CELPIP Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation

CELPIP Speaking Task 8 Sample Answer: A Talking Vending Machine

You’re at a train station when you use a vending machine that talks to you and gives advice. Describe the vending machine to your friend and explain what makes it so surprising.

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking

60 seconds

Picture

An unusual object or situation

The question

You’re at a train station when you use a vending machine that talks to you and gives advice. Describe the vending machine to your friend and explain what makes it so surprising.

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

Hi, I just had the wildest experience at the train station with a vending machine that actually speaks! As I grabbed my snack, it greeted me with “Enjoy your day” and then suggested I bring an umbrella because rain was coming. What makes it so surprising is that it’s not just a lifeless box—it’s interactive and almost human-like. I’ve never encountered a vending machine with personality before. Have you ever run into something this quirky?

75 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

Hey, I was at the train station and used this vending machine that started talking to me! It said “Have a nice day” and even gave me some advice about the weather. It’s so surprising because vending machines don’t usually talk. Have you seen one like that?

47 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

Hi! I use machine at station. It talk to me. Say “good day” and give advice. Very strange. Have you hear this?

22 words

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