Writing Task 2: Responding to Survey Questions

A useful or pleasant feature of a place, such as a park, gym or library.

“A community centre would be a valuable amenity for families in the new subdivision.”

“Our building lacks basic amenities like bike storage.”

Often used: public amenities · local amenities · basic amenities

CELPIP tip: A precise word for surveys about what to build or improve in a neighbourhood. It is usually plural in general statements.

Giving good results for the amount of money spent.

“Upgrading the existing gym is more cost-effective than building a new one.”

“Shared e-bikes are a cost-effective way to reduce traffic near the college.”

Often used: more cost-effective · a cost-effective solution · highly cost-effective

CELPIP tip: Pair it with a comparison to strengthen a money-based reason. Don't forget the hyphen when it comes before a noun.

Better or more suitable than another option, especially in a particular situation.

“A new playground is preferable to a larger parking lot in my opinion.”

“For families, weekend hours would be far preferable to late weekday hours.”

Often used: preferable to · far preferable · infinitely preferable

CELPIP tip: Use "preferable to", not "preferable than". Because it already means "better", avoid writing "more preferable".

To set money or resources aside for one particular purpose.

“The council should earmark the extra funds for repairing the arena.”

“I think part of the budget should be earmarked for staff training.”

Often used: earmark funds for · earmarked for · money earmarked for

CELPIP tip: Useful when the survey is about spending. It is often passive: "money earmarked for parks".

Not given enough services or support compared with other groups or areas.

“The east end is underserved by public transit, so the new route should go there.”

“Teenagers are an underserved group in our town's recreation programs.”

Often used: an underserved area · underserved communities

CELPIP tip: Useful to argue that your option reaches people who currently lack help. Name the group to make the point concrete.

To provide what a particular group of people needs or wants.

“The new centre would cater to seniors as well as young families.”

“Evening workshops cater to employees who cannot attend during the day.”

Often used: cater to the needs of · cater to all ages

CELPIP tip: Shows that you have thought about who benefits. Keep the preposition: "cater to", with "for" also used in some contexts.

To provide what a particular group of people requires.

“A clinic would serve the needs of the growing number of young families here.”

“Flexible hours better serve the needs of parents on our team.”

Often used: better serve the needs of · serve the needs of the community

CELPIP tip: Name a specific group after "of". It turns a vague reason into a focused, persuasive one.

Introduces the most important reason for your choice.

“The main reason is that a bike lane would make the route safer for students.”

“The main reason is that most employees already commute by transit.”

Often used: the main reason is that · another reason is that

CELPIP tip: Start your first body paragraph with this frame, then add "another reason is that" for the next one, so your structure is easy to follow.

A clear frame for saying which option or idea you support.

“I am in favour of turning the empty lot into a community garden.”

“Most of my coworkers and I are in favour of a four-day work week trial.”

Often used: strongly in favour of · in favour of option A · vote in favour of

CELPIP tip: Note the Canadian spelling "favour" and the -ing or noun after "of": "in favour of building", not "in favour of build".

Over a long period of time in the future, rather than right away.

“In the long term, bike lanes would reduce traffic and repair costs.”

“The cheaper option may save money now but cost more in the long term.”

Often used: in the long term · benefit in the long term

CELPIP tip: Contrast it with "in the short term" to show you have compared the two options across time.

By a great amount; makes a comparison or superlative much stronger.

“The community garden is by far the better choice for our neighbourhood.”

“Cost is by far the biggest concern for families in our building.”

Often used: by far the best · by far the most important

CELPIP tip: Place it before a superlative or "the better". It strengthens your choice without needing extra adjectives.

Shows that you understand why others like an option, even though you choose differently.

“I can see the appeal of a new skate park, but a clinic is more urgent.”

“I can see the appeal of working from home; still, I prefer the office option.”

Often used: I can see the appeal of the other option

CELPIP tip: A friendly concession. Follow it with "but" or "still" and your own choice so the reader never doubts your position.

Introduces an opposing view that you are about to answer or reject.

“Some might argue that the festival brings tourists; however, residents need the park more.”

“Some might argue that longer hours cost too much, yet the demand is clearly there.”

Often used: some might argue that ..., however

CELPIP tip: Name the opposing view briefly, then answer it straight away. Leaving it unanswered can make your argument seem weaker.

After everything has been considered; introduces a final judgment.

“When all is said and done, the library upgrade helps the most people.”

“When all is said and done, a shuttle bus is the more practical option.”

Often used: when all is said and done,

CELPIP tip: A natural opener for your final sentence. Use it only once, since it signals that you are summing up.

Says that one option has better arguments supporting it than the other.

“A stronger case can be made for extending library hours than for opening a café.”

“In my view, a stronger case can be made for hiring more staff.”

Often used: a stronger case can be made for · make a case for

CELPIP tip: Works well as your thesis sentence or your conclusion. Follow "for" with a noun or an -ing form.

Because of the reason that follows; introduces the basis for a decision.

“I support the tree-planting plan on the grounds that it will cool the streets in summer.”

“Some staff reject the open office on the grounds that it is too noisy.”

Often used: on the grounds that · on safety grounds

CELPIP tip: A formal way to attach a reason to your choice. Follow it with a full clause: subject and verb.

Refers back to the reasons you have already given in order to state a conclusion.

“For these reasons, I believe the park upgrade should go ahead.”

“For these reasons, I would choose the shuttle bus over new parking spaces.”

Often used: for these reasons, I believe · for all of these reasons

CELPIP tip: Place it at the start of your final sentence to link your conclusion clearly to what came before.

Introduces a point that limits or balances what you have just stated.

“The rink is popular. Having said that, it is only used for a few months a year.”

“The café idea is attractive; having said that, the library needs the space more.”

Often used: having said that,

CELPIP tip: Place it at the start of a sentence to turn from a concession back to your own view.