CELPIP Speaking practice topics: October 2026

Your neighbour Tomasz has two teenagers and is thinking about turning his garage into a small rental apartment to earn extra money, but it would mean parking on the street all winter. Give Tomasz some advice about what he should do.

Your friend Aleksa has been asked to join her company's team at a big conference in Halifax, but it falls during her daughter's first week of kindergarten. Give Aleksa some advice about whether she should go and how she could make it work.

Your cousin Rowan has just moved into his first house, and leaves from three big maple trees are covering the whole yard. He can't decide whether to rake them himself, pay a teenager on the street to do it or leave them until spring. Give Rowan some advice.

Your co-worker Delphine has been asked to run a new carpool program at your office, but several people have already complained that the schedules won't suit them. Give Delphine some advice on how to make the program work.

Talk about a time when you found something surprising while cleaning, packing or moving. What did you find, where was it, and what did you do with it?

Talk about a time when you had to look after a child, an older relative or a pet for someone else. What happened, what was hardest, and what did you learn?

Talk about a time when a neighbour, a roommate or a coworker had a habit that bothered you. What was the habit, what did you do about it, and how did it end?

Talk about a time when you tried an outdoor activity for the first time, such as fishing, camping or cross-country skiing. Who were you with, how did it go, and would you do it again?

Imagine a picture of a dog park on a cool fall afternoon: a woman is throwing a ball that is about to land in a muddy puddle, a puppy is pulling its owner toward a pile of leaves, two men are chatting on a bench with coffee cups, and a boy is trying to fill a water bowl from a fountain. Describe it to someone who cannot see it.

Imagine a picture of a school car wash fundraiser in a parking lot: a teenager is spraying a hose toward a car with its window still open, two girls are holding a hand-painted sign at the curb, a parent is counting money at a folding table, and a driver is waiting in line with a very dirty pickup truck. Describe it to someone who cannot see it.

Imagine a picture of a pumpkin-carving contest at a community centre: a boy is scooping seeds out of a large pumpkin, a judge with a clipboard is looking closely at a carved cat face, a toddler is reaching for a carving knife on the table, and a volunteer is lighting candles inside the finished pumpkins. Describe it to someone who cannot see it.

Imagine a picture of a quiet residential street on moving day: two movers are carrying a sofa up the front steps, a neighbour is walking over with a homemade pie, a dog is digging in a freshly planted flower bed, and children are drawing with chalk on the driveway. Describe it to someone who cannot see it.

Look at the dog park scene from Task 3 again and say what will probably happen next.

Look at the car wash fundraiser scene from Task 3 again and say what will probably happen next.

Look at the pumpkin-carving contest scene from Task 3 again and say what will probably happen next.

Look at the moving-day street scene from Task 3 again and say what will probably happen next.

Your neighbourhood association is planning one fall event for families and has narrowed it down to two ideas. Choose the one you prefer.

Options:

• Lantern walk along the river trail: Saturday at 7 p.m.; 2 km, about one hour; free, lanterns provided
• Apple-pressing afternoon in the park: Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.; $5 per family; fresh cider to take home

Your neighbour Imogen prefers a third idea. Persuade her that yours is better.

Their choice:

• Movie night in the school gym: Friday at 6:30 p.m.; $10 per family; popcorn included

Your book club needs a new regular place to meet and has found two options. Choose the one you prefer.

Options:

• Back room of a local café: first Tuesday of each month; free if everyone orders something; open until 9 p.m.
• Meeting room at the public library: any weeknight; free; must leave by 8:45 p.m.

Your friend Marisol prefers a third option. Persuade her that yours is better.

Their choice:

• Members' homes, taking turns: any night; no cost; the host brings snacks

Your family has been invited to a cousin's wedding three provinces away and is choosing how to travel there. Choose the option you prefer.

Options:

• Train: 2 days each way; $900 for the family; sleeping cabin included
• Direct flight: 4 hours each way; $1,600 for the family; airport 40 minutes from home

Your brother Bashir prefers a third option. Persuade him that yours is better.

Their choice:

• Rented van: 3 days of driving each way; about $1,100 with gas; stops wherever you like

Your children's soccer team needs to raise $1,500 for new jerseys and has two fundraising ideas. Choose the one you prefer.

Options:

• Bottle drive: one Saturday; families collect bottles from their streets; about $600 raised last year
• Bake sale at the arena: two weekend tournaments; parents bake at home; about $900 raised last year

Your neighbour Ines, who coaches the team, prefers a third idea. Persuade her that yours is better.

Their choice:

• Raffle with donated prizes: tickets sold for a month; $5 a ticket; prizes from local shops

Your manager has asked you to train a new coworker, Petra, all next week. Your teammate Yusuf is upset, because he was told months ago that he would be the one to train new staff. Choose ONE: talk to Yusuf and explain why you said yes, or talk to your manager and suggest that Yusuf train Petra instead.

You are organizing a Halloween party for the children on your street, and two neighbours both want to host it: Fiona has offered her large heated garage, and Kwame has already bought decorations for his backyard. Choose ONE: talk to Fiona and explain why the party will be at Kwame's, or talk to Kwame and explain why it will be at Fiona's.

Your co-worker Lucien has been taking credit in meetings for a report the two of you wrote together, and your team leader Saoirse is about to choose someone for a new project based on that report. Choose ONE: talk to Lucien and ask him to correct the record, or talk to Saoirse and explain your part in the report.

Your roommate Esteban leaves the heat turned up high all day while you are both out, and the heating bill, which your landlord Henrietta pays, has gone up sharply. Henrietta has warned that she may raise the rent. Choose ONE: talk to Esteban and ask him to change his habits, or talk to Henrietta and suggest a solution such as a programmable thermostat.

Some people think that city residents should be allowed to keep a few chickens in their backyards for fresh eggs. Others worry about noise, smells and wild animals. What is your opinion? Explain your reasons.

Some people think that drivers over seventy-five should have to pass a driving test every two years to keep their licence. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your reasons.

Some people think cities should ban gas-powered leaf blowers in residential neighbourhoods because of the noise. Others say they save time for homeowners and landscapers. What is your opinion? Explain your reasons.

Is it better for a town to spend its recreation budget on one large modern sports complex or on several small neighbourhood parks? Give your opinion and explain your reasons.

Describe the unusual box you found at a garage sale to your friend Thaddeus, who collects old tools and is on the phone with you. It has a crank on one side, a row of tiny brass bells on top and a drawer that pops open whenever you turn the crank. Help him decide whether to buy it for his collection.

Describe the strange bicycle your neighbour built for winter riding to your cousin Leopold, who can't see it. It has a short ski instead of a front wheel, a small roof made of clear plastic and a wooden crate for a basket. Leopold has to decide whether to build one for himself.

Describe the odd new chair in your office's break room to your manager Ottilie, who is working from home today and has to decide whether to order more of them. It is shaped like a giant egg, rocks gently when you lean back and has a small bookshelf built into its side.

Describe the scarecrow on your neighbour's porch to your friend Cosimo, who lives in another city. It is made from a child's worn-out snowsuit stuffed with straw, with a pumpkin for a head, oven mitts for hands and a broom in its arms. Cosimo has to decide whether to make one like it for his school's fall fair.