In Task 3 you describe a scene in detail to someone who cannot see it. In the real test you look at a picture. You have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.
The free practice prompts on CELPIPReady describe the scene in words, so you can practice the same skill: saying who is there, what they are doing, and what the place looks and feels like.
Task 3 practice prompts and sample answers
These are the 3 free Task 3 prompts on CELPIPReady. Each sample answer was written by CELPIPReady to show what a response can sound like at a target level. They are not official CELPIP answers or scores.
Prompt 1
Imagine you are looking at a busy Saturday morning at a local farmers market. Describe what you see in detail — the people, the activities, the atmosphere, and what you might expect to find there.
Basic sample answer (CLB 6-7)
I'm looking at a busy farmers market on Saturday morning. Many people are walking around and shopping. Vendors are selling fresh fruits and vegetables at their stalls. Children are running between the tables while their parents are buying food. Some people are carrying bags full of produce. The sun is shining and everyone looks happy. I can see colorful flowers and hear people talking loudly. It's very crowded but fun.
Good sample answer (CLB 9)
I'm observing a vibrant Saturday morning scene at the local farmers market. Families are strolling through the aisles, examining fresh produce at various stalls. Vendors are enthusiastically calling out their prices while arranging colorful displays of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Children are excitedly pointing at different items as their parents are carefully selecting tomatoes and leafy greens. Musicians are playing acoustic guitars near the entrance, creating a cheerful atmosphere. People are carrying reusable bags and chatting with neighbors they're meeting along the way.
Excellent sample answer (CLB 11-12)
I'm witnessing the bustling energy of a Saturday morning farmers market in full swing. Vendors are artfully arranging their seasonal offerings - vibrant heirloom tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and aromatic herbs - while enthusiastically engaging with customers about their farming practices. Families are meandering through the maze of stalls, with children clutching small bags of freshly picked berries. Local artisans are demonstrating their crafts, from pottery to homemade preserves, while the aroma of freshly baked bread wafts through the air. Regular customers are greeting their favorite vendors like old friends, creating an intimate community atmosphere that's both commercially vibrant and genuinely heartwarming.
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Prompt 2
Picture a crowded international airport departure terminal on a busy holiday weekend. Describe everything you observe — the types of people, the activities taking place, the sounds and atmosphere, and what stories the scene suggests.
Basic sample answer (CLB 6-7)
I'm looking at a very busy airport terminal and it's really crowded. Many people are walking around with their suitcases and bags. Some families are sitting and waiting for their flights. I can see children playing while their parents are watching them. People are standing in long lines at the check-in counters. Everyone looks tired but excited. Some people are eating at the food places and others are shopping in the stores. The announcements are playing loudly and people are talking in different languages. It's very noisy and busy because it's a holiday weekend, so many people are traveling.
Good sample answer (CLB 9)
I'm observing an incredibly bustling airport departure terminal during what's clearly a peak holiday weekend. Everywhere I look, travelers are moving with purpose - some are hurrying toward their gates while dragging oversized suitcases, others are leisurely browsing the duty-free shops. Long queues are forming at every check-in counter, and I can see families with young children who are getting restless from the wait. Business travelers are typing on their laptops at charging stations, while vacation-goers are taking selfies near the large windows overlooking the runway. The atmosphere is filled with multilingual conversations and frequent flight announcements echoing overhead. Despite the chaos, there's an underlying sense of excitement as people embark on their holiday journeys.
Excellent sample answer (CLB 11-12)
I'm witnessing the organized chaos of a major international terminal during peak holiday travel season, and it's absolutely fascinating. The scene is teeming with diverse travelers from every walk of life - I'm seeing extended families shepherding excited grandparents and cranky toddlers, young backpackers consulting their phones for gate changes, and well-dressed business executives navigating through the crowds with practiced efficiency. The cacophony is remarkable - gate announcements in multiple languages are competing with the rumble of rolling luggage, animated conversations in dozens of dialects, and the occasional frustrated outburst from delayed passengers. What strikes me most are the countless micro-dramas unfolding simultaneously: tearful goodbyes at security checkpoints, joyful reunions near arrivals, and that universal look of travel anxiety mixed with anticipation on nearly every face. The entire terminal pulses with the collective energy of human migration during the holidays.
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Prompt 3
Imagine you are watching the scene at a busy Canadian hospital emergency waiting room on a weekday evening. Describe what you see — the people present, what they are doing, the atmosphere, and what the scene tells you about the people there.
Basic sample answer (CLB 6-7)
I'm looking at a busy hospital emergency room and I can see many people waiting. There are families sitting together on plastic chairs. Some people are holding their arms or legs because they're hurt. A mother is comforting her crying child who has a bandage on his head. An elderly man is coughing and his wife is rubbing his back. The nurses are walking around with clipboards and they're checking on patients. Everyone looks tired and worried. The lights are very bright and it's quite noisy with people talking and phones ringing.
Good sample answer (CLB 9)
I'm observing a crowded Canadian hospital emergency waiting room, and the scene is quite intense. Multiple families are sitting on uncomfortable plastic chairs, and many people are clearly in distress. A young mother is gently holding her toddler who's crying with a small head injury, while nearby an elderly couple is waiting - the man is coughing persistently and his wife is supporting him. Several people are clutching injured limbs, and I can see someone with their arm in a makeshift sling. The nursing staff are moving efficiently between patients, carrying charts and checking vital signs. The atmosphere feels tense but patient, showing how Canadians handle healthcare challenges with quiet resilience.
Excellent sample answer (CLB 11-12)
I'm witnessing a quintessentially Canadian scene in this bustling emergency waiting room on a weekday evening. The diverse mix of patients reflects Canada's multicultural fabric - families of various ethnicities are clustered on institutional seating, demonstrating remarkable patience despite obvious discomfort. A mother is tenderly consoling her young child with a head bandage, embodying that universal parental instinct, while an elderly gentleman's persistent cough has his devoted wife providing quiet comfort. Healthcare workers are navigating the controlled chaos with practiced efficiency, their movement patterns revealing the systematic approach that characterizes Canadian healthcare. The atmosphere captures that distinctly Canadian blend of stoic endurance and mutual respect - despite personal pain and lengthy wait times, there's an underlying sense of community and shared understanding that everyone will receive care.
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Task 3 FAQ
How long is CELPIP Speaking Task 3?
CELPIP Speaking Task 3 (Describing a Scene) gives you 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak. Your response is recorded on the computer and the recording stops when the time ends.
Are these CELPIP Speaking Task 3 sample answers official?
No. CELPIPReady wrote these sample answers to show what a response can sound like at each target level. They are not official CELPIP answers, and the CLB labels are targets, not scores from a CELPIP rater.
Can I practice CELPIP Speaking Task 3 for free?
Yes. The first 3 Task 3 prompts on CELPIPReady are free, with a timer and sample answers. With a free account you also get a few AI feedback scores each week.
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