CELPIP Vocabulary

Mad English TV

Copyright © 2021 Mad English TV All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-9995415-6-9

Dear Friends,
Welcome to my CELPIP book! Thank you so much for buying my
book and supporting my work! :)
The easiest way to increase your score is to use better words,
phrases, and sentences. In this book, we will look at 20
topics, and I will teach you more than 100 sentences that will
help you on the exam. Try to memorize the words and phrases
along with the topic I listed them under.
You need to prove to the CELPIP evaluators that your English
is good, so you need to use words and phrases that match the
context in the question. This is called “context-specific
vocabulary”. For example, if you’re talking about kittens, you
should use words like “fluffy” or “adorable”. You should not
use words like “nice” or “beautiful”. This book will help you
match different topics with the perfect vocabulary.
You will see four colours in this book:
■ TOPIC
■ TIPS VOCABULARY
■ EXAMPLES

Storytelling
Speaking Task 2 on the exam will ask you about a personal
experience that you had in the past. Also, in Task 1 (giving
advice) and Task 7 (giving an opinion) it is a good idea to
use your personal experiences as examples to defend your
points.

So, back in the day,

So, back in the day, my brother and I were really into
fishing. One time when we were out on the lake.
So, back in the day, my cousin and I were really into cooking.
Every time we saw each other we.
So, back in the day, my family went camping every summer. One
time we went to.
“Back in the day” is common way to start a story. It means “a
long time ago”.
“Into cooking” means “interested in cooking”.

Far and away

That was far and away the best time we ever had as a family.
That was far and away the strangest thing we ever cooked!
That was far and away the scariest experience of my life.
“Far and away” is an idiom that means “by far”. It’s good to
use this idiom to talk about your experiences in the past.

Long story short

Anyway, long story short, we made it back home safe and sound.
Anyway, long story short, we learned a valuable lesson about
cooking seafood.
“Long story short” is a good way to end your story. It means
you’re deciding not to talk about all the details in a story.

In one’s element
Every time we went camping, we were in our element.
Whenever we went fishing, my brother was in his element.
When I was volunteering at an orphanage, I was in my element.
“In one’s element” means that a person is good at doing
something and really enjoys it.

Took a toll on
Working two jobs really took a toll on my health.
That experience took a toll on me emotionally.
“Took a toll on” means it made you very tired. This is a
perfect idiom to use if the question asks about something
negative.

Giving Advice
Speaking Task 1 on the exam is about giving advice. Also, you
might need to give advice in the writing part. Try to use this
vocabulary anywhere you think it will fit.

Take with a grain of salt

To be honest, John, I’m not an expert on cars. so you might
want to take my advice with a grain of salt, but I think you
should buy a Toyota.
If you don’t know much about the topic in the question, it’s
okay to be honest about it. “Take with a grain of salt” means
that your advice might not be right, so the person shouldn’t
take it too seriously.

Cross that bridge when you get to it

Don’t worry about the resale value of the car. You can cross
that bridge when you get to it.
Just focus on your first year of school. Don’t worry about how
you’ll pay for next year. You can cross that bridge when you
get to it.
This is a perfect idiom for giving advice. Think about a
future challenge, then say, “Don’t worry
about___________; you can cross that bridge when you
get to it.”

Bite off more than you can chew

Buying a new car would be nice, but can you afford the
payments for five years? Don’t bite off more than you can
chew.
Amy, I don’t think you should take six classes this semester.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
“Bite off more than you can chew” means to take on too much
responsibility. This is a good idiom to use if you want to
help someone avoid future stress (e.g., lower cost helps avoid
stress, fewer classes helps avoid stress, less commitment
helps avoid stress, etc.).
Sleep on it
You don’t have to decide today. Just sleep on it and see how
you feel in the morning.
Jen, this is a big decision, so I think you should sleep on
it.
“Sleep on it” means to delay the decision until tomorrow.

My two cents
Anyway, that’s my two cents. Let me know what you decide!
Alright Jack, that’s my two cents. Hope it helps!
Hi Lia, I’m just calling to talk about your upcoming decision.
I’ll give you my two cents and you can tell me what you think.
“My two cents” means your advice or opinion. This is an
informal idiom and is typically used between friends or
family.

Giving an Opinion
Speaking Task 7 will ask for your opinion. It will probably be
a more serious topic than the previous tasks, so you should
use more professional-sounding vocabulary. For example, the
question might ask you what you think about a government
policy or a social issue. Writing Task 2 will also ask you for
your opinion. The following words will help you anytime you
want to give your opinion in a spoken or written answer.

My rationale
I believe governments should invest more into low-income
housing. My rationale for holding this view is that.
“Rationale” is a fancy way to say “reason”.
When you answer the question, first state your opinion, then
provide your rationale.
1. State your opinion
2. Say, “my rationale for holding this view is.”
3. Give your first reason
4. Give your second reason

Ramification
If the government moves forward with this law, it will have
long-term ramifications on businesses across Canada.
Not only will this policy hurt the oil and ga sector, but it
will have wider ramifications a well.
“Ramification” means a consequence or result of a decision or
plan. We usually use this word to talk about negative things.
For example, if you want to talk about a bad policy or a bad
plan, you should use this word. We don’t use this word much in
casual speaking or writing.
Contentious
I know this is a contentious issue, but my belief is that...
If an issue is “contentious”, it means that people disagree or
argue about it. You should use this word anytime you think the
topic is controversial.

