CELPIP Speaking Practice Test 3 — All 8 Tasks With Prompts & Sample Answers

A friend has recently moved to Calgary and is nervous about driving in winter conditions. Give them advice on how to stay safe while driving in Alberta winters.

First, I would tell my friend that winter tires matter more than anything else, because they stay soft in cold temperatures and grip snow and ice far better than all-season tires. Second, I would suggest keeping an emergency kit in the car with a blanket, a flashlight, and warm clothing, in case they get stuck or a highway closes. Before every trip, they should check the weather forecast, and they should always allow extra time for the commute instead of rushing. On the road, the key is to drive slowly and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front, because stopping takes much longer on ice. Sudden braking and sudden acceleration are what cause most winter skids, so they should be gentle with the pedals. If the conditions are really bad, staying home is the smartest choice, and if they ever feel unsafe while driving, it is completely fine to pull over and wait. I would also suggest a winter driving course, because practice on a closed course builds real confidence. With preparation and caution, they will get used to Alberta winters quickly.

Talk about a time you had to take on a new challenge at work or in your studies. What was the challenge, how did you prepare for it, and what was the outcome?

When I was working as an administrative assistant at an oil and gas company in Calgary, my manager asked me to present at a staff meeting about our move to digital filing. I had never spoken to more than five people before, and this meeting had over forty attendees, including senior management, so I was genuinely nervous. I prepared by making clear slides with visuals, practising in front of my partner at home, and timing myself to stay within fifteen minutes. On the day, my hands were shaking at first, but after the first two slides I found my rhythm. The audience asked thoughtful questions, which showed they were engaged. Afterwards, the regional director told me I had done an excellent job and asked me to present at the next quarterly review. That experience boosted my confidence, and I learned that preparation is the best antidote to anxiety.

Describe the scene in the picture in as much detail as possible. Talk about the setting, the people, what they are doing and the atmosphere.

I'm looking at a ski resort on what looks like a clear, cold winter morning. The mountains behind are big and covered in snow, and the top of the frame is bright blue sky. In the middle of the picture a chairlift runs up the slope, with chairs hanging above the piste, and a few of them are carrying skiers with their poles resting across their laps. The snow on the run below is packed and tracked, with lines cut across it by people who have already come down. At the bottom there are people in bright jackets and helmets, some standing in small groups, some queuing for the lift, and a couple of them are bending over to clip into their bindings. Near the base building, snowboards are leaning against a rack. The mood is busy and cheerful, and there is a real holiday feeling.

Look at the same picture again. Predict what happens next in this scene and explain why you think so.

The same slope is easy to read, so I can say what the next couple of hours will look like. The snow is firm and fast in the morning and the lift is already running, so more skiers will come out and the queue at the bottom will build until about midday. At lunchtime the crowd will thin out, because most people will head to the base building for hot food, and the snow will soften in the sun, which makes the run heavier and slower. In the afternoon the sun will drop behind the ridge, the light will go flat and the temperature will fall quickly, so the last skiers will take one final run down, the lift queue will shrink, and people will start packing up their gear and heading for the car park as it gets colder.

You have two job offers: one as an electrician working on a new office building in downtown Calgary, and another as an electrician maintaining oil rig equipment in the field. Compare the working conditions and persuade a friend which one to choose. Two options are shown as pictures A and B. Choose the one you would recommend and persuade the other person to agree with you. Use the pictures to support your reasons. Both options are shown in one picture, labelled A and B. Choose the one you would recommend and persuade the other person to agree with you. Use the picture to support your reasons.

I would recommend the downtown office building job over the oil rig position. First, the office job offers a stable indoor work environment, while the rig job means harsh outdoor conditions and a lot of time away from home. With the downtown job you get regular hours, safer working conditions, and the chance to be part of a bustling city rather than living in a camp. Second, the rig job may pay more, but the lifestyle can be isolating and tough on family life, and the extra money does not always make up for that. Third, the skills you build on commercial wiring are more transferable to future projects, especially in green energy, which is where a lot of the growth in Alberta is heading. So for a better work-life balance and stronger long-term career prospects, the office job is the smarter choice.

You are a ski instructor. A sudden Chinook wind warning causes dangerous conditions on the mountain. You have a group of beginner skiers with you, including young children. Describe what you would do to ensure everyone's safety.

If a Chinook wind warning were issued, I would gather my group and explain the situation in a calm voice, so that the children did not panic. We would head straight to the nearest shelter, which is the mid-mountain lodge. There I would check the wind speeds and wait for updates from ski patrol before deciding anything else. Depending on how severe it was, we might end the lesson early and ski down in a controlled way, staying together. I would help the children with their equipment and make sure everyone was dressed warmly before we moved. We would avoid exposed routes and stick to slower, protected trails. Safety is the top priority, so I would also cancel the afternoon class if the conditions did not improve. The key is to stay calm, communicate clearly, and make quick, safe decisions.

Some people think that trade schools are more important than universities for Alberta's economy. What is your opinion? Provide reasons to support your viewpoint.

I believe that trade schools are at least as important as universities for Alberta's economy, and in some areas more important. Our economy is built on natural resources and energy, and that work depends on skilled tradespeople like electricians, welders, and mechanics. They are in high demand and contribute directly to production and maintenance, so when there are not enough of them, projects slow down and costs rise. Trade schools also provide practical training that leads to immediate jobs, while many university graduates need years of further study before they can find work in their field. Of course, both matter. Universities drive research and development, and we certainly need that too. But right now many graduates struggle to find jobs, while skilled tradespeople often have several offers to choose from. Trade careers also pay well and can lead to running your own business one day. With the energy transition, trades will become even more crucial, because someone has to install and maintain all of that new equipment. That is why I think promoting trades to young Albertans should be a priority.

Describe what is unusual or unexpected in this picture. Say what is happening, why it stands out and what you would do in that situation.

The surprising thing here is the amount of water in a place built for snow and ice. It looks like a normal street in a mountain town, with buildings and parked vehicles along one side, but instead of snow on the ground there is a shallow flood of grey meltwater. What makes it stand out is the contradiction: everything around it says winter, with snowbanks piled at the edges and snow on the roofs and hills, yet the middle of the street looks like a river. It looks like a sudden thaw or a blocked drain, and the water is deep enough to cover shoes and probably hide potholes. If I came across it, I would not drive through, because I could not judge the depth or see what was underneath. I would take another route and report it to the council, since it could freeze again overnight.