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Speaking · S7

CELPIP Speaking Task 7: an opinion with a practical example

Support an opinion about shared tools and address a realistic drawback.

By MockMaple · Updated

Try the prompt

Do you think apartment buildings should provide a shared tool cupboard? Explain your opinion with reasons and an example.

  • Consider both occasional access and responsibility for shared tools.
  • There is no single required opinion.

Plan your approach

  1. State your position and any condition.
  2. Explain one benefit with a concrete example.
  3. Address responsibility and return to the recommendation.

Complete sample response

Synthetic reading of the complete sample response. This short teaching example is not a full timed test performance.

I think a shared tool cupboard would be useful if the building also sets clear borrowing rules. Many residents need a drill or a small toolkit only a few times a year. For example, someone putting up a shelf could borrow a drill for the afternoon instead of buying one that then takes up space in a cupboard. However, shared equipment needs care. I would ask residents to record what they borrow and report damage before the next person uses it. The building should also keep instructions with each tool and decide who checks returns. With those arrangements, sharing could reduce unnecessary purchases without leaving responsibility unclear.

Why these choices work

A response or interpretation to improve

Yes, buildings should have tools. It is good for everyone. People need tools and tools are useful. There are no problems because sharing is good. I agree with the idea very much.

tools are useful → someone putting up a shelf could borrow a drill for the afternoon

A practical example explains a particular benefit instead of restating usefulness. Try this: After giving a reason, add a short example that demonstrates it.

There are no problems → shared equipment needs care

Acknowledging a foreseeable limitation makes room for a useful safeguard. Try this: Identify one likely problem and explain how your preferred policy would handle it.

Vocabulary in context

take responsibility for

Accept a duty to manage something or its consequences.

A volunteer could take responsibility for checking returns.

Choose the right alternative: Be responsible for describes the duty; take responsibility for emphasizes accepting it.

Usage note: Use for followed by a noun or an -ing form: responsible for checking.

Explore vocabulary, synonyms and idioms

Check your understanding

Choose an answer to see the evidence and an explanation for every option. These checks are not a proficiency score.

1. Which revision best follows the lesson’s approach?
All answers and explanations

Which revision best follows the lesson’s approach?

Answer: Add a relevant detail that helps the listener or reader act.

Evidence: someone putting up a shelf could borrow a drill for the afternoon

  • Add a relevant detail that helps the listener or reader act.: A relevant detail develops the message and serves the audience.
  • Replace every ordinary word with an unfamiliar synonym.: Unfamiliar wording can obscure meaning; precision matters more than rarity.
  • Promise that the suggested solution will work for everyone.: The information does not support a universal guarantee.

Try a new situation

Should an apartment building provide a shared bookshelf? Give a position, one concrete benefit and one rule that addresses a likely problem.

Use your own notes or voice recorder, then check your work:

  • Would your example still support the reason if the final sentence were removed?
  • Identify one specific detail that supports your main message.
  • Revise one vague expression without changing your meaning.
Apply this in free practice

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