Task 8 vocabulary: Describing an Unusual Situation
The words and phrases that lift an answer in Speaking Task 8, each with its meaning, an example, similar words and a CELPIP tip. New to this task? Read the Task 8 format and strategy.
Phrases 21
It's shaped like
phraseCLB 6Describes the form of an object.
“It's shaped like a giant egg with a flat bottom.”
Similarit has the shape ofCELPIP tip Shape is often the first thing to describe in Task 8.
It's about the size of
phraseCLB 6Describes how big something is by comparison.
“It's about the size of a basketball.”
Similarroughly as big asCELPIP tip Comparing to common objects helps the listener picture it.
It's made of
phraseCLB 5Describes the material of an object.
“It seems to be made of shiny metal and glass.”
Similarit's built fromCELPIP tip Use 'seems to be made of' when you're not sure.
On top of it
phraseCLB 5Describes what's on the upper part.
“On top of it, there's a small red button.”
Similarat the topaboveCELPIP tip Describe the object from top to bottom for clear structure.
At the bottom
phraseCLB 5Describes the lowest part.
“At the bottom, there are four little wheels.”
Similarunderneathat the baseCELPIP tip Pairs with 'on top' to organize your description.
I've never seen anything like it
phraseCLB 6Expresses how unusual something is.
“Honestly, I've never seen anything like it before.”
Similarit's unlike anything I've seenCELPIP tip A natural way to open Task 8.
It seems to be used for
phraseCLB 6Guesses the purpose of an object.
“It seems to be used for keeping food warm.”
Similarit's probably forCELPIP tip Explaining the purpose makes your description complete.
It looks a bit like
phraseCLB 5Compares to a familiar object.
“It looks a bit like a lamp with wings.”
Similarit resemblesCELPIP tip Comparisons help the listener imagine it.
On the front
phraseCLB 5Describes the front side.
“On the front, there are two round dials.”
Similarat the frontCELPIP tip Describe each side in turn.
On each side
phraseCLB 6Describes both sides.
“On each side, there's a small handle.”
Similaron both sidesCELPIP tip Good for symmetrical objects.
In the middle
phraseCLB 5Describes the center.
“In the middle, there's a glass window.”
Similarat the centerCELPIP tip Helps you organize your description by location.
It has a
phraseCLB 5Introduces a feature.
“It has a long, thin tube sticking out of the top.”
Similarthere's aCELPIP tip Simple but very useful.
It's roughly
phraseCLB 6Gives an approximate measurement.
“It's roughly 30 centimetres tall.”
SimilaraboutapproximatelyCELPIP tip Size is essential in Task 8.
It's covered in
phraseCLB 6Describes the surface.
“It's covered in tiny blue dots.”
Similarcoated withCELPIP tip Texture and pattern details help.
sticking out
phraseCLB 6Extending outward.
“There are three antennas sticking out of the top.”
SimilarprotrudingCELPIP tip Describes unusual parts that extend outward.
I would describe it as
phraseCLB 6Introduces a summary description.
“I would describe it as a cross between a chair and a bike.”
Similaryou could call itCELPIP tip Helps you summarize the object in one sentence.
a cross between
phraseCLB 7A mix of two things.
“It's a cross between a backpack and a suitcase.”
Similara mix ofa hybrid ofCELPIP tip Very useful for unusual objects.
It's reminiscent of
phraseCLB 8It makes you think of something else.
“It's reminiscent of an old-fashioned telephone, but with wheels.”
SimilarIt reminds me ofIt resemblesCELPIP tip Comparisons help the listener picture an object they cannot see.
roughly the size of
phraseCLB 8About as big as something.
“It's roughly the size of a shoebox.”
Similarabout as big asaround the size ofCELPIP tip Always compare size to something everyone knows.
tapers to a point
phraseCLB 9Gets gradually narrower until it ends in a point.
“The bottom tapers to a point, like an ice cream cone.”
Similarnarrowsgets thinnerCELPIP tip A precise way to describe shape changes from top to bottom.
doubles as
phraseCLB 10Has a second use as well as its main one.
“The backpack doubles as a folding chair.”
Similaralso works asserves asCELPIP tip Perfect for explaining why an unusual object is useful.
Adjectives 33
bizarre
adjectiveCLB 7/bɪˈzɑːr/Very strange or unusual.
“It's a bizarre-looking chair with three legs and no back.”
