CELPIP® Speaking Task 2 sample: Owning Up to Accidental Damage

Talking about a Personal Experience · Preparation: 30 seconds · Response: 60 seconds · Published 23 October 2026

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

Practice question

Think of a time you accidentally damaged something you had borrowed from a friend or relative. What happened, and why was telling them difficult? How did you decide what to say and offer? How was the problem resolved?

Model answers

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

Level 7 sample answer

132 words

I borrowed a book from my friend Étienne in Prince George because he said it was his favourite. One evening, I knocked some tea onto it. The pages still worked, I mean, I could read them, but several were stained. I was very worry because he had kept the book for years. I first thought about buying another copy without telling him. But on the next morning, I called and explained what happened. I offered to replace it or pay for a new one. He wanted to keep that copy because he had written notes inside. We dried it carefully. Instead of replacing it, I bought him a different book he'd wanted, as an apology. He was happy with that. I learned that being honest matters more than hiding a small mistake.

Why this answer is at level 7

This answer gives a clear, complete account of the accident, embarrassment, apology, and resolution. Compared with the others, its vocabulary is less precise, some phrasing is awkward, and the decision about what to offer receives less explanation.

He wanted to keep that copy because he had written notes inside. — Content/Coherence: This detail explains why replacing the book would not solve the problem and makes the change of plan logical. A higher-level answer would connect this personal value more fully to the speaker's thinking before making an offer.
The pages still worked, I mean, I could read them, but several were stained. — Vocabulary: The correction makes the meaning clear, and 'stained' describes the damage accurately. However, 'pages still worked' is an imprecise expression. The higher-level answers describe the damaged object and its remaining usefulness more directly.
I was very worry because he had kept the book for years. — Listenability: The reason for feeling anxious is easy to understand, but 'very worry' is grammatically awkward and makes the wording less smooth. A higher-level answer would express the emotion naturally while keeping this clear connection to the book's history.
I offered to replace it or pay for a new one. — Task Fulfillment: This directly addresses what the speaker offered, and the later gift provides a clear resolution. However, these options both involve replacement. A higher-level answer would explain how the speaker chose an offer that respected the owner's attachment to this particular copy.

Level 9 sample answer

159 words

My cousin Javier lent me a board game for a weekend gathering in Prince George. As I moved a chair to make room, I crushed a corner of its cardboard box beneath one leg. The game itself was fine, but I felt embarrassed because he always kept his collection in excellent condition. I considered fixing it myself, although I worried that tape might damage the colourful surface. Instead, I sent him a photograph, apologized, and offered to find a replacement box. To my relief, he suggested bringing it over before spending any money. We checked the damaged corner together, then fitted a piece of cardboard inside to help it hold its shape. The repair was visible, but the lid closed properly, and he seemed satisfied with the result. When he joked about my clumsy hands, it broke the ice. He invited me back for another game the following weekend, which reassured me that being honest had protected our friendship.

Why this answer is at level 9

This answer develops the accident and repair with precise details, smooth connections, and a convincing sign that the friendship remained secure. Compared with the strongest answer, it gives less explicit attention to how the speaker chose the apology and preserved the owner's control over the solution.

He invited me back for another game the following weekend, which reassured me that being honest had protected our friendship. — Content/Coherence: The invitation provides concrete evidence for the closing reflection about honesty, connecting the practical resolution to the relationship. The strongest answer also develops its central lesson through the speaker's decisions throughout the repair process.
I considered fixing it myself, although I worried that tape might damage the colourful surface. — Vocabulary: The reference to tape and the 'colourful surface' makes the repair risk specific and understandable. The strongest answer uses similarly precise language while also expressing the more subtle distinction between replacing an object and preserving its personal meaning.
To my relief, he suggested bringing it over before spending any money. — Listenability: The opening phrase signals an emotional change, and the rest of the sentence clearly introduces the next action. This makes the written account easy to follow. The strongest answer maintains that clarity while handling more layered explanations of responsibility.
Instead, I sent him a photograph, apologized, and offered to find a replacement box. — Task Fulfillment: This gives a concrete response to the damage: evidence, an apology, and a practical offer. The strongest answer goes further by explicitly explaining why the owner should decide about repairs and by seeking agreement before taking action.

Level 11 sample answer

176 words

I borrowed a scarf from my friend Jordan for a family photograph in Prince George. It had been made by her aunt, which I hadn't realized until she handed it over. As I removed it afterwards, the fabric caught on the fastening of my bag and a thread pulled loose, leaving a visible line across one end. My immediate impulse was to trim the thread, but I stopped because I knew nothing about repairing woven fabric. Telling Jordan felt uncomfortable precisely because replacing it wouldn't replace its personal meaning. I called that evening, described the damage without minimizing it, and asked her to decide whether it should be repaired. I offered to cover the cost, while making clear that I wouldn't take it anywhere without her agreement. Her aunt recommended a local alterations shop, where the thread was worked back into place. Although a faint mark remained, Jordan was satisfied with the result. She later said she'd valued being told promptly. I came away understanding that taking responsibility means respecting the owner's wishes throughout the solution.

Why this answer is at level 11

This answer combines precise descriptions with a carefully developed explanation of embarrassment, restraint, and responsibility. Its strength lies in showing how the scarf's personal meaning shapes the speaker's choices, while the realistic repair outcome supports the final reflection.

Telling Jordan felt uncomfortable precisely because replacing it wouldn't replace its personal meaning. — Content/Coherence: This sentence connects the aunt's handmade gift to the difficulty of confessing. That connection gives the story a clear emotional centre and explains why the speaker's later decisions focus on Jordan's wishes.
My immediate impulse was to trim the thread, but I stopped because I knew nothing about repairing woven fabric. — Vocabulary: The words 'trim the thread' and 'woven fabric' describe the possible intervention precisely. 'Immediate impulse' also captures the temptation to act quickly, allowing the answer to express both the physical problem and the speaker's restraint.
I offered to cover the cost, while making clear that I wouldn't take it anywhere without her agreement. — Listenability: The sentence combines the financial offer and its condition in a clear sequence. The wording makes a nuanced decision easy to follow: the speaker accepts responsibility while leaving Jordan in control of what happens to her scarf.
Although a faint mark remained, Jordan was satisfied with the result. — Task Fulfillment: This gives a specific, believable resolution without suggesting that the damage disappeared completely. Alongside the aunt's repair recommendation and Jordan's appreciation of prompt honesty, it shows that resolving the problem involved both the scarf and the owner's feelings.

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.

Tell a specific personal experience in a clear sequence. Explain what happened, how you reacted and why it mattered, using details that help the listener follow the story.

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.

Answer this question and get your level