CELPIP Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation

CELPIP Speaking Task 8 Sample Answer: A Tree That Grows Upside Down

You’re in a forest when you see a tree with its branches in the ground and its roots reaching up to the sky. Describe the tree to your friend and explain what makes it stand out.

Preparation

30 seconds

Speaking

60 seconds

Picture

An unusual object or situation

The question

You’re in a forest when you see a tree with its branches in the ground and its roots reaching up to the sky. Describe the tree to your friend and explain what makes it stand out.

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

Hi, I’m wandering through a forest and just came across this astonishing tree that’s inverted—its branches are buried in the soil while its roots stretch skyward. Unlike any conventional tree, it flips the natural order entirely, creating a surreal and almost gravity-defying spectacle. It’s a captivating oddity that challenges everything I know about nature. Have you ever stumbled upon a tree this bizarre?

63 words

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

Hey, I’m in a forest and there’s this tree that’s growing upside down! The branches are stuck in the ground, and the roots are up in the air. It’s so different from normal trees—it really stands out. Have you ever seen anything like that?

44 words

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

Hi! I see tree in forest. It upside down. Roots up, branches down. Very weird. Have you seen tree like this?

21 words

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