CELPIP Speaking Practice Test 9 — All 8 Tasks With Prompts & Sample Answers

Your friend is moving to Halifax for a new job at the shipyard. They ask for your advice on how to prepare for hurricane season. What advice would you give them? Talk about securing a home, emergency supplies, and community resources.

I would tell my friend to start by getting familiar with the hurricane preparedness guide published by the Nova Scotia government, which is available online and very easy to follow. She should prepare a basic emergency kit with bottled water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, a first-aid kit, and important documents in a waterproof folder. If she is living near the waterfront, I would strongly recommend that she identify her nearest evacuation centre ahead of time, not after a warning has been issued. I would also suggest she sign up for the city's emergency text alert system so she never misses an important update. On a practical level, she should get to know her neighbours because during past storms, people on our street have helped each other secure patio furniture, share supplies, and check on elderly residents. Finally, I would tell her not to be too anxious about it. Halifax is a well-prepared city, and if she takes these basic precautions, she will feel safe and in control during the season.

Talk about a time you visited a historic site, museum, or landmark and what you learned from the experience. Where did you go, and why did it make an impression on you?

Last summer, I took the ferry from Halifax to visit the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. I had heard about it for years but never made the time to go. Walking through the exhibits, I was deeply moved by the stories of families arriving in Canada with nothing but a suitcase and hope. One display recreated a ship's dining hall from the 1950s, and I stood there imagining what it must have felt like for a young mother travelling alone with children, not speaking English or French, heading toward an uncertain future. What struck me most was learning that over one million immigrants passed through those very doors between 1928 and 1971, including my own grandmother, who arrived from Italy as a teenager. I found her name in the digital archive and actually cried. That visit gave me a profound appreciation for the courage it took to start over in a new country. I left feeling immensely grateful for the sacrifices that earlier generations made so that I could have the life I enjoy today. I now take every visitor to Halifax there — it is an essential Canadian experience.

Describe a scene at the Halifax Farmers Market on a busy Saturday morning. Include details about the vendors, the produce, the atmosphere, and the people.

It is a crisp Saturday morning in late September at the Halifax Farmers Market down by the waterfront. The air smells of fresh bread and sea salt. Rows of white tents stretch along the boardwalk, each one packed with colourful displays. One vendor has wooden crates overflowing with Honeycrisp apples and bright orange pumpkins, while his neighbour sells homemade jams in jars tied with tartan ribbons. A fisherman in rubber boots arranges glistening lobsters on a bed of crushed ice. Nearby, a young woman offers samples of oatcakes, calling out to passersby in a warm Maritime accent. A busker with a fiddle plays a Cape Breton reel, and a few children dance along the cobblestones. Tourists take photos of the harbour, while locals fill canvas bags with vegetables and artisan cheese. The ferry horn sounds in the distance, and for a moment, the whole scene feels like a postcard of Maritime life.

The city council is considering closing the ferry service on weekends to save money. Predict the impact of this decision on commuters, tourists, and the community. Use specific details.

If the city council decides to close the ferry service on weekends, I think the impact would be significant and negative for several groups. First, weekend ferry service is essential for hospitality workers in restaurants and hotels along the waterfront. Many of these employees start early shifts and would have no reliable way to get downtown if the ferries stop running. Second, tourism would suffer because many visitors take the ferry specifically for the harbour views. If tourists cannot easily cross from Dartmouth to Halifax on a Saturday, they may skip attractions on the other side entirely, and that means lost revenue for local businesses. Third, families would lose a convenient and affordable way to attend weekend events, farmers markets, and festivals. I predict that within six months, the city would face strong public backlash and would likely have to reverse the decision. A better approach might be reducing the frequency rather than cutting service entirely, perhaps running ferries every hour instead of every thirty minutes on weekends.

Compare studying marine biology at Dalhousie University with studying at a university inland. Which do you think is better for someone interested in ocean conservation? Persuade the listener.

I believe Dalhousie University is the stronger choice for someone serious about marine biology. Its location on the Atlantic coast gives students immediate access to the ocean for fieldwork, which is something no inland university can replicate. Students at Dalhousie can collect samples in the Bedford Basin, study tidal ecosystems within walking distance of campus, and participate in research voyages with the Bedford Institute of Oceanography. These experiences build practical skills that employers in marine science actively seek. In contrast, a university in a province like Saskatchewan or Manitoba might offer excellent theoretical coursework, but students must travel long distances for any hands-on marine work. Dalhousie also benefits from strong partnerships with government research agencies and private fisheries that hire graduates directly. While both options can provide a quality education, the coastal advantage at Dalhousie gives students a clearer path from classroom to career. If someone is truly committed to marine biology, proximity to the ocean should be a deciding factor.

You are a fisheries officer. A boat owner calls you, upset because a storm has damaged his fishing gear and he cannot afford repairs. How would you handle this situation? Explain what you would say and do.

I would start by letting him speak without interrupting because people in distress often need to feel heard before they can accept help. After he explains the situation, I would acknowledge how difficult it must be, especially since his livelihood depends on that equipment. Then I would calmly explain that there are several support programs he might not be aware of. The provincial Fisheries Emergency Fund offers grants of up to three thousand dollars for gear replacement after a declared storm. I would offer to help him fill out the application form right over the phone, walking him through each section. I would also tell him about the equipment loan program at the Fishermen's Mutual Benefit Society, which provides nets and traps on a short-term basis while he waits for his grant to process. Finally, I would give him my direct phone line and follow up in two days to see how he is managing. People in crisis need practical solutions, but they also need to know someone cares, and that combination usually helps them move forward.

Some people believe that university education is not necessary for a successful career, especially in trades like shipbuilding. What is your opinion? Use examples from your experience or knowledge.

I think university education is extremely valuable, but I do not believe it is the only path to a successful and fulfilling career, especially in skilled trades like shipbuilding and welding. The Halifax Shipyard, for example, employs hundreds of welders, pipefitters, and electricians who earn excellent wages and contribute to an industry that is essential to our regional economy. Many of these workers learned their craft through apprenticeship programs at Nova Scotia Community College, not through a university degree. That said, I do believe education in a broader sense is essential, whether it happens in a classroom, a workshop, or on the job. The key is matching the type of education to the career. A marine biologist absolutely needs a university degree, but a shipbuilder needs hands-on training and certification. What matters most is that people have access to quality training, mentorship, and opportunities to grow. Canada should invest equally in both university and trade education so that every individual can find their own path to a meaningful career.

Describe a time when you had to adapt to unexpected changes in weather during a ferry ride across the harbour. What did you see and feel?

I was taking the late-afternoon ferry from Halifax to Dartmouth one November when the weather turned faster than anyone expected. The crossing usually takes about twelve minutes, but halfway across the harbour, the sky turned a deep, threatening grey, and the wind picked up so suddenly that the boat began to pitch heavily. Rain hammered against the windows like gravel, and several passengers gasped when a wave hit the side. The ferry crew immediately instructed everyone to remain seated and hold onto the railings. A mother with two young children beside me looked terrified, so I started talking to the kids to distract them. I asked them about school and what they were learning, and within a few minutes they were laughing and had forgotten the storm entirely. The captain slowed the vessel and took a slightly longer but calmer route into the terminal. When we finally docked, everyone applauded the crew. I learned that staying calm and helping others in a tense moment can completely change the atmosphere. It was a short ride but one I will always remember.