CELPIP® Speaking Task 1 sample: An Early Snow-Clearing Expectation

Giving Advice · Preparation: 30 seconds · Response: 90 seconds · Published 23 October 2026

Original practice questions in CELPIP® task formats, created independently by CELPIP Study.

Practice question

Your coworker Freya owns a house in Dartmouth and shares a driveway with her next-door neighbour. She has been clearing both halves with her snowblower, but her new shift starts at 6 a.m. Her neighbour needs to leave at 7 a.m., cannot afford a full snow-clearing service, and expects their informal arrangement to continue. Tell Freya how she could handle this change with her neighbour.

Model answers

These are transcripts of a model response, provided for comparison with your own recording.

Level 7 sample answer

191 words

Freya, you should explain your new work schedule before the next snowfall. Your neighbour may think everything will continue as before because you haven't discussed a different plan yet.

First, tell them that starting work at six means you can't promise to clear both halves every morning. You can still be friendly and helpful, but the arrangement need to change. Giving them notice will leave some time to find another solution.

Also, ask what part of the snow clearing they could do. Maybe you could share the work in a different way, depending on when each of you is available. Don't decide for them, because you may not know what they can manage.

Then, um, look together for a cheaper service that only comes after heavier snow. That might cost less than a full service, and you could ask for prices before agreeing to anything.

I'd put your new plan on a message so you both remember it. Include what happens if snow falls while you're at work. This will help avoid another misunderstanding. You shouldn't have to wake up extremely early every time just because the old arrangement worked before.

Why this answer is at level 7

This level 7 answer gives Freya a clear, sensible sequence of advice and addresses the main constraints. Compared with the higher-level answers, its alternatives are less developed, its vocabulary is more general, and a grammar slip and filler reduce polish.

First, tell them that starting work at six means you can't promise to clear both halves every morning. — Content/Coherence: This connects the changed schedule directly to Freya's reduced availability. The higher-level answers sharpen the explanation by connecting her six o'clock start explicitly to the neighbour's seven o'clock departure.
Maybe you could share the work in a different way, depending on when each of you is available. — Task Fulfillment: The suggestion respects both neighbours' availability without assuming what the neighbour can do. However, the alternative remains broad; the higher-level answers explore trading tasks or discussing equipment use under explicit conditions.
This will help avoid another misunderstanding. — Vocabulary: The wording is clear but general. The higher-level answers describe the purpose more precisely through language about a backup arrangement, spending limits, and commitments Freya can reliably keep.
Then, um, look together for a cheaper service that only comes after heavier snow. — Listenability: The transition makes the next suggestion easy to follow, while the written filler briefly interrupts the flow. The higher-level answers move directly into the service option and explain its financial conditions more smoothly.
You can still be friendly and helpful, but the arrangement need to change. — Listenability: The sentence communicates a useful boundary, but the subject–verb agreement error makes the phrasing less polished. The higher-level answers express the same boundary through consistently controlled sentences.

Level 9 sample answer

231 words

Freya, I'd bring this up now, while you can discuss it calmly instead of having the conversation over a driveway full of snow. Your neighbour has been relying on your help, so the most considerate thing is to give them clear notice that your availability is changing.

Explain that your new shift starts at six and that you can no longer guarantee both halves will be cleared before their seven o'clock departure. Keep the explanation straightforward. You don't need to suggest that they've done anything wrong, but you do need to avoid promising help you can't reliably provide.

Then ask what they could contribute to a new arrangement. Depending on their availability and what they're comfortable doing, you might divide the clearing differently or trade particular tasks. The important point is to work out the details together instead of assuming either that they can do everything or that they can't help at all.

Since a full service is beyond their budget, investigate occasional clearing after heavier snowfalls. Get an actual price before presenting it as the answer, and agree on any cost sharing before booking.

Finally, send a friendly message summarizing the plan, including what happens when snow arrives after you've left. That backup arrangement matters because neither of you can control the weather. You can still be a good neighbour without leaving your own work schedule hanging in the balance.

