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CELPIP · Speaking · S8

CELPIP Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation

CELPIP Speaking Task 8, Describing an Unusual Situation, shows a picture of something strange or unexpected. You imagine calling someone who cannot see it and describe what you see so they can understand it, often saying what you think is going on. You have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.

Preparation time
30 seconds
Speaking time
60 seconds
Prompt
A picture of an unusual object or situation
Speaking role
You describe it by phone to someone who cannot see it
Rating areas
Content/coherence, vocabulary, listenability, task fulfillment

How it works

  1. 1A picture of an unusual scene appears with a short role: who you are calling and why.
  2. 2You have 30 seconds to study the picture and plan.
  3. 3Recording starts automatically.
  4. 4Describe the situation for up to 60 seconds; this is the final speaking task.

Sample task

Original sample · not from an official test

You are walking to the bus stop and see this. Call your friend, who is meeting you at the stop, and describe what you see. Explain what you think is happening. [Picture: a bus shelter where every seat is taken by large potted plants. A small sign on the glass reads "Please do not water". Commuters stand around the plants, looking confused.]

Show a strong response

Outline: Hook: "You won't believe the bus stop right now." Main object: the shelter is full of large potted plants on every seat, with some detail about their size and appearance. Detail: a handwritten sign on the glass says "Please do not water". People: commuters standing around, some taking photos. Speculation: maybe a garden shop is advertising, or it is an art project. Practical note: "So don't expect to sit down when you get here."

A strong response sounds like a real phone call, starts with the most surprising thing, describes shape, size, colour and position precisely enough for the listener to picture it, and uses speculation language ("it looks like", "maybe", "I think it might be").

Tips that work

  • Lead with the unusual element. That is what the listener needs to hear first.
  • Describe objects precisely: size, shape, colour, material, position. Your listener has only your words.
  • Add a short guess about why it is happening, using "it seems", "maybe" or "I'd guess".
  • Keep the phone-call role: greet the person and speak to them directly.

Common mistakes

  • Describing the ordinary background at length and the unusual part in one sentence.
  • Using vague words like "thing" or "stuff" instead of naming or describing objects.

Questions candidates ask

How is Task 8 different from Task 3?

Task 3 is an everyday scene you describe in general. Task 8 focuses on one strange object or situation, and you describe it within a role, such as calling a friend, often adding a guess about what is going on.

What if I don't know the name of an object?

Describe it instead: its size, shape, colour and what it seems to be used for. Paraphrasing clearly is a useful skill and can still communicate the picture well.

Should I speculate about the situation?

A little speculation makes the description natural and shows range. Keep most of your 60 seconds on clear description, then add one or two guesses about the reason.

Other CELPIP Speaking tasks

CELPIP overviewCELPIP Speaking: all partsCELPIP full mock testsCELPIP articles on the blog