In my humble opinion,
In my humble opinion, it would be better to wait till next
year to buy a new laptop.
In my humble opinion, buying new vehicles is a waste of money.
In my humble opinion, you should take a year off to travel
instead of going to university.
The reason we sometimes add the word “humble” is because it
shows humility. Maybe you’re not 100% sure what the best
decision is. This is a good idiom to use in casual speaking
and writing.

Not my cup of tea

To be honest, horror movies aren’t really my cup of tea.
Playing sports isn’t my cup of tea.
“Not my cup of tea” is a nice way to say that you don’t like
something. This is good idiom to use in casual speaking or
writing.

Comparing/Persuading
There’s a difference between giving advice, giving an opinion,
and persuading someone to do something.
• Giving advice = giving a recommendation
• Giving an opinion = talking about what you believe
and why you believe that
• Persuading = trying to convince someone to do something
(You can use the same vocabulary for each one, but try to
think about which words and phrases will best match the
question.)

Pay off down the line

Buying a new car will cost more up front, but it will pay off
down the line.
Getting a degree is hard work, but it will pay off down the
line.
Living close to a school will pay off down the line when you
have a family.
“Pay off” means that a good result will come. “Down the line”
means in the future.
On the fence
If you stay on the fence, you’ll miss this great opportunity.
This sale only lasts till Friday, so don’t stay on the fence!
I’m on the fence about whether I should travel this summer or
not.
“On the fence” means that you are undecided about something.
If you are trying to persuade someone, then you should tell
them to NOT stay on the fence.

Mark my words
This house will double in value by next year. Mark my words.
Your wife will love this gift. Mark my words!
If the government raises taxes, the economy will crash. Mark
my words.
“Mark my words” means “I’m sure about this, so remember my
words”.

No time like the present

There’s no time like the present to start working toward your
fitness goals.
If your dream is to take up birdwatching, there’s no time like
the present to buy a new camera!
I think you should take this opportunity to travel. There’s no
time like the present!
“No time like the present” means you should do something right
now. Why wait any longer?
The best time to start is now!

Don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers

Peter, this is a really great opportunity. Don’t let it slip
through your fingers.
If Uncle Bill is offering to pay for your trip, don’t let this
opportunity slip through your fingers!
This idiom means “Don’t lose this chance!”

Making Predictions
In Speaking Task 4, you will see a picture and make
predictions about what you think will happen. You can also
make predictions on other speaking or writing tasks. Anytime
you’re talking about the future, you’re making predictions
because nobody knows what the future holds.

A likely scenario is that

A likely scenario is that the two boys in the bottom right
corner will get into a fight.
A likely scenario is that prices will increase if minimum wage
increases.
A likely scenario is that other passengers will start giving
her dirty looks because her baby is screaming. (dirty looks =
people looking angry)
This is a good way to start a prediction. You could use it as
the first or second sentence in your prediction. For example,
you could say, “I think the boys will start fighting. A likely
scenario is that the store manager will come and try to
resolve the issue.”

Stick out like a sore thumb

The woman who dropped her groceries will get really
embarrassed because she sticks out like a sore thumb.
Everyone is going start laughing at the man because his wig
blew away in the wind. Now he sticks out like a sore thumb.
(wig = fake hair)
The boy in the middle of the picture sticks out like a sore
thumb because he is standing on his head.
“Stick out like a sore thumb” means everybody notices you
because you’re doing something different from everyone else.

Get out of hand

I think the passengers will start arguing with the customer
service agent because their flight has been canceled. Things
could get out of hand.
If they don’t show some respect for each other, the situation
could really get out of hand.
It looks like the dogs might start fighting and the situation
could get out of hand.
“Get out of hand” means that a situation becomes chaotic. You
should use this idiom if you think a fight or an argument will
start.

I wouldn’t be surprised if
I wouldn’t be surprised if the boat sinks because there are so
many people on it.
If the school implements this policy, I wouldn’t be surprised
if some parents pull their kids out of school.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the police show up to break up the
party.
You should use this idiom if you’re not sure what the
probability of an action is. Don’t use this idiom if you know
the probability. For example, if a criminal steals a woman’s
purse, you know she will probably call the police. In that
case, don’t use this idiom. But if two dogs are barking at
each other, you don’t know whether they will start fighting or
not. In that case, it would be good to use this idiom.

Play out
Alright, so this is what I think will play out in the scene:
the girl in the upper left corner of the picture will.
Anyway, those are some things I think will
play out in this scene. (This would be a good way to end
Speaking Task 4.)
Here’s what I think will play out: the
zookeeper will frantically run after the zebras
and try to get them back in their cage. (frantically =
anxiously/desperately)
Amy, if you don’t go to school now, here’s what I think will
play out: you’ll get a job, start buying things you don’t
need, then in a few years, you’ll feel like it’s too late to
go to school.
I “Play out” means what will happen. This is a good phrasal
verb to use in casual speaking and writing. In formal speaking
or writing, it would be better to say “unfold”. For example:
“If the government implements this policy, I think several
things will unfold: First,.”

