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Writing · W2

CELPIP survey example: choose a quiet break room

Follow a complete survey response that develops reasons and acknowledges a tradeoff.

By MockMaple · Updated

Try the prompt

A workplace can fund either a quiet break room or a weekly lunchtime activity programme. Choose one and explain why it would be more useful. Aim for about 150–200 words.

  • Both options use the same available budget.
  • Staff work different shifts.
  • The existing lunch area is often noisy.

Plan your approach

  1. Choose an option immediately.
  2. Explain a specific benefit and who can use it.
  3. Acknowledge the alternative and address a limitation of your choice.

Complete sample response

I would use the budget for a quiet break room. Our current lunch area is often noisy, so a second space would give staff a genuine choice about how to spend a break. The room would be especially useful after work that requires constant conversation. For example, someone finishing a long customer call could sit quietly for ten minutes before returning to the desk. That would not remove every source of stress, but it could make a demanding afternoon easier to manage. A permanent room would also serve people on different shifts. A weekly lunchtime activity might help colleagues get to know one another, yet staff working late would often miss it. Access to the room could continue whenever the workplace is open. The main drawback is that quiet breaks create fewer opportunities to socialize. I would therefore keep the existing lunch area available for conversation and set a clear no-calls rule only for the new room. This modest change would support different preferences without expecting everyone to relax in the same way.

173 words, counting space-separated words including the greeting and sign-off.

Why these choices work

A response or interpretation to improve

I choose a quiet room because quiet is good. People need it and everyone will like it. Activities are not good because some people do not like activities. A quiet room is better for the workplace and it will solve stress. It is my choice because there are many reasons. The company should do this soon.

quiet is good → someone finishing a long customer call could sit quietly for ten minutes

A concrete use case explains how the benefit would arise rather than repeating a general preference. Try this: Add a brief example showing who benefits and what they can do.

it will solve stress → That would not remove every source of stress

The revision limits an unsupported guarantee and considers a real drawback, making the recommendation more credible. Try this: Replace a guarantee with a proportionate claim, then address one disadvantage.

Vocabulary in context

tradeoff

A benefit gained while accepting a disadvantage.

The tradeoff is fewer opportunities to socialize.

Choose the right alternative: Drawback names the disadvantage alone; tradeoff describes the competing considerations.

Usage note: Do not use tradeoff as a synonym for a problem with no corresponding benefit.

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 finishing a long customer call could sit quietly for ten minutes

  • 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

A workplace can fund either secure bicycle storage or a monthly taxi allowance for late shifts. Choose one, develop two reasons and address one drawback.

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

  • Does each paragraph contribute a different reason rather than repeat the choice?
  • 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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