CELPIP Speaking

Task 6 sample answers: Dealing with a Difficult Situation

66 dealing with a difficult situation questions in the CELPIP format. Each one has a plan, useful vocabulary and three sample answers, around CLB 4–5, 7–8 and 11–12, with notes on what moves an answer from one level to the next. Choose one of two people to speak to in an awkward situation and explain your decision to them.

Questions

Using Your Employee Discount for a Friend
This prompt asks you to refuse a close friend's request to buy a $900 bike with your employee discount, or to ask your manager for an exception. The tricky part is saying no firmly while protecting the friendship.
Team Member Leaving Early
This prompt asks you, as team leader, to talk to Felix about leaving early to care for his mother, or to ask your team to support him. The tricky part is being honest about the team's complaints while showing real compassion.
Free Babysitting for a Friend
The speaker has to tell a close friend, a single mother, that the free Saturday babysitting cannot continue. The difficulty is being honest about the marriage strain without sounding cold or abandoning Rosa.
Neighbour’s Backyard Fire Pit
The speaker talks to his wife about a kind, lonely neighbour whose fire pit smoke bothers the family. The challenge is agreeing the smoke is a real problem while explaining why other solutions should come first.
Mother’s New Partner
The speaker talks to a brother who wants their widowed mother to end a new relationship. The challenge is respecting the brother's worries while explaining why Howard deserves a chance.
Apartment Noise Complaint
You live in an apartment, and your neighbor's loud music is disturbing you during the late hours.
Apologizing for Deleting a Coworker's Email
In a rush to clear your inbox, you accidentally deleted an important email from your coworker containing project details before reading it fully. They've followed up, confused. You need to own up to rebuild credibility.
Being Late to Work Due to Traffic
You're en route to work but stuck in heavy traffic from an accident, making you late for a team shift. Your colleague is covering and might be affected. You need to notify them promptly to coordinate.
Borrowed Book Damaged
You borrowed a book from a friend, but you accidentally damaged it. You’re now unsure how to approach the situation.
Breaking a Roommate's Kitchen Utensil
While preparing a meal, you accidentally dropped and broke your roommate's favorite kitchen utensil, which they use often. They're particular about their belongings. You need to confess to avoid tension building up.
Bus Route Change
There has been a recent change in the bus route, making your daily commute longer and more inconvenient. You want to address this issue.
Canceling a Volunteer Shift
You've committed to a volunteer shift at a local event, but an unexpected family emergency requires your attention, forcing you to cancel last-minute. The coordinator is counting on you. You need to notify them…
Cancelled Gym Class
You’ve been looking forward to a fitness class, but you’ve just been informed that it has been canceled at the last minute due to an instructor’s emergency.
Children’s Birthday Party Entertainment Change
The entertainment for your child’s birthday party has fallen through, and you need to come up with a last-minute solution.
Customer Order Out of Stock
A customer placed an order for a popular product through your store, but due to high demand, it's now out of stock with no immediate restock date. They're eager for it. You must explain to retain their loyalty.
Declining a Friend's Birthday Party Invitation
Your close friend has invited you to their birthday party this weekend, but you're dealing with exhaustion from work and need rest. They're counting on your presence for the celebration. You must decline empathetically…
Delay in Service Appointment
Your customer has booked a service appointment for appliance repair today, but due to an unexpected technician shortage, it needs to be delayed. The customer is relying on the repair for daily use and may be frustrated.…
Delayed Exam Results for Student
As an instructor, you've promised exam results by today, but grading is delayed due to a high volume of submissions and technical issues. The student is anxious about their performance for future planning. You need to…
Delayed Invoice Payment to Client
Your company is experiencing temporary cash flow issues, causing a delay in paying an invoice to a key client who provided services last month. The client has followed up, expecting payment on time as per the agreement.…
Delayed Refund Processing for Customer
A customer has requested a refund for a defective product, but processing is delayed due to system audits. They're impatient and need the funds soon. You need to explain patiently to retain trust.
Denying a Child's Pet Request
Your child has been persistently asking for a pet, like a dog, after seeing one at a friend's house, but your family isn't ready due to allergies and busy lifestyles. They're emotional about it. You need to explain…
Denying Colleague's Request for Project Help
A colleague has asked for your assistance on their project, but your own workload is too heavy, and helping would compromise your deadlines. They're under pressure too. You must refuse diplomatically.
Emergency Pet Surgery Decision
Your pet needs emergency surgery, but the cost is quite high, and you're unsure whether to go ahead with it. The vet suggests that the surgery could save your pet’s life, but you need to make the decision quickly.
Emergency Room Visit Priority
You are at the emergency room with a minor injury, but there are more serious cases that require immediate attention. You are frustrated with the wait time.
Explaining to a Teacher Why You Were Absent from Class
You missed an important class because you were feeling unwell. Your teacher asks you to explain why you were absent and wants to know if you will be able to catch up. This is a difficult situation because you don’t want…
Family Dinner Conflict
You’re hosting a family dinner, but there’s a disagreement between relatives over what food to prepare.
Forgetting a Friend's Book
You borrowed a book from your friend a few weeks ago and promised to return it today during your meetup, but you accidentally left it at home. Your friend has been looking forward to getting it back because they need it…
Forgetting a Friend's Important Event
You promised to attend your friend's important event, like a performance, but it slipped your mind amid distractions, and you missed it. They're disappointed after reminding you. You must apologize genuinely to mend the…
Gift Return Dilemma
You received a gift that you don't really need or like, and you’d like to return it. However, the store policy states that items can only be returned within 30 days, and it’s been 35 days since you received the gift.…
Gym Equipment Malfunction
You were using the gym’s equipment, and it suddenly broke down. You’re unsure what to do next.
House Renovation Noise Complaint
