CELPIP Writing Task 2 October 2026— 20 Survey Essays CLB 11–12 Responses

 CELPIP Writing Task 2 October 2026— 20 Survey Essays CLB 11–12 Responses 

1. Public Parking vs. Bike Lanes

Question:

A city has funding for either more public parking or more bike lanes. Which should it choose?

Sample Answer — Option B

Between expanding public parking and creating additional bike lanes, I firmly opt for the latter due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide residents with a safer and more economical way to travel short distances. This would result in fewer people depending on private vehicles for everyday journeys, particularly in congested areas. For instance, an employee living three kilometres from work could cycle safely to the office instead of driving during rush hour, saving both fuel and commuting time.

While additional parking spaces have their advantages, such as making driving more convenient, they are less impactful because they mainly benefit existing motorists. By contrast, my choice could encourage healthier and more sustainable travel, which would reduce pressure on busy roads and make commuting easier for a wider section of the population.

In conclusion, I would recommend investing in cycling infrastructure as it not only promotes affordable transportation but also contributes to a less congested urban environment.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

bike lanes → cycling infrastructure → dedicated cycle routes

more parking → additional parking spaces → expanded parking capacity

safe → secure → protected

reduce → lower → minimise

traffic → congestion → road pressure

benefit → advantage → positive impact

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2. After-Class Tutoring vs. Sports Facility

Question:

A school should either add more after-class tutoring or build a new sports facility. Which is better?

Sample Answer — Option A

Between providing additional after-school tutoring and constructing a new sports facility, I firmly opt for the former due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide students with targeted academic support. This would result in struggling learners receiving extra guidance instead of being left behind in regular lessons. For instance, a student preparing for board examinations or NEET could attend additional science sessions to clarify difficult concepts and practise examination questions under a teacher’s supervision.

While a new sports complex has its advantages, such as encouraging physical activity, it is less impactful because students can often participate in exercise using existing grounds and facilities. By contrast, my choice would directly address academic weaknesses, which could improve examination performance and increase students’ confidence in demanding subjects.

In conclusion, I would recommend expanding tutoring services as it not only strengthens academic performance but also provides personalised assistance to students who need it most.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

tutoring → academic support → additional instruction

sports facility → sports complex → athletic centre

students → learners → pupils

difficult → challenging → demanding

improve → strengthen → enhance

support → guidance → assistance

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3. Remote Work vs. On-Site Work

Question:

An office should either allow more remote work or keep everyone on-site. Which is better?

Sample Answer — Option A

Between allowing greater flexibility for working from home and keeping all employees at the workplace, I firmly opt for the former due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide employees with greater flexibility in managing their daily responsibilities. This would result in less commuting and more time being available for family, rest or productive work. For instance, an employee who normally spends two hours travelling each day could use that time to complete household responsibilities or begin work earlier.

While maintaining a fully office-based system has its advantages, such as easier face-to-face communication, it is less impactful because not every task requires physical presence. By contrast, my choice would allow employees to work independently when appropriate while still attending the workplace for essential meetings and collaborative activities.

In conclusion, I would recommend greater remote-working flexibility as it not only improves work-life balance but also makes employees’ time more efficient.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

remote work → working from home → flexible working

on-site → office-based → workplace-based

flexibility → freedom → adaptability

commuting → travelling to work → daily travel

productive → efficient → effective

balance → work-life balance → personal-professional balance

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4. Public Transport vs. Lower Taxes

Question:

A town should either improve public transport or lower local taxes. Which should it do first?

Sample Answer — Option A

Between upgrading public transportation and reducing local taxes, I firmly opt for the former due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide residents with more reliable and accessible travel. This would result in shorter waiting times and easier journeys for people travelling to workplaces, schools and medical centres. For instance, if buses operated more frequently during peak hours, commuters could reach their destinations without depending on private cars.

While lower taxes have their advantages, such as giving households slightly more disposable income, they are less impactful because the individual financial saving may be relatively modest. By contrast, my choice would create a public service that residents could use repeatedly, while also potentially reducing traffic congestion.

