CELPIP Speaking Phrases for 8 Tasks

Published: June, 2026
Reading time: 8 min

Table of Contents

  1. ‍What Is the CELPIP Speaking Test?
  2. CELPIP Speaking Phrases for All 8 Tasks
  3. How to Use a CELPIP Speaking Template
  4. How CELPIP Speaking is Scored?
  5. Common CELPIP Speaking Mistakes
  6. CELPIP Speaking Practice at Home
  7. CELPIP Speaking Sample Test Questions
  8. CELPIP Speaking Tips for a Higher Score

What Is the CELPIP Speaking Test?

The CELPIP Speaking Test evaluates your ability to communicate effectively in everyday situations. The test consists of eight speaking tasks that measure your ability to explain ideas, provide details, express opinions, and communicate clearly. Three examiners based on Paragon Test Centre training workshop evaluate your content, vocabulary, organization, and overall communication skills. Understanding the purpose of each task is one of the most effective ways to improve your score.

Preparing for CELPIP?
Join our online CELPIP preparation group for Ukrainians in Canada.
Join the CELPIP Group

CELPIP Speaking Phrases for All 8 Tasks

The CELPIP Speaking phrase charts below provide useful structures that can help you organize your answers more effectively. Rather than memorizing complete responses, focus on learning how the phrases help you. Many students preparing for PR focus on memorizing answers. During our CELPIP classes, we focus on building flexible speaking structures instead: introduce ideas, provide support, and conclude your answers naturally

One mistake I frequently hear from my CELPIP students is describing only objects in the picture. Stronger responses explain what people are doing and what may happen next.

Task 1: Giving Advice

Sample Prompt
‍Your friend is having trouble managing their work schedule. Give advice that may help them become more organized
Common Mistakes

Task 2: Personal Experience

Sample Prompt
‍Describe a memorable event that you attended with friends or family.
Common Mistakes

Task 3: Describing a Scene

‍Sample Prompt
‍Describe a busy outdoor market.
Common Mistakes

Task 4: Making Predictions

‍Sample Prompt
‍A family is preparing to leave for a trip. Predict what may happen next.
Common Mistakes
After helping Ukrainian newcomers prepare for CELPIP, I've noticed that Task 5 is often more difficult than students expect.

Task 5: Comparing and Persuading

‍Sample Prompt
‍Help your friend decide between online learning and in-person classes.
Common Mistakes
Teacher's Note:
‍This task is often more challenging than students expect because they compare the options but forget to persuade the listener.

Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult

‍Sample Prompt
‍You received an incorrect online order. Explain the situation and request assistance.
Common Mistakes

Want a printable version?
Download Free CELPIP Speaking PDF

Task 7: Expressing Opinions

‍Sample Prompt
‍Do you think remote work is better than working in an office?
Common Mistakes

Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation

‍Sample Prompt
‍Describe a picture showing several children looking through a doorway.
Common Mistakes
Teacher's Note:
Students sometimes worry about finding the 'correct' answer. In reality, the examiner is interested in your ability to communicate ideas clearly, not in guessing what is actually happening.

How to Use a CELPIP Speaking Template

A CELPIP Speaking template is not a memorized answer. Instead, it provides a framework that helps you organize your response quickly.
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Templates are most effective when they help you:
✓ Introduce the topic
✓ Develop supporting ideas
✓ Provide examples
✓ Conclude naturally‍
The phrase charts above are designed to help you build this structure for every speaking task.

How CELPIP Speaking Is Scored

Content and Coherence✓ number of ideas
✓ quality of ideas
✓ example and supporting details
✓ organization of ideas‍
‍Vocabulary
✓ word choice
✓ precision and accuracy
✓ range of words and phrases
✓ suitable use of words and phrases‍
‍Listenability
‍✓ rhythm, pronunciation and intonation
✓ pauses, interjections and self-correction
✓ grammar and sentence structure
✓ variety of sentence structures‍
‍Task Fulfillment 
✓ relevance
✓ completeness
✓ tone
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A minimum of three Raters are involved in determining every test takers speaking score. If there are any differences in the ratings provided, your speaking answer is assigned to benchmark raters whose job is to settle them. In the vast majority of cases, the benchmark raters are not needed.

CELPIP Speaking Practice at Home

Regular CELPIP Speaking practice is one of the fastest ways to improve fluency and confidence.

Try the following strategies:
✓ Practice one speaking task every day.
✓ Record your responses.
✓ Use a timer to simulate test conditions.
✓ Expand your answers with examples.
✓ Review the phrase charts before speaking.

CELPIP Speaking Sample Test Questions

Use these CELPIP Speaking sample test questions for independent practice: 
‍
Free CELPIP Practice Test
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✓ Give advice to a friend who wants to improve their English.
✓ Describe a memorable vacation.
✓ Describe a crowded public place.
✓ Predict what will happen at a community event.
✓ Persuade a friend to join a fitness program.
✓ Resolve a customer service issue.
✓ Express your opinion about online learning.
✓ Describe an unusual situation shown in a picture.

CELPIP Speaking Tips for a Higher Score

The following CELPIP Speaking tips can help improve your performance:
✓ Focus on structure rather than memorization.
✓ Support every idea with an example.Use transition words naturally.
✓ Practice speaking under timed conditions.
✓ Learn how each speaking task is evaluated.

Need More Than Templates?

Join our online CELPIP preparation group for Ukrainians in Canada and get:
✓ Speaking and Writing practice
✓ Feedback on common mistakes
✓ Real CELPIP-style tasks
✓ Small-group learning environment
✓ Preparation for CLB 7+ and PR goals
Classes are held online via Zoom.
Join the CELPIP Group