You’re living next to a house that is being renovated, and the noise is disturbing your peace and quiet.
Interrupting a Coworker's Meeting
During a team meeting, you accidentally interrupted your coworker while they were presenting important ideas, causing them to lose their train of thought. They seemed annoyed afterward. You need to apologize to rebuild…
Late Delivery of Furniture
Your furniture order was supposed to arrive today, but the delivery is late.
Library Study Room Time Extension
You’re studying in the library and the study room reservation is about to end, but you need more time to finish your work.
Losing a Friend's Concert Tickets
You borrowed concert tickets from your friend for an event tonight, but you've misplaced them after a hectic day and can't find them despite searching everywhere. Your friend is excited about attending together and will…
Lost Wallet at Work
You lost your wallet at work, and it had important identification and some cash in it. You’ve checked everywhere, and it’s nowhere to be found.
Missed Delivery Appointment
You were expecting a delivery at home, but the delivery didn’t arrive on time, and you’re unsure what happened.
Missed Important Call with Elderly Parent
You missed an important call from your elderly parent, and they are upset. You want to explain why you couldn’t answer and reassure them.
Missing a Family Holiday Gathering
You've committed to attending a family holiday gathering, but work demands have escalated, making it impossible to travel. Your family member is organizing and expects everyone to be there for tradition. You need to…
Missing a Work Deadline Due to Illness
You were assigned a project with a tight deadline, but you fell ill unexpectedly and couldn't complete it on time, affecting team progress. Your boss is expecting the deliverable today. You must inform them…
Missing Items in Grocery Order
You’ve received your grocery delivery, but some items were missing from the order.
Missing Weekend Team Practice
You've committed to joining your sports team's weekend practice session, which is crucial for an upcoming game, but an unexpected family obligation has arisen that you can't reschedule. Your teammate is relying on full…
Moving Furniture Dilemma
You’ve been asked to help a friend move furniture, but you already have plans and can’t fit it in your schedule.
Neighbour’s Party Noise
Your neighbor is hosting a party, and the noise is keeping you awake late at night.
Noisy Home Repair Notification
You're scheduling urgent repairs at your home that will involve loud noise from tools and workers during the day, potentially disturbing your neighbor who works from home. The repairs can't be postponed. You need to…
Pet Shop Return Policy
You bought a pet item that doesn’t work as expected and would like to return it.
Pet’s Health Concern
Your pet isn’t feeling well, and you’re unsure if it’s something serious.
Postponing a Client Meeting
You've scheduled a crucial meeting with a client, but an internal emergency requires your attention, forcing postponement. The client is time-sensitive with their project. You must reschedule diplomatically.
Professional Conference Registration Dilemma
You’ve registered for a professional conference, but something has come up, and you can no longer attend.
Refusing a Friend's Weekend Trip Invitation
Your friend has invited you on a spontaneous weekend trip, but you're overwhelmed with personal commitments and can't afford the time or expense right now. They're excited and persistent. You must decline gracefully.
Refusing to Lend Car to Neighbor
Your neighbor has asked to borrow your car for a quick errand, but you're uncomfortable due to past experiences with lending and insurance concerns. They're in a bind and persistent. You must decline politely to…
Reporting a Plumbing Issue to Landlord
You've discovered a leaking pipe in your apartment that's causing water damage, but it's after hours, and repairs might require access during your absence. Your landlord prefers advance notice. You must inform them…
Requesting Safer Package Delivery
You've ordered a package that's being delivered today, but your front porch is visible from the street and prone to theft. The delivery driver is about to leave it there as per standard procedure. You need to address…
Rescheduling a Team Meeting
You've organized a team meeting for this afternoon, but a key participant has an emergency, making it ineffective to proceed as planned. Your team is prepared and might be inconvenienced by the change. You must inform…
Restaurant Table Mix-up
You’re at a restaurant with a reservation, but your table is not ready when you arrive, and the staff seems disorganized.
Roommate Eating Your Food
Your roommate keeps eating your food without asking.
Roommate’s Loud Music at Night
Your roommate frequently plays loud music late at night, and it's making it difficult for you to get a good night’s sleep.
Roommate’s Remote Work Hours
Your roommate has recently started working from home, and their work hours are interfering with your routine. The noise and interruptions are making it difficult for you to concentrate.
Schedule Change for Babysitter
You've arranged for a babysitter this evening, but your plans have shifted, requiring them to start earlier or stay longer. The babysitter has their own commitments and might be inconvenienced. You must inform them…
Shared Laundry Room Scheduling
You live in a building with shared laundry facilities, and there have been conflicts about scheduling usage times.
Social Media Group Chat Privacy
A member of your social media group chat shared something personal without your consent, and you feel uncomfortable about it.
Theatre Performance Filming
You’re at a theatre performance, and the person next to you is filming the show despite the venue’s no-filming policy.
Unavailable Product Feature for Client
Your client is inquiring about a specific feature in the software product you sold them, but it's not yet implemented due to development delays. They're relying on it for their operations. You need to explain…
Using Roommate's Groceries
You ran out of some essential ingredients while cooking late at night and used a few items from your roommate's groceries without asking, intending to replace them. Your roommate notices the next day and seems upset…
Weekend Hiking Trip Weather Concern
You’ve planned a weekend hiking trip with friends. However, the weather forecast predicts rain for the weekend. Some friends are still eager to go, while others are concerned about the conditions. You are responsible…
Work Meeting Rescheduling
You have an important work meeting scheduled, but something unexpected has come up, and you need to reschedule.

How to use these samples

Read the question and answer it yourself first, within the real time limit.
Compare your answer with the Good and Excellent samples. Look at structure and detail, not just words.
Read the notes under each level and pick one thing to change in your next attempt.
Learn the format and template on the Task 6 guide.

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