What You'll Learn
- Apply the 5-step strategy for Task 8 responses
- Use descriptive and speculative language effectively
- Structure a role-play phone call describing an unusual scene
- Deliver organized 60-second responses with natural pacing
Task 8 is the final speaking task in CELPIP. You’ll see an image showing an unusual or unexpected situation, and you must describe it in a role-play phone call format. You’re calling someone (a friend, colleague, etc.) to tell them about something unusual you’re seeing. The person on the phone cannot see the image, so you must describe it clearly and vividly.
This task tests your ability to describe visually, use speculative language, and communicate clearly in a natural conversational format.
At a Glance
- Format: Image + role-play phone call
- Prep Time: 30 seconds
- Speaking Time: 60 seconds
- Goal: Describe an unusual scene to someone on the phone
The 5-Step Response Strategy
Use this structure to organize your 60-second phone call:
1. Set Up the Role-Play (5-10 seconds)
Start by greeting the person you’re calling. This establishes the conversational format naturally.
- “Hi Jill, you won’t believe what I’m seeing right now!”
- “Hey Mark, I have to tell you about something really strange.”
- “Sarah, guess what’s happening outside my window!”
2. Describe the Unique Aspects of the Picture (15-20 seconds)
Focus on what makes the scene unusual. Be specific about the visual details that stand out. Remember: the person on the phone cannot see the image, so paint a clear picture.
- “There’s a huge birthday cake sitting in the middle of a conference table, but everyone looks completely serious.”
- “I’m looking at a park and there’s a man in a business suit sitting on the grass reading to a group of dogs.”
3. Focus on Things You Can Describe Well (15-20 seconds)
Don’t get stuck on details you can’t name. Spend time on elements you have vocabulary for. Describe people’s expressions, body language, the setting, and the mood.
- “The people around are just staring, nobody knows what to do.”
- “It looks like it happened recently because everyone seems confused.”
4. Create Phrases Using Common Words (10-15 seconds)
If you can’t think of specific vocabulary, describe things using simple words. Instead of searching for the perfect word, explain what you see in everyday language.
- Instead of “dilapidated”: “The building looks really old and almost falling apart.”
- Instead of “bewildered”: “Everyone looks really confused and surprised.”
5. Finish the Phone Call (5-10 seconds)
Wrap up the conversation naturally by closing the role-play.
- “Anyway, I just had to call and tell you about this. I’ll send you a photo!”
- “I’ve gotta go, but I wanted you to know about this. Talk later!”
- “Alright, I’ll let you know what happens. Bye!”
Stay in Character
This is a phone call role-play. Keep a natural, conversational tone throughout. You’re telling a friend about something you’re witnessing, not giving a formal presentation. Use expressions like “You should see this!” or “I can’t believe it!” to sound natural.
Essential Language Patterns
Narrative Language
Use past continuous and simple past to describe the scene:
- “A crowd was gathering around the fountain when I noticed…”
- “People were staring at something unusual.”
- “The security guard looked confused.”
Speculative Modals
Use modal verbs to express possibility and speculation:
- Could/might/may: “It could be an escaped zoo animal.”
- Must: “The owner must have lost control of the animal.”
- Probably/likely: “Someone will probably contact the authorities.”
Connectors for Storytelling
Link your ideas smoothly:
- To start: “In this image…”, “What I can see is…”
- To highlight: “The unusual aspect is…”, “What stands out is…”
- To speculate: “This suggests that…”, “It’s likely that…”
- To conclude: “Ultimately…”, “As a result…”
Vocabulary Booster: Use descriptive adjectives (peculiar, unexpected, bizarre, out-of-place) and specific nouns (onlookers, passersby, bystanders) to demonstrate range.
Time Management Tips
You have only 60 seconds, pacing is critical.
- Practice with a timer until the 5-step structure becomes automatic
- Don’t over-describe physical details; focus on the unusual element
- Keep speculation brief: 2-3 reasons, not an exhaustive list
- Leave 2-3 seconds at the end to wrap up naturally, don’t let the timer cut you off mid-sentence
Task 8 Execution Checklist
- Open with a natural phone greeting to set up the role-play
- Describe the unusual aspects of the scene vividly
- Focus on details you have vocabulary for
- Use simple words to describe things you cannot name precisely
- Close the phone call naturally
- Maintain a conversational, engaged tone throughout
Sample Task with Model Response
Practice: Street Performers Phone Call
Your task: You are at a tourist site and see some unusual street performers. Call your friend Katia and describe what the performers are doing. Ask her if she would like to come see the event.
Show model response →
Model Response (CLB 9-10):
“Hi Katia, can you hear this music behind me? I’m in a park somewhere downtown, at this tourist spot, and these street performers are putting on the most amazing show. They’ve set up all these unusual instruments, and the sound is actually incredible.
One of them is playing melodies on a row of wine glasses, each one filled with different amounts of water, and it sounds like a piano almost. Another person is drumming on a bunch of upturned plastic buckets and metal garbage cans, and I know that sounds weird, but the rhythm is fantastic, really tight and professional. And then there’s a guy playing a guitar that looks like it’s made out of a wooden box, like something homemade, but it sounds so warm and full.