In conclusion, I would recommend improving the transport network as it not only makes daily travel more convenient but also provides a long-term benefit to the wider community.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

public transport → public transportation → transit network

improve → upgrade → enhance

lower taxes → reduce taxation → decrease local levies

reliable → dependable → consistent

commuters → daily travellers → passengers

convenient → practical → accessible

5. New Library vs. Renovated Park

Question:

A community should either build a new library or renovate the local park. Which is better?

Sample Answer — Option A

Between constructing a new library and renovating the existing community park, I firmly opt for the former due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide residents with educational and digital resources in one accessible location. This would result in students, job seekers and lifelong learners having a quiet place to study, use computers and access information. For instance, a university student without reliable internet at home could use the library to complete research assignments and attend online classes.

While renovating the park has its advantages, such as creating a more attractive recreational area, it is less impactful because residents may already have access to other outdoor spaces. By contrast, my choice would introduce specialised educational resources that are not easily available elsewhere and could benefit people of different age groups.

In conclusion, I would recommend building a library as it not only supports education but also creates a valuable community resource for years to come.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

library → learning centre → public library

park → recreational area → green space

resources → facilities → services

study → academic work → learning

residents → community members → local people

build → construct → establish

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6. Free Meals vs. Wellness Allowance

Question:

A company should either offer free meals or provide a monthly wellness allowance. Which is better?

Sample Answer — Option B

Between providing complimentary meals and introducing a monthly wellness allowance, I firmly opt for the latter due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide employees with greater freedom to address their individual wellbeing needs. This would result in workers being able to spend the allowance on activities that are personally useful, such as fitness classes, sports memberships or counselling services. For instance, an employee interested in swimming could use the benefit to join a local pool and attend regular sessions.

While complimentary meals have their advantages, such as reducing employees’ daily food expenses, they are less impactful because people have different dietary preferences and requirements. By contrast, my choice would give workers the freedom to select a benefit that genuinely suits their lifestyle.

In conclusion, I would recommend a wellness allowance as it not only supports individual wellbeing but also gives employees greater flexibility.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

free meals → complimentary meals → subsidised food

wellness → wellbeing → personal health

allowance → benefit → financial support

employees → workers → staff members

choice → flexibility → freedom

dietary preferences → food requirements → eating preferences

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7. Garbage Collection vs. Street Cleaning

Question:

Residents should either pay for better garbage collection or for more street cleaning. Which is more important?

Sample Answer — Option A

Between improving household waste collection and increasing street-cleaning services, I firmly opt for the former due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide a more reliable method of keeping residential areas hygienic. This would result in less rubbish accumulating outside homes, thereby reducing unpleasant smells, pests and potential sanitation problems. For instance, if waste were collected twice a week instead of once, overflowing bins would be far less common during hot weather.

While more frequent street cleaning has its advantages, such as making public areas look tidier, it is less impactful because it mainly addresses waste that has already reached the streets. By contrast, my choice would tackle household rubbish at its source and prevent accumulation before it becomes a wider problem.

In conclusion, I would recommend better waste collection as it not only improves cleanliness but also promotes healthier living conditions.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

garbage → household waste → rubbish

collection → removal → disposal service

street cleaning → street sweeping → public-area cleaning

clean → hygienic → sanitary

accumulation → build-up → gathering

problem → issue → concern

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8. Smaller Classes vs. New Technology

Question:

A university should either reduce class sizes or invest in new technology. Which is better?

Sample Answer — Option A

Between reducing the number of students in each class and purchasing new educational technology, I firmly opt for the former due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide learners with more individual attention from their instructors. This would result in teachers being able to identify weaknesses, answer questions thoroughly and provide more detailed feedback. For instance, in a smaller writing class, a lecturer could review each student’s essay and explain specific grammatical or organisational problems.

While advanced technology has its advantages, such as making lessons more interactive, it is less impactful because digital tools cannot fully replace meaningful teacher-student interaction. By contrast, my choice would improve the quality of classroom communication regardless of the subject being taught.