Difficult Situation
In Speaking Task 6, you will need to make a difficult phone
call. For example, maybe you need to call your best friend and
explain why you can’t attend her wedding. What are you going
to say? You need to use the right words and phrases to make
her feel like you tried your hardest to find a way to be at
her wedding.

In a real jam
Hi Beth, I hate to call you about this, but I’m in a real jam.
Remember I told you about my upcoming exam? Well, the date got
changed to the day of your
wedding!
Hi Uncle Bob, I’m just calling about our camping trip this
weekend. I’m in a real jam here because my boss has asked me
to work this weekend. If I say no to him, I’ll lose my job.
“In a real jam” means you’re in a very difficult situation. If
the situation is not too bad, you can say “in a bit of a jam”.

At my wit’s end
I’ve tried so hard to find a way around this, Beth. I’m at my
wit’s end.
I already asked my boss if I could take the weekend off and he
said “no”. I’m really sorry about this Uncle Bob. I’m at my
wit’s end here.
“At my wit’s end” means you tried so hard to find a way
through this situation but you can’t find a way.

Between a rock and a hard place

Jack, I’m between a rock and a hard place right now. My
baseball team has a game out of town this weekend, but my boss
just called and said I have to work on Saturday.
I have two commitments next weekend, and I don’t know what I’m
going to do. I’m between a rock and a hard place.
“Between a rock and a hard place” means that you are stuck in
a position where the outcome will probably be bad no matter
what you choose. If you say no to your boss, you might lose
your job. If you say no to your team, you might get kicked off
the team. Another way to say this is, “I’m in a dilemma”.

Racking my brain
Beth, I’ve been racking my brain trying to think of a way
around this dilemma.
I don’t know what to do. I’m racking my brain but can’t think
of a solution.
“Racking my brain” means you are trying very hard to think of
a solution to a problem.

Hang in there
I know this is a hard situation for you, John. Just hang in
there and everything will be better soon.
Dear Mia,
I’m really sorry to hear that you’re sick. I had the exact
same thing last year. I got better in less than two weeks, so
I’m sure you’ll be on your feet soon. Hang in there!
Love,
Gwen

“Hang in there” is a casual way to say, “Be patient and keep

fighting through this difficult situation.” It’s a great way
to end an informal speaking or writing task when you’re
talking to a person who has a problem.

Education
Broaden your horizons
Frank, before you settle down into a career, I think you
should travel for a year to broaden your
horizons.
I decided to take some general courses in my first year of
university to broaden my horizons a bit.
I think it’s a good idea for kids to broaden their horizons
after they graduate from high school.
“Broaden your horizons” means to expand your range of
knowledge. If you want to learn new things or experience new
things, you can say, “I want to broaden my horizons.”

Pay dividends
Getting a master’s degree is hard work but it will pay
dividends in the future.
I studied really hard in college and now my hard work is
paying dividends.
Eating healthy food will pay dividends later on in your life.
“Pay dividends” means that you will get benefit from
something.

Gruelling
Getting my PhD was a gruelling experience for me. I barely
slept at all for two years.
The flight from Singapore to New York was more gruelling than
I expected.
Some of my accounting classes were gruelling. I hope I never
have to go through that pain again!
“Gruelling” means extremely difficult.

Crank out a paper

I had to crank out so many papers when I was studying
psychology.
If you don’t mind doing research and cranking out papers, I
think you should go for a master’s degree.
“Crank out a paper” means to write an essay/paper.

Ace / Bomb
Jess, just study hard and you’ll ace your exam. Remember what
I always tell you, “Try your best, and forget the rest.”
I was so nervous to give a speech in front of my class, but I
aced it.
I’m so proud of my son this month because he aced his
interview with Fedex.
I’m so disappointed that I bombed my final exam.
If you don’t practice your driving, you’re going to bomb your
driving test.
I bombed my first CELPIP test, but I didn’t give up. The next
time I got 12 in all categories!
“Ace” means to do a great job on a test, interview,
presentation, etc. “Bomb” means the opposite. These terms are
very informal, so you should only use them if you’re talking
to your family or friends.

Government / Politics
Implement
The provincial government implemented new policies around mask
wearing.
Although the new law has been approved, it will not be
implemented until next year.
I think the government should implement tougher laws around
drunk driving.
“Implement” means to come into effect. This word is almost
always used to talk about plans, laws, or policies.

Under fire
The president is under fire for inciting violence.
The government is under fire for mishandling the vaccine
rollout.
The CEO came under fire for sexual misconduct. “Under fire”
means to get criticized.

Time will tell

Time will tell if it’s a good policy or not.
Some people think it was a bad idea to legalize marijuana. I
guess time will tell.
The government is implementing a new plan to eradicate
homelessness by 2030. Only time will tell if it works out.
“Time will tell” means we have to wait and see what happens.
Very often the government is confident about something, but
nothing good happens. So this is a good phrase to use any time
you’re talking about a government.

