CELPIP Speaking Task 6 · Dealing with a Difficult Situation · question 9 of 10
A Young Child on a Cottage Weekend
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 and four friends from Montreal have rented a cottage in the Laurentians for a weekend next month, and you organized the booking. One friend, Omar, now wants to bring his four-year-old son because his babysitter has cancelled. Another friend, Chloé, says the group planned a quiet adults-only weekend and that the cottage is right on a lake with no fence.
- Choose ONE option.
- EITHER Talk to Omar. Ask him to come without his son.
- OR Talk to Chloé. Explain why Omar's son will be coming and how you will make it work.
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
- 9 of 10
How to structure it
- To Omar: show you understand his babysitter problem before you ask. To Chloé: show you take the lake and the quiet weekend seriously.
- Give one reason that matters to everyone: the plan the group agreed on, or a weekend that does not leave one friend out.
- Offer something concrete: help finding someone to look after his son, or clear rules about the lake and quiet evenings, with a fallback if it goes badly.
Model answer · CLB 7
92 words · no sign-upHi Omar, it's about the cottage weekend. I'm sorry about your babysitter, that's really bad timing. But, uh, I talked with Chloé and the others, and we want it only for adults, like we planned. Also the cottage is just in front of the lake, no fence. For small kid, I think it's not safe, we will be worry all the time. So can you come without him? Maybe your sister can keep him for two nights? Or my mom, she likes kids, I can ask her. Let me know this week.
Why this answer works
- Option chosen: talking to Omar. Content/Coherence: sympathy, the request and two reasons (the plan, the lake) are all there; the offers at the end are listed quickly rather than developed.
- Vocabulary: basic words ("keep him", "likes kids"); "just in front of the lake" is understandable but not precise.
- Listenability: one filler ("uh") and slips such as "For small kid" and "we will be worry"; the meaning stays clear.
- Task Fulfillment: makes the request kindly, with two possible sitters and a time to reply.
Model answer · CLB 9
105 words · no sign-upChloé, I know a four-year-old isn't what you signed up for, and I understand you wanted a quiet weekend. But Omar really can't find anyone, so his son will be coming. I'd rather have a slightly different weekend than lose Omar completely. Here's how I think we can make it work. Omar will be in charge of him the whole time, and nobody goes near the water without an adult. They'll take the room upstairs at the far end, so the evenings stay quiet after eight. If it really isn't working by Saturday night, I'll talk to Omar myself. Can you give it a chance?
Why this answer works
- Option chosen: talking to Chloé. Content/Coherence: acknowledges what Chloé wanted, states the decision, gives one reason (keeping Omar in the group) and a plan.
- Vocabulary: "signed up for" and "in charge of" are natural; the range is good.
- Listenability: "Here's how I think we can make it work" announces the plan, and each rule gets its own short sentence.
- Task Fulfillment: the rules answer both worries, the lake and the noise, and there is a fallback for Saturday night.
Model answer · CLB 11
114 words · no sign-upOmar, I'm sorry about the babysitter; that's the worst timing. I'll be honest with you, though, because you'd want me to be. The group booked this as an adults' weekend, and the cottage sits right on the water with no fence. With a four-year-old there, one of us would have to watch the lake every minute, and that's not fair on you either. So I'd like to ask you to come without him this time. If it's about finding someone, my cousin babysits on weekends, and I'll cover her fee. Could you let me know by Friday either way? And next summer, let's plan a family day at the beach so he can come.
Why this answer works
- Option chosen: talking to Omar. Content/Coherence: opens with sympathy, explains the request through what the group agreed and the safety risk, then removes the practical obstacle.
- Vocabulary: "the worst timing", "not fair on you either" and "cover her fee" are precise and idiomatic.
- Listenability: "I'll be honest with you, though, because you'd want me to be" prepares the listener, and the request then comes in one plain sentence.
- Task Fulfillment: the request is clear, paying for the sitter makes it realistic, and the beach day keeps the friendship warm.
Level reviewed by a TESOL-certified instructor. Not an official CELPIP score.
The most common mistake
Treating one friend's wishes as unimportant ("it's just a kid" or "just relax"); the task needs a tone that keeps both friendships.
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