CELPIP Speaking Task 8: Unusual Situation Practice
Describe a strange object to someone who cannot see it and ask them a question about it. Practise 100 quirky picture prompts with real timers, AI scoring, and sample answers.
100 Questions
Full task-type set
AI Scoring
CELPIP-aligned
Sample Answers
Basic · Good · Excellent
Timed Practice
30s prep · 60s speak
100 questions
Special Note: This practice interface is very similar to the actual CELPIP exam interface, helping you prepare with a realistic test experience.
Tip: Click the full screen icon in the top bar for a better, distraction free exam experience.
You are in a furniture showroom and you see an unusual dining table. The store does not allow photographs, and the showroom is closing soon. Call your roommate, who shares the home and will help pay for the item. Describe the dining table clearly, including its colours, shape, size, and strange parts. Ask whether you should buy it for your shared home.
When you're ready, start the 30-second preparation, then speak during the recording time. Your response is recorded for AI evaluation.
*NOTE: This sample test is not recording your response.
Sample Answer
Okay, don't laugh, but I'm standing in the furniture showroom looking at the most bizarre dining table I've ever seen, and since we'd be splitting the cost I had to call you before it closes. Imagine a round table built to look like an enormous slice of watermelon: the tabletop is a vivid pink surface scattered with oversized black "seeds," and a thick green rind runs all the way around the edge like real watermelon skin. Here's the truly absurd part — it doesn't have ordinary legs. Instead, three big curved yellow bananas fan outward from underneath to support it. There's a plain wooden chair placed next to it for scale, and judging by that, it comfortably seats two or three people. It's playful, beautifully made, and would absolutely be the centrepiece of our place — the kind of thing guests never stop talking about. The only problem is the store is about to close and they won't let me take photos, so you'll have to trust my description. What do you think — should we go for it? Let me know quickly!
Why Practice Describing an Unusual Situation Questions?
Task 8 shows an unusual or funny picture. You describe it in detail to someone on the phone, its colours, shape, size, and strange features, and then ask them something, such as whether you should buy it. The best responses are precise, well-organised, and end with a clear question.
Descriptive vocabulary and a logical order (overall shape first, then colours, then the odd details) make the object easy to picture. Practising many prompts sharpens both your descriptive range and your ability to close with a natural question.
When you are ready for the full experience, take a complete speaking mock test under exam timing.
What is CELPIP Speaking Task 8?
Task 8, “Describing an Unusual Situation,” presents a surprising image. You prepare for 30 seconds and speak for 60, describing the object clearly for a listener who cannot see it and finishing with a relevant question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about CELPIP Describing an Unusual Situation speaking practice.
What should I include when describing the object?
Start with its overall shape and size, then its colours, then the unusual or surprising details. Organising from general to specific keeps the listener oriented.
Do I really need to ask a question at the end?
Yes, the prompt asks you to ask something (for example, whether to buy the item). Ending with a clear question fulfils the task and gives your response a natural close.
Can I practice CELPIP speaking for free?
Yes — the first question on this page is completely free, including the full exam interface, AI scoring, and all three sample answers. The remaining questions are part of the Pro plan.
How is CELPIP Speaking scored?
Raters assess four dimensions — content and coherence, vocabulary, listenability, and task fulfillment — each mapped to a CELPIP level out of 12. The AI Sample Analysis on each question mirrors those four metrics.
What CELPIP level do I need for Canadian immigration?
Many Express Entry candidates target CELPIP level 9 or higher in each skill for maximum CRS points, while CLB 7 is a common minimum for several programs. Timed practice like this helps you close the gap before test day.