CELPIP Speaking Task 8 Template — Describing an Unusual Situation

Speaking Task 8 is the final task on the CELPIP Speaking test, and it asks you to describe an unusual or strange picture to someone who cannot see it. You get 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak into the microphone. This guide gives you a reliable structure, two reusable phrase banks, a fill-in template, a high-scoring model answer with a line-by-line breakdown, and the most common mistakes to avoid.

The core challenge is precision. Because your listener has no picture in front of them, vague language ("it's a weird thing") fails the task. Strong responses describe the object precisely — its shape, size, colour, material, and parts — point out exactly what is unusual, and then speculate about what it might be using comparison language like "it looks like" or "it reminds me of."

What the examiner is looking for

Task 8 is rated on the same four criteria as every Speaking task. Here is what each one means for describing an unusual situation, and how to hit it.

Notice that Task Fulfilment is task-specific here: the picture is unusual on purpose, so naming what makes it strange is not optional — it is the heart of the task.

Use your 30 seconds: the "Big-to-Small" plan

You cannot script a full answer in 30 seconds, so plan a path through the picture instead of exact words. Use a simple Big-to-Small order so your description never feels random. Whisper or note three anchors: (1) what the whole thing looks like, (2) two or three specific parts, (3) what is unusual about it. Then talk.

Step 1 — Set the scene (about 8 seconds)

Open by telling your listener what you're looking at and that it's strange, so they know the frame. Don't over-explain; one or two sentences is enough. For example: "I'm looking at a photo of an object on a kitchen table, and honestly, it's one of the strangest things I've ever seen." This immediately establishes context and signals that an unusual description is coming.

Step 2 — Give the overall impression (about 12 seconds)

Now describe the whole object before the details: its size, shape, and main colour. This is where comparison language shines. For example: "It's about the size of a basketball, but it's a perfect cube, and it's a deep, glossy purple." Giving size relative to a familiar object ("the size of a basketball") lets your listener build a mental image fast.

Step 3 — Describe the specific parts (about 18 seconds)

Zoom in on two or three concrete features. Use spatial words — on top, along the side, at the bottom — so the parts connect into a whole. For example: "On top, there are three thin metal antennas sticking out, and along one side I can see a row of small, glowing blue buttons. At the bottom, it sits on four tiny wheels." Precise parts are what separate a CLB 9+ answer from a vague one.

Step 4 — Say what is unusual (about 12 seconds)

This is the criterion the task is built around. Point directly at the odd detail and react to it. For example: "What's really strange is that the antennas seem to be growing leaves, like a plant, even though the rest of it looks completely electronic." Naming the contradiction or oddity proves you understood the task.

Step 5 — Speculate and close (about 10 seconds)

Finish by guessing what it might be and, if it fits the prompt, telling your listener what to do (find it, buy it, picture it). For example: "I'm not totally sure what it is — maybe some kind of futuristic gardening robot? If you ever see one in a store, grab it for me, because I'd love to know how it works." A guess plus a closing line gives the response a satisfying shape.

The fill-in template

Use this skeleton in your practice and adapt the placeholders to whatever strange picture appears. It maps exactly onto the five steps above.

[OPEN] So, I'm looking at a picture of [object/scene], and it's honestly one of the strangest things I've ever seen.

[OVERALL] At first glance, it's about the size of [familiar object], it's [shape], and it's mostly [colour]. It kind of looks like [comparison].

[PARTS] If I look closer, on top there's [feature 1]. Along the side, I can see [feature 2]. And at the bottom, [feature 3].

[UNUSUAL] But here's the really weird part: [the unusual detail]. I've never seen anything do that before.

[SPECULATE + CLOSE] I'm not 100% sure what it is — maybe [your guess]? Anyway, if you [find it / see it / can picture it], [closing request or comment].

Sentence-starter bank

Mix and match these openers so your delivery sounds natural and varied rather than memorised. Each row covers one stage of the answer.

Precise description & comparison language

This is the bank that lifts your Vocabulary score. Reach for exact words instead of "big," "weird," or "thing." Pull one or two from each row as you describe.

Model answer

The sample below is about 130 words — a comfortable 60 seconds when spoken at a natural pace.

Why this answer scores high

Here is how each part earns marks against the four criteria.

• Opening line — "one of the strangest things I've ever seen" frames the whole answer and tells the listener an unusual description is coming. Strong Content & Coherence from the first sentence.
• Overall impression — "the size of a toaster… shaped like a perfect egg… glossy, deep purple" gives size, shape, and colour in one breath, using a familiar object for scale. Precise Vocabulary.
• Specific parts — "on top… along one side… at the bottom" uses spatial signposting so the three features (antennas, buttons, wheels) assemble into a clear whole. High Listenability and Coherence.
• The unusual detail — "the antennas seem to be growing actual green leaves… even though the rest looks completely electronic" names a clear contradiction. This is the line that fulfils the task; without it the answer would be flat. Direct Task Fulfilment.
• Speculation and close — "maybe some kind of futuristic gardening robot? If you ever see one, grab it for me!" adds a confident guess and a natural closing request to the listener. Rounds out Content and keeps the tone conversational.

What CLB 7, 9 and 11 look like

• CLB 7 — The object is described, but mostly with general words ("it's big and purple and weird"). The unusual feature is mentioned but not explained, and there are noticeable pauses or grammar slips that don't block understanding.
• CLB 9 — A clear, well-ordered description with precise vocabulary (cube-shaped, glowing, palm-sized), at least one good comparison, and the unusual detail explained as a contradiction or surprise. Delivery is smooth with only minor hesitation.
• CLB 11 — Effortless, vivid description that flows naturally; rich, exact word choice and idiomatic comparisons ("a cross between a kettle and a beehive"); the speaker not only names the oddity but reacts to it and speculates with ease, all within 60 seconds and with strong stress and rhythm.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Forgetting the listener can't see it. Saying "this thing here" or "that part" means nothing to someone with no picture. Always describe, never point.
• Skipping the unusual detail. If you describe a plain object and never say what's strange, you miss the entire point of Task 8 and lose Task Fulfilment marks.
• Overusing "thing," "stuff," and "weird." These cap your Vocabulary score. Replace them with exact descriptors and comparisons from the banks above.
• Describing in random order. Jumping from the bottom to the colour to a button to the size confuses the listener. Stick to Big-to-Small.
• Running out of time on the intro. Spending 25 seconds on "so, um, let me see…" leaves no time for parts and speculation. Open in one sentence and move on.
• Freezing because you don't know what the object is. You're not graded on getting it right — you're graded on describing and guessing. "My best guess is…" is always a safe, scoring move.

Buying time & staying fluent

A second or two of natural thinking time is fine and even sounds authentic — long dead silence is what hurts your score. Keep these on hand to bridge a pause without stalling.

Practise this template with five or six different strange pictures, time yourself at 30 seconds prep and 60 seconds speaking, and the Big-to-Small path will become automatic — which is exactly what you want on test day.