What Task 2 actually is
Most test-takers prepare heavily for Task 1, then get caught off guard by Task 2.
In Task 2, you're not giving advice to a neutral listener. You're speaking directly to a person — a coworker, a neighbor, a friend — who has a specific situation. The prompt tells you who they are and what's going on. Your job is to respond to them, not just talk at them.
That distinction matters. The examiners are listening for conversational fluency: natural tone, direct engagement, and the ability to address someone's real-life situation without sounding like you're reciting a script.
The format: what to expect
You get 30 seconds of preparation time and 60 seconds to respond.
The prompt gives you a short scenario — usually a few sentences describing who the person is and what they're dealing with. You speak as if you're talking to that person face-to-face.
A typical prompt looks like this:
A coworker named Alex tells you he's been struggling to finish his work on time. He feels overwhelmed and is thinking about asking his manager for help but isn't sure if it's a good idea. Talk to Alex directly about his situation and give him your thoughts.
Notice what the prompt is doing: it gives you a character, a dilemma, and a decision point. Your response needs to address all three.
A model response
Alex, I totally get why you're feeling that way — it happens to most of us at some point. I think talking to your manager is actually a good move. It shows you're aware of the problem and you want to fix it, which most managers respect. If I were you, I'd keep it short and solution-focused: tell them what's backed up, what you need, and what you're already doing to catch up. Managers respond better to "here's the situation and here's my plan" than just "I'm overwhelmed." And honestly, waiting too long usually makes it worse. You've got this — just go in prepared.
That's roughly 90 words spoken at a natural pace — well within the 60-second window. Count the moves: empathy, clear opinion, concrete advice, a reframe, and an encouraging close. That's all you need.
Common mistakes
Forgetting to address the person directly. The task is called "Talking to a Person" for a reason. If you never use their name or say "you," your response sounds like a monologue, not a conversation.
Restating the prompt for too long. Some test-takers spend the first 20 seconds summarizing the scenario back. The examiner already knows it. Jump straight into your response.
Giving vague advice. "Just try your best" or "I think you should do what feels right" won't score well. The task rewards specific, actionable input.
Over-explaining. You don't need three reasons and two examples. One solid point, well-developed, beats three half-finished ideas.
Sounding stiff or formal. This isn't an essay. If you speak like you're writing an email to a professor, the conversational fluency score suffers. Use contractions. Use natural phrases. Talk like you'd actually talk.
Timing strategy
The 60-second window is more than enough if you have a clear structure. Here's how to use it:
- 0–10 seconds: Acknowledge the person's situation (empathy or direct reaction)
- 10–40 seconds: Give your main point — your opinion, advice, or suggestion — with one supporting reason or example
- 40–60 seconds: Close it out — a reframe, encouragement, or a call to action for them
You don't need to fill every second. A clean 45-second response is better than 60 seconds of filler.
Prep time: what to actually do
During the 30-second prep, jot down:
- What's the core issue? (one phrase)
- What's your main take? (opinion or advice in one sentence)
- One concrete detail that supports it
That's it. Don't try to write a full script. You'll end up reading instead of talking.
What separates a 9 from a 6
High-scoring responses feel like real conversations. The speaker sounds like they actually care about the person they're talking to. They don't hedge everything or speak in abstract generalities.
Low-scoring responses feel like the test-taker is just checking boxes — addressing the prompt technically but never connecting to the person in front of them.
That's the gap. Practice filling it.
For the complete breakdown of all eight tasks, scoring criteria, and what examiners actually look for, read the CELPIP speaking practice complete guide. If you want to sharpen the structure side of your responses, the Task 1 strategy guide has a four-part scaffold that works here too.
The fastest way to improve is to hear yourself. Use CELPIP Speaking Coach to record your Task 2 responses, get instant feedback, and track your progress across all eight tasks.
Practice what you just learned
Open the app and record one response using these ideas.