What You'll Learn
- Understand the format and expectations of CELPIP Speaking Task 1
- Apply a proven 4-part response template for giving advice
- Use natural phrases and expressions for offering suggestions
- Deliver a complete, coherent 90-second response under test conditions
- Avoid common mistakes that lower CLB scores
Task 1: Giving Advice is the first speaking task in the CELPIP test. You’ll see a scenario on screen describing a problem faced by a friend or colleague, and you must give helpful advice in 90 seconds.
This task evaluates your ability to offer suggestions clearly, support your advice with reasons, and sound natural and empathetic. Scoring focuses on coherence, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
At a Glance
- Prep Time: 30 seconds
- Speaking Time: 90 seconds
- Task Type: Give advice to a friend/colleague
- CLB Range: 5-12 (depending on delivery)
- Tone: Friendly, supportive, natural
Understanding Task 1 Format
The computer screen will display a written scenario: usually 2-3 sentences describing someone’s problem. Common topics include:
- Career decisions (changing jobs, asking for promotion)
- Housing issues (noisy neighbours, choosing apartments)
- Social situations (planning events, resolving conflicts)
- Financial concerns (saving money, budgeting)
- Health and lifestyle (managing stress, starting exercise)
You have 30 seconds to read the prompt and plan your response. Then you speak continuously for 90 seconds.
The computer records your voice. There is no human examiner in the room.
Common Mistake
Many test-takers panic and give only one piece of advice, then run out of things to say. You need at least three distinct suggestions with reasons to fill 90 seconds and demonstrate range.
The 4-Part Response Template
Use this framework to structure every Task 1 response. It ensures you cover all expectations and use your time effectively.
Part 1: Acknowledge the Situation (10-15 seconds)
Show empathy and restate the problem briefly. This demonstrates listening comprehension and natural conversation skills.
Example phrases:
- “I understand you’re having trouble with…”
- “That sounds really stressful, especially when…”
- “I can see why you’re concerned about…”
Part 2: First Piece of Advice + Reason (30-35 seconds)
Offer your first suggestion and explain why it will help. The reasoning is critical: it shows logical thinking.
Example phrases:
- “If I were you, I would… because…”
- “One thing you could try is… This way, you’ll…”
- “Have you considered… ? That would help you…”
Part 3: Second Piece of Advice + Reason (30-35 seconds)
Give a different suggestion with a new reason. Varying your advice shows flexibility and range.
Example phrases:
- “Another option would be to… since…”
- “You might also want to… That would allow you to…”
- “I’d also suggest… so that you can…”
Part 4: Encouraging Closing (10-15 seconds)
End with a supportive statement. This completes the conversational feel and leaves a positive impression.
Example phrases:
- “I’m sure things will work out once you…”
- “Good luck with this, I think you’ll figure it out!”
- “Let me know how it goes. I’m confident you’ll make the right choice.”
Pro Tip
Time yourself saying “um” or pausing naturally between sentences. Native speakers don’t rush. Aim for clear pacing rather than speed: examiners reward fluency, not racing through your response.
Useful Phrases for Giving Advice
Memorize 5-7 of these expressions so they come naturally during the test. Variety in phrasing boosts your vocabulary score.
Introducing Advice
- “If I were in your shoes, I would…”
- “My suggestion would be to…”
- “Have you thought about…”
- “It might be a good idea to…”
- “Why don’t you try…”
Explaining Reasons
- “That way, you’ll…”
- “This would help you…”
- “Because this will allow you to…”
- “Since that would give you…”
- “So you can avoid…”
Adding a Second Point
- “Another thing I’d recommend is…”
- “You could also…”
- “On top of that, you might want to…”
- “Additionally, it would help if you…”
Closing Encouragingly
- “I’m sure you’ll handle this well.”
- “Things will get better once you…”
- “Good luck, I believe in you!”
- “Don’t worry too much; you’ve got this.”
Task 1 Do's
- Give at least three distinct pieces of advice
- Explain why each suggestion will help
- Use a friendly, supportive tone (imagine talking to a friend)
- Speak for the full 90 seconds, do not stop early
- Use transition words (also, another thing, additionally)
- Stay on topic, do not wander into unrelated stories
Task 1 Pitfalls
- Do not give vague advice ('just do your best')
- Do not repeat the same suggestion twice in different words
- Do not use overly formal language ('I humbly submit...')
- Do not spend 60 seconds on one point and rush the second
- Do not apologize or say 'I do not know what to suggest'
Sample Task with Model Response
Practice Task 1: Giving Advice
Scenario: A friend tells you they are feeling overwhelmed because they have too many responsibilities at work and at home. They don’t know how to manage their time better. Give your friend advice on how to handle this situation.
Your Task: You have 30 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to speak.
Show Model Response →
Model Response (CLB 9-10):
“I’m really sorry to hear you’re feeling so overwhelmed, that’s tough when you have a lot on your plate at work and at home.
If I were you, I would start by making a priority list each morning. Write down the three most important tasks for the day, and focus on finishing those before anything else. That way, you’ll make sure the critical things get done, and you won’t feel like everything is equally urgent. It really helps reduce stress when you know what actually matters.
Another thing I’d suggest is setting clear boundaries between work time and personal time. For example, you could try not checking work emails after 7 p.m., or dedicating one evening a week just to relaxing with your family. This would give you some time to recharge, and you’d probably feel more energetic and productive when you do work.
