Skip to content
Practice free

CELPIP, Speaking Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation

Empty Tank, Urgent Need: 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.

Practice Dealing with a Difficult Situation freeRead the answer
Task
Dealing with a Difficult Situation
Time
60s to prepare, 60s to speak
Answer length
126 words, ~56s
Written to
Level 10 target

The question

Situation

Your friend just returned your car, but the fuel tank is completely empty. You have a critical, time-sensitive appointment in 30 minutes that you cannot miss, and now you're stranded.

Task

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

  • Option 1: Call your friend immediately to express your disappointment and ask them to bring some fuel or money for gas, explaining the urgency of your situation.
  • Option 2: Refuse to lend your car to this friend ever again and send them an invoice for the fuel and any late fees you incur, severing the friendship if they don't comply.
  • Option 3: Silently fill the tank yourself, deal with the lateness, and avoid mentioning it to your friend, hoping they learn from their mistake next time.

Sample answer

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

In this urgent situation, I would choose Option 1: contacting my friend immediately to address the empty fuel tank directly and clearly. This is definitely the most constructive approach available. Explaining my critical, time-sensitive appointment in thirty minutes will prompt them to assist quickly, perhaps by bringing fuel or money right away. It also fosters open communication, preserving our friendship while clarifying future expectations. Option 2, involving formal escalation and potentially ending the friendship, is far too extreme and premature; it would completely damage our relationship over a single mistake. Option 3, silently dealing with it, is completely ineffective. It solves nothing immediately, allows bad behavior to go unchallenged, and breeds deep resentment. Therefore, a direct and respectful conversation is the most prudent course of action.

126 words, about 56s spoken

Why it works

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

  • The right length. 126 words, about 56 seconds at a natural pace: inside the 60-second limit with room to finish calmly.
  • Clear links between ideas: “therefore”, “while”. They make the answer easy to follow, which raters reward under coherence.
  • 8 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 126 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.

More Dealing with a Difficult Situation sample answers

All 10 Dealing with a Difficult Situation sample answers

Now try a dealing with a difficult situation question yourself

Speak your answer and get an instant estimated CELPIP level with what to fix. Free to start, nothing to install.

Practice Dealing with a Difficult SituationMore sample answers