In conclusion, I would recommend smaller classes as they not only encourage personalised learning but also enable teachers to respond more effectively to individual needs.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

class size → number of students → group size

technology → digital tools → educational technology

attention → guidance → individual support

feedback → evaluation → constructive comments

interactive → engaging → participatory

replace → substitute → take the place of

9. CCTV Cameras vs. Security Patrols

Question:

A neighbourhood should either have more CCTV cameras or more security patrols. Which is better?

Sample Answer — Option B

Between installing additional CCTV cameras and increasing security patrols, I firmly opt for the latter due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide residents with a visible and immediate security presence. This would result in suspicious activity being addressed quickly rather than simply being recorded for later investigation. For instance, if a resident noticed someone behaving suspiciously near a residential building late at night, a nearby patrol officer could investigate and contact emergency services if necessary.

While surveillance cameras have their advantages, such as providing recorded evidence, they are less impactful because they cannot physically intervene during an incident. By contrast, my choice would allow trained personnel to respond directly to emergencies while also discouraging inappropriate behaviour through their visible presence.

In conclusion, I would recommend increasing security patrols as it not only strengthens immediate protection but also gives residents greater peace of mind.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

CCTV cameras → surveillance cameras → security monitoring systems

patrols → security rounds → mobile security teams

security → protection → public safety

visible → noticeable → clearly present

respond → intervene → take action

incident → event → emergency situation

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10. Affordable Housing vs. Shopping Areas

Question:

A city should either build more affordable housing or more shopping areas. Which should come first?

Sample Answer — Option A

Between developing reasonably priced housing and constructing additional shopping areas, I firmly opt for the former due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide families and lower-income residents with greater access to suitable accommodation. This would result in households spending a smaller proportion of their earnings on rent and having more money available for essential expenses. For instance, a young family could move into an affordable apartment and use the money saved on rent for childcare, education and groceries.

While new shopping centres have their advantages, such as creating employment and increasing consumer choice, they are less impactful because residents can generally travel to existing commercial areas. By contrast, my choice would address a basic necessity that directly affects people’s financial stability and quality of life.

In conclusion, I would recommend expanding affordable housing as it not only supports financial security but also helps create a more stable community.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

affordable housing → reasonably priced accommodation → low-cost homes

shopping areas → commercial centres → retail zones

build → develop → construct

income → earnings → household finances

essential → necessary → fundamental

stability → security → financial wellbeing

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11. Travel vs. Home Improvements

Question:

A family should either save money for travel or spend on home improvements. Which is better?

Sample Answer — Option B

Between saving money for a holiday and investing it in home improvements, I firmly opt for the latter due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide the household with greater comfort and potentially reduce future maintenance expenses. This would result in the property becoming more efficient, practical and valuable over time. For instance, a family could replace old windows with energy-efficient ones, which might reduce heating and cooling costs while making the house more comfortable throughout the year.

While travelling has its advantages, such as creating memorable experiences, it is less impactful because a holiday provides mainly temporary benefits. By contrast, my choice would produce improvements that the family could enjoy every day and potentially for many years.

In conclusion, I would recommend spending the money on home improvements as it not only enhances everyday comfort but also creates lasting financial and practical value.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

travel → holiday → trip

home improvements → renovations → property upgrades

comfort → convenience → living conditions

expenses → costs → expenditure

valuable → worthwhile → beneficial

lasting → long-term → enduring

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12. Longer Lunch Breaks vs. Shorter Workdays

Question:

A workplace should either give longer lunch breaks or shorter workdays. Which is better?

Sample Answer — Option B

Between extending lunch breaks and reducing the length of the working day, I firmly opt for the latter due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide employees with more meaningful personal time after completing their responsibilities. This would result in workers having greater opportunities to exercise, spend time with family or attend personal appointments. For instance, an employee with young children could finish work earlier and collect them from school instead of relying on expensive childcare.

While longer lunch breaks have their advantages, such as giving staff additional time to relax during the day, they are less impactful because employees still finish work at the same time. By contrast, my choice would extend the period available after work, which could substantially improve work-life balance.

In conclusion, I would recommend shorter working days as they not only provide greater personal freedom but also support a healthier balance between professional and family responsibilities.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

lunch break → midday break → meal break

shorter workday → reduced working hours → earlier finish

personal time → free time → private time

relax → unwind → recharge

responsibilities → commitments → obligations

work-life balance → professional-personal balance

13. Local Businesses vs. Chain Stores

Question:

A town should either support local businesses or attract large chain stores. Which is better?

