100 Vocabulary Upgrades to Hit CLB 9+ in CELPIP Speaking & Writing

One of the most frustrating things about the Speaking test is what I call the "Vocabulary Trap." When that timer starts ticking and the red light goes on, our brains go into survival mode. We revert to the easiest words possible: good, bad, big, happy.

I noticed this in my own practice recordings. I sounded like I was reading a children’s book, not like a professional applying for Canadian PR. The CELPIP raters are looking for "Lexical Range and Precision." This doesn't mean you need to use words that no one understands; it means using the exact word for the situation.

💡 The "Quick Hit" Summary

If you're heading into your test today, remember these 3 Golden Rules for Vocab:

1. Precision over Complexity: Use "arduous" only if you know it means a physically difficult journey or task.
2. Vary your Adjectives: Never use the word "very." Replace "very big" with "massive."
3. Task-Specific Verbs: Use "envisage" when predicting the future in Speaking Task 4.

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📊 The 100-Word Power List (Categorized by Task)

I’ve broken these down into the most common situations you’ll face in the test.

1. Describing People & Emotions (Tasks 1, 2, & 8)

Instead of saying someone is "nice" or "happy":

1. Amiable (Friendly)
2. Gregarious (Sociable)
3. Exhilarated (Very happy/excited)
4. Ecstatic (Overjoyed)
5. Apprehensive (Worried/nervous)
6. Agitated (Annoyed/upset)
7. Courteous (Polite)
8. Empathetic (Understanding)
9. Resilient (Strong in tough times)
10. Industrious (Hard-working)

2. Describing Places & Scenes (Task 3: Describing the Picture)

Instead of saying the park is "green" or the room is "big": 11. Picturesque (Beautiful) 12. Vibrant (Full of energy/color) 13. Lush (Green/healthy plants) 14. Cramped (Small/crowded) 15. Spacious (Big/open) 16. Cluttered (Messy) 17. Symmetry (Balanced/even) 18. Bustling (Busy/full of people) 19. Tranquil (Quiet/peaceful) 20. Dilapidated (Old/broken down)

3. Making Choices & Comparisons (Task 5: Comparing Options)

Instead of saying something is "better" or "cheaper": 21. Superior (Better) 22. Economical (Cheaper/good value) 23. Exorbitant (Way too expensive) 24. Invaluable (Extremely useful) 25. Redundant (Not needed anymore) 26. Compelling (Strong/persuasive) 27. Drawback (Disadvantage) 28. Asset (Advantage/benefit) 29. Pragmatic (Practical) 30. Innovative (New/original)

4. Expressing Opinions & Advice (Task 1 & Writing)

Instead of saying "I think" or "I believe": 31. Contemplate (To think about deeply) 32. Envisage (To imagine the future) 33. Advocate (To support/recommend) 34. Concur (To agree) 35. Dispute (To disagree) 36. Speculate (To guess) 37. Assert (To say confidently) 38. Ascertain (To find out for sure) 39. Emphasize (To highlight) 40. Evaluate (To judge/examine)

5. Describing Size & Frequency

Stop using "A lot" or "Small": 41. Plethora (A large amount) 42. Multitude (A large number) 43. Abundance (More than enough) 44. Substantial (Significant/large) 45. Negligible (So small it doesn't matter) 46. Minute (Very small - pronounced my-noot) 47. Trivial (Unimportant) 48. Occasional (Sometimes) 49. Incessant (Never stopping) 50. Sparse (Very little/scattered)

6. Action Verbs for "Hard" Situations (Task 8)

51. Endeavor (Try hard)
52. Navigate (Find your way)
53. Ameliorate (Make something better)
54. Exacerbate (Make something worse)
55. Collaborate (Work together)
56. Implement (Start using a plan)
57. Facilitate (Make something easier)
58. Obtain (Get)
59. Utilize (Use)
60. Modify (Change)

7. Connectors & Transition Words (Crucial for Coherence)

61. Consequently (As a result)
62. Furthermore (Also/in addition)
63. Conversely (On the other hand)
64. Nevertheless (However)
65. Simultaneously (At the same time)
66. Subsequently (Afterward)
67. Primarily (Mostly)
68. Particularly (Especially)
69. Notwithstanding (Despite)
70. Hence (Therefore)

8. Intensifiers (Stop saying "Very")

71. Exceedingly
72. Remarkably
73. Incredibly
74. Exceptionally
75. Utterly
76. Thoroughly
77. Extremely
78. Slightly
79. Notably
80. Deeply

9. Professional Phrases for Writing

81. With reference to
82. In light of
83. Taking into account
84. For instance
85. As a consequence
86. Regarding the matter of
87. Expressing concern about
88. Proposing a solution
89. Submitting a request
90. Kindly consider

10. Abstract Nouns for Score Boosting

91. Prosperity (Success/wealth)
92. Adversity (Hardship)
93. Infrastructure (Buildings/roads)
94. Sustainability (Long-term health)
95. Viability (Ability to work)
96. Incentive (Motivation to do something)
97. Discrepancy (Difference/error)
98. Consequences (Results)
99. Efficiency (Speed/productivity)
100. Innovation (New ideas)

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🎨 How to Practice These (The "Flashcard" Method)

When I was studying, I didn't try to learn all 100 at once. That’s a recipe for a headache.

Instead, I picked 5 words a day. I would write them on a sticky note and stick it to my laptop. During my practice speaking sessions, I forced myself to use those 5 words at least once. By the end of the week, I had 35 new words that felt "natural" to say.

❓ FAQ: Is it okay to use "slang"?

A: Generally, no. CELPIP is a semi-formal test. While you want to sound like a human, you shouldn't use words like "gonna," "wanna," or "stuff." Use the upgrades in the list above to stay in that professional "sweet spot."

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Final Thoughts

Improving your vocabulary is the fastest way to jump from a CLB 8 to a CLB 10. It shows the rater that you aren't just surviving the English language—you are mastering it.

Coming Soon: I am working on a "Vocab-Checker" tool for our free mock tests. It will scan your writing and tell you exactly which "basic" words you should swap out for these advanced ones. Stay tuned!