CELPIP Speaking Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation
Explain a hard decision in 60 seconds: a response plan, two adaptable templates and an original sample answer.
Independent review record
Reviewed on October 9, 2026 by a separate AI reviewer, distinct from the drafting agent. The review covered task fidelity, published 2026 requirements, English wording, and the evidence for score claims. It was not an official CELPIP assessment.
Conclusion: compatible with the published 2026 task format; useful for practising stronger responses; no verified band score or score guarantee. No recording or timed unseen-prompt performance was assessed.
These are original teaching materials, not official answers. A reusable structure can help you organize a response, but it has no score of its own. Replace the content for every prompt. The examples have not been rated by CELPIP.
Preparation :60s
Recording :60s
Task and timing
Preparation: 60 seconds. Speaking: 60 seconds. Explain a decision to the person identified by your chosen response option. See the official 2026 Speaking Pro pack, pages 5 and 25.
Before planning, identify: your role, your choice, your listener, and what that person needs to understand or accept.
Response plan
A useful sequence is acknowledge the impact → state the decision → explain the reasons → offer feasible help → establish the next step.
- 10–15 secondsRecognize the concern and make the decision clear.
- 215–40 secondsExplain relevant reasons and consequences.
- 340–53 secondsOffer appropriate help or an arrangement.
- 453–60 secondsClose with a clear next step.
This is a practice plan. An apology or compromise is not compulsory in every situation. If there is no appropriate alternative, use the time to explain the decision.
Template A: Declining a request
- 1
Name, I understand why this matters to you. Unfortunately, I won't be able to requested action.
- 2
The main reason is specific constraint. If I agreed, explain the consequence using would or could. Add a second reason only if it contributes something different.
- 3
What I can do is feasible assistance. That would help you benefit.
- 4
I hope you understand why I need to decision. State a realistic next step.
Template B: Asking the other person to accept a decision
- 1
Name, I understand that you'd prefer their preference. Still, I need to ask you to clear request.
- 2
Explain the main reason. Otherwise, realistic consequence. Add another relevant consideration if needed.
- 3
To make this easier, I can support within your control. Explain an arrangement that still respects the decision.
- 4
Could you specific action or agreement?
Do not use a compromise to avoid the required choice. Do not guarantee what a colleague, manager, or customer will do.
Original practice prompt
You promised to help your friend Alex move on Saturday morning. Your manager now asks you to cover a work shift that morning. Choose ONE: talk to Alex and explain why you cannot help, OR talk to your manager and explain why you cannot cover the shift.
Selected response: Explain to your manager why you cannot cover the shift.
Original sample response
Preparation :60s
Recording :60s
Ms. Chen, I understand that finding someone for Saturday morning is difficult. Unfortunately, I can't cover that shift because I've already promised to help a friend move.
He's booked a rental van for that morning, and I'm the person helping him carry the heavy furniture. Cancelling now would leave him with very little time to find someone else, and he could lose paid rental time while waiting for help.
I can ask a couple of colleagues whether they're available, although I can't promise they'll be able to take the shift. I can also prepare the stockroom on Friday so whoever works Saturday has less to do.
I'm sorry I can't help with this particular shift. I'll check with the others today and let you know what they say.
What the sample demonstrates
The speaker makes the refusal clear, explains the effect of cancelling an existing commitment, and offers help without promising that a colleague will agree. The rental-van detail is an original elaboration consistent with the practice prompt.
High-score relevance and limits
The response combines a firm decision with consideration for the manager. Clearer wording about rental time improves precision. The text cannot establish whether the speaker's actual tone sounds sincere or whether delivery is fluent.
For stronger practice, explain the concern that matters most to the listener. Avoid repeating “I'm busy” or adding apologies that replace substantive reasons.
Adjusting the tone
| Situation | Possible wording |
|---|---|
| A disappointed friend | I know this puts you in a difficult position. |
| A scheduling problem | I understand that arranging cover is difficult. |
| A dissatisfied customer | I can see why you're disappointed. |
| A request you cannot approve | I'm not able to approve that, but I can… |
Adapt these phrases to the actual relationship. Respectful language can still be direct.
Try the template on a real question
A template feels natural only after you use it under time pressure. Pick a question and set a timer.
Practice Speaking Task 6