SimilarstrangeoddweirdCELPIP tip More descriptive than 'strange'.
peculiar
adjectiveCLB 8/pɪˈkjuːliər/Strange or unusual, sometimes in a slightly unpleasant way.
“It has a peculiar handle that curves upward.”
SimilaroddunusualcuriousCELPIP tip A higher-level alternative to 'weird'.
rectangular
adjectiveCLB 7/rɛkˈtæŋɡjələr/Having four sides, with two longer than the others.
“The main part is rectangular, like a shoebox.”
Similarbox-shapedoblongCELPIP tip Learn shape words: round, oval, square, triangular, cylindrical.
cylindrical
adjectiveCLB 8/sɪˈlɪndrɪkəl/Shaped like a tube or can.
“It has a tall, cylindrical body like a water bottle.”
Similartube-shapedCELPIP tip Precise shape words raise your vocabulary score.
bright
adjectiveCLB 5/braɪt/Strong and vivid in colour.
“The whole thing is painted bright yellow.”
SimilarvividvibrantboldCELPIP tip Colour is key in Task 8 since the listener can't see the picture.
round
adjectiveCLB 5/raʊnd/Shaped like a circle.
“The base is round and flat.”
SimilarcircularCELPIP tip A basic shape word. Combine it with size: "small and round".
oval
adjectiveCLB 6/ˈoʊvəl/Shaped like an egg.
“It has an oval mirror in the center.”
Similaregg-shapedCELPIP tip Shape vocabulary. More precise than "round".
square
adjectiveCLB 5/skwɛər/Having four equal sides.
“There's a small square screen.”
SimilarboxyCELPIP tip Shape vocabulary. Combine it with size and colour.
triangular
adjectiveCLB 6/traɪˈæŋɡjələr/Shaped like a triangle.
“The top part is triangular.”
Similarthree-sidedCELPIP tip Shape vocabulary. More precise than "has three sides".
curved
adjectiveCLB 6/kɜːrvd/Bent in a smooth line.
“It has a curved handle.”
SimilarbentarchedCELPIP tip Describes lines and edges.
pointed
adjectiveCLB 6/ˈpɔɪntɪd/Having a sharp end.
“The tip is long and pointed.”
SimilarsharpspikyCELPIP tip Describes ends of objects.
striped
adjectiveCLB 6/straɪpt/Having lines of colour.
“It's striped black and white.”
SimilarlinedCELPIP tip Pattern vocabulary for lines of colour.
spotted
adjectiveCLB 6/ˈspɒtɪd/Having dots or spots.
“The surface is spotted with red.”
SimilardottedCELPIP tip Pattern vocabulary for dots or spots.
transparent
adjectiveCLB 7/trænsˈpærənt/See-through.
“The top is made of transparent plastic.”
Similarclearsee-throughCELPIP tip Material description: see-through, like glass.
shiny
adjectiveCLB 5/ˈʃaɪni/Reflecting light.
“It has a shiny silver finish.”
SimilarglossygleamingCELPIP tip Texture description: reflects light.
fluffy
adjectiveCLB 6/ˈflʌfi/Soft and light like fur.
“It's covered in fluffy pink fur.”
SimilarfurrysoftCELPIP tip Texture description: soft and light like fur.
wooden
adjectiveCLB 5/ˈwʊdən/Made of wood.
“It has four wooden legs.”
SimilartimberCELPIP tip Material description: made of wood.
metallic
adjectiveCLB 7/məˈtælɪk/Made of or like metal.
“The body is metallic grey.”
SimilarmetalCELPIP tip Material description: made of or like metal.
enormous
adjectiveCLB 6/ɪˈnɔːrməs/Very large.
“It has enormous wheels compared to its body.”
SimilarhugegiganticCELPIP tip Size description, stronger than "big".
tiny
adjectiveCLB 5/ˈtaɪni/Very small.
“There's a tiny button on the side.”
SimilarminusculesmallCELPIP tip Size description, stronger than "small".
dark blue
adjectiveCLB 5A deep shade of blue.
“The main part is dark blue.”
SimilarnavyCELPIP tip Use light/dark + colour for precision.
unusual
adjectiveCLB 6/ʌnˈjuːʒuəl/Not common.
“It's a very unusual design.”
SimilarstrangeuncommonCELPIP tip A key topic word for this task. Explain what makes the object unusual.
elongated
adjectiveCLB 8/ɪˈlɔːŋɡeɪtɪd/Longer and thinner than usual.
“It has an elongated handle, about as long as my arm.”
