CELPIP Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation

CELPIP Speaking Task 8 Sample Answer: A Glowing Plant in the Park

You’re walking in a park at night and see a plant that glows in the dark. Describe the plant to your friend and explain why it caught your attention.

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking

60 seconds

Picture

An unusual object or situation

The question

You’re walking in a park at night and see a plant that glows in the dark. Describe the plant to your friend and explain why it caught your attention.

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

Hi, I was strolling through the park after dark when I noticed this incredible glowing plant. It’s a modest-sized shrub emitting a faint, luminescent green glow, almost like it’s lit from within. It grabbed my attention instantly because it’s so rare to encounter a natural object radiating light in the darkness. I’m guessing it might be some kind of bioluminescent species or an art installation. Have you ever come across something this striking in a park?

76 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

Hey, I was in the park tonight and saw this plant that glows in the dark! It’s like a small bush, and it gives off this soft, green light. It really caught my eye because it’s so unusual to see a plant shining like that. Have you ever seen anything like it?

52 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

Hi! I walk in park. I see plant. It glows, like light. It’s dark, but plant is bright. Very strange. Have you seen this?

24 words

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