CELPIP Writing Task 2 (Responding to Survey Questions) — template + band-9 sample

CELPIP Writing Task 2, officially called "Responding to Survey Questions," gives you a short survey scenario that presents two options — Option A and Option B. Your job is not to weigh them like a debate essay. Your job is to pick ONE and defend it. You have about 26 minutes and a target of 150–200 words.

The single biggest mistake test-takers make here is treating the prompt as "compare both sides." That is Task 2 for other exams, not CELPIP. Here, the survey is asking for your preference, so a strong response commits to one option early, justifies it with developed reasons, and only mentions the other option to explain why it works less well for you.

What examiners score

Task 2 is rated on four criteria, each on the CELPIP 1–12 scale. Knowing what each one rewards helps you spend your 26 minutes on the things that actually move your band.

• Content / Coherence — Do your ideas make sense, connect logically, and clearly support the option you chose? A committed stance with two developed reasons scores far higher than four thin ones.
• Vocabulary — Is your word choice precise, varied, and appropriate for a survey response? Persuasion and opinion language matters here.
• Readability — Are your sentences well-formed and easy to follow, with correct grammar, punctuation, and smooth transitions?
• Task Fulfillment — Did you actually do the task: choose an option, justify it persuasively, and stay within the 150–200 word range?

Notice that Task Fulfillment directly penalizes the "discuss both options" trap and going outside the word count. Committing to one option protects two of the four criteria at once.

A band-9 structure

You do not need a fancy essay. You need a tight, persuasive paragraph structure that a reader can follow in one pass. This five-move plan fits comfortably inside 150–200 words.

1. State your choice clearly up front. In your first sentence, name the option you support so there is zero ambiguity about your stance.
2. Give reason 1 with specific detail. Back your choice with a concrete benefit and a short example or explanation — not just a general claim.
3. Give reason 2 with specific detail. Add a second, different angle so your argument has range rather than repeating the same point twice.
4. Briefly acknowledge the other option and why it is weaker for you. One or two sentences: concede a small point, then explain why it does not change your decision.
5. Close with a concise conclusion. Restate your choice in fresh words and end with a forward-looking or summarizing sentence.

The concession step (move 4) is what makes a response feel genuinely persuasive rather than one-sided. It shows you considered the alternative and still chose confidently — but keep it short so the focus stays on your option.

Sample band-9 response (about 180 words)

Prompt: Your company is redesigning the office and surveying staff. Which seating arrangement do you prefer — Option A: an open-concept layout where everyone shares one large space, or Option B: fixed desks in smaller, enclosed rooms?

I strongly support Option B, fixed desks in smaller enclosed rooms, and I would encourage the company to choose it. My first reason is focus. In my current job, constant background noise and movement make it hard to concentrate on detailed work, and having a quieter, enclosed space would let me finish tasks far more efficiently. Second, a fixed desk gives me a sense of ownership. When I have my own dedicated spot, I keep it organized, store my materials nearby, and settle into work immediately each morning rather than hunting for a free seat. I understand the appeal of an open-concept layout, since it can make casual conversation and quick teamwork easier. However, in my experience those benefits are outweighed by the daily distractions, and most real collaboration happens in scheduled meetings anyway. For these reasons, I believe fixed desks in enclosed rooms would make our team more productive and more comfortable. I hope the company will seriously consider Option B when finalizing the new office design.

That response is about 180 words. It names Option B in sentence one, develops two distinct reasons (focus and ownership) with concrete detail, concedes a real advantage of the open plan before dismissing it, and closes by restating the choice — hitting all five structural moves.

Useful persuasion + opinion language

Precise opinion and persuasion phrases lift your Vocabulary score and signal to the reader exactly where each move begins. Rotate these so you are not repeating "I think" throughout.

• Stating your choice: "I strongly support Option __", "Without hesitation, I would choose…", "My clear preference is…"
• Introducing reasons: "My first reason is…", "Most importantly…", "Another key advantage is…", "This matters because…"
• Adding detail: "For example, in my current job…", "In my experience…", "To put it concretely…"
• Conceding the other option: "I understand the appeal of…", "While Option __ does offer…", "Admittedly, the alternative can…"
• Overriding the concession: "However, this is outweighed by…", "That said, it does not change the fact that…", "Even so, the benefits are limited compared to…"
• Concluding: "For these reasons, I firmly believe…", "On balance, Option __ is the stronger choice", "I hope the company will seriously consider…"

Word count + timing strategy

• Aim for 170–190 words — comfortably inside the 150–200 range so a small miscount never pushes you under or over.
• Spend the first 2–3 minutes deciding your option and jotting two reasons. Choosing fast is more valuable than choosing the "right" side — there is no right side.
• Write for about 18–20 minutes, then reserve the final 3–4 minutes to proofread for grammar, spelling, and word count.
• Do not draft both options and delete one. Commit immediately so every minute builds one persuasive argument.
• Use the built-in word counter if available, but train yourself to gauge length so you are not constantly checking.

What kills your score

• Discussing both options equally. This is the number-one Task 2 killer — it reads as indecision and hurts Content and Task Fulfillment.
• Going under 150 or over 200 words. Under-length looks undeveloped; over-length wastes time and often introduces errors.
• Weak, generic reasons like "it is better" or "it is more convenient" with no detail, example, or explanation to back them up.
• Switching sides mid-response, or hedging so much the reader cannot tell which option you actually chose.
• Skipping the concession, which makes the response feel one-dimensional, or over-doing it until it competes with your own choice.
• Repeating one reason in two different sentences instead of offering two genuinely distinct arguments.