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CELPIP Speaking template: Dealing with a Difficult Situation

CELPIP Speaking Task 6 — Dealing with a Difficult Situation: 60 seconds prep, 60 seconds to speak. You face a dilemma with two imperfect choices and must explain your decision to a specific person (often delivering awkward news tactfully).

3 min read Spoken response Works for any prompt

What raters reward

A clear decision with sound reasoning (Task Fulfillment, Content/Coherence), the right register for a sensitive message (Vocabulary, Listenability), and tact — acknowledging the downside and how you'll handle it.

Your time plan

Prep (60s) — Decide quickly, identify who you're speaking to, and plan a reason plus how you'll soften the bad part.
Speak (60s) — Frame the situation (~10s) → your decision (~10s) → reason (~20s) → handle the downside (~14s) → polite close (~6s).

How to structure it

Fill the [slots] with your own ideas — adapt the frames, don't recite them.

1. Frame the dilemma — Briefly state the choice you're facing.
2. Your decision — Commit to one option clearly.
3. Reason — Explain why this is the better choice.
4. Handle the downside — Acknowledge the cost and how you'll manage it.
5. Polite close — A courteous, reassuring ending.
1 Frame the dilemma ~10s

Set up the situation for the listener.

Grammar Present simple

Phrases to adapt
  • I'm in a tricky spot: I have to choose between [A] and [B].
  • I wanted to talk to you because [situation].
2 Your decision ~10s

State it plainly so there's no ambiguity.

Grammar Decision ('I've decided to …')

Phrases to adapt
  • After thinking it over, I've decided to [choice].
  • In the end, I'm going to [choice].
3 Reason ~20s

Give the practical or ethical logic.

Grammar Because / since

Phrases to adapt
  • The main reason is [reason].
  • It makes the most sense since [justification].
4 Handle the downside ~14s

Show tact — name the inconvenience and offer a fix or apology.

Grammar Modals + apology / conditional

Phrases to adapt
  • I realize this means [downside], and I'm sorry about that.
  • To make up for it, I'll [fix].
5 Polite close ~6s

Keep goodwill with the person.

Grammar Polite close

Phrases to adapt
  • I really hope you understand.
  • Thanks for being flexible — it means a lot.

Useful vocabulary

Vocabulary is one of the four scored dimensions — weave a few in (don't force all of them).

Softening / tact
I'm afraidunfortunatelyI hate to say this, butwith all due respectI completely understand, however
Explaining a decision
after weighing my optionsthe most sensible thingI have no choice but toin fairness
Making it right
to make up for itI'll do my best toI promise toI hope we can find a way

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Not actually choosing.
  • Forgetting the downside or the person's feelings.
  • Wrong register (too blunt with family, too casual with a boss).
  • Spending all the time on the problem and none on the solution.

Quick tips

  • Decide fast so you have time to justify and soften it.
  • Match register to the relationship (boss vs. friend vs. family).
  • Acknowledge the inconvenience and offer a small fix.
Put it into practice
Try Dealing with a Difficult Situation with this template
Start practice Next template Expressing Opinions (S7)

All templates

View all
Writing
W1 Writing an Email W2 Responding to Survey Questions
Speaking
S1 Giving Advice S2 Talking about a Personal Experience S3 Describing a Scene S4 Making Predictions S5 Comparing and Persuading S6 Dealing with a Difficult Situation Current S7 Expressing Opinions S8 Describing an Unusual Situation