CELPIP Speaking Task 6 Template — Dealing with a Difficult Situation

CELPIP Speaking Task 6 — "Dealing with a Difficult Situation" — gives you an awkward scenario with two possible choices. You get 60 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak into the microphone (there is no live examiner). Your job is to pick one option clearly, explain it to a specific person, and do it diplomatically — usually while declining something or delivering bad news. This guide gives you a structure, a fill-in template, two phrase banks (sentence starters plus a direct-vs-tactful softening table), a model answer, a CLB 7/9/11 breakdown, and the mistakes that quietly cost points.

What the examiner is looking for

Task 6 is scored on the four official Speaking criteria. Here is what each one means here and how to hit it in 60 seconds.

• Content & Coherence — Did you make a clear choice and give reasons that hang together? Hit it by stating your decision in the first two sentences, then giving two organised reasons, then closing. Do not waver between the two options.
• Vocabulary — Did you use precise, situation-appropriate words, especially polite and softening language? Hit it with phrases like "I completely understand," "unfortunately," "I'd rather," and "would it be possible to" instead of blunt words like "no" or "can't."
• Listenability — Is it easy to follow when heard, not read? Hit it with steady pace, clear linking words ("so," "because," "that said"), and natural intonation. Avoid long silent gaps and rushing.
• Task Fulfilment — Did you address the actual situation, choose between the two given options, and speak to the named person? Hit it by naming the listener's concern, choosing explicitly, and tailoring your tone to who they are (a manager, a friend, a customer).

The single biggest differentiator on this task is diplomacy. A grammatically perfect answer that sounds blunt or rude scores lower than a slightly simpler answer that sounds warm, tactful and decisive.

Plan in 60 seconds: the "Acknowledge — Choose — Justify — Soften — Offer" structure

Don't try to script full sentences during prep. In your 60 seconds of planning, jot five quick anchors: who you're talking to, which option you pick, two reasons, one softening line, and one alternative or closing. Then speak to that skeleton. Aim for roughly 110–140 words, which is what fits comfortably in 60 seconds at a natural pace.

Step 1 — Acknowledge the situation (about 8 seconds)

Open by showing you understand the difficulty and the other person's position. This buys goodwill and sounds mature. For example, if your roommate wants to host a loud party the night before your exam, start with: "Hey Maya, I know you've been looking forward to this party for weeks, and I'd never want to spoil it." You have not refused anything yet — you've just signalled empathy, which makes the coming decision land softly.

Step 2 — State your choice clearly (about 10 seconds)

Now commit to one of the two options in a single clean sentence. Indecision is the most common Task 6 failure. Say something like: "That said, I've decided it's best if we move the party to the weekend instead of holding it tonight." The examiner must hear exactly which option you chose. Use a signal phrase — "I've decided," "I think the better option is," "I'd prefer to" — so the decision is unmistakable.

Step 3 — Justify with two reasons (about 22 seconds)

Give two reasons that support your choice. This is the heart of the answer and where Content & Coherence is won. Link them: "The main reason is that I have my licensing exam at 8 a.m., so I really need a quiet evening. On top of that, our neighbours have complained about noise before, and I don't want us to get a formal warning from the building." Two concrete reasons sound more convincing than one, and the linking words make it easy to follow.

Step 4 — Soften and stay tactful (woven throughout)

Softening isn't one step — it's a layer you apply across the whole answer. Replace blunt verbs with gentle ones, add "unfortunately" or "I'm afraid" before bad news, and use "would" and "could" instead of "will" and "can." Compare "You can't have the party here" with "Unfortunately, tonight just won't work for me this time." Same decision, far warmer delivery.

Step 5 — Offer an alternative and close (about 12 seconds)

End by offering a way forward so you don't sound like you're only refusing. Suggest the other option, propose a compromise, or offer help: "How about we do it Saturday instead? I'll happily help you set everything up and even cover the snacks to make up for the change." A warm closing line leaves the listener feeling respected.

The fill-in template

Use this skeleton in prep and fill the brackets with the scenario's details.

Hi [name], I know [show you understand their side / their plan].
That said, I've decided that [state your chosen option clearly].
The main reason is that [reason 1, the strongest one].
On top of that, [reason 2].
I'm afraid [the other option] just wouldn't work because [brief why].
So, would it be possible to [alternative / compromise]?
I'd be more than happy to [offer of help] to make it easier.
Thanks so much for understanding — I really appreciate it.

Sentence-starter bank

Pick one line from each row as you move through the five steps.

Diplomatic and softening language

This is the table that turns a CLB 7 answer into a CLB 9+ one. Train yourself to reach for the right-hand column automatically.

Buying time and staying fluent

If you blank mid-answer, do not freeze in silence — silence hurts Listenability more than a natural filler does. Use a short, calm phrase, take a breath, and continue.

Use these sparingly — one or two across the answer sounds human; a filler in every sentence sounds underprepared.

Model answer

Scenario: Your manager has asked you to cover an extra weekend shift, but you already promised to attend your sister's wedding. You must respond to your manager. (About 130 words.)

Why this answer scores high

• Opening ("I really appreciate you thinking of me…") acknowledges the manager and the staffing problem before refusing — that empathy protects the relationship and shows social awareness (Content & Coherence, Vocabulary).
• "I'm afraid I won't be able to cover Saturday this time" is an unambiguous choice. The examiner never has to guess which option was picked (Task Fulfilment).
• Two linked reasons — the wedding, then "on top of that" the speech — give weight to the decision and organise the middle of the answer cleanly (Content & Coherence).
• Softening throughout — "I'm afraid," "honestly," "I completely understand this puts you in a tough spot" — keeps the tone respectful to a superior (Vocabulary, Task Fulfilment).
• Two concrete offers — swapping the shift and finding a replacement — show the speaker isn't just refusing but solving the problem (Content & Coherence).
• Steady linking words and a warm close keep it easy to follow when heard aloud (Listenability).

What CLB 7, 9 and 11 look like

• CLB 7 — Makes a clear choice and gives at least one reason, but the language is mostly direct ("I can't," "sorry"), softening is thin, and there may be hesitations or a missing alternative. Understandable and on-task, just plain.
• CLB 9 — Chooses confidently, gives two organised reasons, and uses several softening phrases ("unfortunately," "would it be possible"). Good range of linking words, mostly accurate grammar, and a clear closing offer. Sounds genuinely polite and natural.
• CLB 11 — Effortlessly diplomatic and well-paced. Reasons are nuanced, softening is woven in without sounding scripted, vocabulary is precise and varied, and the speaker manages tone perfectly for the listener (deferential to a boss, warm to a friend). Almost no errors, and any self-correction is smooth.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not choosing, or choosing both. "Maybe I could do a bit of both" fails Task Fulfilment. Commit to one option in your second sentence.
• Being too blunt. Saying "No, I can't" without acknowledgement or softening reads as rude and caps your Vocabulary score. Layer in tactful phrases.
• Forgetting the listener. Speak to the named person and match the tone to who they are — formal for a manager, warmer for a friend.
• Only one reason. A single justification feels thin. Add a second with "on top of that" or "what's more."
• No alternative or closing. Ending on the refusal leaves a cold impression. Always offer a way forward.
• Running out of time or rushing. Practise to 110–140 words so you finish the close calmly instead of getting cut off mid-sentence.