CELPIP Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation

CELPIP Speaking Task 8 Sample Answer: A Bridge Floating a Few Feet Above Its Supports

You notice a bridge that is not resting directly on its supports but is instead floating a few feet above them. Describe this strange scene to a friend.

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking

60 seconds

Picture

An unusual object or situation

The question

You notice a bridge that is not resting directly on its supports but is instead floating a few feet above them. Describe this strange scene to a friend.

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

I observed a remarkable engineering oddity—a bridge that hovered several feet above its concrete supports instead of resting directly on them. The structure seemed to defy gravity, as if suspended by an unseen force, creating a surreal visual effect. This unusual positioning made the bridge appear to float, challenging conventional expectations of how bridges are constructed and supported.

58 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

I saw a bridge that looked very strange because it was floating a few feet above its supports. It was not touching the ground like normal bridges. It looked like it was held up by something invisible. It was very surprising.

41 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

There is a bridge, but it is not on its supports. It is floating a little above them. It looks strange because bridges usually stay on their supports.

28 words

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