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CELPIP Speaking · Task 3

Task 3 practice course: Describing a Scene

Describe a busy picture to someone who can't see it, so they could draw it from what you say. Work through six short steps, from how the task works to a timed answer, about 30 minutes in all. New to this task? Read the Task 3 format and strategy first.

6 steps30 s to prepare · 60 s to speakFree · no account needed
Illustration: describing a scene in daily life
Step 1 of 6

Learn the task

How to organise your answer, what to do with your time, common mistakes and useful phrases, then a quick check.

Part 1 of 5

Choose a path through the picture and keep to it

The listener can't see the picture, so they need to know where each thing is. Pick one way of moving through it before you speak, and use place words every time you move.

Big picture, then the centre, then the sides

A park, a street, a shop or a party with something happening in the middle.

  1. One sentence: the place, the weather, the time of day
  2. The main action in the centre, in detail
  3. The left side, then the right side
  4. One thing in the background
Left to right

A wide scene with three or four separate groups of people.

  1. One sentence: the place and the mood
  2. The group on the left
  3. The middle
  4. The right, then the background
Front to back

A scene with a clear foreground and something far away.

  1. One sentence: the place
  2. What's closest to you
  3. The middle distance
  4. What's in the background

Task 3 cheat sheet

The key points of the course on one screen, to read again just before your test.

Your 30 seconds and 60 seconds

Before you speak (30 s)
  • Look at the whole picture first and find the main action.
  • Choose your path: centre then sides, left to right, or front to back.
  • Pick 4-5 people or groups to describe; you won't have time for everything.
While you speak (60 s)
  • Start with one sentence that sets the scene.
  • For each person: who, where, what they're wearing or holding, what they're doing.
  • Use the present continuous for actions: "is carrying", "are laughing".
If time is left over
  • Add a background detail or how people seem to feel.
  • Don't guess what will happen next. That is Task 4.

Three mistakes that keep scores at CLB 7

  • A list of objects. Describe people and actions with details: "a woman in a red coat is holding up his foot".
  • No place words. Begin each new part with a place phrase: "Right in the centre,...", "On the far right,..."
  • Jumping around. Pick your path in the 30 seconds and follow it once.

Phrases for describing a scene

  • Setting the scene: “I'm looking at a... on a...”, “This picture shows a busy...”
  • Where things are: “Right in the centre,...”, “On the far left,...”, “In the bottom right corner,...”, “Further back,...”, “Next to him,...”
  • Describing people: “a man in a grey hoodie”, “a woman holding a potted plant”, “a little girl with her arms stretched wide”
  • Actions and feelings: “...is rushing over to...”, “...looks worried.”, “They're both laughing.”, “...is fighting back tears.”
  • Moving on: “Meanwhile,...”, “Beside them,...”, “While...”

Questions about Task 3

How do I organise a CELPIP Speaking Task 3 answer?

The listener can't see the picture, so they need to know where each thing is. Pick one way of moving through it before you speak, and use place words every time you move. Big picture, then the centre, then the sides: One sentence: the place, the weather, the time of day; The main action in the centre, in detail; The left side, then the right side; One thing in the background. Left to right: One sentence: the place and the mood; The group on the left; The middle; The right, then the background. Front to back: One sentence: the place; What's closest to you; The middle distance; What's in the background.

How should I use my time in CELPIP Speaking Task 3?

Before you speak (30 s): Look at the whole picture first and find the main action. Choose your path: centre then sides, left to right, or front to back. Pick 4-5 people or groups to describe; you won't have time for everything. While you speak (60 s): Start with one sentence that sets the scene. For each person: who, where, what they're wearing or holding, what they're doing. Use the present continuous for actions: "is carrying", "are laughing". If time is left over: Add a background detail or how people seem to feel. Don't guess what will happen next. That is Task 4.

What mistakes lower a CELPIP Speaking Task 3 score?

A list of objects. "There is a tree. There is a car. There is a woman." gives the listener nothing to picture. Instead: Describe people and actions with details: "a woman in a red coat is holding up his foot". No place words. Without "on the left" or "in the background", the listener can't put anything where it belongs. Instead: Begin each new part with a place phrase: "Right in the centre,...", "On the far right,..." Jumping around. Going centre, then back to the left, then the centre again sounds unplanned. Instead: Pick your path in the 30 seconds and follow it once.

Is this Task 3 course free?

Yes. Every step is free and needs no account; nothing you type or record leaves your browser. With a free CELPass account you can also answer new questions and get an AI score.

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