Speaking Task 5 · Comparing and Persuading
CELPIP Speaking Task 5 Template: Pick · Beat · Close
60s prep · 60s to speak
Say your choice, show on two points why it beats the other option, then reassure them and ask them to agree.
Free PDF: all 8 speaking templates- Pick
- Beat 1
- Beat 2
- Close
The template
Each part has a job, a budget and starters. Fill every blank with a detail from your prompt: raters score how well you answer the task in front of you, not memorised sentences.
- 1
Pick
10sGreet them and name your choice right away.
Starters
- Hi , I've looked at both options, and I really think is the better choice.
- Hey , I know you like , but hear me out on .
Phrases that score
- hear me out
- I'm convinced that
- the better choice
Earns: Task Fulfillment, Listenability
- 2
Beat 1
20sThe first point where your option beats theirs. Compare them directly.
Starters
- First of all, is much than . , whereas .
- The biggest difference is . With , , but with , .
Phrases that score
- much more … than
- whereas
- not as … as
- compared to
Earns: Content/Coherence, Vocabulary
- 3
Beat 2
20sA second, different point, compared directly again.
Starters
- On top of that, is , while .
- Plus, gives us , which doesn't.
Phrases that score
- on top of that
- while
- by far the
- a lot cheaper
Earns: Content/Coherence, Vocabulary
- 4
Close
10sAnswer their worry and ask them to agree.
Starters
- I know you liked , but . So, shall we go with ?
- Trust me, is the smarter choice. What do you say?
Phrases that score
- trust me
- what do you say
- shall we go with
Earns: Task Fulfillment, Listenability
See it in action
The template applied to a real task, part by part.
The task
You and your sister are choosing a family vacation. You chose the beach house; she prefers the mountain cabin. Persuade her that the beach house is the better choice.
CLB 9+ answer, spoken (110 words)
1. Pick
Hi Lena, I've looked at both places, and I really think the beach house is the better choice for us.
2. Beat 1
First of all, it's much more relaxing than the cabin. At the beach house, the kids can play in the sand while we sit and read, whereas the cabin has steep hiking trails and nothing nearby for the kids.
3. Beat 2
On top of that, the beach house is only a forty-minute drive, while the cabin is over three hours away. That's almost a whole day of driving we'd save on the trip.
4. Close
I know you liked the mountain views, but the beach has amazing sunsets too. So, shall we book it?
Make it stick
Two quick rounds. Get the order right, then match each starter to its part.
Drag the parts of the Pick · Beat · Close template into the right order.
- Beat 1
- Beat 2
- Close
- Pick
Practise the timing
Answer out loud while the bar shows which part you should be on. It's the fastest way to stop running out of time.
Pick any prompt and answer it out loud. You get 60s to prepare, then 60s to speak.
The part you should be on shows here while you speak.
Mistakes that cost marks
- Only praising your own option. This task is a comparison, so talk about both.
- No comparative language. The rater listens for "cheaper than", "not as", "whereas" and "by far".
- Sounding unsure. Persuading means sounding confident and friendly.
Try this template on a real question, free
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