CELPIP Speaking Task 1: Giving Advice (3 Sample Answers + Practice Questions)

Task 1 is the first scored task in the CELPIP Speaking test. It is also one of the friendliest tasks: someone you know has a problem, and you give them advice. With a clear plan, the 90 seconds go faster than you expect.

Please note: the sample answers below are my original teaching examples, not official CELPIP responses, and they have not been scored by CELPIP. Use them to study how a good advice answer is built, not as scripts to memorize.

How Task 1 Works

Three things to remember:

• Talk to the person, not about the topic. Say "you", not "people should…".
• There is no required number of suggestions. Two well-developed ideas can work better than five short ones. What matters is that each piece of advice is useful and explained.
• Use most of the time. 90 seconds is the longest response in the Speaking test, together with Task 7. There is no word count, but an answer that stops after 40 seconds usually has too little development.

A Simple Plan for Your 30 Seconds

You don't have time to write sentences. Write a few key words:

1. The problem in one word (for example: nervous, money, winter).
2. Advice 1 + why (one key word each).
3. Advice 2 + example.
4. A warm ending.

Then speak in this order:

1. Show you understand the problem in one or two sentences.
2. Give your first piece of advice and explain why it helps.
3. Give your second piece of advice with a concrete example: what exactly to do, when, where.
4. If you have time, add a smaller extra tip or warn about one obstacle.
5. Finish warmly: encourage the person or offer help.

Useful Phrases for Giving Advice

• Showing you understand: I know how stressful that is. / That's a big decision, so it makes sense that you're unsure.
• Giving advice: If I were you, I would… / You could… / It might be a good idea to… / Why don't you…? / I'd recommend…
• Explaining why: That way, you… / This would help because… / The main benefit is that…
• Giving an example: For example, you could… / Something like… / Even something simple, like…
• Moving on: Another thing that could help is… / Also, don't forget to…
• Ending: I'm sure you'll do great. / Let me know how it goes. / If you want, I can help you with…

Sample Answer 1: A Coworker Nervous About a Presentation

Prompt: Your coworker has to give a presentation to the whole department next week. It is her first presentation, and she is very nervous. Give her advice about how to prepare.

Hi Priya, I heard you're presenting to the department next week. It's completely normal to feel nervous, especially the first time, but I think a few things will really help you.

First, I'd recommend practising out loud, not just in your head. If you can, go into the meeting room a day or two before and run through it with your slides. That way, the room and the equipment won't feel new on the day, and you'll know exactly how long the presentation takes.

Second, why don't you practise in front of one or two people you trust? I'd be happy to listen. We could ask you a couple of questions at the end, because questions are usually the part that makes people most nervous. If you've already answered a few, you'll feel much calmer.

Also, don't try to memorize every word. Write short notes with the main points and a few numbers you need. If you lose your place, you just look down and continue.

And remember, people in the department want you to do well. Speak a little slower than normal and take a breath between slides. I'm sure you'll do great, and let's get coffee afterwards so you can tell me how it went.

Why it works: it talks directly to Priya, starts by recognizing her feeling, and gives practical advice with a reason for each idea ("That way…", "because…"). The offer to help is natural and connects to the advice. It ends warmly instead of stopping suddenly.

Sample Answer 2: A Cousin Moving to Your City in Winter

Prompt: Your cousin is moving to your city in January. He has never lived somewhere with a cold winter. Give him advice about how to prepare.

Hey Daniel, I'm so excited you're coming in January! Winter here can be a shock the first time, but if you prepare a little, you'll be fine.

The most important thing is clothes, but I wouldn't buy everything before you come. Bring one warm jacket for the airport, and then buy your winter boots and a proper winter coat here. Stores here sell clothes that are made for this weather, and you can try everything on. Also, think in layers: a T-shirt, a sweater and a jacket keep you warmer than one thick thing, and you can take a layer off on the bus.

Another thing is getting around. Sidewalks can be icy, so good boots with a strong grip are more important than how they look. And check the bus schedule before you go out, because waiting twenty minutes at a bus stop in January is not fun.

Finally, try not to stay inside all winter. It's easy to feel down when it gets dark early. Go skating, go for a walk on a sunny day, or join a gym or a community centre. That really helps with your mood.

