CELPIP Speaking Task 6 · Dealing with a Difficult Situation · question 3 of 10
A Group Member Who Has Not Done His Part
A CELPIP Speaking Task 6 practice question (Dealing with a Difficult Situation), with a model answer below. No sign-up needed. Read the task, take 60 seconds to prepare, then speak for 60 seconds, out loud, as you would on the test.
The task
You are a student in a business program at a college in Halifax. Your group has a presentation due next Friday. One group member, Kevin, has not finished his section on market research and has missed the last two group meetings. He has just told you he has been working extra shifts to help his family, and he asked you not to mention him. Your instructor has asked each group to report on how the work is being shared.
- Choose ONE option.
- EITHER Talk to Kevin. Tell him you will report to the instructor that he has not done his part.
- OR Talk to your instructor. Give your report without blaming Kevin, and ask for a one-week extension so he can finish his section.
Original CELPIP-style practice question, not an official CELPIP test item. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Paragon Testing Enterprises. The CLB level of each sample answer was reviewed by a TESOL-certified instructor. It is not an official CELPIP score.
- Preparation
- 60 seconds
- Speaking time
- 60 seconds
- Question
- 3 of 10
How to structure it
- To Kevin: say early why you are talking to him and what you will report. To the instructor: give the report first, then make the request.
- To Kevin, stick to facts anyone can check, such as the missing section and two missed meetings. To the instructor, say honestly that one section is behind without sharing Kevin's private reasons.
- End with a next step: a date for Kevin's slides, or what your group will hand in to show the rest of the work is ready.
Model answer · CLB 7
99 words · no sign-upKevin, can I talk to you after class? It's about the presentation. I know you work extra shifts for your family, and I'm sorry, really. But the instructor asked every group to report about the work, and I can't lie to her. Your part, the market research, it's not finish, and you missed the last two meetings. So I will tell her this. It's not fair for other members if I hide it. If you send me the slides before Wednesday, I tell her you finished. And maybe you explain her your situation yourself? I think she will understand.
Why this answer works
- Option chosen: talking to Kevin. Content/Coherence: the decision and the facts are clear and kind; the offer about Wednesday comes late and is not linked to a reply date.
- Vocabulary: simple, repeated words ("part", "work"); "report about the work" and "explain her" show limited control of prepositions.
- Listenability: short sentences with no fillers but slips such as "it's not finish", "for other members" and "I tell her" (tense); the meaning is never lost.
- Task Fulfillment: delivers the message honestly and suggests he speak to the instructor himself; the ending is soft rather than concrete.
Model answer · CLB 9
102 words · no sign-upThanks for seeing me. You asked each group to report on how the work is shared, so here's where we are. Three of us have finished our sections, and I can send you those slides this Friday. The fourth section, market research, is behind. The person responsible has had a difficult few weeks for personal reasons, and he'd rather explain them to you himself. He can do it well; he just needs time. So I'd like to ask for a one-week extension for the whole group, rather than splitting his part between us and handing in something rushed. Would that be possible?
Why this answer works
- Option chosen: talking to your instructor. Content/Coherence: the report comes first and leads logically to the request; one section is honestly described as behind while the private reasons are left to Kevin.
- Vocabulary: "for personal reasons", "the person responsible" and "something rushed" are tactful and accurate.
- Listenability: short sentences carry the facts ("The fourth section, market research, is behind."), so the situation is easy to follow before the request.
- Task Fulfillment: an explicit request backed by an offer (the finished slides this Friday) that shows good faith.
Model answer · CLB 11
117 words · no sign-upKevin, I know you asked me to leave you out of it, and I've thought hard about that. But she's asked every group how the work's been shared, and I'm going to have to say that the market-research section isn't done and that you've missed our last two meetings. I can't pretend it's finished when it isn't. I won't mention your shifts; that's yours to tell. Honestly, I think you should tell her, because she'd rather hear it from you than guess. If you send me your slides by Tuesday night, I'll add that you've caught up, which changes the picture completely. Could you let me know by tomorrow? I'm not trying to get you in trouble.
Why this answer works
- Option chosen: talking to Kevin. Content/Coherence: answers Kevin's request directly, states what will be reported, and separates the facts from his private reasons ("that's yours to tell").
- Vocabulary: "leave you out of it", "caught up" and "changes the picture completely" are idiomatic and well chosen.
- Listenability: the decision comes in one long, clear sentence, and the talk ends on a short reassurance ("I'm not trying to get you in trouble.") that is easy to hear.
- Task Fulfillment: firm about the report and protective of his privacy, with a slide deadline ("by Tuesday night") and a reply date.
Level reviewed by a TESOL-certified instructor. Not an official CELPIP score.
The most common mistake
Turning the talk into a lecture about Kevin's character ("you are lazy") instead of the facts; this hurts tone, which is part of Task Fulfillment.
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