In Task 8 you describe something unusual to a person who cannot see it. In the real test you see a picture of a strange object or situation. You have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.
The free practice prompts on CELPIPReady describe the unusual situation in words and ask you to describe it and react. The listener has to picture it from your words alone, so a good answer explains clearly what is strange about it, then gives your reaction.
Task 8 practice prompts and sample answers
These are the 3 free Task 8 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
You arrive at your office one morning to find that every single desk, chair, and piece of equipment has been moved outside to the parking lot, arranged exactly as they would be inside. Your colleagues are sitting at their desks working as if nothing is unusual. Describe what you see and react to the situation.
Basic sample answer (CLB 6-7)
When I arrived at the office this morning, I was very surprised. All the desks, chairs, and equipment were moved outside to the parking lot. Everything was arranged exactly like it was inside the office. My colleagues were sitting at their desks and working normally. I couldn't believe it! I think maybe someone moved everything as a joke or a prank. Or maybe there was a problem in the building like a fire alarm or something. It was very strange and funny. I asked my colleagues what happened, but they didn't seem to care. They just continued working outside.
Good sample answer (CLB 9)
I arrived at the office this morning and couldn't believe what I saw. Every single desk, chair, and piece of equipment had been moved outside to the parking lot, but everything was arranged exactly as it was inside the office. What shocked me most was that my colleagues were sitting at their desks, calmly working as if nothing unusual was happening. I was genuinely confused and surprised. At first, I thought maybe there was an emergency in the building, like a fire alarm or gas leak, that forced everyone outside. However, it seemed too organized for that. I suspect someone planned this as an elaborate office prank, possibly management or colleagues trying to prove a point about working remotely. Either way, it was definitely the most bizarre morning I've experienced at work.
Excellent sample answer (CLB 11-12)
Walking into the office this morning was utterly surreal. Everything—every desk, chair, and piece of equipment—had been meticulously relocated to the parking lot, recreating the office layout with such precision that it was almost uncanny. What truly baffled me was my colleagues' nonchalant attitude; they were simply sitting at their desks, diligently working as though we hadn't somehow migrated outdoors overnight. My initial reaction was genuine bewilderment mixed with concern—I wondered if there'd been a building emergency that necessitated evacuation. However, the deliberate arrangement suggested something more calculated. Upon reflection, I suspect this was either a coordinated prank to highlight the absurdity of our physical workspace, or perhaps management's unconventional way of illustrating that productivity doesn't depend on location. The entire situation raised fascinating questions about workplace habits and whether our attachment to the office environment is actually necessary. It was simultaneously humorous and thought-provoking.
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Prompt 2
You walk into a coffee shop and notice that all the customers and staff are moving in complete silence — no one is speaking, and everyone is communicating only through handwritten notes passed between tables. The atmosphere is calm and people seem content. Describe the scene and share your reaction.
Basic sample answer (CLB 6-7)
When I walked into the coffee shop, I was really surprised. Everyone was quiet and writing notes to talk to each other. No one was speaking at all. The staff and customers were passing papers back and forth on the tables. It was very strange but also peaceful. Maybe they were doing some kind of silent challenge or game. Or maybe it was a special event for people who like quiet places. Everyone looked happy and calm, so it didn't seem bad. It was definitely unusual, but interesting to see.
Good sample answer (CLB 9)
I was genuinely shocked when I entered the coffee shop because the entire place was completely silent. All the customers and staff members were communicating exclusively through handwritten notes, passing them across tables and counters. What struck me most was that despite the unusual situation, everyone seemed perfectly content and peaceful. I'm wondering what might have caused this. Perhaps they were participating in a organized silent communication event or challenge to raise awareness about nonverbal communication. Alternatively, it could have been a creative social experiment or even a special gathering for introverts who prefer quiet environments. The remarkable thing was that the atmosphere remained calm and welcoming, suggesting that everyone had either agreed to participate or fully accepted this unique way of interacting.
Excellent sample answer (CLB 11-12)
I was genuinely taken aback upon entering the coffee shop, discovering that every single patron and staff member had adopted a fascinating approach to communication—exclusively handwritten notes passed between tables. What astonished me most wasn't merely the silence itself, but rather the genuinely serene atmosphere pervading the space, where everyone appeared genuinely content and engaged. I found myself speculating about plausible explanations. Perhaps this was an intentional social experiment designed to challenge conventional communication norms or explore how people adapt to constraints. Alternatively, it could have been an organized mindfulness event or silent retreat gathering that embraced linguistic minimalism. The possibility that this was a celebration of nonverbal communication methods, possibly supporting deaf awareness initiatives, also crossed my mind. What impressed me most was the paradox that removing vocal communication hadn't diminished human connection whatsoever. Rather, customers seemed more thoughtful and deliberate in their interactions, and the ambient quiet created an unexpectedly intimate and meditative environment that challenged my assumptions about what makes social spaces meaningful.
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Prompt 3
You walk into a grocery store and realize that everything — the shelves, the products, the signs, the staff uniforms — is in shades of only black and white. The lights are even adjusted so no colours appear. Shoppers are calmly going about their business. Describe what you observe and your reaction.
Basic sample answer (CLB 6-7)
When I walked into the grocery store, I was really shocked because everything was only black and white. The shelves, the products, even the staff uniforms were all black and white. The lights made it look like everything was in black and white too. I couldn't see any colours at all. But the shoppers were just shopping normally and calmly, like this was normal. I think maybe the store was doing some kind of art project or special promotion. Or maybe they changed the lights for a special event. It was very strange and unusual because I've never seen anything like this before.
Good sample answer (CLB 9)
I was absolutely stunned when I walked into the grocery store and realized everything was in complete black and white. The shelves, products, price signs, and even the staff uniforms were all black and white, and the lighting was adjusted so no colours appeared at all. What surprised me most was that the shoppers seemed completely unbothered and just continued their shopping normally, as if nothing unusual was happening. I speculated that the store might be doing some kind of artistic display or creative marketing campaign to attract attention. Maybe they were promoting a new product line or hosting an art-inspired event. However, I also wondered if there was some kind of technical issue with the lighting system. It was definitely one of the strangest retail experiences I'd ever encountered.
Excellent sample answer (CLB 11-12)
I was genuinely taken aback upon entering the grocery store and discovering that absolutely everything had been rendered in black and white—the shelving units, every product, the signage, staff uniforms, even the ambient lighting had been calibrated to eliminate all colour perception. What struck me most profoundly was the striking contrast between this surreal monochromatic environment and the shoppers' nonchalant behaviour, calmly conducting their business as though this were perfectly ordinary. I initially hypothesized that the store was executing an avant-garde marketing initiative, perhaps launching a new product line or participating in some kind of public art installation. Alternatively, it could have been a deliberate rebranding effort aimed at creating a memorable, conversation-worthy experience. Yet another possibility was a sophisticated technical implementation—perhaps demonstrating something related to visual perception or accessibility technology. The deliberateness of the execution, evident from the uniformly adjusted lighting, suggested this wasn't accidental but rather an intentional, carefully orchestrated concept meant to provoke observation and wonder.
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Task 8 FAQ
How long is CELPIP Speaking Task 8?
CELPIP Speaking Task 8 (Describing an Unusual Situation) 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 8 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 8 for free?
Yes. The first 3 Task 8 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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