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Speaking Task 8 — Describing an Unusual Situation

Describe a strange or unfamiliar picture to someone who cannot see it — clearly enough that they could identify it. CLB 7, 9 and 11 answers included.

5 min read
Key strategies
  • 1.You describe an unusual or unfamiliar object/scene to someone who can't see it — be precise enough that they could recognise it.
  • 2.When you don't know the exact word, describe by comparison: 'it looks like a...', 'it's shaped a bit like...'.
  • 3.Describe systematically: overall shape and size → parts and colours → what it might be used for.
  • 4.Stay factual and observational; only guess its purpose at the end if it helps the listener picture it.
  • 5.Use approximation language confidently: 'about the size of...', 'sort of round', 'a kind of...'.

The task

In Task 8 you see an unusual, strange, or unfamiliar image — often an odd object or an unexpected scene — and you describe it to someone who cannot see it, clearly enough that they could picture or identify it. You get about 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak. The challenge is describing something you may not have an exact word for.

Describe by comparison

When you don't know the precise name, compare:

  • "It looks a bit like a watering can, but bigger."
  • "It's shaped sort of like a guitar with extra strings."
  • "It's about the size of a microwave."

This approximation language is exactly the skill the task rewards.

A systematic order

  1. Overall impression: "It's a strange object, roughly round, and about as tall as a chair."
  2. Parts, colours, materials: work through the details one by one.
  3. Possible purpose (optional): "I think it might be used for…" — only if it helps.

Stay observational

Describe what you actually see — shape, size, colour, texture, number of parts — before you guess what it is. A precise physical description is worth more than a confident-but-vague label.

Common mistakes

  • Freezing because you don't know one word — describe around it instead.
  • Guessing the purpose first and skipping the physical description.
  • Vague language ("it's a thing") with no shape, size, or colour.

Sample answers by CLB level

See what each band looks like — and what lifts an answer to the next level.

CLB 7 — Clear, resourceful
Prompt

Describe an unusual object: a strange-looking kitchen gadget you've never seen before.

Model answer
I am looking at a strange object that I think is some kind of kitchen tool, but I am not sure exactly what it is.

It is small, about the size of my hand. The bottom part is round and made of metal, and it looks a bit like a small cup. On the top, there is a handle made of black plastic, so you can hold it easily.

On one side, there are some sharp, thin metal parts, almost like little blades or teeth. Because of these parts, I think this tool is used for cutting or maybe for taking the skin off fruit and vegetables.

So, it is a small metal and plastic kitchen gadget, and I believe it is used for preparing food.
Why this is CLB 7: Handles the unknown object well by comparing ('like a small cup', 'like little blades'), describes shape, size and material in order, and offers a reasonable purpose. Solid CLB 7.
CLB 9 — Detailed, natural
Prompt

Describe an unusual object: a strange-looking kitchen gadget you've never seen before.

Model answer
So I've got this rather odd little gadget in front of me, and I'm fairly sure it belongs in a kitchen, though I couldn't tell you its exact name.

Size-wise, it fits comfortably in one hand — maybe the length of a TV remote. The base is a small, round, stainless-steel cup, almost like a tiny bucket, and rising out of it is a moulded black plastic handle that's clearly meant for gripping.

The interesting bit is along one edge, where there's a row of fine, sharp metal teeth, a bit like a miniature grater or a row of tiny blades. Given those teeth and the little cup underneath, my best guess is that it's used for zesting citrus or shaving off thin curls of something — chocolate or hard cheese, maybe — that then collect in the cup.
Why this is CLB 9: Natural approximation ('the length of a TV remote', 'like a tiny bucket'), systematic detail, and a well-reasoned guess at function. Fluent and easy to picture.
CLB 11 — Vivid, effortless
Prompt

Describe an unusual object: a strange-looking kitchen gadget you've never seen before.

Model answer
Right, so what I'm holding is a genuinely peculiar little contraption — almost certainly a kitchen tool, though its exact name escapes me completely.

It's compact, sitting easily in the palm of one hand, roughly the length of a chunky marker pen. The base is a neat, round cup of brushed stainless steel — picture a thimble scaled up to espresso-cup size — and out of that rises a sculpted black handle, the kind that's clearly been designed to sit just so between your fingers.

The real giveaway is along one curved edge, where there's a tight row of fine, razor-sharp teeth, not unlike a miniature rasp or grater. Putting the pieces together — the blades up top, the catch-cup below — I'd wager it's a zester or fine shaver, the sort of thing you'd run across a lemon or a block of parmesan to collect a little drift of zest or shavings in the cup beneath.
Why this is CLB 11: Inventive, precise comparisons ('a thimble scaled up to espresso-cup size', 'a little drift of zest'), seamless structure, and a confident deduction. Native-level descriptive fluency.

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