CELPIP Speaking Task 7: Expressing Opinions Strategies

What this part tests

30 seconds to prepare, 90 seconds to speak.
A question asks for your opinion on a topic.
Express a clear position and support it with reasons and examples.

Key strategies

Take a clear position and don't sit on the fence

"I completely agree with this statement" or "I strongly disagree." A clear stance is easier to defend and scores better than a wishy-washy "it depends."

Support with 2-3 distinct reasons

Plan these during your 30 seconds of prep. Each reason should be different and supported by a brief example or explanation.

You have 90 seconds, so use the extra time wisely

With more time than most tasks, you can afford one sentence acknowledging the opposing view: "While some might argue that..., I believe..."

Use opinion language throughout

"In my view," "I firmly believe," "From my experience," "It seems clear to me that." These phrases are natural and demonstrate range.

Example

Task 7: Expressing Opinions

Answer the following question.

Do you think schools should adopt a year-round schedule with shorter breaks, or should they maintain the traditional schedule with a long summer break? Explain your reasons.

Strong Sample Response

I firmly believe that schools should adopt a year-round schedule with shorter, more frequent breaks, and I have several compelling reasons for this position.

My primary argument is that the traditional long summer break leads to significant learning loss. Research consistently shows that students forget a substantial portion of what they learned during a two-month absence from school. Teachers then spend the first several weeks of each fall semester reviewing material from the previous year, which is an inefficient use of valuable instructional time. With shorter breaks distributed throughout the year, this problem would be dramatically reduced.

Additionally, a year-round schedule provides more consistent support for working families. Many parents struggle to arrange affordable childcare during the lengthy summer vacation, which creates both financial stress and inequality. Families with fewer resources are disproportionately affected by this challenge.

While some might argue that children need the long summer break for rest and recreation, I would counter that shorter, more regular breaks actually provide better opportunities for meaningful rest. Students can recharge every few months without the boredom and loss of routine that often accompanies an extended summer vacation.

In conclusion, adopting a year-round schedule would improve academic outcomes, support families more effectively, and still provide students with adequate time for rest and recreation. It is, in my view, the clear choice for modern education.

Expressing Opinions