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CELPIP · Speaking · S6

CELPIP Speaking Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation

CELPIP Speaking Task 6, Dealing with a Difficult Situation, presents a dilemma with two possible actions, such as letting down a relative or a manager. You choose one and speak as if talking to the person involved, explaining your decision. You have 60 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.

Preparation time
60 seconds
Speaking time
60 seconds
Prompt
A difficult situation and two options; you choose one
Speaking role
You talk to the person affected by your choice
Rating areas
Content/coherence, vocabulary, listenability, task fulfillment

How it works

  1. 1The situation and the two options appear on screen.
  2. 2You have 60 seconds to choose an option and plan what you will say.
  3. 3Recording starts automatically.
  4. 4Speak for up to 60 seconds to the person named in the option you chose.

Sample task

Original sample · not from an official test

You agreed to drive your neighbour to a medical appointment on Friday morning. Now your child's school has asked you to volunteer on a class trip the same morning, because another parent cancelled. Choose ONE: - Call your neighbour and explain why you cannot drive them, OR - Call the school and explain why you cannot volunteer. What will you say?

Show a strong response

Outline: Choose one (for example, calling the school). Greet the teacher and state the purpose. Explain the conflict honestly: you promised to drive your neighbour to a medical appointment. Show regret and understanding of the school's problem. Offer an alternative: help with the next trip, or ask another parent you know. Close politely and thank them for asking.

A strong response speaks directly to the person in role, explains the reason clearly, shows empathy, and offers a practical alternative. Polite softeners ("I'm really sorry, but", "I was wondering if") and conditionals ("if it helps, I could") make the message sound natural and considerate.

Tips that work

  • Decide in the first few seconds. The rest of the preparation time is for the message, not the choice.
  • Speak to the person, not about them: "Hi Mr. Chen, I'm calling because...".
  • Structure it like a real call: purpose, reason, apology, alternative, thanks.
  • Offering a solution or compromise shows the social skill this task is looking for.

Common mistakes

  • Talking about both options and never actually making the call.
  • Describing the dilemma in the third person instead of speaking in role.
  • Giving a reason with no apology or alternative, which can sound abrupt.

Questions candidates ask

How much time do I get for CELPIP Speaking Task 6?

60 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak. The longer preparation, compared with most tasks, gives you time both to choose an option and to plan how you will say it.

Should I explain why I rejected the other option?

Only briefly, if it helps the person understand. The task is to deliver a difficult message well. Most of your time should go to the reason, the apology and an alternative for the person you are talking to.

Is there a right choice in Task 6?

No. Both choices are acceptable. What is rated is how clearly and appropriately you communicate your decision to the person you are calling, including your reasons, your tone and how polite you sound.

Other CELPIP Speaking tasks

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