speaking
CELPIP Speaking Task 5 vocabulary: the comparing and persuading phrases that score
The language CELPIP Speaking Task 5 rewards, organised by what each sentence has to do: state the choice, compare, concede, persuade and close — with a full 60-second example and the phrases to avoid.
Updated September 12, 2026
Task 5 gives you two options, 60 seconds to choose, and 60 seconds to convince someone. The Vocabulary criterion here is not about rare words. It rewards the language of comparison and persuasion used precisely: saying one option is better than the other in a specific way, admitting what the other option does well, and moving the listener toward a decision. The phrases below are grouped by the job each sentence does in a 60-second answer.
1. State your choice (first sentence, every time)
- “I really think we should go with the cabin.”
- “My vote is for the second option — the used car.”
- “I’d strongly recommend the evening class over the weekend one.”
- “If it were up to me, I’d choose the smaller apartment.”
Name the option in the prompt’s own words. A rater should know your answer before you have finished the first sentence.
2. Compare — the core of the score
| What you are comparing | Phrases |
|---|---|
| Cost | “It costs about half as much as…” · “It works out cheaper over a year.” · “We’d be paying far less for…” |
| Time and convenience | “It’s a ten-minute walk, whereas the other is a forty-minute drive.” · “It saves us an hour every morning.” |
| Quality and value | “It’s better value for what we’d get.” · “We’d get more space for the same price.” |
| Suitability | “It suits the way we actually live.” · “It fits the kids’ schedule much better.” |
| Risk | “It’s the safer choice, because…” · “There’s less that could go wrong.” |
Two structures do most of the work: comparatives with a specific (“cheaper by about two hundred dollars”) and contrast linkers that put both options in one sentence — whereas, while, on the other hand, compared with. A sentence that only praises your option is a description; a sentence that places it against the other is a comparison, and only comparisons score as Task 5.
3. Concede — then turn it
- “I know the beach has better weather, but…”
- “The other option does have more space. Still, …”
- “That’s a fair point about the price. The thing is, …”
- “Admittedly it’s further away — but think about what we save.”
One concession, answered immediately. It shows range and makes the argument sound reasoned rather than stubborn; two or three concessions start to sound like you are arguing for the other side.
4. Persuade — speak to the person
- “Imagine how much easier Mondays would be.”
- “You said you wanted more time together — this gives us that.”
- “Think about it this way: …”
- “Honestly, I think you’d enjoy it more than you expect.”
Task 5 names a listener — a family member, a friend, a manager. Using “you” and referring to what they care about is what turns an opinion into persuasion.
5. Close with an ask
- “So — shall we book the cabin?”
- “Can we agree on the second one?”
- “Let’s go with that, and I’ll sort out the details.”
All five moves in 60 seconds
I really think we should choose the evening pottery class rather than the Saturday cooking course. First, the timing: it’s Tuesday nights, so we keep our weekends free, whereas the cooking course takes every Saturday morning for two months. Second, it’s better value — ninety dollars with all the materials included, compared with a hundred and forty plus ingredients for the other one. I know you love cooking, and that course does sound fun. But you told me you wanted something completely new this year, and this is something neither of us has tried. Think about it: two hours a week, no weekend plans cancelled, and we’d have something to take home. So — shall I sign us both up tonight?
Phrases that cost marks
- “In my opinion, both options have advantages and disadvantages.” — the listener asked you to choose; this sentence refuses to.
- “Firstly… secondly… thirdly… in conclusion…” — essay structure read aloud sounds memorised, and three reasons rarely fit 60 seconds.
- “It is a very good option.” — no comparison, no specific, no score.
- Idioms dropped in to sound fluent (“it’s a win-win”, “the ball is in your court”) — natural in conversation, but a rater hears it when they are inserted rather than used.
Try Task 5 with the real timers
Two Task 5 prompts are free: 60 seconds to prepare, 60 to speak, a transcript and notes on your Vocabulary and Task Fulfillment scores.
Practise Task 5 freeFrequently asked questions
What vocabulary scores well in CELPIP Speaking Task 5?
Comparison and persuasion language used precisely: comparatives with a specific (“half the price”), contrast linkers such as whereas and compared with, one concession answered with but or still, and a closing question to the listener.
Should I use idioms in CELPIP Speaking?
Only if they fit naturally. Raters reward precise, appropriate language; an idiom inserted to sound fluent usually reads as memorised and does not raise the Vocabulary score.
How many reasons should I give in Task 5?
Two, each with a comparison and a specific. Three reasons rarely fit in 60 seconds with a concession and a close.
Do I need to mention the option I did not choose?
Yes, briefly. Task 5 is a comparison; one sentence acknowledging what the other option does well, followed by why yours is still better, strengthens both Content and Vocabulary.
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