Sample Answer — Option A

Between supporting independent businesses and attracting major retail chains, I firmly opt for the former due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide local entrepreneurs with greater opportunities to remain competitive. This would result in more money circulating within the community and could help preserve the unique character of the town. For instance, a local council could provide small grants to independent cafés to improve their premises and introduce online ordering services.

While large chain stores have their advantages, such as offering familiar products and creating employment, they are less impactful because a significant proportion of their profits may leave the local economy. By contrast, my choice would strengthen smaller enterprises that are directly connected to the community.

In conclusion, I would recommend supporting independent businesses as it not only strengthens the local economy but also preserves the distinct character of the area.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

local businesses → independent businesses → small enterprises

chain stores → major retailers → large commercial brands

support → assist → strengthen

money circulating → local spending → economic activity

character → identity → distinctiveness

profit → revenue → earnings

14. Smartphones in Class

Question:

A school should either ban smartphones during class or use them for learning. Which is better?

Sample Answer — Option B

Between prohibiting smartphones during lessons and using them as educational tools, I firmly opt for the latter due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide students with immediate access to useful learning resources. This would result in lessons becoming more interactive while allowing learners to research information, use educational applications and complete digital activities. For instance, during a science lesson, students could use their phones to research renewable-energy technologies and present their findings to the class.

While banning mobile devices has its advantages, such as reducing distractions, it is less impactful because students can still become distracted by other factors. By contrast, my choice would teach learners how to use technology responsibly while allowing teachers to control when and how devices are used.

In conclusion, I would recommend using smartphones selectively for education as it not only supports interactive learning but also develops responsible digital skills.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

ban → prohibit → restrict

smartphones → mobile devices → digital devices

learning → education → academic development

distraction → interruption → loss of concentration

use → employ → utilise

responsibly → appropriately → sensibly

15. Sports vs. Arts Programmes

Question:

A community should either invest in sports programs or arts programs for youth. Which is better?

Sample Answer — Option A

Between investing in athletic programmes and supporting arts activities for young people, I firmly opt for the former due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide teenagers with regular opportunities for physical activity and teamwork. This would result in healthier lifestyles while helping young people develop discipline, cooperation and perseverance. For instance, a community could organise affordable football training several evenings a week, allowing teenagers to improve their fitness while learning to work effectively as a team.

While arts programmes have their advantages, such as encouraging creativity and self-expression, they are less impactful because artistic activities can often be accessed through schools or online platforms. By contrast, organised sporting programmes require dedicated facilities, coaching and structured participation, which community investment can make more accessible.

In conclusion, I would recommend funding youth sports as it not only promotes physical wellbeing but also develops valuable social and personal skills.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

sports → athletics → physical activities

arts → creative activities → artistic programmes

youth → young people → teenagers

fitness → physical health → physical wellbeing

teamwork → cooperation → collaboration

discipline → self-control → commitment

16. More Staff vs. Automation

Question:

A company should either hire more staff or use more automation. Which is better?

Sample Answer — Option B

Between recruiting additional employees and expanding the use of automation, I firmly opt for the latter due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide businesses with faster and more consistent ways of handling repetitive tasks. This would result in existing employees being able to concentrate on responsibilities requiring creativity, judgement and personal interaction. For instance, a company could introduce software to process routine customer enquiries, allowing its staff to focus on complicated cases that require human assistance.

While hiring additional workers has its advantages, such as increasing the company's workforce, it is less impactful because salaries, benefits and training create continuing expenses. By contrast, my choice could improve efficiency over time while allowing employees to focus on higher-value responsibilities.

In conclusion, I would recommend greater use of automation as it not only improves operational efficiency but also allows human workers to concentrate on more complex tasks.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

hire → recruit → employ

staff → employees → workforce

automation → automated systems → digital automation

repetitive → routine → recurring

efficiency → productivity → operational effectiveness

complex → sophisticated → demanding

17. Green Spaces vs. More Roads

Question:

A city should either expand green spaces or build more roads. Which should it prioritise?

