CELPIP Tips- Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation
Today we will be looking at the final task of the Speaking test! Learn tips on how to effectively respond to Task 8 which asks you to describe an unusual situation.
You may have noticed that every Speaking task is slightly more challenging than the one before. However, after Task 7 which requires you to speak for 90 seconds and give your opinion, along with reasons and details, Task 8 is a fun way to wrap up the Speaking section!
Here are some tips on how to organize your answer and we will look at an example picture and response below.
Address a specific family member by creating a name and/or a relationship dynamic. (Will you be talking to a parent, a sibling, or a spouse?)
Briefly summarize the situation and add details such as the fact that the store clerk won’t allow you to take a photo.
Describe the picture. This is the fun part! A good strategy is to start with a general description and then provide specific details as well as your thoughts and feelings about the picture.
Remember that the prompt says that you would like to buy the table and that you have to ask your family member if you can buy it.
Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation
You are in a furniture store and you see a table you would like to buy, but the store clerk won’t let you take a photo. Phone a member of your family. Provide a full and clear description of the table and ask if you can buy the table.
Preparation: 30 seconds
Recording: 60 seconds
“Hi Jessie, I’m just at that second-hand furniture store near my college and I saw the coolest table! It would be perfect for our backyard but I’m not sure if mom will agree. I wish I could send you a picture but the staff said that customers aren’t permitted to take photos.
Anyway, the table looks like a slice of watermelon with bananas for legs! Basically, the tabletop is round and the surface looks like a watermelon that is cut up like a pizza. The edge of table is green all the way around which looks like the watermelon rind, and the top of the table is red and has black spots which look like watermelon seeds.
When you’re looking down at the table, it looks like a clock or like a pizza that has been cut into eight slices. It reminds me of the summers when we were kids and used to eat watermelon in the backyard.
And the best part is that the table has three legs that look like bananas. I can’t believe how realistic the banana table legs look! Each one is yellow and has brown spots just like real bananas. Even though the table looks like fruit, it’s made from wood that has been painted and it’s really solid and sturdy.
Can you ask mom if we can buy this table? It’s on sale right now and is only one-hundred dollars. Please tell her that it would really brighten up our backyard and we can use the patio chairs that we already have.”