In Task 6 you face a difficult situation and choose one of two ways to handle it. You have 60 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.
You speak to the person you chose to talk to, so tone matters as much as content. A good answer is polite, explains the problem clearly, and suggests a reasonable solution.
Task 6 practice prompts and sample answers
These are the 3 free Task 6 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
Your close colleague Daniel, who helped you settle into your Toronto office, has presented an idea you developed as his own. Your manager, Meera, is using tomorrow's presentation to decide which of you will lead a paid project, and privately challenging Daniel could leave you without credit before the decision. Choose ONE:
• Talk to Daniel and ask him to correct the credit before tomorrow's presentation, risking your friendship, OR
• Talk to Meera and explain that the idea was yours, risking Daniel's trust and his chance to lead the project.
Explain your choice to the person you are talking to.
Basic sample answer (CLB 6-7)
Daniel, I need to talk about the idea you presented as yours. I developed it, and I want Meera to know that before tomorrow's presentation. She's choosing who will lead the paid project, so the credit could affect my chances. I know this may feel uncomfortable, and I value your friendship and the help you gave me when I joined. That's why I'm speaking to you first. Could you email Meera today to explain my part? Then we could agree on how to describe our work in the presentation.
Good sample answer (CLB 9)
Daniel, could we discuss the idea you presented as your own? I developed that proposal, and Meera needs an accurate picture before she chooses the paid project's leader tomorrow. I know raising this could feel awkward, especially after everything you've done to help me settle into the Toronto office. I value our friendship, which is why I've chosen to speak with you directly. At the same time, leaving the credit unclear could hurt my chance to lead the project. Could you email Meera today to explain that I developed the idea and describe your contribution? We could then review tomorrow's introduction together so we're both comfortable with how our roles are presented.
Excellent sample answer (CLB 11-12)
Daniel, I need to clear up the credit for the proposal before tomorrow's presentation. You presented the idea as yours, although I developed it, and Meera is relying on that presentation to choose the paid project's leader. I appreciate how much you helped me settle into this office, so raising this with you feels difficult. You may feel embarrassed or worried about your own chances, and I understand that. I've chosen to talk to you first because I value our friendship, but I also need my contribution recognised before the decision. Could you email Meera today explaining where the idea came from and what you added? Let's then review the introduction together and give each contribution clear credit. I'd appreciate agreeing on that today so we can go into tomorrow's meeting with the issue resolved.
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Prompt 2
You told your close friend Leila in confidence that you were struggling to pay rent, and she told your mutual friend Marc. Marc now plans to announce a collection for you at Saturday's neighbourhood barbecue, while Leila has begged you not to reveal that she shared your news. Choose ONE:
• Talk to Leila and ask her to stop Marc's announcement, risking your friendship and further discussion of your finances, OR
• Talk to Marc and ask him to cancel the collection, revealing Leila's breach of confidence and risking her trust and his disappointment.
Explain your choice to the person you are talking to.
Basic sample answer (CLB 6-7)
Marc, thank you for wanting to help with my rent, but please cancel the collection at Saturday's barbecue. I told Leila about my money problems privately, and she shared that with you. She asked me not to say anything, but I need to stop the announcement before more neighbours hear. I know you might feel disappointed because you meant to help. I'm talking to you directly because you're planning the collection. Please don't mention my finances at the barbecue. If anyone has already contributed, could you return their money privately?
Good sample answer (CLB 9)
Marc, I appreciate your kindness, but I need you to cancel the collection at Saturday's neighbourhood barbecue. My difficulty paying rent is private. I told Leila in confidence, and she passed the information to you. She asked me not to reveal that, so I realise this conversation may damage her trust in me. However, I've chosen to speak to you directly because you're arranging the announcement and can stop it. I understand you may feel disappointed or embarrassed when you were only trying to help. Please keep my finances out of the gathering and return any contributions privately. I'd appreciate a message today confirming that the announcement has been cancelled so I can attend comfortably.
Excellent sample answer (CLB 11-12)
Marc, could we speak privately about the collection you're planning for Saturday's barbecue? I appreciate the concern behind it, but I need you to cancel both the collection and the announcement. I told Leila about my rent difficulties in confidence, and she shared that information with you. She asked me not to reveal her involvement, so speaking openly may damage her trust in me. I've nevertheless chosen to approach you because you're organizing the collection and can stop it before my finances become public. I understand you might feel hurt or embarrassed after trying to do something generous. My concern is about having control over personal information, rather than your intentions. Please return any contributions discreetly and avoid discussing my situation with neighbours. Could you confirm today that the announcement is cancelled? That would help me feel comfortable attending on Saturday.
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Prompt 3
At your Calgary office, your junior colleague Noah has sent a client a report containing a major calculation error under your name without your approval. The client, Elise, has noticed the mistake and needs an answer within an hour, but Noah has asked you to keep his involvement private because his probation review is tomorrow. Choose ONE:
• Talk to Noah and ask him to help check the report before you reply, risking a late response to Elise, OR
• Talk to Elise and explain that a report went out under your name without your review, risking her trust in your work and questions about Noah's involvement.
Explain your choice to the person you are talking to.
Basic sample answer (CLB 6-7)
Elise, I'm sorry about the calculation error in your report. I understand you're upset and need an answer within an hour. The report went out under my name before I reviewed it. I'm speaking to you now because you need to know what's happening while I check the figures. I realise this may make you question our work. I'll send you an update within the hour and confirm when the corrected report will be ready. Could you hold off using the figures until I've checked them? I'll handle the review personally.
Good sample answer (CLB 9)
Elise, I'm sorry you've had to flag a major calculation error in our report. I understand you need an answer within an hour and may be frustrated. The document was sent under my name without my review, and I need to establish how that happened. I've chosen to speak with you immediately because waiting until every figure is checked could leave you without an update. I realise this explanation may affect your trust in my work. I'll personally review the calculations and contact you within the hour with either a corrected report or a clear completion time. Meanwhile, could you avoid relying on the current figures? I'll also make sure future reports require my approval before release.
Excellent sample answer (CLB 11-12)
Elise, I'm sorry for the calculation error and the uncertainty it's created. I understand you need an answer within an hour, and finding a mistake yourself must be frustrating. This report was released under my name without my review. I'm contacting you immediately because you deserve an explanation before your deadline, even though I haven't finished checking the calculations. I recognise that this raises concerns about our approval process and could affect your confidence in my work. I'll personally verify the figures and update you within the hour, whether the correction is complete or I need to give you a firm delivery time. Please pause any decisions based on this version. If you have questions about who was involved, I'll answer accurately once I've established the facts. I'll also confirm the approval step we'll use before sending future reports.
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Task 6 FAQ
How long is CELPIP Speaking Task 6?
CELPIP Speaking Task 6 (Dealing with a Difficult Situation) gives you 60 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 6 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 6 for free?
Yes. The first 3 Task 6 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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