CELPIP

Strategies

Task 1: Giving Advice

A friend has a problem. 30 seconds to prepare, 90 to suggest a fix and say why.

30s prep, 90s speaking

What this part tests

  • A prompt describes a situation where a friend or colleague needs advice.
  • Give organized, practical advice with clear reasoning.

Key strategies

01

Structure: problem acknowledgment, 2-3 pieces of advice, closing encouragement

Start by briefly acknowledging the situation ("I understand you're having trouble with..."), then give clear advice, then end positively.

02

Use advisory language

This kind of language demonstrates appropriate register.

Say“I would suggest…”“You might want to consider…”“One thing that could help is…”“My recommendation would be…”
03

Make advice specific and actionable

Don't say "You should try harder." Say "I'd recommend setting a weekly study schedule and dedicating at least 2 hours every evening to practice."

04

Give reasons for your advice

"I suggest X because Y" is much stronger than just "I suggest X." Explaining the reasoning shows deeper thinking.

What it looks like

Your coworker is looking for a good restaurant for a birthday dinner. Give your coworker advice about suitable restaurants and explain what makes them good choices for a special occasion.

Strong sample response

I completely understand how important it is to find the perfect restaurant for a birthday celebration, so let me share a few suggestions with you.

First of all, I would highly recommend looking into an upscale Italian restaurant. Italian cuisine tends to have something for everyone, from pasta dishes to seafood, so no one in your group will feel left out. What makes these restaurants particularly suitable for birthdays is that they typically offer a warm, intimate atmosphere with dim lighting and elegant table settings, which naturally creates a celebratory mood.

Another excellent option would be a Japanese restaurant that offers a teppanyaki experience. The chef cooks right at your table, which turns the dinner into interactive entertainment. This is especially wonderful for birthdays because it gives everyone a shared experience to enjoy together, rather than just a regular meal.

Finally, I'd suggest considering a restaurant with a rooftop patio or a scenic view. The ambiance of dining with a beautiful backdrop elevates the entire experience and makes it feel truly special. Many of these places also offer dessert options that can be customized for birthday celebrations.

Whichever option you choose, I'd strongly recommend making a reservation well in advance and mentioning that it's a birthday dinner. Most restaurants are happy to add small touches like a complimentary dessert or a decorated table to make the celebration even more memorable.

How to apply the strategies

  • Strategy #1 (Structure): Opens by acknowledging the coworker's situation before diving into advice, and ends with closing encouragement.
  • Strategy #2 (Advisory language): Uses phrases like "I would highly recommend" and "I'd suggest considering" throughout.
  • Strategy #3 (Specific and actionable): Three specific restaurant types are suggested with actionable details about why each works for birthdays.
  • Strategy #4 (Give reasons): Each recommendation includes reasoning: Italian works "because it has something for everyone," teppanyaki works "because it turns dinner into entertainment."
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