CELPIP Speaking Part 8: Describing an Unusual Situation
In Task 8, you describe an unusual or unexpected situation shown in images and explain what is happening and why it is unusual. This is the final speaking task and tests your ability to narrate, describe, and express surprise or reactions.
Practice Describing an Unusual Situation NowWhat to Expect
You will see a set of images depicting an unusual situation — something unexpected, surprising, or out of the ordinary. You need to describe what you see and explain why it is unusual.
You have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak. You should describe the situation, explain what makes it unusual, speculate about why it might be happening, and share how you would react.
Raters evaluate your descriptive vocabulary, use of expressions of surprise, ability to speculate and reason, and overall coherence.
Tips for Scoring High
- Start by setting the scene: "In this image, I can see..." Then identify what is unusual: "What stands out is..."
- Use expressions of surprise: "What's unusual is...", "It's surprising that...", "I've never seen...", "This is quite unexpected because..."
- Speculate about causes: "This might be happening because...", "One possible explanation is...", "Perhaps they are..."
- Share a personal reaction: "If I saw this, I would...", "This would make me feel..." — this adds a personal touch and fills time.
- Use varied vocabulary: instead of just "strange," try "unusual", "unexpected", "remarkable", "out of the ordinary", "peculiar."
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