CELPIP Speaking
Task 7 of 8
Expressing Opinions
You're given a topic and asked to state and defend an opinion. A clear position backed by reasons scores better than a balanced survey that never commits.
- to prepare
- 30 s
- to speak
- 90 s
- criteria scored
- 4
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A taste of the set — 90 in total. The first is free; a free account opens the rest.
What a Task 7 prompt looks like
An example written by Celpip Plus in the same shape as the real speaking task, with notes on how to read it.
Some towns have made public transit free for everyone under 18note 1. Should your town do the same? Give your opinionnote 2 and explain your reasonsnote 3.
- 1 The issue: free transit for under-18s. Stay on this policy, not transit in general.
- 2 Your opinion: take a side in your first sentence. A clear side is easier to support for 90 seconds than "it depends".
- 3 Your reasons: two reasons, each with an example from daily life, fill 90 seconds better than four thin ones.
How to prepare for Expressing Opinions
- State your opinion clearly at the very start so the listener knows your position before you defend it.
- Support your view with a couple of solid reasons or examples, since developed backing is what strengthens your Content.
- Keep your points on topic and connected so your argument stays coherent within the response time.
What raters listen for in Task 7
- Content/CoherenceA clear opinion up front, two reasons each introduced with a signpost and developed with an example, and a closing restatement.
- VocabularyOpinion and reasoning language: "In my view", "for one thing", "as a result".
- ListenabilityA steady pace across the full 90 seconds, clear pronunciation, and a mix of short and longer sentences.
- Task FulfillmentAnswers the question asked, keeps one side throughout, and uses the full 90 seconds.
For how the four criteria turn into a CELPIP level from 1 to 12, read How CELPIP Speaking is scored.
Keep going with Speaking Task 7
Practise on the real interface
The same screen, timer and controls as test day — rebuilt so nothing on the exam is a surprise.
Expressing Opinions: frequently asked questions
You get 30 seconds to prepare, then 90 seconds to speak in CELPIP Speaking Task 7.
No, either side is fine; you are assessed on how clearly you state and support your opinion, not on which view you hold.
A couple of well-developed reasons with examples usually works better than a long list of thin ones, since depth shows stronger Content.
State your position directly at the start, then use the rest of your time to explain and back it up so your stance is clear throughout.
The rest of the Speaking test
- Giving Advice, 30 s to prepare, 90 s to speak
- Talking about a Personal Experience, 30 s to prepare, 60 s to speak
- Describing a Scene, 30 s to prepare, 60 s to speak
- Making Predictions, 30 s to prepare, 60 s to speak
- Comparing and Persuading, 60 s to choose, 60 s to prepare, 60 s to speak
- Dealing with a Difficult Situation, 60 s to prepare, 60 s to speak
- Expressing Opinions, 30 s to prepare, 90 s to speak
- Describing an Unusual Situation, 30 s to prepare, 60 s to speak