CELPIP Speaking Task 6 (Dealing with a Difficult Situation): Structure, Samples and 25 Questions

How task 6 works#

The CELPIP-General and CELPIP-General LS speaking tests have the same eight tasks, and task 6 is Dealing with a Difficult Situation. The screen describes a situation, usually a problem between you and other people, and gives you two options. A preparation timer runs for 60 seconds, then a recording timer runs for 60 seconds while you speak into the microphone. There is no examiner; you speak to the computer, but you talk as if the person you chose were in front of you or on the phone.

The options follow a pattern. One is often the person directly affected (the friend whose camera you broke, the coworker whose shift you promised to cover); the other is someone who could help another way (a manager, a landlord, a repair shop). Either choice is fine. What changes is who you talk to and therefore the words you use: a friend, a boss and a business each need a slightly different tone.

Task 6 gives 60 seconds of preparation, where most tasks give 30. Our guide to all eight speaking tasks has the timings side by side.

What the raters score#

Every CELPIP speaking task is rated in the same four categories, published by Paragon. Here is what each one means for a difficult conversation.

Tone is listed under task fulfillment, and task 6 is where it is easiest to lose. “You have to give me more time” and “Would it be possible to have a few more days?” ask for the same thing, but only one sounds like someone handling a difficult situation well.

A five-step plan for 60 seconds#

Spend most of the time on steps 3 and 4. The situation is already on the screen, so a long retelling only repeats the question; the reason and the solution are what you add.

Using the 60 seconds of preparation

1. First 15 seconds: read the situation and both options once.
2. Next 15 seconds: choose. Take the option where you can imagine a concrete solution. Don’t look for the “right” one.
3. Last 30 seconds: note three words: the person’s name, your reason and your solution. For example: Sam · flight cancelled · Mei covers morning, I come at 6.

Polite English that works in task 6#

More phrases for every task are in our CELPIP vocabulary guide.

Three sample answers#

These situations and answers were written for this guide in the style of the task. Each one is around 100 to 115 words, which fits 60 seconds at a calm pace.

Before and after: fixing a blunt answer#

Here is a typical first try at the neighbour situation, written for this guide, and what changed.

Six mistakes that cost points in task 6#

1. Talking about the person instead of to them. “I would tell my friend that…” describes a conversation; task 6 asks you to have it.
2. Explaining both options. You choose one. Comparing them is task 5, not task 6.
3. Retelling the whole situation. The facts are on the screen. Two sentences are enough before your reason and solution.
4. No solution. An apology alone leaves the problem open. Offer something concrete.
5. The wrong tone for the person. “Hey buddy” to a manager, or a formal speech to your sister, both miss the tone factor.
6. Stopping at 40 seconds. If you finish early, add a second option for the solution, or a sentence about how you’ll prevent it next time.

25 practice situations for task 6#

Written for this guide in the style of the task. For each one, choose an option, prepare for 60 seconds and speak for 60. Then try the other option.

1. You borrowed a coworker’s bicycle and it was stolen while you were in a store. Talk to the coworker, or report it to the police first and then tell him.
2. You booked a restaurant for a friend’s birthday dinner, but you have to work late that night. Talk to the friend, or ask another friend to host the dinner.
3. Your landlord wants to visit the apartment tomorrow, but you won’t be home. Ask the landlord for another day, or ask your roommate to be there.
4. Your child’s soccer coach scheduled practice at a time you can’t drive. Talk to the coach, or ask another parent for a ride.
5. A coworker keeps asking you to finish his reports. Talk to the coworker, or talk to your supervisor.
6. You promised to look after a friend’s dog for the weekend, but you’ve just been invited to a family wedding. Talk to the friend, or ask a pet-sitting service.
7. You received a bill for a service you cancelled last month. Call the company, or ask your bank to stop the payment.
8. You lost a library book that a classmate asked you to return for her. Talk to the classmate, or talk to the library.
9. Your best friend asked you to be in her wedding, but it’s on the day of your citizenship ceremony. Talk to your friend, or ask to move the ceremony.
10. You accidentally scratched a neighbour’s car while parking. Leave a note and talk to the neighbour, or call your insurance company first.
11. You agreed to give a presentation at work, but you have just lost your voice. Talk to your manager, or ask a coworker to present for you.
12. Your roommate often has guests late at night before your early shifts. Talk to the roommate, or talk to the landlord.
13. A friend lent you money three months ago and you can’t pay it back on time. Talk to the friend, or ask a family member to help you repay it.
14. You double-booked two clients for the same hour. Call one client to move the appointment, or ask a colleague to see one of them.
15. Your brother wants to stay with you for a month, but your apartment is very small. Talk to your brother, or talk to your partner about it first.
16. You told your teacher you would hand in an assignment today, but your computer crashed. Talk to the teacher, or ask a classmate to help you finish it.
17. The movers you hired arrived three hours late and broke a lamp. Talk to the movers, or call the moving company’s office.
18. A friend gave you concert tickets as a gift, but you can’t go that night. Tell the friend, or offer the tickets to another friend and explain later.
19. Your manager gave you a project deadline you know you can’t meet. Talk to the manager, or ask a coworker to share the work.
20. Your neighbour’s tree drops leaves into your yard and blocks the drain. Talk to the neighbour, or call the city.
21. You forgot your friend’s birthday party last night. Call the friend, or send a gift and a message.
22. You ordered a sofa online, and it arrived in the wrong colour. Call the store, or talk to your partner about keeping it.
23. You were asked to organise the office holiday party but have no time. Talk to your manager, or ask two coworkers to help.
24. Your family expects you to visit for the holidays, but flights are too expensive this year. Talk to your parents, or talk to your sister about visiting together later.
25. You broke a dish while helping at a friend’s dinner party. Tell the host right away, or buy a replacement and tell her later.

The CELPIP speaking practice questions have ten more task 6 situations and questions for the other seven tasks, and our guides to task 2 and task 7 follow the same format as this one.

Practise on the real timer#

Pick a random situation from the list above and practise on the same timing as the test: 60 seconds to prepare, then 60 seconds to speak. Nothing is recorded here; use your phone’s voice recorder if you want to listen back.

Want to try a task with recording and playback? The free CELPIP level check ends with a speaking task on the real timer, and you can listen to your answer in the browser.

Sources#

Task names and order, and the 15-minute speaking test: celpip.ca, test format and scoring. The four rating categories and their factors: celpip.ca, CELPIP test results, performance standards. Paragon’s speaking advice (complete answers, use your own words, manage the timer): celpip.ca, study strategies: speaking. Preparation and speaking times: Paragon’s official free sample test on celpip.ca. Situations, sample answers and the before-and-after example written by the MapleSpeak team. Checked October 17, 2026.

Questions