CELPIP, Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation

Food Festival with Empty Plates Competition: sample answer

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

Practice Describing an Unusual Situation free Read the answer

Task: Describing an Unusual Situation
Time: 30s to prepare, 60s to speak
Answer length: 149 words, ~66s
Written to: Level 10 target

The question

Picture for “Food Festival with Empty Plates Competition”

Task

You 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 have caused this strange situation, and what you expect to happen next.

Sample answer

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

Hey, you have to hear about this! I'm at the Taste of the City food festival, and it's turned completely surreal. On the main stage, a panel of very serious-looking judges, dressed in their finest, are carefully inspecting perfectly arranged, gleaming white empty plates. Not a crumb, not a garnish, just clean porcelain. Meanwhile, the food trucks are all lined up, but the crowd isn't buying anything; everyone's just staring at this, totally confused. My best guess is it's some avant-garde art installation, or maybe a high-concept marketing stunt by a minimalist catering company. It could even be a comment on food waste. As for what happens next, I bet it'll be all over social media, and someone will eventually explain the idea behind this Empty Plate Artistry Contest to a very hungry audience. Honestly, I'm half expecting a flash mob to show up and start serving real food!

149 words, about 66s spoken

Why it works

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

The right length. 149 words, about 66 seconds at a natural pace: inside the 60-second limit with room to finish calmly.
Clear links between ideas: “meanwhile”. They make the answer easy to follow, which raters reward under coherence.
9 sentences in 66 seconds: complete thoughts at a steady pace, without rushing to fit more in.

How CELPIP marks describing an unusual 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 8: Describing an Unusual Situation guide

Common questions

How long should a CELPIP Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation answer be?

You get 30 seconds to prepare and up to 60 seconds to speak. At a natural pace that's roughly 110 to 155 words. This sample is 149 words, about 66 seconds spoken.

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?

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