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CELPIP Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation

CELPIP Speaking Task 8 Sample Answer: Snowplow Decorated Like a Dragon

By David

The speaker calls a Grade 2 teacher to describe a snowplow decorated like a dragon. The challenge is describing both the plow and the people watching, then asking about a class visit.

Preparation
30 seconds
Speaking
60 seconds
Picture
An unusual object or situation

The question

CELPIP Speaking Task 8 practice picture: Snowplow Decorated Like a Dragon

You are walking downtown on a winter morning when you see a very unusual snowplow clearing the street. Your friend, Mariam, is a Grade 2 teacher, and her class is learning about how cities work in winter. Call Mariam, describe the snowplow and what people are doing in detail, and ask her whether her class would like to come and see it.

How to plan your answer

What they want

  • Call your friend Mariam, a Grade 2 teacher, describe the unusual dragon snowplow and what people are doing, and ask whether her class would like to come and see it.

Plan (60 sec)

  1. Greet: "Hi Mariam, your class would love what I just saw!"
  2. Shape: a big orange snowplow truck with a giant green dragon built on top.
  3. Details: the dragon's head sits above the cab, with big round eyes and fangs; green spikes run along the back, and a long curly tail sticks up behind; the side looks like scales.
  4. How it works: its green plow blade pushes snow off the street, and little puffs of steam rise around it.
  5. People: two kids cheer with their arms up; a grandmother waves; a man holds a puppy.
  6. Ask: "Would your class like to come and see it?"

Useful vocabulary

  • snowplow, plow blade, cab, dragon
  • scales, spikes, steam, clear the street

Phrases

  • "It looks just like..., except..."
  • "On top of the truck,..."
  • "Would your class like to..."

Avoid

  • Forgetting to ask Mariam the question at the end.
  • Vague words like "thing"; give colours, shapes and positions.

Excellent answer (transcript): around CLB 11–12

Mariam, you won't believe this, but I'm downtown watching a snowplow dressed up as a dragon, and I immediately thought of your class. It's an orange city plow, but on top of the cab is a giant green dragon head with big googly eyes, a goofy grin and two little white fangs. Puffs of steam drift out of its nostrils, like it's breathing in the cold. Green spikes run along the back, a curly tail sticks up at the rear, and even the plow blade is painted green with dragon scales. Two little kids in snowsuits are cheering with their arms in the air, a grandmother in a yellow coat is waving, and a man's holding up his puppy so it can get a look. So, what do you think? Would your Grade 2s like to come and see it?

140 words

Why it scores high

  • Vocabulary: "big googly eyes", "a goofy grin" and "Puffs of steam drift out of its nostrils" are lively, precise word choices.
  • Content/Coherence: the opening, "I immediately thought of your class", connects the call to Mariam, and the details flow naturally.
  • Task Fulfillment: the people are described in detail, including "a man's holding up his puppy", and the question asks directly about her "Grade 2s".

Good answer (transcript): around CLB 7–8

Hi Mariam, it's me. I'm downtown, and I just saw the most amazing snowplow. It's a big orange truck, but it's decorated like a green dragon. There's a huge dragon head on top of the cab, with big round eyes and a friendly smile with two white teeth. There are green spikes along the back, and a long curly tail at the end of the truck. Even the plow blade is green with a scale pattern. The best part is that little puffs of white steam are coming out of its nose. Two kids in snowsuits are cheering, an older lady is waving, and a man is holding up his puppy so it can see. Do you think your class would like to come and see it?

127 words

What works, and what's missing

  • Vocabulary: "a friendly smile with two white teeth", "a long curly tail" and "a scale pattern" are clear and easy to picture.
  • Content/Coherence: the speaker builds to "The best part", the steam from its nose, before describing the people watching.
  • Task Fulfillment: the people are described well, but the call does not mention why this might be useful for Mariam's class.

Basic answer (transcript): around CLB 4–5

Hi Mariam, I am downtown and I see a very funny snowplow. The truck is orange, but on top there is big green dragon head. It have big eyes and white teeth, and it smile. There is long green tail at the back, and the plow in front is green too. Smoke come out from the dragon nose, like real dragon. Some people are watching. Two kids put their hands up, and grandma is waving. Do your class want to come and see it?

84 words

What holds it back

  • Content/Coherence: the description moves from the dragon head to the tail and plow, then to the people, which is a clear order.
  • Listenability: "It have big eyes", "Smoke come out" and "Do your class want" contain errors in nearly every sentence.
  • Task Fulfillment: the question is asked, but there is no link to Mariam's class learning "how cities work in winter".

These are original CELPass examples written at each level. The CLBs are our estimates, not official CELPIP scores. How we estimate CLB

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