There’s a big crowd gathering around, and everyone looks pretty amazed. People are filming on their phones and tapping their feet. I’ve been standing here for about ten minutes and I could stay all afternoon, honestly.
You should really come check this out. Are you free right now? I think they’ll be playing for a while. Call me back and I’ll tell you exactly where I am!”
Why this works:
- Natural, excited phone greeting with immediate auditory hook (“can you hear this music?”)
- Describes three distinct unusual instruments with accessible vocabulary
- Uses comparisons to help the listener understand unfamiliar items (“sounds like a piano”)
- Includes crowd reactions to add atmosphere
- Ends with a natural invitation, closing the phone call properly
- Enthusiastic, engaged tone throughout
Practice: Unusual Situation Phone Call (2)
Image description (you would see this visually):
A busy downtown park on a sunny afternoon. In the centre, a large art installation has appeared overnight: a giant upside-down house, about two storeys tall, balanced on its roof with the foundation pointing up at the sky. People are walking around it, taking photos, and children are trying to peek through the upside-down windows. A few pigeons are perched on the foundation edges at the top.
Your task: Call your friend Mark and describe this unusual situation in 60 seconds.
Show model response →
Model Response (CLB 9-10):
“Hey Mark, you need to hear this. I’m in the park downtown on my lunch break, and there’s this enormous house just sitting here, except it’s completely upside down. I’m serious, the roof is on the ground and the foundation is sticking straight up into the air. It’s like somebody picked up a two-storey house, flipped it over, and dropped it right in the middle of the park.
The whole thing looks totally real, like actual bricks and windows and a front door, but everything is reversed. There are kids running around it trying to look through the windows, which are now at ground level, and you can kind of see furniture inside that’s bolted to what used to be the ceiling. There’s even a chandelier pointing upward, which looks so bizarre.
People are crowding around taking photos, and the funniest part is there are pigeons sitting on top, on the foundation edges, like they’ve just accepted that this is normal. It must be some kind of art installation that went up overnight because it definitely was not here yesterday.
You should come check it out after work, it’s right by the fountain. You’ll spot it immediately. See you later!”
Why this works:
- Natural, excited phone greeting sets the scene immediately
- Vivid description helps the listener visualize something they cannot see
- Specific details (furniture bolted to ceiling, chandelier, pigeons) paint a clear picture
- Uses simple language to describe complex visual elements
- Light humour about the pigeons keeps the conversational tone
- Closes with a natural invitation to come see it
Practice: Unusual Situation Phone Call (3)
Image description (you would see this visually):
A shopping mall shoe store. The display window features a collection of shoes that are extremely unusual: one pair appears to be made entirely of fresh flowers woven together, another pair looks like miniature fish tanks with live goldfish swimming inside the transparent soles, and a third pair has small functioning clocks built into the heels. A sales associate stands nearby with a completely straight face, as if this is all perfectly normal. Several shoppers have stopped to stare.
Your task: Call your friend Sarah and describe this unusual situation in 60 seconds.
Show model response →
Model Response (CLB 9-10):
“Hi Sarah, okay, I’m at the mall and I just walked past this shoe store that has the wildest display I’ve ever seen. These are not regular shoes. The first pair in the window looks like it’s made entirely out of real flowers, like roses and little white blossoms all woven together into the shape of sneakers. They actually look fresh, like someone just picked them from a garden this morning.
But that’s not even the craziest part. There’s another pair that has completely see-through soles, and I swear there are tiny goldfish swimming around inside them, like little portable fish tanks on your feet. I have no idea how that even works, but the fish are definitely alive and moving around.
And then there’s a pair with actual working clocks built right into the heels. I can see the second hands ticking. It’s the most creative thing I’ve ever seen, but I can’t imagine anyone actually wearing these outside.
The best part is the sales associate standing next to the display with a totally straight face, like this is completely normal. Meanwhile, everyone walking by has just stopped and is staring with their mouths open. You have to come see this. Are you still at work? Call me when you’re done!”
Why this works:
- Enthusiastic, natural opening draws the listener in
- Describes three distinct unusual items with vivid, accessible vocabulary
- Uses creative comparisons (“like little portable fish tanks”) to explain unfamiliar objects
- Includes reactions of bystanders and the sales associate to add depth
- Builds excitement progressively, saving the funniest detail for last
- Ends by inviting the friend, closing the phone call naturally
Self-Evaluation
After practicing, check your performance:
Self-Check
- I opened with a natural phone greeting to set up the role-play
- I described the unusual aspects of the scene clearly for someone who cannot see it
- I used vivid, descriptive language to paint a picture
- I speculated about what might be happening or why
- I closed the phone call naturally
- I stayed within 60 seconds with a conversational, engaged tone
5-6 checks = CLB 9+ · 3-4 checks = CLB 7-8 · Review strategies if fewer
Record and Review
Record your practice responses and listen back. Are you using enough speculative language? Is your pacing even? Do you sound natural? Self-review is one of the fastest ways to improve.
Task 8 rewards candidates who can think on their feet and describe what they see clearly and naturally. Master the 5-step phone call strategy, practice with varied unusual scenarios, and you’ll handle anything the test throws at you.