Why this answer is at level 9

This level 9 answer develops the advice with clearer reasoning, more precise language, and considerate handling of the neighbour's expectations. Compared with level 11, it offers fewer concrete safeguards for equipment use, spending, and reviewing whether the arrangement works.

while you can discuss it calmly instead of having the conversation over a driveway full of snow. — Content/Coherence: This gives a concrete reason to speak early, strengthening the simpler notice-first advice at level 7. Level 11 adds a clearer diagnosis of the underlying problem: an informal favour has become an expectation.
without leaving your own work schedule hanging in the balance. — Vocabulary: The idiom expresses the risk to Freya's work schedule naturally and adds variety beyond level 7's plainer wording. Level 11's conclusion is more specific about the solution, linking a sustainable commitment to preserving the relationship.
Keep the explanation straightforward. — Listenability: This short sentence provides a useful pause between the schedule explanation and the longer advice about boundaries. Level 11 combines similarly clear direction with a more concrete example of a tempting promise Freya should avoid.
Get an actual price before presenting it as the answer, and agree on any cost sharing before booking. — Task Fulfillment: This directly respects the neighbour's limited budget and makes the service suggestion practical. It develops level 7's price-checking advice; level 11 goes further by comparing contributions and setting a spending limit before booking.

Level 11 sample answer

256 words

Freya, the awkward part is that a favour has gradually become an expectation. I'd reset that expectation kindly but explicitly, before another snowfall makes the discussion urgent.

Invite your neighbour to work out a new plan and explain the practical change: with a six o'clock shift, you cannot guarantee that both halves of the driveway will be cleared before they leave at seven. Acknowledge that they've come to rely on you, but don't soften the message by offering to get up earlier whenever it snows. That would leave the original problem unresolved.

Next, ask which tasks and times they could realistically take on. If they're willing and able to operate your snowblower, lending it might be an option you're comfortable discussing; otherwise, look at a different division of work. Neither their abilities nor your willingness to lend equipment should be taken for granted. The arrangement needs to suit both of you.

Because a full clearing service is unaffordable for them, seek quotes for individual visits after heavier snowfall. Compare those costs with whatever amount each of you could contribute, and agree on a spending limit before anyone makes a booking. An occasional service could fill a gap without becoming a standing expense.

Finally, confirm the agreement in writing, including who handles snow that falls while you're at work and what happens if the usual plan fails. Review it after the first few snowfalls. You're more likely to preserve the relationship with a modest commitment you can keep than with a generous promise that repeatedly falls through.

Why this answer is at level 11

This level 11 answer combines a clear understanding of the relationship problem with specific, conditional advice. Precise vocabulary, controlled sentence structure, and practical safeguards make the proposed arrangement considerate and sustainable.

the awkward part is that a favour has gradually become an expectation. — Content/Coherence: This identifies the problem driving the whole response. The later advice about boundaries, shared responsibilities, and reliable commitments follows from that diagnosis, giving the answer a stronger organising idea than a sequence of suggestions alone.
Neither their abilities nor your willingness to lend equipment should be taken for granted. — Vocabulary: The precise parallel wording distinguishes the neighbour's ability from Freya's consent. It handles the snowblower option carefully and concisely, adding nuance beyond the other answers' more general discussion of sharing work.
If they're willing and able to operate your snowblower, lending it might be an option you're comfortable discussing; — Listenability: The conditional opening establishes the requirements before introducing the option. Despite the sentence's complexity, the relationship between ability, willingness, and possible action remains easy to follow from the wording.
agree on a spending limit before anyone makes a booking. — Task Fulfillment: This turns the budget constraint into a concrete safeguard. Together with individual service quotes, a fallback plan, and a later review, it makes the advice more operationally complete than the other answers.

What moves an answer from 7 to 9 to 11

These are model answers written to show each level. The labels are practice estimates, not examiner scores.

Give advice that fits the person and their constraints. Develop suggestions with reasons, practical steps and a supportive tone rather than listing tips.

Content/Coherence: Level 7 models communicate the main ideas; level 9 models develop relevant details with clear connections; level 11 models sustain precise, well-integrated development.
Vocabulary: Compare adequate everyday wording with more varied, accurate choices at level 9 and flexible, precise expression at level 11.
Listenability: Higher-level delivery needs clear pronunciation, rhythm, intonation and controlled pauses. Transcripts suggest phrasing and organisation, but cannot demonstrate these audio features; a recording is needed.
Task Fulfillment: Compare how fully the response addresses the request, develops enough relevant detail and maintains an appropriate tone for the audience within the task limits.

Assess the criteria together. A longer answer or rarer words alone do not establish a higher level.

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