In hot water
The president is in hot water over his comments.
The government is in hot water over the financial crisis.
The CEO is in hot water over his bad decision.
“In hot water” means the same thing as “under fire”. The
difference is that we say “under fire for” and “in hot water
over”. Politicians are always in hot water.

Cut corners / Vested interest

The government wants the new highway to be finished by the
next election, so they’re cutting corners.
It’s not a good idea to cut corners in life. It might help you
in the short term, but it will hurt you in the long term.
Many companies offer stock options to their employees in order
to give their workers a vested interest in the success of the
company.
Trudeau doesn’t have a vested interest in Alberta because
knows he doesn’t need to get any votes from the province to
win the election.
“Cut corners” means to sacrifice quality in order to complete
a project as quickly and easily as you can. Government workers
often care more about quick results than about good quality.
If you have a “vested interest” in something, it means you
really care about it. For example, if your kids go to a
school, you have a vested interest in that school. You want
the school to offer good education and safe food for your
kids. You don’t care about other schools because your kids
don’t go to those schools.

Business
In the ballpark
The CEO’s net worth is somewhere in the ballpark of $15
million.
I can’t remember the exact price of the house. It’s somewhere
in the ballpark of $300,000.
I told my coworker that I want to buy a car for $3000. He
offered to sell me his BMW for $15,000. He wasn’t even in the
ballpark.
“In the ballpark” means “approximately” or “close to a certain
number”. This is a good idiom to use for both formal and
informal speaking or writing. Try to use this idiom if you
have to talk about money.

Asset / Liability
Our restaurant has always been our family’s biggest asset, but
during the pandemic, it has been a big liability because we
still have to pay all the property fees even though the
government is forcing us to stay closed.
Fred, don’t buy a new car while you’re in school.
It will just be a liability for you. If you don’t get a job
when you graduate, how will you make the payments?
I would recommend studying Chinese. It will be an asset for
you for the rest of your life.
“Asset” means a good thing that helps you make money.
“Liability” means a bad thing that takes away your money.

Capital
At the moment, we don’t have enough capital to expand our
business.
I’m going to sell half my business to free up some capital.
The CEO is hoping that the new product will generate $100,000
capital for the company.
“Capital” is just a fancy way to say “money”. Use this word if
you’re talking about business-related activities. It’s okay to
use this word for informal situations as well.

Incentive
If people get free money from the government, they have no
incentive to work.
The bank is offering a free iPad to anyone who signs up for an
investment account. That sounds like a good incentive to me!
The salesman was trying to sell me a new phone plan where I
can make international calls, but I told him I don’t have any
friends overseas, so what incentive would I have to spend more
money on that plan?
“Incentive” means something that motivates you do do
something. If you have no incentive, it means you have to
motivation to do something.

Gamble
Opening a new restaurant during the pandemic would be a
gamble, because what if the economy stays shut down for a few
more years?
Eat fresh food. Don’t gamble with your health. “Gamble” means
“risk”. It can be a noun or a verb.

Environment / Scene
In Speaking Task 3, you will need to describe a scene. You
should use as many descriptive words as you can. For example,
if there are lots of people on a beach, you should say, “This
is a picture of a crowded beach.”

Festive
This is a picture of a festive outdoor market.
It looks like everyone in the picture is feeling festive.
The family is in a festive mood because they’re setting up
their Christmas tree.
I’m not a very festive person. I rarely put up decorations for
Christmas or Halloween.
“Festive” means that people are celebrating a holiday like
Christmas or Easter. You can describe the picture as a
“festive atmosphere” or “festive scene”. For people, you can
say, “She is feeling festive” or “She is in a festive mood”.

Crowded
I usually don’t go to touristy places when I travel because
they’re always so crowded.
This is a picture of a crowded shopping mall.
I’m guessing it must be a holiday because the park is so
crowded.
“Crowded” means that there are a lot of people.

Tranquil
I love going to the mountains because there’s such a tranquil
atmosphere there.
This is a picture of a tranquil lake in the forest.
Sometimes I escape to the library for a few minutes because
it’s so tranquil in there compared to the rest of the campus.
“Tranquil” means quiet and peaceful. The word “tranquilizer”
means medicine that makes a human or animal relaxed and
sleepy. If an animal escapes from the zoo, the zookeeper will
come and shoot it with a tranquilizer gun to put the animal to
sleep.

Atmosphere
I would recommend going to the Greek restaurant on 8th street.
It has a really nice atmosphere.
This is a picture of an outdoor concert with a festive
atmosphere.
I don’t like that bar because it has a dingy atmosphere.
(dingy = dark, dirty, cheap)
“Atmosphere” means the feeling of a place.

Vibe
I would recommend going to the Greek restaurant on 8th street.
It has a really nice vibe.
This is a picture of an outdoor concert with a festive vibe.
I don’t like that bar because it has a dingy vibe.
“Vibe” means the same as “atmosphere” except it is more
informal. If you’re talking to family or friends, you should
use “vibe”. If the situation is more formal, use the word
“atmosphere”.

