Vocabulary is roughly a quarter of your CELPIP Writing score — and it is scored on Speaking too. It is also the area where hard work most often makes things worse.
Here is the mistake almost everyone makes: memorising lists of "advanced" words, believing that using them proves a high level. The opposite is true. When you force a heavy word into a simple sentence, a grader doesn't see sophistication — they see someone who is not fully in control of the language. The very thing you thought was helping is quietly costing you points.
🎥 Watch: Why advanced words lower your score
In the video: how CELPIP scores vocabulary · stop using these words · collocations · the 30-second challenge · tone control · Speaking & Task 2 · before & after · how to memorise it all
Four things. None of them is difficulty.
| What it means | The question a grader is asking |
|---|
| Range | variety of words | Do they use different words, or the same three over and over? |
| Precision | the exact right word | Did they pick the word that means it, or one that's merely close? |
| Naturalness | sounds like a person | Does this sound like real English, or like it came out of a dictionary? |
| Appropriateness | fits the situation | Is this the right register for who they're writing to? |
Keep those four words in your head: Range · Precision · Naturalness · Appropriateness.
A simple word used well beats a fancy word used badly, every single time.
Graders are trained to notice when a word doesn't fit. The moment a word feels forced, it works against you.
Here is the classic example. You're writing a casual email to a friend and you swap want for desire:
❌ I desire to grab a coffee with you.
That's robotic. A real person says:
✅ I'd love to catch up over coffee.
The thesaurus traps
These are the words most often pasted in because they sound advanced, and what to write instead.
| ❌ The trap | ✅ Write this |
|---|
| utilize | use |
| commence | start, begin |
| endeavour | try |
| ascertain | find out, check |
| purchase (in a casual email) | buy |
| reside | live |
| facilitate | help, make easier |
| rationale | reason |
| encompass | include, take, last |
| aforementioned | the… (just name it again) |
| in the event that | if |
| at your earliest convenience | when you get a chance |
The rule: don't upgrade a word just because you can. Upgrade only when the upgrade is more precise or more appropriate, never just more impressive.
Stop learning single words. Start learning word partnerships, words native speakers naturally put together. This is how you hit Range and Naturalness at the same time.
A collocation is just two or more words that go together. We say make a decision, not do a decision. We say heavy rain, not strong rain. Same meaning — only one sounds right.
The high-value bank
| Collocation | In a sentence |
|---|
| substantial impact | The new software had a substantial impact on our team's productivity. |
| highly recommended | This restaurant is highly recommended by local food critics. |
| strictly prohibited | Parking in front of the emergency exit is strictly prohibited. |
| express my concern | I am writing to express my concern regarding the recent noise levels. |
| make significant progress | Our team has made significant progress this quarter. |
| meet a deadline | I'm confident we can meet the deadline if we start today. |
| raise an issue / raise a concern | I'd like to raise an issue about the current parking arrangement. |
| take into consideration | Please take my schedule into consideration. |
| a viable option | Working from home two days a week is a viable option for our department. |
| address the problem | The city needs to address the problem of traffic congestion downtown. |
Notice: none of these are hard words. They are ordinary words in the right partnership. That's the whole game.
Everyday Canadian collocations by context
City & transit: rush hour traffic · bus-only lane · transfer time · snow removal · road closure · fare increase · monthly pass · service disruption · schedule update · route change
Housing & community: property manager · maintenance request · strata fee · building policy · noise complaint · repair timeline · elevator outage · unit inspection · notice period
Services & public spaces: recycling pickup · garbage collection · community program · registration deadline · facility hours · parking permit · safety concern · wait time
Work & education: shift schedule · overtime request · training session · enrollment confirmation · class cancellation · make-up session · attendance policy · performance review
Use collocations you can control. If a phrase feels unsure in your mouth, replace it with a simpler one you can use correctly.
Do this now: using a word beats reading it ten times.
Upgrade this sentence:
The new rule made a big change and I want to tell my problem to the manager.
Ten seconds. Rewrite it before you scroll.
One strong version:
The new rule had a substantial impact, and I'd like to raise a concern with the manager.
Big change → a collocation. Tell my problem → raise a concern. If you got something close to that, you're already thinking like a 10+ scorer.
