The last four CELPIP Speaking tasks put the heaviest demands on tone and on reading the task correctly. Task 5 tests comparing and persuading, Task 6 handling a difficult situation, Task 7 expressing an opinion, and Task 8 describing an unusual scene.
None of them has a single correct answer. What they reward is choosing a position you can support and delivering a relevant, complete, well-organised response inside the time limit.
Task 5 — Comparing and Persuading
Part 1 gives you 60 seconds to look at two options and choose one. Nothing is recorded. Do not burn the full minute hesitating — settle quickly on whichever option is easier to explain, and identify two or three advantages such as price, features, location, appearance, or who it suits.
Part 2 then shows a different option proposed by the other person. You get another 60 seconds of preparation and 60 seconds of recording to persuade them to accept your Part 1 choice.
How to persuade, not just compare
Speak directly to the person you are persuading. Acknowledge that their choice has some merit, then recommend yours clearly. Explain with specific information why it fits the situation better, and compare purposefully with their new option.
Do not read the specifications off the screen. “This one is cheaper” is not a complete reason — say what the saved money can be used for, or why the budget matters particularly for this family. Close by restating the recommendation so the persuasion task actually finishes.
Task 6 — Dealing with a Difficult Situation
Sixty seconds of preparation, 60 seconds of recording. The prompt typically forces a choice between two imperfect courses of action, which you then explain to the person affected.
A reliable shape: show understanding or apologise briefly, state the decision clearly, give two reasons, and offer a workable alternative if one exists. The required tone is considerate but firm. Apologising repeatedly without ever deciding, or refusing bluntly with no explanation, both leave the task incomplete.
Know who you are talking to
A friend allows warm directness; a customer or colleague requires a more professional register. A usable frame is: I understand why you are disappointed, but I am afraid I will not be able to… followed by the constraint and its consequences.
Do not spend the minute describing your internal conflict. The task wants to hear how you communicate the decision to the other person.
Task 7 — Expressing Opinions
Thirty seconds of preparation, 90 seconds of recording. The prompt normally asks whether you agree with something. Decide yes or no fast, then list about three distinct reasons.
State your position at the start, develop the body reason by reason with an explanation or example each, and summarise at the end. Ninety seconds sounds generous, but three short reasons with no detail will still finish conspicuously early.
There is no preferred side
Which side you take does not affect your score — the quality of your expression does. You are free to argue a position you do not personally hold because it is easier to develop.
Keep the reasons genuinely separate. Supporting bike lanes, you might take traffic congestion, resident health, and environmental impact — not three near-synonyms for “cycling is good.” If you want to acknowledge the opposing view, one concession sentence is enough; do not let your position start drifting.
Task 8 — Describing an Unusual Situation
Thirty seconds of preparation, 60 seconds of recording. The scene is usually strange, and you have to explain it to someone who cannot see it.
Establish the communication context first — where you are and why you are calling — then start with the most striking unusual thing and describe its appearance, action, position, and the reaction around it. Finish by saying how you feel, inviting the person to come and look, or ending the call naturally.
Paraphrasing is the core skill
When you meet an object whose English name you do not know, say It looks like a large metal box with two wheels or It is a device people use to…
Raters do not require you to know specialist names for rare objects. A long silence reduces your content; an accurate explanation built from words you already have demonstrates communicative ability. Let your tone carry the strangeness, surprise, or excitement of the scene rather than reading it out like a shopping list.
What to check when you replay
- Task 5: did the picture details turn into persuasive reasons?
- Task 6: did you actually make a decision, and was the tone right?
- Task 7: was the position consistent, and was every reason developed?
- Task 8: could a listener with no picture imagine the scene from your words alone?
On all four, finish your last sentence before the timer stops. A stable structure and natural communication are far more reliable than a long memorised template.
FAQs
Is Task 5 Part 1 recorded? No. Only Part 2 produces a recording.
What tone does Task 6 need? Considerate but firm — decide, explain, and stay respectful.
What if I cannot name an object in Task 8? Describe its shape, position, material, or purpose and keep going.
Next, read how to answer Tasks 1-4 and the full Speaking format.