I’m sure once you start organizing your time a bit better, you’ll feel much more in control. Good luck with this, you’ve got this!”
Why This Works:
- Acknowledges the problem with empathy
- Gives three distinct, practical suggestions
- Explains the benefit of each piece of advice
- Uses natural, conversational phrases
- Ends on an encouraging, supportive note
- Approximately 90 seconds when spoken at natural pace
Practice Task 1: Work-Life Balance
Scenario: A friend tells you they have been working long hours and feel like they never have time for their family or hobbies. They are exhausted and considering quitting their job. Give your friend advice on what they should do.
Your Task: You have 30 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to speak.
Show Model Response →
Model Response (CLB 9-10):
“I totally understand how draining that must be. Working long hours without a break takes a real toll on you, and it makes sense that you’re frustrated.
Before you quit, though, I’d recommend talking to your manager about adjusting your workload. A lot of people are afraid to bring this up, but most employers would rather negotiate than lose a good employee. You could suggest working from home one or two days a week, or shifting your schedule so you start and finish earlier. That way, you’d free up your evenings without giving up your income or your position.
I’d also suggest blocking off at least two evenings a week as personal time, and treating those like meetings you can’t cancel. Put them on your calendar and protect them. Whether it’s going for a run, cooking dinner with your family, or just reading a book, having that protected time gives you something to look forward to and helps you recharge.
On top of that, it might be worth taking a short vacation before making any big decisions. When you’re exhausted, everything feels worse than it actually is. A week off could give you the clarity to figure out whether this job is truly the problem or whether you just need better boundaries.
I think once you try a few of these things, you’ll feel a lot better. And if you still want to quit after that, at least you’ll know it’s the right call.”
Why This Works:
- Opens with genuine empathy and validation
- Gives three distinct, actionable suggestions (talk to manager, protect personal time, take a vacation)
- Explains the reasoning behind each piece of advice
- Uses natural conversational language with contractions
- Closes with an encouraging, balanced perspective
- Approximately 90 seconds when spoken at natural pace
Practice Task 1: Getting Healthier
Scenario: A friend tells you they want to get healthier and start exercising, but they have no motivation and don’t know where to begin. They have tried going to the gym before but always quit after a few weeks. Give your friend advice on how to stay on track.
Your Task: You have 30 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to speak.
Show Model Response →
Model Response (CLB 9-10):
“I’ve been in that exact situation before, so I know how frustrating it is when you keep starting and stopping. The good news is there are a few things that really helped me, and I think they’d work for you too.
First, I’d say start way smaller than you think you should. Instead of committing to an hour at the gym five days a week, try just going for a twenty-minute walk after dinner. That sounds too simple, but the point is to build a habit that actually sticks. Once walking becomes part of your routine, you’ll naturally want to do more, and that’s when you can add things like jogging or strength training.
My second suggestion would be to find a workout buddy or join a group class. When someone is counting on you to show up, it’s a lot harder to skip. I started going to a cycling class with a coworker, and honestly, the social part made it fun instead of feeling like a chore. You could ask around at work or check community centres near you.
I’d also recommend tracking your progress somewhere you can see it, like a calendar on your fridge or an app on your phone. Every time you complete a workout, you mark it off. After a couple of weeks, you’ll have a streak going, and you won’t want to break it. It sounds simple, but seeing your progress is incredibly motivating.
You’ve got the right attitude just by wanting to change, so I’m confident you’ll stick with it this time. Just take it one day at a time!”
Why This Works:
- Connects personally (“I’ve been there”) to build rapport
- Provides three clear, practical suggestions (start small, find a buddy, track progress)
- Each suggestion comes with a concrete reason and example
- Conversational tone with contractions and natural phrasing
- Ends with genuine encouragement
- Approximately 90 seconds when spoken at natural pace
Making Your Advice Sound Natural
Test-takers often sound robotic or overly scripted. Aim for conversational fluency: as if you’re actually helping a friend.
Techniques for Natural Delivery
Use contractions:
Say “you’re” instead of “you are,” “I’d” instead of “I would.” This mirrors everyday Canadian speech.
Add filler phrases sparingly:
An occasional “you know,” “I mean,” or “honestly” can make you sound more natural, but don’t overuse them.
Vary sentence length:
Mix short, punchy sentences (“That’s tough.”) with longer explanations. This creates rhythm.
Show emotion in your voice:
Empathy and encouragement should come through in your tone, not just your words. Smile slightly while speaking: it changes your vocal quality.
Pro Tip
Practice with real friends or family. Ask them, “Does this sound like how I’d normally talk?” If your practice responses feel stiff, loosen up. Examiners reward authenticity and ease of communication.
Self-Check After Practice
Self-Check
- I acknowledged the problem with empathy
- I gave at least three distinct pieces of advice
- I explained why each suggestion would help
- I used natural, conversational phrases
- I spoke for close to 90 seconds without long pauses
- I ended with an encouraging statement
5-6 checks = CLB 9+; 4 checks = CLB 7-8; 3 or fewer = review template
Master this template, practice with varied prompts, and you’ll walk into Task 1 with confidence. The key is preparation: when you’ve internalized the structure, you can adapt it to any advice scenario in seconds.