CELPIP Speaking Tasks 4, 5, 6 & 8: Templates That Score CLB 9+

Why These Four Tasks Are Your Biggest Opportunity

CELPIP Speaking has 8 tasks total, and most test-takers spend all their prep time on Tasks 1-3. That's a mistake.

Tasks 4, 5, 6, and 8 are where many candidates lose points — but they're also incredibly predictable. Each task follows a specific pattern, and once you have a template, you can handle any prompt thrown at you.

In this guide, you'll get a ready-to-use template and full sample answer for each task. Practice these, and you'll walk into test day with confidence.

Task 4: Making Predictions

What It Is

• Preparation time: 30 seconds
• Response time: 60 seconds
• What you do: You'll see a picture showing a scene, and you need to predict what will happen next

The prompt might show a picture of someone at a job interview, a family packing for a move, or someone looking at storm clouds.

The Template

Use the P-E-P structure (Prediction → Evidence → Personal connection):

1. State your prediction clearly (10 seconds)
2. Give 2-3 reasons based on what you see (35 seconds)
3. Add a personal thought or connection (15 seconds)

Opening phrase: "Based on what I can see in this picture, I predict that..."

Sample Answer

Prompt: A picture of a woman looking nervous at a podium, with an audience in front of her.

"Based on what I can see in this picture, I predict that this woman is about to give a very successful presentation, even though she looks nervous right now.

First of all, I notice that she has notes prepared in front of her, which shows she's done her research and put effort into her preparation. Secondly, the audience appears to be attentive and engaged — they're leaning forward in their seats, which suggests they're interested in what she has to say. Also, she's dressed very professionally, which tells me she takes this opportunity seriously.

I believe that once she starts speaking, her nervousness will fade and she'll become more confident. This happens to many people — including myself. I've given presentations at work where I felt terrified beforehand, but once I got going, the adrenaline actually helped me perform better. I think the same thing will happen for this woman."

Pro Tips for Task 4

• Be specific about what you see — reference actual elements in the picture
• Use prediction language: "I predict," "I believe," "most likely," "it seems that"
• Don't hedge too much — commit to your prediction with confidence
• It doesn't matter if your prediction is "right" — there's no correct answer

Task 5: Comparing and Persuading

What It Is

• Preparation time: 30 seconds
• Response time: 60 seconds
• What you do: You need to persuade someone to choose one option over another. You'll see a scenario with two choices.

This is one of the hardest tasks because you need to be persuasive, not just descriptive.

The Template

Use the C-A-C structure (Choice → Advantages → Conclusion):

1. State your recommendation clearly (10 seconds)
2. Give 2-3 strong advantages of your choice (30 seconds)
3. Briefly mention why the other option is weaker (10 seconds)
4. Conclude with a confident recommendation (10 seconds)

Opening phrase: "If I were you, I would definitely choose [option] because..."

Sample Answer

Prompt: Your friend is deciding between taking a cooking class or a photography class on weekends. Persuade them to choose one.

"If I were you, I would definitely choose the cooking class, and let me explain why I think it's the better option.

First of all, cooking is a practical skill that you'll use every single day of your life. Once you learn how to cook well, you'll save a huge amount of money by eating at home instead of ordering takeout. I've heard that the average Canadian spends over $200 a month on restaurants, so this class could literally pay for itself.

Secondly, cooking is a wonderful social skill. Imagine being able to invite friends over and prepare an amazing meal for them — that's something that brings people together and creates lasting memories.

Now, photography is a great hobby, but honestly, with smartphones today, most people can already take decent photos. Cooking, on the other hand, requires real technique that you can't just pick up from YouTube.

So I'd strongly recommend the cooking class. It's practical, it's social, and it's a skill that will benefit you for the rest of your life."

Pro Tips for Task 5

• Pick a side immediately — don't waste time being balanced
• Use persuasive language: "I strongly recommend," "the best choice is clearly," "you won't regret"
• Address the other option briefly — acknowledge it but dismiss it
• Speak directly to the person: "you," "your," "if I were you"

Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation

What It Is

• Preparation time: 30 seconds
• Response time: 60 seconds
• What you do: You're given a difficult scenario and need to explain how you'd handle it. Often involves conflict resolution or problem-solving.

This task tests your ability to be diplomatic, organized, and solutions-oriented.

The Template

Use the A-S-R structure (Acknowledge → Solutions → Resolution):

1. Acknowledge the problem and show empathy (10 seconds)
2. Propose 2-3 specific solutions or steps (35 seconds)
3. State the expected positive outcome (15 seconds)

Opening phrase: "I understand this is a difficult situation, and here's how I would handle it..."