Collocations only work when they match the situation. Using an academic phrase with your best friend costs you marks — and so does being too casual with a manager.
Task 1 always tells you who you're writing to. Read that line carefully, because it decides your entire register.
Informal starter kit — writing to a friend
- Keep me in the loop.
- Get in touch.
- Give me a heads-up.
- Catch up soon.
- I was wondering if you'd be up for…
- No pressure at all if you're too busy.
Good luck with the new job, and keep me in the loop about your first week!
Formal starter kit — writing to a manager or a business
- Bring this to your attention.
- Please find attached.
- I would appreciate it if…
- Please do not hesitate to contact me.
- I am writing to express my concern regarding…
I wanted to bring this scheduling conflict to your attention before the next quarter begins.
The contraction tell
In casual emails, use short forms: I'd, we're, it's. In formal emails, write them out: I would, we are.
It's a tiny change, but it shows a grader you can switch register on purpose. That is exactly what a high scorer does.
Most guides only cover Task 1. Vocabulary is scored on Task 2 and on Speaking too. Same rule: natural, precise partnerships, different phrases.
Writing Task 2 (the survey)
- In my opinion, / From my perspective, — to state your stance
- a compelling argument — "There is a compelling argument for building the new park."
- outweigh the drawbacks — "The benefits of remote work clearly outweigh the drawbacks."
- have a positive effect on — "This policy would have a positive effect on local families."
Speaking
Giving advice — If I were you, I'd… · It might be worth… · I'd strongly suggest…
If I were you, I'd talk to your landlord first.
Describing a scene — In the foreground… · In the background… · It appears that…
In the foreground, a man appears to be waiting for a bus.
Comparing and persuading — The main advantage is… · Compared to… · a far better choice
Compared to the apartment, the house is a far better choice for a family.
Same rule everywhere: don't chase difficulty, chase the natural partnership that fits the task.
| Vague | Precise |
|---|
| things | items, materials, documents, equipment |
| stuff | belongings, supplies, tools |
| bad | unsafe, unreliable, inconvenient, costly |
| good | helpful, effective, reliable, affordable |
| a very big problem | a major issue, a serious concern |
| fix it | complete the repair, resolve the issue, arrange service |
| do something about it | address the problem, take action on |
Instead of repeating problem: issue, concern, difficulty, disruption.
Instead of repeating help: improve, support, reduce, prevent, make it easier.
Copying the prompt's wording signals you haven't processed the task. Four ways to avoid it:
- Swap key nouns and verbs — increase fares → raise ticket prices
- Change the structure — There are many complaints about noise → Residents have reported frequent noise
- Use category words — fix the elevator → complete the repair, arrange maintenance
- Compress or expand — late buses in winter → buses often arrive behind schedule during winter months
Try it: improve bus service → make buses more reliable / reduce wait times / keep trips on schedule
Level 7 — technically correct, flat and repetitive:
I am writing to tell you about a big problem. The noise is very bad and it makes a big change to my sleep. I want you to fix it. Please contact me if you want.
10+ — everything from this lesson applied:
I am writing to bring a serious issue to your attention. The ongoing noise has had a substantial impact on my sleep, and I would like to raise this concern directly. I would appreciate it if this could be addressed promptly. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further details.
Same length. Same ideas. The second hits Range, Precision, Naturalness and Appropriateness, without a single fancy word inserted for its own sake.
Use spaced-repetition flashcards with one twist: on the back of each card, don't write the meaning. Write a full example sentence. You want to memorise the word inside its partnership, never alone.
Group your cards by situation, not alphabetically: "phrases for raising a concern," "phrases for giving advice," "ways to open a formal email." On test day your brain retrieves language by situation, so practise it the same way you'll use it.
Then test your output. Memorising isn't enough, this is where most people stall. You have to use these under timed conditions and see what actually comes out.
- Underline three repeated words in your draft.
- Replace each with a precise synonym or a collocation that fits.
- Paraphrase one phrase from the prompt.
- Read it once for tone and delete any word that sounds forced.
The final tip: when you write or speak, get your message across clearly first, then upgrade one or two phrases with a strong collocation. Don't overcomplicate it. Precision beats complexity every time.
Practise now: run a timed task on celtestpip.com and see exactly how your word choices move your vocabulary score.