CELPIP Tips: Speaking Task 6 – Dealing with a Difficult Situation
Learn more about Speaking Task 6 which asks you to use your communication skills in dealing with a dilemma.
Just like the previous speaking task, Task 6 also requires you to make a choice between two options. This time, rather than being presented with pictures and information, you’ll be given 60 seconds to read a scenario and then choose between two options which will help you prepare your response.
Let’s look at a sample prompt below:
Remember that you’ll have 60 seconds to read the prompt, choose one option, and prepare your response. The speaking time will also be 60 seconds.
Read the prompt carefully and focus on the keywords. Here is a summary of what I can gather from the scenario:
close cousin wants to stay with you for a year
also wants to travel and spend time with you
roommate disagrees; you would have to move out
Now look at the two options and make your choice quickly. Consider whether you will have more to say to “your cousin” or “your roommate” in this situation (we’ll look at example responses for both options below).
In your response, you should give a brief summary of the situation and dilemma you’re facing, explain why it’s difficult for you, and use apologetic language while expressing your decision.
It’s also a good idea to personalize the response by giving the roommate and/or cousin characters a first name as well as some other details, such as how long you’ve been living together or the size of your imaginary apartment.
Now let’s look at responses for both choices below! Remember that you will be speaking for 60 seconds.
Talk to your cousin. Explain why she cannot move in for a year.
“Hi Maria, I’m so glad that you took a year off from university to travel to Canada! I can’t wait to greet you at the airport and show you around Vancouver. You’ll love it here and you’ll have enough time to explore different places in this huge country.
I know that you were hoping to stay with me, but unfortunately, I have some bad news. When I talked to my roommate, Sue, about you moving in with us, she didn’t agree because our apartment is too small for three people, plus Sue works remotely so she prefers to have a quiet workspace while I’m at work during the day.
I told her that you’ll be travelling around Canada and will only be staying with us for part of the year, but she still didn’t agree and said she would tell our landlord and that I would have to move out.
That would be really disappointing for me because I’ve lived in this apartment for five years and the rent is really affordable, so I’m not in a position where I could move to a different place. I’m really sorry to disappoint you, but I can help you find accommodations in Vancouver.
One of my co-workers has an extra furnished room in her house that she rents out to long-term visitors for a reasonable price. Let me know if you’re interested. Also, while you’re travelling around, I can store your luggage in my closet for you.”
Talk to your roommate. Explain why your cousin should be allowed to move in with you for a year.
“Hey Sue, I can understand your reservations about having my cousin move in with us for a year, but we have enough space for her to stay with us. Maria will be travelling around Canada and while she’s in Vancouver we’ll be going on short trips during the weekends, so she won’t be staying here for a full year anyway.
Also, your parents have stayed at our place every summer since we moved in together, and I have been understanding about it even though there were two of them and they never paid extra rent.
Maria is still in university and she worked a part-time job to save money just for this trip. I already told her that she can stay with me, and I don’t feel it would be right to disappoint her. She can sleep on the pull-out cot in my bedroom, and because you and I have our own bathrooms, she can use mine and won’t be in your way.
I already explained to Maria that you work from home and she will either be out during the day or will be quietly studying in my room. She is a respectful and polite person and I’m sure you’ll get along with her. I really hope that you understand and can change your mind about this. Maybe we could also take her to that seafood restaurant when your parents visit again this summer!”