CELPIP Speaking Task 7: Expressing Opinions (3 Sample Answers + Practice Questions)

In Task 7 you get a question, often about life in a community, a workplace or a city, and you have to give your opinion and support it. Like Task 1, you speak for 90 seconds, so the key skill is developing your ideas, not just stating them.

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 strong opinion answer is built, not as scripts to memorize.

How Task 7 Works

Three things to remember:

• Answer the exact question. Not every Task 7 question is "agree or disagree". Some ask you to choose between two options, or to explain the main benefit or problem of something. Read the question twice.
• There is no right opinion. Choose the side you can explain best, even if it's not your real view.
• Talking about the other side is optional. It can show balance, but it is not a requirement. Two well-developed reasons are more important.

A Simple Plan for Your 30 Seconds

Write a few key words:

1. Your answer (one word: yes, no, option A).
2. Reason 1 + example.
3. Reason 2 + example.
4. (Optional) The other side in two or three words.

Then speak in this order:

1. Give your opinion in the first sentence. Repeat the key words of the question so the rater knows exactly what you are answering.
2. Reason 1: say it, then explain it with an example or a consequence.
3. Reason 2: a different reason, also with an example.
4. Optional: recognize one point from the other side, then say why your view is still stronger.
5. Conclude by returning to the question in one sentence.

Useful Phrases for Task 7

• Giving your opinion: In my opinion… / I strongly believe that… / I'm in favour of… / I'd choose… because…
• Adding reasons: My main reason is that… / Another important point is… / On top of that…
• Giving examples: For example… / For instance, imagine… / A good example is…
• Explaining consequences: As a result… / This means that… / This would allow…
• Recognizing the other side: Of course, some people argue that…, but… / It's true that…; however…
• Being careful with big claims: many people, in many cases, it may… instead of everyone or always.
• Concluding: So overall, I think… / That's why I believe…

Sample Answer 1: A Fee for Shopping Bags

Prompt: Your city is considering a rule that all stores must charge 25 cents for every shopping bag, paper or plastic. Do you think this is a good idea? Explain your reasons.

In my opinion, charging 25 cents for shopping bags is a good idea.

My main reason is that a small fee changes people's habits. Most people don't really need a new bag every time they shop; they just take one because it's free. If they have to pay, even a little, many of them will start keeping a reusable bag in the car or in their backpack. After a few weeks, it becomes automatic, and the number of bags that end up in the garbage or blowing around parks can drop a lot.

Another reason is that the fee is fair. People who still want a bag can buy one, so nobody is forced to change. It's only 25 cents, which is not much for most families, and the people who use the most bags pay the most.

Of course, some people might say that it's unfair to low-income families. That's a real concern, so I think the city could use the money from the fee to give out free reusable bags at community centres and food banks when the rule starts.

So overall, I believe a bag fee is a simple and fair way to reduce waste in our city.

Why it works: the opinion is clear in the first sentence and uses the words of the question. The two reasons are different (changing habits; fairness), and each is explained with a concrete picture of what happens. The speaker mentions the other side and offers a practical solution, then returns to the question at the end. Notice the careful wording ("most people", "many of them", "not much for most families") instead of claiming something is always true.

Sample Answer 2: Choosing Between Two Options

Prompt: Your workplace has some extra money in its budget. Managers are deciding between two options: (A) a new staff lounge with comfortable furniture and a coffee machine, or (B) paying for employees to take training courses. Which option do you think is better? Explain your reasons.

If I had to choose, I'd definitely pick option B, paying for training courses.

My first reason is that training helps employees in the long term. A new lounge is nice, but after a few months people get used to it and stop noticing it. A course, on the other hand, gives you a skill you keep for years. For example, someone who takes a course in project management or Excel can work faster and take on more responsibility, and that could even lead to a promotion.

My second reason is that training is good for the company too. When employees learn new skills, the quality of their work improves, and the company doesn't have to hire outside experts as often. Also, people feel valued when their employer invests in them, so they're more likely to stay. Replacing an employee who leaves is usually expensive and takes a lot of time.

