critical skill.
By practicing regularly with timed prompts, you’ll become more comfortable speaking within the time limit, reducing the chance of freezing up or rushing at the end.
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Conclusion: Take Control of Your CELPIP Success
Understanding what makes an answer basic, intermediate, or advanced is the first step to mastering the CELPIP speaking section. By focusing on grammar, vocabulary, time management, and fully answering the question, you can elevate your score to the next level. Remember, success in CELPIP doesn’t come from chance—it comes from preparation. Whether you choose to improve through practice or invest in our guaranteed CELPIP success course, the key is consistent effort and strategy.
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