CELPIP · Speaking · S5
CELPIP Speaking Task 5: Comparing and Persuading
CELPIP Speaking Task 5, Comparing and Persuading, shows two options with details, such as two venues or two products. You get 60 seconds to choose one, then 60 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak, persuading someone that your choice is the better one by comparing the options directly.
- Choosing time
- 60 seconds to pick one of two options
- Preparation time
- 60 seconds
- Speaking time
- 60 seconds
- Prompt
- Two options, each with a picture and a list of features
- Rating areas
- Content/coherence, vocabulary, listenability, task fulfillment
How it works
- 1Two options appear side by side with their details.
- 2You have 60 seconds to choose the one you prefer.
- 3A new instruction explains who you are persuading; you then have 60 seconds to prepare.
- 4Recording starts automatically and you have 60 seconds to make your case.
Sample task
Original sample · not from an official test
Your family is choosing a weekend trip. Option A: Lakeside cabin. 2 hours' drive, $180 per night, canoe included, no Wi-Fi. Option B: City hotel. 45 minutes by train, $220 per night, pool and museums nearby. After choosing, persuade your sister, who prefers the other option, that yours is better.
Show a strong responseHide response
Outline: Choose one (for example, the lakeside cabin). Opening: state the choice and one headline reason. Compare 1: it costs $40 less per night than the hotel. Compare 2: the canoe is free, while museum tickets would add up. Compare 3: no Wi-Fi is a benefit, a real break from screens. Concede and answer: the train is quicker, but the drive is part of the adventure. Close with a direct appeal to your sister.
A strong response compares the two options point by point rather than describing only one, uses comparatives and superlatives ("cheaper", "the most relaxing"), admits a weakness of its choice and answers it, and speaks directly to the person being persuaded.
Tips that work
- Choose quickly. Pick the option with the most features you can argue for, not the one you would really prefer.
- Compare every point: "It's cheaper than...", "Unlike the hotel...". Persuasion here means showing why yours beats the other option.
- Use the 60-second preparation to line up three comparisons and one concession.
- Address the listener directly and end with a clear call to agree.
Common mistakes
- Describing only your own choice without mentioning the other option.
- Reading the feature list aloud instead of turning features into reasons.
- Using up the choosing time and starting preparation without a clear decision.
Questions candidates ask
What is the timing for CELPIP Speaking Task 5?
You have 60 seconds to choose one of the two options, then 60 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak. It is the only speaking task with a separate choosing stage.
Does it matter which option I choose?
No. Both options are designed to be defensible. Choose the one that gives you the clearest comparisons, because the score depends on how well you compare and persuade, not on your choice.
How do I sound persuasive without being rude?
Acknowledge the other person's view before answering it: "I know you like being close to the museums, but...". Then give a concrete advantage. Polite, reasoned comparison is more convincing than pressure.
Other CELPIP Speaking tasks
CELPIP overviewCELPIP Speaking: all partsCELPIP full mock testsCELPIP articles on the blog