Don't worry, you can borrow my spare scarf and gloves for the first week. Let me know your flight details and I'll pick you up.

Why it works: each piece of advice is specific (buy boots here, layers, check the bus schedule) and has a reason. The speaker answers the real worry (he has never had a cold winter) instead of talking about winter in general. Notice that it gives three main ideas and explains each one: the length comes from explaining, not from listing.

Sample Answer 3: A Neighbour's Son Looking for His First Job

Prompt: Your neighbour's son is 16 and wants to find his first part-time job, but he doesn't know where to start. Give him advice.

Hi Leo, your mom told me you're looking for your first job. That's great! It can feel hard when you have no experience, but everyone starts somewhere.

My first piece of advice is to make a simple one-page résumé. You may not have work experience, but you can include things like volunteering, school clubs, sports, or helping at your uncle's shop. Those show that you're responsible and that you can work with people. If you want, I can look at it with you this weekend.

Second, I'd start with places close to home that often hire students, like the grocery store, the coffee shops on Main Street, or the community centre in summer. Some places let you apply online, but it really helps to go in person, smile, and ask to speak to the manager. That way, they remember your face.

Before an interview, practise answering a few common questions, like why you want the job and when you're available. Be honest about your school schedule; managers like people who are clear about when they can work.

Don't get discouraged if you don't hear back right away. Keep trying, and I'm sure something will come up soon.

Why it works: the advice fits the listener's real situation (age 16, no experience) and gives concrete next steps: what to put on the résumé, where to apply, how to prepare. The tone is friendly and encouraging, which suits talking to a neighbour's teenager.

A Weaker vs a Stronger Version

The difference between a weak and a strong Task 1 answer is usually development, not difficult vocabulary.

Weaker: "You should practise. Practice is important. You should also not be nervous. Good luck."

Stronger: "I'd recommend practising out loud in the meeting room a day before. That way, the room won't feel new on the day, and you'll know exactly how long you need."

The stronger version says what to do, where and when, and why it helps this person.

Common Mistakes in Task 1

• Talking about the topic in general. "Presentations are important in companies…" sounds like an essay. Talk to the person.
• A list with no reasons. Five quick tips without explanation sound memorized and leave the listener unsure what to do.
• A long, memorized introduction. A ready-made opening uses up time and often doesn't fit the situation. One or two natural sentences are enough.
• Stopping too early. If you finish in 45 seconds, add an example, a reason, or a warning about one obstacle.
• Advice that doesn't fit. Check the details in the prompt: the person's age, money, time and relationship to you.
• Forgetting to end. A short closing sentence ("Let me know how it goes") makes the answer feel complete.

10 CELPIP Speaking Task 1 Practice Questions

Set a timer: 30 seconds to prepare, 90 seconds to speak. Record yourself, then listen and check: did you talk to the person, explain each idea, and use most of the time?

1. Your friend wants to start running but has never exercised regularly. Give your friend advice.
2. Your sister wants to buy her first car and isn't sure whether to buy a new or a used one. Give her advice.
3. A coworker often feels tired at work because he goes to bed very late. Give him advice.
4. Your friend just moved to Canada and wants to improve her English quickly. Give her advice.
5. Your neighbour wants to start a vegetable garden but has no experience. Give your neighbour advice.
6. Your brother is planning a wedding and is worried about the cost. Give him advice.
7. A friend has been offered two jobs and can't decide which one to take. Give your friend advice.
8. Your coworker wants to ask your manager for a day off during a very busy week. Give your coworker advice.
9. Your cousin's teenage daughter spends too much time on her phone and your cousin asks what to do. Give your cousin advice.
10. A friend wants to save money for a trip next summer but always spends too much. Give your friend advice.

Keep Practising

• See all eight tasks with sample answers: CELPIP Speaking sample answers.
• Learn the strategy for every task: CELPIP Speaking task-by-task guide.
• The other 90-second task: CELPIP Speaking Task 7 sample answers.
• Build topic vocabulary for advice answers: CELPIP vocabulary by topic.
• Not sure what level you need? CELPIP scores and CLB levels explained.

If you want feedback on your own Task 1 answers, see CELPIP preparation with Masha.