Family / Friends
On the same page
My friends are all on the same page about where to go camping
this weekend.
Katie, the only relationship advice I have for you is to make
sure you’re on the same page with him before getting married.
My job is really frustrating at the moment because none of the
managers are on the same page.
“On the same page” means that people agree about something.

Have a soft spot for something

My wife has a soft spot for ice cream.
I think Brian has a soft spot for me. I hope he asks me out
soon!
“Have a soft spot” means that you like something or someone a
lot. This idiom is most commonly used with food or people.

Give it a shot
Mike: I wonder what would happen if I ate a teaspoonful of
wasabi.
Pete: Give it a shot!
When I started my business, I didn’t know what I was doing,
but I gave it a shot.
My grandpa didn’t know how to use a cellphone, but I’m proud
of him for giving it a shot!
“Give it a shot” means just try it. We use this idiom when we
don’t know how to do something or don’t know what the outcome
will be.

Get on my nerves
Whenever my family goes on a road trip, my sister always gets
on my nerves.
I hate driving in traffic. It really gets on my nerves.
When people chew with their mouth open, it really gets on my
nerves.
My neighbour’s dog always gets on my nerves.
When I was in high school, I always got on my teachers’ nerves
for talking in class.
“Get on my nerves” means that something annoys you. This is a
great idiom to use when you’re talking to your family or
friends, or if you’re telling a story about your childhood.

Do something at the drop of a hat

My family is always ready to go camping at the drop of a hat!
Gwen loves baking. Just ask her to bake you some cookies, and
she’ll do it at the drop of a hat!
If you need any help, just call me. I’ll come at the drop of a
hat!
My grandpa loves to go out for coffee. He’s always ready to go
at the drop of a hat!
If you do something at the drop of a hat, it means that you do
it immediately without any planning. When people really enjoy
doing something, they don’t need any reason to do it. For
example, if you like fishing, you will say “yes” right away if
your friend asks you to go fishing with him. You don’t need to
think about it.

Animals
Pets are common in Canada, so it’s very likely that you will
have a question about animals. This is a good opportunity to
use descriptive words. Don’t use low-level words like “nice”
or “cute”. Use high- level words that specifically describe
the animal.

Vocabulary for Cute Animals Rabbits, Kittens, Puppies,

etc.
Adorable / Fluffy / Playful / Cuddle/ Nibble
When I was in elementary school, I had a kitten. She was so
adorable.
My puppy loves to cuddle with me while I do my homework every
evening.
My sister loves animals, so I gave her a fluffy brown bunny
for her birthday.
I have two baby goats who are so playful. They love to nibble
on my fingers. (nibble = eat in a cute way)

Vocabulary for Aggressive Animals Stray dogs, Tigers,

Dinosaurs, etc.
Vicious / Fierce / Venomous / Wild
If you go hiking in Canada, you have to watch out for wild
animals.
I don’t like venomous animals like snakes or spiders.
My neighbour’s dog is really vicious. It always growls at me
when I walk by.
Polar bears look really friendly and cute, but actually
they’re extremely fierce animals!
Don’t use the wrong words when you describe the parts of an
animal. Birds have a beak, not a nose. Animals like cows,
goats, or deer have hooves, not feet. Dogs and cats have paws,
not feet. The nose and mouth of most mammals is the snout, not
the nose. If you use correct words for these things, it will
really help your score!
Community
In Writing Task 2, you might need to answer a survey question
about something happening in your community. Try to use at
least one or two of the following phrases in your answer.
(These would also be good to use in speaking as well.)

Kickstart our economy

Building a swimming pool in our town would really kickstart
our economy because none of the neighbouring towns have
swimming pools.
I think the government should lower business taxes to help
kickstart our economy.
I hope the prime minister finds a way to kickstart our
economy.
“Kickstart our economy” means to make the economy start
growing quickly. You can use this when you’re talking about
the economy of a country, city, town, or community.

Community spirit
I hope our town builds a new park. We need more community
spirit!
The pandemic ruined our city’s community spirit.
The new ride-sharing program is designed to boost community
spirit.
“Community spirit” means a feeling of togetherness.

In the long run

Yes, it would be a big project, but it would pay off in the
long run.
Going to college costs a lot of money, but it pays off in the
long run.
Heavy drinking seems harmless when you’re young, but it really
hurts you in the long run.
If you buy a good car now, it will save you money in the long
run.
“In the long run” means it will take some time achieve a
result.

Kill two birds with one stone

Building a new mall would kill two birds with one stone
because it would kickstart our economy and boost our city’s
community spirit.
I always check my emails while I eat breakfast. That way I can
kill two birds with one stone.
If we build a subway in our city, it would kill two birds with
one stone because it would reduce CO2 emissions and make
transportation more convenient for low-income residents.
“Kill two birds with one stone” means to achieve two things by
doing one thing. You can also kill three or more birds with
one stone. If you’re not sure how many outcomes will be
achieved, you can just say, “kill several birds with one
stone.”