I understand that a comfortable lounge could make breaks more pleasant, and that's important for morale. But I think people would appreciate the chance to grow even more.

So, in my view, the training courses are a much better use of the money.

Why it works: it chooses one option immediately and gives two reasons from two different angles (the employee and the company). Each reason has a concrete example or consequence. The comparison words ("on the other hand", "even more") show the speaker is answering a "which is better" question, not just praising training.

Sample Answer 3: An Open Question (Not Agree or Disagree)

Prompt: Many newcomers find it hard to get their first job in their new country. In your opinion, what is the most helpful thing a city can do to help newcomers find work? Explain your reasons.

I think the most helpful thing a city can do is create mentorship programs that connect newcomers with people already working in their field.

The first reason is that many newcomers have skills and experience, but they don't know how things work here. A mentor can explain how to write a résumé in the local style, what employers expect in an interview, and which certifications are important. For example, an accountant from another country might not know which professional designation employers in Canada look for. A mentor could explain that in one conversation and save months of confusion.

The second reason is that mentors open doors. A lot of jobs are found through connections, and newcomers usually don't have a network yet. If a mentor introduces them to a few people in the industry, or tells them about an opening before it's posted online, that can make a huge difference.

Other things, like free language classes, are also important, of course. But even people with good English often struggle because they don't have contacts or local knowledge.

So I believe mentorship programs would give newcomers the most practical help to start their careers.

Why it works: the question asks for "the most helpful thing", so the speaker names one thing in the first sentence instead of saying "agree" or "disagree". Each reason explains how mentorship helps, with a realistic example. Mentioning language classes shows the speaker considered other answers, and the conclusion repeats the key words of the question.

A Weaker vs a Stronger Reason

Weaker: "Training is good because it is useful and helpful for employees and it is very beneficial."

Stronger: "Someone who takes a course in project management can work faster and take on more responsibility, and that could even lead to a promotion."

The weaker version repeats the same idea with different adjectives. The stronger one shows what happens as a result.

Common Mistakes in Task 7

• Not answering the exact question. If the question asks "which is better", say which one. If it asks for "the main problem", name a problem.
• Changing your opinion halfway. Recognizing the other side is fine, but make sure your conclusion matches your first sentence.
• Two reasons that are really one. "It's convenient" and "it saves time" are almost the same idea. Choose reasons from different angles: people, money, health, the environment, the long term.
• Big claims without support. "Everyone hates traffic" is weaker than "many people spend an hour a day in traffic".
• A memorized introduction. Long ready-made openings use up your time and often don't fit the question.
• Running out of things to say. If you finish early, add an example, a consequence, or one point from the other side.

10 CELPIP Speaking Task 7 Practice Questions

Set a timer: 30 seconds to prepare, 90 seconds to speak. Record yourself and check: did you answer the exact question, give two different reasons, and develop each one?

1. Some people think high schools should start one hour later in the morning. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your reasons.
2. Your city wants to build either a new library or a new sports centre. Which do you think is more useful for the community? Why?
3. Should restaurants be required to show the number of calories on their menus? Explain your opinion.
4. Some companies now give employees a four-day work week. Do you think this is a good idea?
5. What is the biggest advantage of living in a small town rather than a big city? Explain your answer.
6. Should children have to learn a second language from the first year of school? Explain your opinion.
7. Your neighbourhood is deciding whether to replace a parking lot with a park. Which option would you support? Why?
8. Do you think people should be allowed to bring their dogs to work? Explain your reasons.
9. Some people believe that online shopping is bad for local businesses. Do you agree or disagree?
10. What do you think is the best way for people to stay healthy when they work long hours? Explain your opinion.

Keep Practising

• See all eight tasks with sample answers: CELPIP Speaking sample answers.
• The other 90-second task: CELPIP Speaking Task 1 sample answers.
• Persuading with details: CELPIP Speaking Task 5 sample answers.
• The same skill in writing: CELPIP Writing Task 2 sample responses.
• Not sure what level you need? CELPIP scores and CLB levels explained.

If you want feedback on your own Task 7 answers, see CELPIP preparation with Masha.