CELPIP Speaking Practice Course: Tasks 3, 4 and 8: Pictures and predictions

1. Question 1 of 15

   In Task 3, Describing a Scene, what should you imagine about the listener?

   • AThe listener is looking at the same picture
   • BThe listener painted the picture
   • CThe listener is in the picture
   • DThe listener cannot see the picture
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   Answer: D. The listener cannot see the picture

   Describe the scene as if the listener can't see it, so your words have to paint the picture.

2. Question 2 of 15

   How should you start your Task 3 answer?

   • AWith a prediction about what will happen
   • BWith an overview of the whole scene
   • CWith the smallest detail in one corner
   • DWith your opinion of the picture's colours
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   Answer: B. With an overview of the whole scene

   Start with a general statement about the scene, then move to some details.

3. Question 3 of 15

   In Task 3, do you need to describe everything in the picture?

   • AYes, but describe only the people and none of the objects
   • BNo, choose some details you can describe well
   • CYes, every object must be mentioned
   • DNo, describe only the background
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   Answer: B. No, choose some details you can describe well

   You don't need to describe everything. Pick the parts of the picture you are comfortable talking about.

4. Question 4 of 15

   Which phrase helps the listener know where something is in a picture?

   • A"I think it will probably…"
   • B"In my opinion…"
   • C"In the background, there's…"
   • D"If I were you…"
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   Answer: C. "In the background, there's…"

   Location phrases such as "in the foreground", "in the background" and "on the left" help the listener picture the scene.

5. Question 5 of 15

   Which sentence best describes an action happening in a picture?

   • A"A woman has carried many boxes."
   • B"A woman carried a large box yesterday."
   • C"A woman will carry a large box."
   • D"A woman is carrying a large box."
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   Answer: D. "A woman is carrying a large box."

   Use the present continuous (is + -ing) for actions you can see happening in the picture right now.

6. Question 6 of 15

   What does Task 4, Making Predictions, ask you to do?

   • AGive your opinion on a social issue and explain your reasons
   • BTell a story about your past
   • CDescribe a new, unusual picture
   • DSay what will happen next in the same picture
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   Answer: D. Say what will happen next in the same picture

   Task 4 uses the same picture as Task 3. You predict what will happen next.

7. Question 7 of 15

   Which phrase is most useful for a Task 4 answer?

   • A"I'm afraid I have to…"
   • B"Last year, I…"
   • C"In the foreground…"
   • D"is probably going to…"
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   Answer: D. "is probably going to…"

   Task 4 is about the future, so forms like "is going to", "will probably" and "might" are the most useful.

8. Question 8 of 15

   Which is the best prediction for Task 4?

   • A"The boy is reaching for the ball, so he'll probably catch it and throw it back."
   • B"A spaceship is going to land in the middle of the park, and everyone will get on it."
   • C"There is a boy and a ball."
   • D"The boy caught the ball yesterday."
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   Answer: A. "The boy is reaching for the ball, so he'll probably catch it and throw it back."

   Good predictions are realistic and based on what people are doing. The others are unrealistic, in the past or just a description.

9. Question 9 of 15

   How long do you speak in each of Tasks 3, 4 and 8?

   • A30 seconds
   • B90 seconds
   • C2 minutes
   • D60 seconds
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   Answer: D. 60 seconds

   Each picture task gives 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.

10. Question 10 of 15

    In Task 8, Describing an Unusual Situation, what kind of situation do you speak in?

    • AA speech to a large group
    • BA phone call to someone who can't see the item
    • CA face-to-face job interview
    • DA recorded voicemail message for the manager of a store
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    Answer: B. A phone call to someone who can't see the item

    Task 8 is a phone-call role-play: you describe an unusual item or situation to someone who can't see it.

11. Question 11 of 15

    What is the best way to begin a Task 8 answer?

    • ASay goodbye and end the call
    • BDescribe the smallest detail first
    • CGreet the listener by name and say why you're calling
    • DRead all the instructions on the screen aloud, word for word
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    Answer: C. Greet the listener by name and say why you're calling

    Set up the phone call first: greet the listener by name and explain why you are calling.

12. Question 12 of 15

    In Task 8, you don't know the exact name of an object. What should you do?

    • ACall it "a thing" and say nothing more
    • BBuild a phrase from common words, like "a tool for opening cans"
    • CSay the word in your first language
    • DStop and wait until the word comes to you
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    Answer: B. Build a phrase from common words, like "a tool for opening cans"

    When you don't know the exact word, describe it with simple words you know. Long pauses and words from another language don't help the listener.

13. Question 13 of 15

    Read the transcript. Which change would most improve the organization of this response?

    Task 3 prompt: Describe the picture to someone who cannot see it.

    Response (transcript): "There's a man with a red hat. He is holding a dog leash. A woman is next to him. She is wearing a blue coat. There are two trees. There is a bench. A boy is on the bench. He is eating ice cream."

    • AAdd a prediction about the dog
    • BBegin with one sentence about the whole scene
    • CAdd a story about the speaker's own dog and where they walk it
    • DDescribe each tree in more detail
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    Answer: B. Begin with one sentence about the whole scene

    The response jumps straight into small details. An overview first (for example, "This is a busy park on a sunny afternoon") helps the listener follow.

14. Question 14 of 15

    Read the transcript. Which change would most improve the speaker's vocabulary and sentence variety?

    Task 3 prompt: Describe the picture to someone who cannot see it.

    Response (transcript): "There's a man with a red hat. He is holding a dog leash. A woman is next to him. She is wearing a blue coat. There are two trees. There is a bench. A boy is on the bench. He is eating ice cream."

    • ARepeat the colours of each item twice
    • BCombine ideas into richer sentences, like "A little boy is happily licking an ice cream cone on the bench."
    • CKeep the short sentences, but start every one with "There is" or "He is" so the pattern is clear
    • DSwitch all the verbs into the past tense
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    Answer: B. Combine ideas into richer sentences, like "A little boy is happily licking an ice cream cone on the bench."

    Most sentences are short and start the same way. Combining ideas and adding descriptive words shows range.

15. Question 15 of 15

    Read the transcript. What does this response do well?

    Task 8 prompt: You see an unusual item in a store. Call your friend and describe it.

    Response (transcript): "Hi Sam, it's Ana. I'm at the furniture store, and I've found the strangest chair. It's shaped like a giant hand, with the fingers as the back of the chair. It's bright yellow and made of soft plastic, and it's about as tall as me. I think it would look great in your games room. Anyway, I'll send you a photo later. Talk soon!"

    • AIt predicts what will happen to the chair next week
    • BIt describes every item in the store
    • CIt sets up the call, describes the item's features and ends the call
    • DIt gives Sam three pieces of advice about buying new furniture for his home
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    Answer: C. It sets up the call, describes the item's features and ends the call

    Ana greets Sam, explains where she is, describes the shape, colour, material and size, and ends the call politely.

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