Come together
This program will help our community come together.
To beat Covid, we all need to come together. “Come together”
means to be united.

Social Issues
In Speaking Task 6, you might need to answer a question about
a social issue. For example, do you think the government
should provide free housing for people who are unemployed with
disabilities? Or, what do you think the punishment should be
for pet-owners who leave their pets in hot cars during the
summer? Or, do you think homeowners should be allowed to cut
down trees on their own property? The following words and
phrases will help you get a good score on these questions.
Marginalized
I believe the government should provide free housing for
members of society who are marginalized.
Education on race-related issues is important to prevent
people from becoming marginalized.
Marginalized members of society are at greater risk of job
loss.
I think society should rely on private charities like the
Mustard Seed to provide shelter for marginalized members of
society.
“Marginalized people” are people who are not accepted by the
rest of society. Look at this red dot. It is in the margin
(edge) of the page. So people who are marginalized are on the
edges of society, not in the middle. This is a perfect word to
use for social issues like poverty or racism.

A lot riding on
Our city has a lot riding on the 2028 Olympic bid. If we win,
our economy will skyrocket. If we don’t win, then we wasted a
lot of money trying!
In order to be the valedictorian, I need perfect grades. I
have a lot riding on this! (valedictorian = a high-achieving
student who gives the speech at their graduation ceremony)
I hope the oil and gas sector improves soon. Albertans have a
lot riding on this!
“A lot riding on something” means that something is very
important because if you get the result you want, it will
benefit you a lot. If you don’t get your desired result, it
will hurt you in some way.

Shed light on
Hopefully the investigation will shed light on the
organization’s corrupt behaviour.
The new scientific discovery sheds light on the nature of
black holes.
This information sheds light on why the government tried to
postpone the election.
“Shed light on” means to reveal something about something.
Very often if a person, organization, or government does
something bad, they try to hide the evidence, but most of the
time, some information comes out that sheds light on the
situation.

Hot topic
I know this is a hot topic, but I’d like to provide several
reasons why I believe_______________________.
Gun rights and abortion are hot topics in the U.S. but not so
much in Canada.
It’s best not to bring up hot topics at work.
“Hot topic” means a controversial topic.

Set personal interests aside for the greater good

I think the prime minister should set his personal interests
aside for the good of the country.
True leaders set their personal interests aside for the
greater good.
I chose to give up my career in order to be a good mother.
Sometimes in life we have to set our personal interests aside
for the greater good.
My brother wanted to join a soccer team so badly this summer,
but he set his personal interests aside and got a job to
support our family.
This is a good idiom to use when a hard choice needs to be
made. Most of the time, social issues are difficult issues
where part of society needs to accept the fact that a decision
didn’t go the way they wanted it to. You can also add “come
together” onto your sentence: “It’s time to come together and
set personal interests aside for the greater good.”

Food
Food is obviously a huge part of our lives, so it’s very
likely that some of the speaking or writing questions will
relate to this topic. It’s easy to use basic words like “good”
or “sweet” when you’re talking about food, but if you want to
get a good score, you need to use higher-level vocabulary. Try
to practice using the following words in your daily speaking
so that you will remember them on the exam.

Mouthwatering
My Italian friend makes a cake called “mango heaven cake”.
It’s so mouthwatering!
Wow! That dessert looks mouthwatering!
Every Christmas season, my aunt bakes the most mouthwatering
treats!
“Mouthwatering” means super delicious!

Have a sweet tooth

My sister can never say no to chocolate. She has a real sweet
tooth.
My doctor told me I need to lose weight, but that’s a problem
for me because I have a sweet tooth!
Christmas is the best time of year for me because I have such
a sweet tooth!
If you have a “sweet tooth” it means you love sugary foods
like cake or chocolate.
Exquisite
The food at our 5-star resort was simply exquisite!
Brenda’s wedding cake had five layers and each layer was a
different kind of cake. I’ve never seen something so exquisite
in my life!
Mary’s wedding dress is exquisite!
“Exquisite” means extremely beautiful and carefully made. When
we use this word for food, it refers to the appearance of the
food, not the taste.

Nutrient- dense
If you want to have a healthy diet, try eating nutrient-dense
foods like broccoli or spinach instead of sugary foods like
cookies.
Liver is a nutrient-dense food, but I hate the taste of it!
“Nutrient-dense” means that a food has lots of nutrients. It’s
a good word to use if you’re talking about health or fitness
related things.

Acquired taste
I hated olives when I was a kid, but now I really like them. I
guess it’s an acquired taste.
Liver is an acquired taste.
I think coffee is an acquired taste because my kids hate how
bitter it tastes.
“Acquired taste” means that most people don’t like it when
they first try it, but after more exposure to it, they start
to enjoy it more and more. For example, many people don’t like
beer for the first time, but after a while, they acquire a
taste for it.

