CELPIP® Speaking Task 6 sample: One New Laptop, Two Coworkers

Level 7 sample answer

133 words

Hi Yasmin, do you have a few minutes? I want to tell you about the new laptop. Benoît asked me to decide, and, um, I chose to give it to Jaspreet this year. I know this is not answer you wanted. Your battery problem is real and I know it's hard when you work in your car. But Jaspreet's computer is seven years old and it freezes almost every day, so she can't finish her work on time. She stays late very often.

But I don't want to leave you with the problem. I will ask Benoît to buy you a new battery or a portable charger, it's not expensive. Also, I will tell Benoît that you should get the laptop first next year. I hope you understand. Thank you for being patient.

Why this answer is at level 7

This level 7 answer communicates the decision clearly, acknowledges Yasmin's difficulty and offers help. Compared with the higher-level answers, its language is simpler, its explanation misses the effect on the team's reports, and its proposed solution is less developed.

• But Jaspreet's computer is seven years old and it freezes almost every day, — Content/Coherence: This gives a relevant reason for choosing Jaspreet. However, it focuses on her individual difficulties; the level 11 answer makes the stronger connection between her computer and delays to the whole team's month-end reports.
• Your battery problem is real and I know it's hard when you work in your car. — Vocabulary: The wording acknowledges Yasmin's situation clearly, but 'problem' and 'hard' express it broadly. The higher-level answers describe the practical consequences more precisely and use a wider range of natural expressions.
• I know this is not answer you wanted. — Listenability: The sympathetic message is easy to understand, although the missing article before 'answer' makes the sentence less natural. The higher-level answers express disappointment with smoother phrasing that would be easier to deliver fluently.
• I will ask Benoît to buy you a new battery or a portable charger, it's not expensive. — Task Fulfillment: Offering an alternative helps soften the refusal and addresses Yasmin's battery problem. However, the purchase remains a request, and the cost claim is unsupported within this answer. The level 11 response presents a more specific arrangement with stated approval.

Level 9 sample answer

172 words

Jaspreet, have you got a second? I wanted you to hear this from me before the order goes in. After a lot of thought, I've decided the new laptop should go to Yasmin. I know that's disappointing, especially since you've been patient for months and you're the one staying late because your computer freezes every time you open a big spreadsheet.

Here's my reasoning. Yasmin's on the road three days a week, and when her battery dies after an hour, she can't work in front of clients. That affects the firm's reputation, not just her day.

But I've got an idea that should help you right away. Yasmin's current laptop is only a few years old. The battery's the only real problem, and that doesn't matter if it's plugged in at your desk. So once her new one arrives, I'll have it cleaned up and set up for you. It should be much faster than yours. And I'll recommend to Benoît that you're first in line next year. How does that sound?

Why this answer is at level 9

This level 9 answer combines a tactful refusal with a well-developed plan to give Jaspreet Yasmin's current laptop. Its conversational language and practical reasoning are stronger than level 7, but it does not fully weigh the team's reporting delays and assumes the transferred laptop will meet Jaspreet's needs.

• That affects the firm's reputation, not just her day. — Content/Coherence: This connects Yasmin's battery difficulty to a business consequence, strengthening the justification. However, the reputational effect is inferred, and the answer does not explicitly weigh it against the team's delayed reports. The level 11 answer identifies the deciding consequence more directly.
• And I'll recommend to Benoît that you're first in line next year. — Vocabulary: The natural expression 'first in line' communicates priority while 'recommend' accurately limits the speaker's authority. The level 11 answer adds a broader range of precise expressions for acknowledging competing needs and explaining the decision.
• I wanted you to hear this from me before the order goes in. — Listenability: This sounds conversational and prepares Jaspreet for sensitive news without an abrupt announcement. The level 11 answer develops that conversational control further through a direct decision followed by detailed empathy and a clearly signalled explanation.
• So once her new one arrives, I'll have it cleaned up and set up for you. — Task Fulfillment: The transfer is a thoughtful solution that could help Jaspreet while respecting the single new laptop limit. However, its suitability for large spreadsheets is assumed. A stronger response would establish that suitability; the level 11 answer makes its own proposed remedy more concrete through arrangements and approval.

Level 11 sample answer

177 words

Yasmin, thanks for coming in. I'd rather be upfront with you: the new laptop is going to Jaspreet this year. I didn't make this decision lightly, because I know a battery that gives out after an hour is more than an inconvenience when you're sitting in a client's boardroom or working out of your car in a parking lot. If it were simply a matter of who travels more, you'd have won hands down.

What tipped the balance is that Jaspreet's machine is seven years old and it's holding up the whole team's month-end reports; she's been staying late several nights a week just to keep up.

That said, I'm not willing to leave you struggling until next year. I've already priced a replacement battery for your model. It's about $120 and could be installed by Friday, and Benoît has agreed to cover a car charger as well. Between the two, you should get through a full day of visits. And when next year's budget opens, I'll be recommending you first. Does that seem reasonable to you?

Why this answer is at level 11

This level 11 answer balances a clear refusal with specific empathy, a persuasive explanation of the team's needs and a detailed alternative for Yasmin. Its varied, natural language supports a sensitive conversation, while the proposed arrangements make the decision feel considered and actionable.

• What tipped the balance is that Jaspreet's machine is seven years old and it's holding up the whole team's month-end reports; — Content/Coherence: This identifies the decisive factor and connects the failing computer to a consequence beyond Jaspreet's workload. After acknowledging Yasmin's travel needs, the speaker explains why the team's reporting delays carry greater weight.
• If it were simply a matter of who travels more, you'd have won hands down. — Vocabulary: The conditional structure and natural idiom acknowledge how strongly Yasmin's travel supports her request. This adds nuance: the speaker recognizes her valid claim while preparing to explain the competing priority.
• I'd rather be upfront with you: the new laptop is going to Jaspreet this year. — Listenability: The direct opening makes the outcome immediately clear. Its conversational phrasing and natural pause at the colon provide a manageable spoken structure before the longer explanation and reassurance.
• It's about $120 and could be installed by Friday, and Benoît has agreed to cover a car charger as well. — Task Fulfillment: The speaker presents a cost, installation date and manager's agreement, making the alternative specific and actionable. These added scenario details directly address Yasmin's mobile working needs and support the refusal with practical help.