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Tip: Speaking Task 5: pick one option and stay with it. Comparing both is fine, switching sides isn't.
Tip: Speaking Task 5: pick one option and stay with it. Comparing both is fine, switching sides isn't.
Understand the format and expectations of the workplace survey task.
Welcome to the second half of the CELPIP Writing test. Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions is fundamentally different from Task 1. You are no longer writing an email, telling a story, or inventing characters.
Instead, you are writing an Opinion Essay. You have 26 minutes to write 150-200 words defending a specific choice. To achieve a CLB 9+, you must transition from "storytelling mode" into "logical debate mode."
Task 2 is almost always framed as a workplace or community survey.
You will be presented with the scenario and exactly two options. You must choose one option and explain why you prefer it.
[!WARNING]
The Neutrality Trap: The biggest mistake you can make in Task 2 is refusing to choose a side. If you write, "Both the gym and the cafeteria are great ideas, it doesn't matter to me," you will fail the "Task Fulfillment" pillar. The prompt demands that you make a choice and defend it. You must pick a side, even if you don't actually care in real life!
Because you are writing an argumentative essay, your structure must be highly rigid. You are not writing paragraphs of story; you are writing blocks of logical evidence.
The 4-Paragraph Survey Formula:
Notice that there is no "Dear Manager," greeting. You are filling out a survey form, so you can jump straight into the introduction.
Often, the two options presented are incredibly boring (e.g., Should the city paint the benches green or blue?). It is difficult to write 200 words about bench paint.
How to Beat It:
You must manufacture "Fake Passion." Link the boring topic to a massive, universal concept.
By linking "paint" to "mental health," you unlock high-level vocabulary and have plenty to write about!
In an opinion essay, you must use strong, persuasive verbs and transition words to guide the grader through your logic.
| The Goal | The CLB 9+ Phrasing |
|---|---|
| Opening the Essay | "I strongly advocate for Option A because..." |
| Introducing Reason 1 | "The primary justification for this choice is..." |
| Introducing Reason 2 | "Furthermore, implementing this option would..." |
| Attacking the Other Option | "While Option B has its merits, it ultimately fails to..." |
| Concluding the Essay | "In summary, Option A provides the most substantial benefits for..." |
Transition your brain from storytelling to debating:
You understand the structure of the survey. In the next chapter, we will learn how to make the actual decision in the first 30 seconds: Task 2: Choosing an Option.