Holidays
The word “holiday” can mean either a public holiday like
Christmas Day, or it can mean “vacation”. If your coworker
tells you that he went on a holiday to Mexico, then he means
“vacation”.
In every other situation, “holiday” means public holiday
(government holiday/bank holiday). Most public holidays in
Canada fall on a Monday or a Friday. This means that the
weekend is three days instead of two days. This is called a
“long weekend”. Most public holidays are the same all across
Canada, but sometimes provinces have their own holidays. Here
is a list of the public holidays all across Canada for 2021.
• New Year - Friday, January 1, 2021
• Good Friday - Friday, April 2, 2021
• Easter Monday - Monday, April 5, 2021
• Victoria Day - Monday, May 24, 2021
• Canada Day - Thursday, July 1, 2021
• Civic Holiday - Monday, August 2, 2021
• Labour Day - Monday, September 6, 2021
• Thanksgiving Day - Monday, October 11, 2021
• Remembrance Day - Thursday, November 11, 2021
• Christmas Day - Saturday, December 25, 2021
• Boxing Day - Sunday, December 26, 2021

Long weekend
My family usually goes camping on long weekends in the summer.
I love long weekends because I can visit my boyfriend who
lives in Halifax.
It usually snows on May long weekend in Calgary.

Family gathering
We usually have a family gathering during the Christmas
holidays.
I think we should go to Lake Louise for our next family
gathering. I know it would be a bit pricey, but it would be
worth it! (pricey = expensive)
My friend kindly offered to let us use his cabin for our
family gathering.
A family gathering is when your extended family gets together
(grandparents, uncles and aunts, cousins, etc.) We usually
don’t use the term “family gathering” when only our immediate
family gets together (parents, children, siblings).

Kick back
I usually just kick back on long weekends and enjoy some R&R.
(R&R = rest and relaxation)
Whenever we go on holidays, my wife loves to do all kinds of
activities, but I just like to kick back and enjoy the beach.
“Kick back” is a casual way to say “relax”.

Cook up a storm
My Filipino relatives cook up a storm every family gathering.
It’s impossible not to gorge myself! (gorge yourself = eat
until you are too full)
My Aunt Bertha cooks up a storm every Thanksgiving.
“Cook up a storm” means cook a lot of food.

Shoot the breeze

I like to just hang out with my friends and shoot
the breeze.
“Shoot the breeze” means “have a casual conversation.”
Employment
Steep learning curve
When I started my job, I felt a bit overwhelmed because the
learning curve was so steep.
If you want to become a rocket scientist, be prepared for a
steep learning curve!
When I started taking Portuguese classes, I didn’t realize
that the learning curve would be so steep!
“Steep learning curve” means that something is difficult to
learn. The term “learning curve” refers to the process of
learning something. We usually use this idiom to describe
jobs, but you can also use it to talk about learning anything
else.

Learn the ropes

When I started my job, it took me a while to learn the ropes,
but now I can do everything confidently.
My boss expects me to learn the ropes in two days!
I could probably make more money at a different job, but I
don’t want to learn the ropes all over again.
“Learn the ropes” means to learn how to do a job.

Have a lot on my plate

I wish I could go camping with you guys, but I have a lot on
my plate right now.
I often babysit for my sister because she has a lot on her
plate right now.
When I was in college, I was really stressed out because I had
a lot on my plate.
“A lot on my plate” means you have a lot of responsibilities.

Dead-end job
Josh, if you don’t go to college, you’re just going to have a
dead-end job your whole life.
I decided to change careers because I had a dead-end job for
12 years.
When I started at this company, I thought I’d be able to
advance really quickly, but it turned out to be a dead-end
job.
A “dead-end job” is a job with no advancement opportunities.

Get your feet wet

Mike, I would recommend working part-time at the company just
to get your feet wet before you dive in full-time. (dive in =
fully commit)
I’ve always been interested in learning how to make pottery,
so I think I’m going to take a pottery-making class this
summer just to get my feet wet.
“Get your feet wet” means you become used to something new. If
you want to learn something new, sometimes it’s a good idea to
just start in a small way to see if you like it. For example,
if you want to become a photographer, it’s probably a good
idea to buy a cheap camera first just to try it out for a
while before you spend thousands of dollars on expensive gear.

Health
On the mend
I’ve been sick for two weeks, but I think I’m finally on the
mend now.
Jo, I’m so happy to hear that you’re on the mend!
“On the mend” means that your health is getting better after
you went through a period of sickness.

Under the weather

I’ve been under the weather the past few weeks.
Work has been pretty busy this week because a few of my
coworkers are under the weather.
Sorry to hear that your mom is under the weather.
“Under the weather” is a casual way to talk about sickness. We
usually don’t use this idiom to talk about serious diseases
like cancer.

Back on my feet
I got Covid last month. It took me a few weeks to get back on
my feet.
I’m glad to hear that you’re back on your feet!
Sorry to hear about your health, Jen. Don’t worry, you’ll be
back on your feet soon!
“Back on my feet” means that you’re feeling better after a
period of sickness.

Rough shape
My grandma was in really rough shape after getting Covid.
Thank God she recovered!
I was in really rough shape after my boyfriend broke up with
me.
After taking six exams in a row, I was in pretty rough shape.
“Rough shape” means that you’re physically, mentally, or
emotionally sick.

