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CELPIP, Speaking Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation

Crying Coworker & Crucial Presentation: sample answer

A model answer to this exam-style CELPIP dealing with a difficult situation question, written to a level 10 target. See the question, the full answer and exactly why it works, then try it yourself.

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Task
Dealing with a Difficult Situation
Time
60s to prepare, 60s to speak
Answer length
125 words, ~56s
Written to
Level 10 target

The question

Situation

You've just walked into the office bathroom and found your colleague, Sarah, visibly upset and crying, moments before she's scheduled to give a critical presentation to senior management. You know she's been under immense stress lately due to a demanding new project leader, and this presentation is crucial for her career.

Task

Choose the best option to deal with this situation. Explain your choice and why you did not choose the other options.

  • Option 1: Approach Sarah quietly, offer support, and ask if she needs help or a few minutes to compose herself before the presentation.
  • Option 2: Immediately find your manager or the project leader and inform them about Sarah's state, suggesting someone else take over the presentation.
  • Option 3: Leave the bathroom quietly, assuming Sarah will handle it herself, and pretend you didn't see anything.

Sample answer

Linking words are highlighted: they show the structure a rater follows.

Given this delicate situation, I would choose Option 1: approaching Sarah directly, offering my support, and asking how I can help her compose herself. This is the most constructive approach, prioritizing her well-being and the presentation's success. It demonstrates empathy, respecting her privacy to process emotions without external pressure. Offering discreet assistance empowers her to regain composure and potentially deliver the presentation successfully, avoiding unnecessary escalation. Option 2, involving management, is premature and damaging; it could erode trust and create stress, making it a last resort. Option 3, walking away, is unhelpful and unprofessional, abandoning a colleague in need and offering no resolution. Therefore, a direct, supportive conversation is the most appropriate and professional course of action to preserve her dignity and the project's outcome.

125 words, about 56s spoken

Why it works

What you can measure in this answer, and what CELPIP raters mark.

  • The right length. 125 words, about 56 seconds at a natural pace: inside the 60-second limit with room to finish calmly.
  • Clear links between ideas: “therefore”. They make the answer easy to follow, which raters reward under coherence.
  • 7 sentences in 56 seconds: complete thoughts at a steady pace, without rushing to fit more in.

How CELPIP marks dealing with a difficult situation

  • Content & CoherenceLevel 1–12

    Enough relevant ideas, organised clearly and supported with detail.

  • VocabularyLevel 1–12

    Words chosen precisely and appropriately for the topic.

  • ListenabilityLevel 1–12

    Rhythm, pronunciation, intonation and few distracting pauses or self-corrections.

  • Task FulfillmentLevel 1–12

    Answers every part, with the right tone and length.

Speaking Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation guide

Common questions

How long should a CELPIP Speaking Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation answer be?

You get 60 seconds to prepare and up to 60 seconds to speak. At a natural pace that's roughly 110 to 155 words. This sample is 125 words, about 56 seconds spoken.

How is CELPIP Speaking Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation scored?

CELPIP marks it on Content & Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability, Task Fulfillment, each on a Level 1 to 12 scale. Your result for the task comes from these together.

Is this a real CELPIP question?

No. It's an original, exam-style question written to match the official format. Nobody can legally publish real test questions.

Should I memorise this answer?

No. Use it to see the structure, length and linking words that work, then answer in your own words. Memorised answers rarely fit a new question and raters notice.

Where can I practice this question and get a score?

Open it on PrepScroll: record or type your own answer and get an instant estimated score on each CELPIP criterion, with what to fix. It's free to start.

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