Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation
Objective: Describe a strange or surprising visual scene to someone who cannot see it, using clear, vivid language, smooth delivery, and present continuous grammar — while responding naturally and asking one question if required.
Task Overview
In this task, you will:
- See an unusual or bizarre image
- Speak to someone who is not present (usually a friend or relative)
- Describe exactly what’s happening using vivid, fluent language
- Ask one relevant question if instructed
- Use present continuous tense and proper descriptive structure
- Speak for 60 seconds fluently and confidently
Time Limits
- Preparation Time: 30 seconds
- Speaking Time: 60 seconds
What You’re Expected to Do
You are shown a strange or humorous image and given a prompt such as:
“You are seeing something very unusual at a campground. Describe it to your friend who is not there. Ask them one question about it.”
Scoring Categories
| Category | What the Examiner Expects |
| Coherence & Meaning | Logical flow of details, fully paints the scene |
| Lexical Range | Rich, varied vocabulary appropriate for describing strange visuals |
| Listenability | Clear tone, smooth delivery, connected speech |
| Task Fulfillment | Describes all major elements, uses present tense, asks question if required |
Strategy Framework: S.P.E.A.K.
Lancity’s system for structured description of surreal scenes:
| Step | What It Means | What To Do |
| S | Set the scene | Where are you? Who are you talking to? Why is this so unusual? |
| P | Point out the unusual | Identify the core strange thing immediately |
| E | Explain in detail | Describe the action, characters, background, and atmosphere |
| A | Add sensory/emotional cues | Use reactions, facial expressions, movement, sound, light |
| K | Keep it going with a question | Ask the required question and close naturally |
What to Do During the 30-Second Prep
- Look closely at the image
- Identify: What is the one weird or funny thing?
- Note: Who is doing what? What’s happening in the background?
- Observe: How are people reacting? What details stand out?
- Prepare: What’s one natural question you can ask?
Image Breakdown: Your Provided Image
Scene Summary:
- A goat dressed as a chef (apron + chef’s hat)
- It’s standing on two legs and stirring a giant pot over a campfire
- Four shocked campers are sitting nearby, staring with mouths wide open
- There are string lights above and trees in the background
- The mood is surreal, calm, and strangely organized
Vocabulary and Phrases Bank
1. Scene Setters
- “You won’t believe what I’m seeing right now.”
- “This is honestly one of the strangest things I’ve ever seen.”
- “I’m at a campground and something completely bizarre is happening.”
2. Present Continuous Verbs (Actions)
- “A goat is stirring a pot over the fire.”
- “People are sitting in shock.”
- “The goat is wearing a chef’s hat and apron.”
- “Everyone is staring with wide eyes.”
3. Emotion + Reaction Words
| For the people in the scene | For the speaker’s reaction |
| Shocked, frozen, wide-eyed | “I’m speechless.” |
| Confused, amazed, stunned | “I honestly don’t know what to say.” |
| Leaning forward, gasping | “My jaw literally dropped.” |
4. Sensory/Descriptive Language
- “The fire is crackling underneath the pot.”
- “String lights are glowing above the camp.”
- “There’s a box next to the fire with a goat logo on it.”
- “The entire scene looks like a weird outdoor cooking show.”
5. Questions You Can Ask (K)
- “Would you even try the food this goat is making?”
- “What would you do if you saw this happening in real life?”
- “Do you think this is a prank or some kind of art project?”
Grammar Tools for High Scoring
| Structure Type | Example |
| Present Continuous | “A goat is standing and stirring a pot.” |
| Conditionals | “If you were here, you’d be just as shocked as I am.” |
| Comparisons | “It looks like a cooking show — except with a goat.” |
| Hedging | “It seems like this might be part of a film or ad.” |
| Exclamatory tone | “I wish I were making this up.” |
Sentence Templates
Set the Scene (S):
- “Hey, I’m out at the campground, and you are not going to believe this.”
Point Out the Strange Part (P):
- “There’s a goat wearing a full chef’s outfit, standing upright and cooking dinner.”
Explain in Detail (E):
- “It’s stirring a huge pot over a fire, using a wooden spoon like a real chef.”
- “There are four people sitting nearby with their mouths wide open.”
Add Sensory + Emotional Detail (A):
- “The fire is glowing, the pot is steaming, and the goat looks totally calm.”
- “It honestly feels like I’m watching some kind of weird cooking show in the woods.”
Ask a Question (K):
- “Would you try the soup if you were here right now?”
Model Response (Based on Goat Image)
Hey, I’m at this campground right now and I just saw the weirdest thing ever.
There’s a goat, yes, an actual goat, standing upright, wearing a chef’s apron and hat, and calmly stirring a huge pot over a campfire.
It’s using a long spoon and acting like this is totally normal. The fire is glowing underneath, and there’s smoke rising while string lights hang above the whole scene.
Four people are sitting nearby, frozen in shock, their mouths are open and they’re just staring without saying anything.
Honestly, it feels like a cooking show except the chef is a goat.
Would you even try whatever it’s making?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Affects Score |
| Forgetting the question | Fails Task Fulfillment |
| Not using present continuous | Hurts grammar accuracy |
| Giving too few details (1–2 only) | Reduces lexical range and fluency |
| Sounding robotic or overly serious | Makes the surreal tone feel forced or unnatural |
| Describing the scene as imaginary | CELPIP expects a “this is happening now” description, not fiction |
Practice Prompt (Using Same Image)
You are camping with friends and see something totally unexpected. Describe the scene to your sibling who is not there and ask one question.
Recap: Apply S.P.E.A.K. to the Goat Image
| Step | Applied Content |
| S | “I’m at a campground and saw something completely bizarre.” |
| P | “There’s a goat wearing a chef’s hat, cooking over the fire.” |
| E | “It’s stirring a pot. People are frozen and speechless nearby.” |
| A | “The fire is glowing, there’s smoke rising, and the goat looks calm.” |
| K | “Would you eat something made by a goat if it looked professional?” |