New lease on life

I was in the hospital for three months. I thought I was going
to die, but when I finally recovered, I had a new lease on
life.
Having kids gave me a new lease on life. They are my biggest
joy!
After my uncle got married, he had a new lease on life. He was
always a bit depressed before that, but now he can’t stop
smiling.
In my opinion, the most important thing a person can do is
find their true passion in life. When they find it, it will
give them a new lease on life.
“New lease on life” means something happens that gives you a
new perspective on life. You feel like you have a brighter
future. You’re more energetic than before. We use this idiom
when something happens that leads to big changes in a person’s
life. The changes are always very positive.

Nature
Off the beaten track
Whenever I travel, I like to go off the beaten track. I hate
going to crowded tourist spots.
I like to eat at restaurants that are off the beaten track.
On weekends I like to go hiking alone in the mountains. It’s
just nice to get off the beaten track every now and then.
The “beaten track” is the path most people take. For example,
when tourists go to Paris, they always visit the Eiffel Tower.
But some travellers go “off the beaten track” and visit other
parts of Paris that are less popular. So, “off the beaten
track” means to get away from the crowd.

Breathtaking
There’s a mountain near my house where I like to go hiking.
The view from the top is breathtaking!
The diamond earrings my boyfriend gave me are breathtakingly
beautiful!
The final match of the World Cup was breathtaking!
“Breathtaking” means that something is amazing. It takes your
breath away.

Rejuvenate
After my vacation, I feel rejuvenated and ready for work
again.
My wrinkles make me look old. Can you recommend a product to
rejuvenate my skin?
John, I think you need to take a break from your business to
rejuvenate. You’ve become a workaholic. (workaholic = someone
who is addicted to their work)
“Rejuvenate” means to feel mentally, emotionally, or
physically young again. It’s very similar to the word
“recuperate”. The idea is that you need to recover something
that you lost (usually because of stress).
Habitat
I love seeing plants and animals in their natural habitat.
It really bothers me when I see garbage in nature. We should
all try to protect our natural habitat!
I went snorkelling for the first time last month. It was so
cool to see fish in their natural habitat!
“Habitat” means the natural environment of a plant or animal.

Take in
I love taking in all the sights and smells when I go hiking.
It’s so rejuvenating!
We hiked up the mountain really early in the morning so we
could take in the sunrise.
When you go to India for the first time, spend a few days
taking in the sights and smells.
“Take in” means to absorb something from your surroundings. If
you take in a sunset, it means you enjoy the sunset.

Technology
Conk out
My laptop conked out over the weekend, and I lost all my
files.
My car’s engine conked out on my drive to work this morning. I
had to call a tow truck which cost me a hundred bucks.
I’m only taking my cell phone on vacation with me, so I hope
it doesn’t conk out otherwise I’ll have no way to check my
emails.
“Conk out” means that something stops working. We use this
word especially for electronic devices like computers and
phones.

On the pricey side

Apple products are always on the pricey side, but I still buy
them because of their superior quality.
That restaurant is a bit on the pricey side.
My friends and I did a road trip through Europe after high
school. We were planning to go through Switzerland but then
decided not to because hotels there were a bit on the pricey
side.
“On the pricey side” means something is a bit expensive.

Glued to
Whenever the Olympics are on, I’m always glued to the TV.
I decided to take a break from social media because I was
always glued to my phone.
I bought my son an iPad for Christmas. He’s been glued to it
ever since!
“Glued to” means that something is taking all your attention
and you can’t leave it. We usually use this term when we’re
talking about a TV, phone, or anything else with a screen. If
you’re watching an interesting movie, your eyes will be glued
to the screen. If the movie is boring, you might go to the
bathroom and leave the movie playing because you’re not glued
to it.

Peace of mind
Cam, I would recommend buying the extended warranty for your
TV. It’ll just give you some peace of mind in case something
happens.
I don’t know much about vehicles, so I decided to buy a new
one instead of a used one just so I have some peace of mind.
Having a financial cushion gives a person some peace of mind
in the event that they lose their job. (financial cushion =
savings)
“Peace of mind” means that you’re not worried about something
bad happening.

Cutting-edge
I’m still happy with my old phone. I don’t really care about
cutting-edge technology.
I heard about a cutting-edge medical procedure that can cure
blindness. I hope it’s true!
“Cutting-edge” means the newest and most advanced innovation.

Closing Comments
In this book, I tried to make your CELPIP studying easier by
telling you exactly which words you should use for each topic.
If you follow my advice, you will definitely get a higher
score on speaking and writing. Knowing these words and phrases
will also help you on the listening and reading parts because
they are commonly used with the topics I mentioned. For
example, if you are reading or listening to something about a
social issue, there’s a high chance you will hear the word
“marginalized”. If you don’t know what that word means, you
will probably not understand what the person is saying. So try
to memorize these words within the topic I listed them under.
This will also help you with your daily English communication
skills.
Thanks again for reading this book and supporting my work! I
wish you all the best as you study for CELPIP!
You will definitely succeed if you do these things:
1. Relax
2. Keep learning
3. Keep trying