CELPIP Speaking Task 5 asks you to compare two options and make a recommendation. The strongest responses give a direct comparison on two or three specific criteria, then commit to one option with a clear reason.
Examples
Weak
Avoid"Both options have advantages and disadvantages. It depends on the person."
Stronger
Better"Option A is the better choice for a young professional because it is 40% cheaper and located 10 minutes from the downtown transit hub, whereas Option B costs more and requires a car. Unless you prioritise outdoor space, Option A is clearly the stronger value."
How It Works
Criterion-by-criterion
Compare both options on the same feature before moving to the next
"On cost, Option A is $800/month versus Option B at $1,100/month. On commute time, Option A is 15 minutes versus Option B at 45 minutes."
Contrastive connectors
Use "whereas", "while", "in contrast", "on the other hand"
"Option A offers a shorter commute, whereas Option B provides more living space."
Commit to one option
End with a clear recommendation, not "it depends"
"For a commuter prioritising time, Option A is the stronger choice."
Target audience qualifier
Name who your recommendation best serves
"For a family with children, Option B's larger garden outweighs the cost difference."
Common Mistakes
"It depends" non-answer
AvoidBoth options are good, it really depends on what you want.
BetterFor someone who commutes daily and wants to keep costs low, Option A is clearly preferable.
Fix: Name the target profile and commit. "It depends" is scored as a lack of Task Fulfilment.
Listing, not comparing
AvoidOption A has a pool. Option B has a balcony. Option A is near a park.
BetterBoth options have outdoor amenities: Option A has a pool suited for summer use, while Option B's balcony offers year-round flexibility.
Fix: Put both options in the same sentence for each criterion to create a genuine comparison.
No recommendation
AvoidI have described both options and they each have good features.
BetterGiven the cost difference and commute advantage, Option A is the more practical choice for a first-time renter.
Fix: The task requires a recommendation. Describe and then commit.
Practice Lab
Self-mark each task. Retry until every answer is correct.
Score: 0/3
1. Quick pick
Which option best demonstrates this skill?
2. Build it
Put the sentence in the correct order.
Tap a chunk to move it between the bank and answer area.
3. Sort it
Sort each item into the correct category.
Compare both options on the same criterion in one sentence using "whereas".
Say "it depends on the person" and describe each option separately.
End with a clear recommendation naming who it best serves.
List features of each option without directly comparing them.
Why It Matters
CELPIP Speaking Task 5 tests comparative reasoning and commitment. Candidates who say "it depends" without naming the dependency profile score CLB 7 on Task Fulfilment. The task explicitly asks for a recommendation, which requires choosing one option. A criterion-by-criterion comparison followed by a targeted recommendation ("for X, Option A is better because...") meets the CLB 9 standard for both Task Fulfilment and Coherence.
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