Sample Answer

Prompt: Your coworker has been taking credit for your work in meetings. How would you deal with this?

"I understand this is a really frustrating situation, and I think it's important to handle it carefully to maintain a good working relationship. Here's what I would do.

First, I would have a private, one-on-one conversation with my coworker. I wouldn't be confrontational — instead, I'd use a calm and professional tone. I might say something like, 'I noticed that in yesterday's meeting, the project was presented as your work, but I'd like us to share the credit since we both contributed.' Sometimes people don't even realize they're doing this, so giving them the benefit of the doubt is important.

If the behavior continued after our conversation, my next step would be to start documenting my contributions more visibly. I would send follow-up emails after completing tasks, so there's a written record of who did what. I'd also CC my manager on important updates.

Finally, if nothing changed, I would schedule a meeting with my supervisor to discuss the situation professionally. I'd focus on facts and documentation rather than emotions.

I believe this step-by-step approach would resolve the issue while keeping the workplace environment respectful and professional."

Pro Tips for Task 6

• Always start with empathy — show you understand the difficulty
• Be diplomatic, not aggressive — the tone matters as much as the content
• Give concrete steps — vague answers score lower
• End positively — show confidence that your approach will work
• Use conditional language: "I would," "I might," "I'd suggest"

Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation

What It Is

• Preparation time: 30 seconds
• Response time: 60 seconds
• What you do: You'll see a picture showing an unusual or unexpected scene. You need to describe what you see and explain what might have happened.

This task rewards creativity and descriptive language.

The Template

Use the D-E-S structure (Describe → Explain → Speculate):

1. Describe what you see in detail (20 seconds)
2. Explain what might have happened (25 seconds)
3. Speculate about what happens next or how people feel (15 seconds)

Opening phrase: "This is quite an unusual scene. What I can see is..."

Sample Answer

Prompt: A picture showing a car parked on a rooftop of a building.

"This is quite an unusual scene. What I can see is a red car that's somehow ended up on the rooftop of what appears to be a two or three-story building. The car looks like a regular sedan, and there don't seem to be any visible ramps or roads leading up to the roof. There are a few people on the street below who are looking up at the car with shocked expressions on their faces.

I think there are a couple of possible explanations for how this happened. The most likely one is that a crane was used to lift the car onto the roof as part of some kind of advertising stunt or prank. In some cities, companies do this type of thing to generate attention and publicity. Another possibility is that this is an art installation — I've seen similar creative projects in cities like Toronto and Montreal.

I imagine the owner of the building is probably quite confused and perhaps a bit annoyed about this situation. The people on the street seem more amused than anything. Eventually, I think they'll need to bring in heavy equipment to get the car back down safely. It's definitely the kind of scene that would go viral on social media."

Pro Tips for Task 8

• Describe BEFORE explaining — start with what you literally see
• Use vivid adjectives and spatial language: "on top of," "in the background," "to the left"
• Offer multiple explanations — this shows critical thinking
• Be creative — this task rewards imagination
• Include people's reactions if there are people in the scene

Universal Tips for All Four Tasks

1. Master Your Opening Phrases

Having a strong, confident opening sentence for each task eliminates the "deer in headlights" moment. Memorize one opening phrase per task:

• Task 4: "Based on what I can see, I predict that..."
• Task 5: "If I were you, I would definitely choose..."
• Task 6: "I understand this is a difficult situation, and here's how I would handle it..."
• Task 8: "This is quite an unusual scene. What I can see is..."

2. Fill the Entire 60 Seconds

If you finish early, keep talking. Add another reason, expand on a point, or add a personal reflection. Silence counts against you.

3. Use a Range of Vocabulary

Avoid repeating the same words. Instead of saying "good" three times, say "good," "excellent," "beneficial." Vocabulary range is a major scoring factor.

4. Mix Simple and Complex Sentences

Don't speak in only short sentences: "I like cooking. Cooking is fun. It saves money."

Mix it up: "Cooking is not only a practical skill that saves money, but it's also a wonderful way to express creativity and bring people together."

5. Practice Under Timed Conditions

Knowing the template isn't enough — you need to practice delivering it in 60 seconds. Use a timer every single time you practice. Your body needs to internalize the pacing.

How to Practice These Tasks Effectively

The biggest challenge with CELPIP Speaking is that you can't practice it alone effectively. You need feedback on your pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, and coherence.

That's exactly why we built CELPIP AI Coach. Our platform gives you:

• Realistic prompts for every speaking task type
• AI-powered feedback on your performance
• Scoring estimates so you know where you stand
• Unlimited practice — no scheduling, no waiting

Ready to practice Tasks 4, 5, 6, and 8 with instant feedback?

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