SimilarlongstretchedextendedCELPIP tip Precise shape words make your description easy to picture.
protruding
adjectiveCLB 8/proʊˈtruːdɪŋ/Sticking out from a surface.
“There are three protruding knobs on the top.”
Similarsticking outprojectingCELPIP tip A more advanced form of "sticking out", which is already in this list.
collapsible
adjectiveCLB 8/kəˈlæpsəbəl/Able to be folded down so it takes up less space.
“It's collapsible, so you can fold it flat and slide it under the bed.”
SimilarfoldablefoldingCELPIP tip Explains a feature and a use at the same time.
ergonomic
adjectiveCLB 9/ˌɜːrɡəˈnɑːmɪk/Designed to be comfortable and easy to use.
“The grip is ergonomic, shaped to fit your fingers.”
Similarcomfortableuser-friendlyCELPIP tip Adds a practical, persuasive detail when you explain why the object is useful.
textured
adjectiveCLB 9/ˈtekstʃərd/Having a surface that is not smooth.
“The sides are textured, a bit like the surface of a basketball.”
SimilarroughbumpyridgedCELPIP tip Describing how something feels, not just how it looks, adds detail.
concave
adjectiveCLB 9/kɑːnˈkeɪv/Curved inward, like the inside of a bowl.
“The seat is concave, so it holds you in place.”
Similarcurved inwardhollowedCELPIP tip Its opposite is "convex", curved outward like the back of a spoon.
retractable
adjectiveCLB 9/rɪˈtræktəbəl/Able to be pulled back in, out of sight.
“It has retractable legs, so it can stand or lie flat.”
Similarpull-backtelescopicCELPIP tip Good for describing moving parts and how the object works.
ingenious
adjectiveCLB 10/ɪnˈdʒiːniəs/Very clever and original.
“What makes it ingenious is that the lid doubles as a plate.”
SimilarcleverinventivebrilliantCELPIP tip Not "ingenuous", which means innocent; a very common mix-up.
translucent
adjectiveCLB 10/trænsˈluːsənt/Letting some light through, but not completely clear.
“The shell is translucent, so you can see the lights glowing inside.”
Similarsemi-transparentsee-throughCELPIP tip More precise than "transparent", which is fully clear.
ornate
adjectiveCLB 10/ɔːrˈneɪt/Covered with a lot of complicated decoration.
“The handle is ornate, with tiny carved flowers.”
SimilardecorativeelaboratefancyCELPIP tip Describes style, not only shape and colour.
asymmetrical
adjectiveCLB 10/ˌeɪsɪˈmetrɪkəl/Having two sides that are not the same.
“It's asymmetrical: one side is much taller than the other.”
SimilarunevenlopsidedirregularCELPIP tip Stress the "met" syllable: a-sym-MET-ri-cal.
Verbs 2
attached
verbCLB 6/əˈtætʃt/Connected or fixed to something.
“There's a long cord attached to the left side.”
SimilarconnectedfixedjoinedCELPIP tip Useful for describing how parts connect.
consists of
verbCLB 7Is made up of parts.
“It consists of three separate sections stacked on top of each other.”
Similaris made up ofis composed ofCELPIP tip An advanced way to describe structure.
Expressions 2
What makes it unusual is
expressionCLB 6Highlights the strangest feature.
“What makes it unusual is that it has no visible buttons at all.”
Similarthe strange thing isCELPIP tip A cleft sentence like this shows grammar range.
If you can picture
expressionCLB 6Helps the listener imagine.
“If you can picture a teapot with legs, that's what it looks like.”
SimilarimagineCELPIP tip Engages the listener directly.
How to learn these words
- Start with words at or just above your target CLB: the badge on each word is our estimate of the level at which learners use it correctly. Pick a level in Any CLB level to see only those words.
- Learn five to ten words a day, not the whole list at once.
- Open Flashcards, say what each word means, then check. Words you mark I know it drop out of the To learn view.
- Use two or three new words in your next Task 8 practice answer. A word you have used yourself is the one you remember in the test.
- Save the words you keep forgetting to your own word bank, which brings each one back just before you would forget it.
More CELPIP Speaking vocabulary
- Task 1: Giving Advice (54 words)
- Task 2: Talking about a Personal Experience (66 words)
- Task 3: Describing a Scene (54 words)
- Task 4: Making Predictions (50 words)
- Task 5: Comparing and Persuading (49 words)
- Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation (55 words)
- Task 7: Expressing Opinions (57 words)
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