CELPIP
CELPIP Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation sample answers
10 exam-style questions, each with a model answer written to a high level, its length and why it works. Read a few to see the pattern, then answer one yourself.
- Sample answers
- 10
- Answer lengths
- 115–155 words
- Speaking time
- Up to 60s
- Part
- Speaking
All sample answers
- Christmas Tree Made of BicyclesYou are at your community's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and you've just witnessed something truly bizarre. Call your friend, Sarah, to describe…115 words~51sEasier
- Charity Walk Participants Walking BackwardsYou are at a local park, enjoying a beautiful day, when you stumble upon a charity walk. However, something is highly unusual. Call your friend to describe…155 words~69sMedium
- Children Teaching Adults at PlaygroundYou are at a local park and witness a very strange scene. Call your friend to describe what you see, what you think is happening, and what might happen next.125 words~56sHarder
- Barber Shop Chair for a PlantYou are walking past a local barber shop and see something truly unusual inside. Call your friend to describe what you see, what you think might be happening,…155 words~69sEasier
- Community Centre Hallway MazeYou are at the community centre for your weekly yoga class, but when you arrive, you see something highly unusual. A main hallway has been completely…140 words~62sMedium
- Cat Sleeping on Store ScannerYou are at the grocery store and see something highly unusual. Call your friend to describe what you see, what you think happened, and what might happen next.132 words~59sHarder
- Chess Game in the Middle of a CrosswalkYou are at a busy downtown intersection and see something highly unusual. Call your friend to describe what you see, what you think happened, and what might…137 words~61sEasier
- Road Trip Car Packed with HouseplantsYou are about to leave for a family road trip when you notice something highly unusual with your car's packing. Call your friend to describe what you see, what…139 words~62sMedium
- Food Festival with Empty Plates CompetitionYou are attending a local food festival and notice something truly bizarre happening. Call your friend to describe what you are seeing, what you think could…149 words~66sHarder
- Kitchen Fridge Covered in ReceiptsYou just walked into your kitchen and your refrigerator is completely covered in grocery receipts, not photos or magnets. You see a family member intently…118 words~52sEasier
How to use sample answers
- Read the question first and plan your own answer for a minute before you read the sample.
- Compare: what did the sample include that you missed? Notice its length, its order and its linking words.
- Don't memorise it. Answer a new question of the same type in your own words, then check your score.
Common questions
How is CELPIP Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual 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.
Answer a describing an unusual situation question yourself
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