Expressing Opinions

Take a position and defend it for a minute and a half. The other long task, and the one that rewards structure.

How the task works

Time

90 seconds

Counts as

1 task

Preparation

30 seconds

Section

Speaking

A statement is put to you and you have ninety seconds to say what you think, after thirty seconds of preparation. The longest speaking task alongside Task 1.

Strategy that works

Position in the first sentence, then two reasons, then a concession, then restate.
Use your preparation to pick reasons you have examples for.
Signpost as you go — "the main reason", "on top of that", "admittedly".
Plan for ninety seconds, not sixty. Most people underfill this one.

What costs marks

Sitting on the fence to sound balanced.
Giving three reasons and developing none.
Finishing at fifty seconds and repeating yourself to fill the rest.

Practise it

Worked examples of this task, with answers and explanations, are on the CELPIP speaking samples page. The rest of the section is set out on the CELPIP speaking description page.

Common questions

How long do I get?

90 seconds, after 30 seconds of preparation.

Is anyone listening live?

No. You speak into a headset and the recording is rated later. There is no examiner in the room and no second attempt.

Written by Kirill O'Nayd

English test expert and educator at TestSucceed, where he builds the CELPIP practice tasks and mock tests and has spent years taking apart how Canada's immigration English tests award their points. See all TestSucceed preparation materials.