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CELPIP Speaking template: Describing an Unusual Situation

CELPIP Speaking Task 8 — Describing an Unusual Situation: 30 seconds prep, 60 seconds to speak. You describe an unusual or surprising image to someone who cannot see it — often so they could identify or react to it.

3 min read Spoken response Works for any prompt

What raters reward

Clear, orderly description for a listener who can't see (Task Fulfillment, Coherence), precise nouns, comparisons and position words (Vocabulary), and confident delivery (Listenability). The key is highlighting what's strange, not every detail.

Your time plan

Prep (30s) — Plan an overview, then 2–3 specific unusual elements and where they are. Decide what makes the scene odd.
Speak (60s) — Set it up (~8s) → describe the unusual parts in detail (~32s) → layout / where things are (~12s) → why it's unusual (~8s).

How to structure it

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

1. Set it up — Tell the listener what they're about to picture.
2. Describe the unusual parts — Focus on what is strange or surprising, in detail.
3. Layout — Explain where things are relative to each other.
4. Why it's unusual — Sum up what makes the scene odd.
1 Set it up ~8s

Signal that this is unusual so they pay attention.

Grammar Attention-getter

Phrases to adapt
  • You won't believe what I'm looking at right now.
  • Picture this: [one-line overview].
2 Describe the unusual parts ~32s

Use comparisons so the listener can imagine it.

Grammar Present continuous + comparison (looks like / as if)

Phrases to adapt
  • There's a [object] that looks like [comparison].
  • The strangest part is [detail] — it's about the size of [comparison].
3 Layout ~12s

Help them build a mental map with position words.

Grammar Prepositions of place

Phrases to adapt
  • Right next to it, there's [detail].
  • In the background, [detail].
4 Why it's unusual ~8s

Name the surprise and, if natural, your reaction.

Grammar Reaction

Phrases to adapt
  • What makes it so unusual is [reason].
  • Honestly, you don't see that every day!

Useful vocabulary

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

Signalling surprise
believe it or notstrangely enoughoddlyto my surpriseof all things
Comparisons (help them picture it)
it looks likesort of likeresemblingabout the size ofshaped like
Position & detail
right in the middleoff to one sidein the backgroundcovered insurrounded by

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Describing it as if the listener can see it.
  • Listing ordinary details and burying the unusual part.
  • No comparisons, so it's hard to picture.
  • Vague location words ('over there').

Quick tips

  • Assume the listener sees nothing — be concrete and ordered.
  • Lead with the surprising detail and compare it to something familiar.
  • Use present continuous and clear position words.
Put it into practice
Try Describing an Unusual Situation with this template
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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 S7 Expressing Opinions S8 Describing an Unusual Situation Current