CELPIP, Speaking
CELPIP Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation
You describe an unusual object or scene to someone who can't see it.
Format and scoring
| Skill | Speaking |
|---|---|
| Preparation | 30 seconds |
| Response time | Up to 60 seconds |
| How it's scored | Scored on content and coherence, vocabulary, listenability and task fulfillment. |
| Weight (estimate) | About 13% of your speaking score |
How to answer Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation
- 1Say what it is and why it's unusual.
- 2Describe its size, shape, colour and parts.
- 3Compare it with something familiar.
Common mistakes
- Vague words such as thing and stuff instead of precise description.
Sample question
The strangest reading chair
An unusual reading chair in a cosy second-hand furniture shop with a wooden floor, a window, framed pictures and an ordinary grey-green sofa in the background. The chair, shown from the side, is a tall rocking chair on two long curved wooden rockers resting on a round blue-green rug. Its seat cushion and very tall, tilted-back backrest are covered in mustard-yellow fabric with wide teal stripes. A round black speaker is set into the side of the headrest. Built into the space under the seat is a small wooden bookshelf filled with a row of colourful books. A metal gooseneck reading lamp rises from the back of the chair, arches right over the top, and ends in a teal lampshade shining light down onto the seat. A round cup holder is clipped to the armrest, holding a steaming orange mug. At the front, a matching striped footrest slides out on two metal rails and stands on small wheels. A paper…
You are in a second-hand furniture shop and see this unusual chair. Call your friend, who loves reading, and describe the chair so that they can decide whether you should buy it for them. Your friend cannot see the picture.
Show a model answer (Level 12)
Hi Nadia, it's me. I'm at that second-hand furniture shop on Queen Street, and I've just found the strangest chair. I think you'll love it. Basically, it's a rocking chair, so it sits on two long curved wooden rockers, but it's much taller than a normal one. The seat and the high, tilted-back backrest are padded and covered in mustard-yellow fabric with wide teal stripes. Here's the fun part: right under the seat, there's a little built-in bookshelf, and it's already full of colourful paperbacks. There's a round cup holder clipped onto the armrest, perfect for your tea. A bendy metal reading lamp comes out of the back and arches right over your head, so the light falls straight onto your book. There's even a small speaker in the headrest, and a matching footrest that slides out the front on rails. It's a bit bulky, but the price seems reasonable. Should I grab it for you?