CELPIP Speaking Task 6 · Dealing with a Difficult Situation · question 6 of 10
Moving the Book Club Online for Winter
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 run a monthly book club at your local library in Sudbury. Most of the twelve members want to meet online from December to March so they do not have to drive on icy roads at night. One member, Gérard, who is 81, does not use a computer and says the club is the only time he sees people in the winter.
- Choose ONE option.
- EITHER Talk to Gérard. Explain why the club will meet online this winter.
- OR Talk to the members who want to meet online. Explain why the club will keep meeting in person.
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
- 6 of 10
How to structure it
- To Gérard: give the decision early and gently, and show you heard why the club matters to him. To the members: agree that icy roads are a real worry.
- Give one main reason for your choice: the safety of most members, or not leaving one member alone all winter.
- Offer a practical bridge: a way for Gérard to join without a computer, or a safer meeting time for the others.
Model answer · CLB 7
97 words · no sign-upGérard, you have a minute? I need to tell you something. The members voted, and from December until March the club will meet online. Many of them don't like drive at night, it's dangerous when the road is icy. I know you don't have a computer, and I know the club is, how to say, very important for you in winter. I'm really sorry. Maybe someone from your family help you with a tablet? If not, I will call you after each meeting and we talk about the book. In April we are back in the library.
Why this answer works
- Option chosen: talking to Gérard. Content/Coherence: the decision and one reason (icy roads) are clear; the help offered depends on others, and the talk ends on a fact rather than a plan.
- Vocabulary: basic words; "don't like drive" and "how to say" show the speaker searching for language.
- Listenability: a filler phrase ("how to say"), a question without inversion ("you have a minute?") and slips such as "someone from your family help you"; the meaning is clear.
- Task Fulfillment: explains the decision kindly but gives Gérard only a phone summary, not a way to take part.
Model answer · CLB 9
103 words · no sign-upI know many of you are worried about driving to the library on icy roads, and that's a fair concern. But I've decided we'll keep meeting in person this winter. If we go online, Gérard can't join at all, and he's told me this club is the only time he sees people from December to March. I don't want us to leave anyone behind. Here's a compromise: we'll move the meeting from seven in the evening to two on Saturday afternoon, when it's light out, and anyone who still doesn't want to drive can join by video. Does that sound reasonable to everyone?
Why this answer works
- Option chosen: talking to the members. Content/Coherence: acknowledges the members' worry, states the decision explicitly and backs it with one human reason.
- Vocabulary: "fair concern", "leave anyone behind" and "compromise" are well chosen.
- Listenability: "Here's a compromise" signals the turn clearly, and the new time ("two on Saturday afternoon, when it's light out") is easy to catch.
- Task Fulfillment: the compromise answers the safety concern directly; firm but inclusive.
Model answer · CLB 11
116 words · no sign-upGérard, I wanted to tell you this myself before you heard it from anyone else. Most of the group asked to meet online from December to March, because several of them don't feel safe on icy roads at night, and I've agreed. I know what the club means to you in winter, so I won't let this cut you off. You can join by an ordinary phone call, no computer needed, and I'll make sure you can hear everyone. I'll also drop off each month's book at your place and stay for a coffee. Could I come by on Sunday to test the call with you? And if it isn't working by January, tell me honestly.
Why this answer works
- Option chosen: talking to Gérard. Content/Coherence: tells Gérard first and in person, gives the decision and the reason early, then shows how he stays in the club ("no computer needed").
- Vocabulary: "cut you off", "an ordinary phone call" and "drop off" are natural and precise.
- Listenability: the promise ("I won't let this cut you off") comes right after the decision, and short practical sentences follow, one idea each.
- Task Fulfillment: kind and clear, with a test call on Sunday and an honest check-in ("if it isn't working by January, tell me honestly").
Level reviewed by a TESOL-certified instructor. Not an official CELPIP score.
The most common mistake
Making the decision sound like a vote count only ("most people want it"); the listener needs to hear that you considered their situation.
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