CELPIP Speaking Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation

CELPIP Speaking Task 6 Sample Answer: Gym Equipment Malfunction

By David

You were using the gym’s equipment, and it suddenly broke down. You’re unsure what to do next.

Preparation

60 seconds

Speaking

60 seconds

Choice

Speak to person A or person B

The question

You were using the gym’s equipment, and it suddenly broke down. You’re unsure what to do next.

Choose ONE: EITHER Talk to the gym staff and explain that the equipment is broken and ask if they can repair it or offer an alternative. OR Talk to a friend and explain why you think you should wait for the equipment to be fixed before using it again.

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

While I was using the gym equipment, it suddenly malfunctioned, and I’m concerned about continuing to use it in that condition. I’ll inform the gym staff about the issue and ask if they can repair it or offer an alternative piece of equipment. If it can’t be fixed immediately, I’ll ask if there are other machines I can use in the meantime. I appreciate their prompt attention to this matter for safety reasons.

73 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

The gym equipment broke while I was using it, so I’m going to inform the staff. I’ll ask them if they can fix it or if there’s another machine available. I don’t want to risk using a faulty machine, so I’ll wait for a solution.

45 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

I’m going to talk to the gym staff and let them know the equipment is broken. I’ll ask if they can fix it or give me another machine to use. I don’t want to keep using it if it’s broken.

40 words

The CLBs are estimates of the level each sample was written at, not official CELPIP scores. How we estimate CLB