How long do I speak in Task 2?

60 seconds, after 30 seconds of preparation. The timer cuts the recording when time ends.

Does the story have to be true?

No one checks. It has to be specific and consistent. A prepared real story is usually easier to tell than an invented one.

What tense should I use?

Mainly the past simple, with past continuous for background. Keep the tense consistent through the story.

Everyday life: trips, celebrations, work or study moments, times you helped or were helped, things you learned. No specialist knowledge is needed.

Is Task 2 practice free?

The Test 1 prompt is free with a sample answer, and a free account gives 3 AI feedback recordings a day. Tests 2 to 50 come with a plan.

CELPIP Speaking · Task 2 of 8

CELPIP Speaking Task 2: Talking about a Personal Experience

Task 2 asks you to tell a short story from your own life: a time you helped someone, a memorable trip, a mistake you learned from. You get 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak. The story does not have to be true, but it has to sound specific.

Prepare

30 s

Speak

60 s

Recorded by

You, recorded through your microphone

Practice items

One prompt asking you to talk about something that happened to you. 30 seconds to prepare, 60 seconds to speak.

What this task tests

Talking about a Personal Experience

A strong answer has a beginning, a middle and an end, uses the past tense consistently, and finishes with why the experience mattered. The task is scored on Content and Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability, and Task Fulfillment.

Celpify's free Test 1 item for Task 2 includes the prompt, the timers, a sample answer with a four-trait commentary, and AI feedback on your recording scored the way the real test does.

The trap

Generic stories score low on Content because they contain no detail: 'I went on a trip and it was nice.' One named place, one named person and one specific thing that went wrong or right turn a generic story into a scored one.

Try it free

The Test 1 task is open to everyone.

Test 1 · Free

First Day at Work

1 min · answers and explanations included

Start Test 1 free

All 50 Personal Experience practice items

One item per test, from Test 1 to Test 50. Test 1 is free; the rest come with a plan.

Test 1First Day at Work1 minFree
Test 2Helping a Stranger1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 3Learning a New Skill1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 4Overcoming a Health Challenge1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 5Memorable Travel Experience1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 6Cultural Misunderstanding Abroad1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 7Standing Up for Someone1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 8Learning from Failure1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 9A Perspective-Changing Encounter1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 10Adapting to Major Change1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 11Nervous Public Speaking1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 12Kindness From a Stranger1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 13Trying Unfamiliar Cuisine1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 14A Time You Got Lost1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 15Impossible Accomplishment1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 16Small Decision Big Outcome1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 17Unlikely Hobby Friendship1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 18Quick Adaptation Moment1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 19Overcoming a Specific Fear1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 20Returning to a Changed Place1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 21Kindness From a Stranger1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 22Technology Failed at Worst Moment1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 23Saying Yes Almost Said No1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 24Trying Unfamiliar Cuisine1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 25Getting Lost Turned Positive1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 26Realizing Outgrew a Friendship1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 27Stepping Outside Comfort Zone1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 28Witnessed Generosity from Someone1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 29Funny Misunderstanding Memory1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 30Decision Under Pressure1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 31Teaching a Skill and Learning One1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 32Fixing Something Myself1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 33Recognition That Meant a Lot1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 34Reconnecting With an Old Friend1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 35A Conversation That Changed My Mind1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 36Finishing a Demanding Project1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 37An Unexpected Celebration1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 38Volunteering for the Community1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 39A Team That Clicked1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 40A Memorable Day in Nature1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 41A Gift That Made Someone Happy1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 42Organizing an Event1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 43A Meal That Brought People Together1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 44A Lesson From an Older Neighbour1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 45Moving to a New Home1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 46A Habit That Stuck1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 47Unexpected Good News1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 48When Patience Paid Off1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 49A Discovery in My Own City1 minIncluded in a plan
Test 50A Friendly Competition1 minIncluded in a plan

How to score higher on Task 2

Pick the first experience that comes to mind and commit. The 30 seconds are for structure, not for choosing.
Plan three moments: what happened first, what changed, how it ended. Say them in order.
Use past tenses and time words such as 'last summer', 'after that', 'in the end' to hold the story together.
Close with one sentence about what the experience meant to you. It signals the end and it is easy to say.

Scored on four traits: Content and Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability, Task Fulfillment. Celpify's AI feedback scores the same four traits the way the real test does.

Read the CELPIP Speaking guide for this task and the Speaking score chart.

Task 2 questions people ask

How long do I speak in Task 2?: 60 seconds, after 30 seconds of preparation. The timer cuts the recording when time ends.
Does the story have to be true?: No one checks. It has to be specific and consistent. A prepared real story is usually easier to tell than an invented one.
What tense should I use?: Mainly the past simple, with past continuous for background. Keep the tense consistent through the story.
What topics come up?: Everyday life: trips, celebrations, work or study moments, times you helped or were helped, things you learned. No specialist knowledge is needed.
Is Task 2 practice free?: The Test 1 prompt is free with a sample answer, and a free account gives 3 AI feedback recordings a day. Tests 2 to 50 come with a plan.