Describing Pictures in CELPIP Speaking (Tasks 3, 4 and 8)
By David · Speaking · Published · 4 min read
Three of the eight CELPIP Speaking tasks are built around a picture. Task 3 asks you to describe a busy scene, Task 4 asks what will happen next in that same scene, and Task 8 asks you to describe an unusual object or situation. Each gives you 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak. They reward the same skills: organisation, specific vocabulary and clear language for where things are.
What the three picture tasks ask
| Task | Picture | Your job |
|---|---|---|
| 3: Describing a Scene | A detailed illustration of a busy scene | Describe it to someone who cannot see it |
| 4: Making Predictions | Same as Task 3 | Predict what will probably happen next |
| 8: Unusual Situation | An unusual object or situation | Describe it, usually on the phone, often to help someone decide |
In all three, imagine your listener cannot see the picture. Anything you do not say does not exist for them.
Task 3: describe with a route, not a list
Start with a one-sentence overview, then move around the picture in one direction. Raters look for organised description, and a route makes your answer organised automatically.
- Overview: where it is and the general mood: "This is a busy kitchen in a family home, just before dinner."
- Route: left to right, or foreground to background. Pick one and stick to it.
- People and actions: use the present continuous: "a boy is setting the table", "the father is stirring a pot".
- Small details: colours, expressions, what people are holding.
Original CELPass example opening: "This picture shows a busy street market on a sunny Saturday morning. In the foreground on the left, a woman in a red jacket is choosing apples from a fruit stand, while the seller is putting some into a paper bag for her. Right next to them, a small boy is pulling on his dad's sleeve and pointing at a balloon stand..."
Location phrases worth knowing
Location language is what turns a list of objects into a picture your listener can follow. Learn these until you can use them without thinking:
| Area | Phrases |
|---|---|
| Front and back | in the foreground, in the background, at the front, at the very back |
| Sides | on the left-hand side, on the right, in the far corner |
| Centre | in the middle, right in the centre of the picture |
| Relative position | next to, beside, behind, in front of, opposite, between, just above |
| Linking | a little further back, meanwhile, close by, across from them |
Task 4: predictions with clues
Task 4 uses the same picture, but describing it again is the most common mistake. Every sentence should be about the future, and each prediction should be backed by something visible.
- Make three or four predictions about different people or groups.
- Vary your future forms: will, is going to, might, is likely to, will probably.
- Give the clue: "because the sky is getting dark", "since he is carrying too many boxes".
Original CELPass example: "I think the woman in the red jacket is going to drop some of those apples, because the paper bag already looks like it's tearing. The little boy will probably convince his dad to buy him a balloon, since he's pointing and looks very excited. And judging by the dark clouds behind the market, it's likely to start raining soon, so the sellers might start packing up early."
Task 8: describe the unusual thing precisely
In Task 8 your listener needs to picture one unusual object or situation clearly, often to make a decision. Go from the whole to the parts: overall shape and size, then each part, then what makes it unusual.
- Shape and size, compared with something familiar: "it's about the size of a suitcase", "it's shaped like a giant egg".
- Colour and material: wooden, plastic, metal, glass, fabric, shiny, rough.
- Parts and position: "on top there's a handle", "underneath, there are four small wheels".
- Purpose or why it's unusual, then your recommendation.
Avoid vague words like "thing" and "stuff". If you do not know the exact word, describe it: "a long metal pole with a hook at the end" is precise even without the technical name.
Using your 30 seconds on a picture
- Look at the whole picture first and decide your overview sentence.
- Choose your route (Task 3), your three people with clues (Task 4), or your familiar comparison (Task 8).
- Spot two or three details you know the exact words for, and plan to use them.
How to practise picture tasks
You can practise with almost any detailed image: a photo from a news site, an illustration in a children's book, a busy street from your window. Set a 60-second timer and describe it as if you were on the phone.
- Describe the same picture twice: once for Task 3, once for Task 4. This trains you to switch from present to future.
- Keep a list of everyday objects you could not name, and look them up after each session.
- Record and listen back: could someone draw the scene from your description?
CELPass Speaking practice includes Task 3, 4 and 8 pictures in the CELPIP style, with AI scoring on the four dimensions so you can see whether Vocabulary or Content/Coherence is the weaker side.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to describe everything in the picture?
No. In 60 seconds you cannot cover everything. Choose the main areas and people, describe them clearly and in order, and add a few specific details.
Can I use the same structure for Task 3 and Task 4?
You can use the same route through the picture, but Task 4 must be about the future. Every point should be a prediction with a visible clue.
Keep reading
CELPass is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Paragon Testing Enterprises. CELPIP is a trademark of Paragon Testing Enterprises. Check the official CELPIP website and IRCC for current test rules and requirements.