Sample Answer — Option A

Between expanding public green spaces and constructing additional roads, I firmly opt for the former due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide residents with healthier places for exercise and relaxation. This would result in people having greater opportunities to walk, spend time outdoors and enjoy a cleaner urban environment. For instance, an unused plot of land could be transformed into a park with trees, walking paths and a children's play area, giving families a safe place to spend their free time.

While additional roads have their advantages, such as temporarily easing traffic, they are less impactful because increased road capacity can encourage greater dependence on private vehicles. By contrast, my choice would improve the environment while providing recreational opportunities that residents could enjoy over many years.

In conclusion, I would recommend expanding green spaces as it not only enhances residents’ quality of life but also creates a healthier and more attractive urban environment.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

green spaces → parks → natural areas

roads → road infrastructure → additional routes

expand → enlarge → increase

environment → surroundings → urban ecosystem

recreation → leisure → outdoor activity

quality of life → living standards → overall wellbeing

18. Training vs. Higher Starting Salaries

Question:

A workplace should either offer more training or higher starting salaries. Which is better?

Sample Answer — Option A

Between providing additional professional training and offering higher starting salaries, I firmly opt for the former due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide employees with opportunities to develop valuable skills and progress professionally. This would result in workers becoming more capable while increasing their chances of taking on senior responsibilities in the future. For instance, a newly hired employee in a technology company could receive advanced software and project-management training and later qualify for a supervisory position.

While higher initial salaries have their advantages, such as making vacancies more attractive, they are less impactful because increased income does not necessarily improve an employee’s abilities. By contrast, my choice would strengthen professional competence and could benefit both the individual and the organisation over time.

In conclusion, I would recommend investing in employee development as it not only improves professional skills but also creates greater opportunities for long-term career growth.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

training → professional development → skills development

salary → pay → remuneration

skills → abilities → competencies

career growth → professional advancement → career progression

employee → worker → staff member

development → improvement → advancement

19. Emergency Services vs. Recreational Facilities

Question:

A municipality should either improve emergency services or recreational facilities. Which is more important?

Sample Answer — Option A

Between strengthening emergency services and developing recreational facilities, I firmly opt for the former due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide residents with faster assistance during serious emergencies. This would result in potentially shorter response times during medical crises, fires and accidents, when immediate intervention can be critical. For instance, establishing an additional ambulance station near a densely populated area could allow paramedics to reach patients considerably faster.

While recreational facilities have their advantages, such as encouraging exercise and social interaction, they are less impactful because residents can often use existing parks, gyms or sports centres. By contrast, my choice would provide an essential public service that cannot easily be replaced when an emergency occurs.

In conclusion, I would recommend improving emergency services as it not only strengthens public safety but also ensures that residents receive timely assistance when they need it most.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

emergency services → emergency response services → essential response teams

recreational facilities → leisure facilities → community amenities

improve → strengthen → upgrade

emergency → crisis → urgent situation

response → assistance → intervention

safety → protection → public security

20. Secure Bike Storage vs. Shared Seating Area

Question:

A building should either add secure bike storage or a shared seating area. Which is better?

Sample Answer — Option A

Between installing secure bicycle storage and creating a shared seating area, I firmly opt for the former due to its broader and lasting benefits.

To start with, it would provide residents with a safe place to leave their bicycles. This would result in greater confidence among people who cycle to work, shops or nearby facilities, as they would no longer need to worry about theft. For instance, a residential building could install a locked bicycle room where each resident has an assigned space for their vehicle.

While a communal seating area has its advantages, such as encouraging residents to socialise, it is less impactful because people can already meet in existing common areas or nearby public spaces. By contrast, my choice would address a specific practical problem and could encourage more residents to adopt cycling for short journeys.

In conclusion, I would recommend installing secure bicycle storage as it not only improves convenience and security but also encourages a more sustainable mode of transportation.

Synonyms / Useful vocabulary:

bike storage → bicycle storage → cycle parking

seating area → communal space → shared lounge area

secure → protected → safe

theft → stealing → property crime

convenience → practicality → ease of use

sustainable → environmentally friendly → low-impact