CELPIP Speaking Task 6 · Dealing with a Difficult Situation · question 4 of 10
Tuesday Physio Drives for Dad
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
Your father, who is 78 and lives in Victoria, has a physiotherapy appointment every Tuesday afternoon after a knee operation. You have been driving him for two months, but you have just started a new job and cannot leave work on Tuesdays. Your brother works from home but has said he is too busy to help.
- Choose ONE option.
- EITHER Talk to your father. Explain why he should start using a door-to-door accessible bus service.
- OR Talk to your brother. Ask him to take over the Tuesday appointments.
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
- 4 of 10
How to structure it
- To your father: start with why you cannot drive any more, so the bus does not sound like an excuse. To your brother: start with the two months you have already done.
- Answer the main worry before it is raised: your father may not like riding with strangers; your brother says he is too busy.
- Offer something back: help your father sign up and make the first booking, or take over another job so your brother is not the only one helping.
Model answer · CLB 7
89 words · no sign-upHey, can we talk about Dad's physio? So, I started the new job last week, and on Tuesday afternoon I can't leave. Two months I drove him, every week. Before was okay for me, now is not possible. I need you take it. I know, I know, you said you are busy. But you are working from home, it's easier for you than me. It's only one afternoon. You can bring the laptop and work in waiting room. Dad really needs this. Please think about it and tell me.
Why this answer works
- Option chosen: talking to your brother. Content/Coherence: the request and one reason (working from home) are clear; the points come in the order they were thought of, and the close asks for no date.
- Vocabulary: basic words; "I need you take it" and "Before was okay for me" show a limited range.
- Listenability: a repeated "I know, I know", unusual word order ("Two months I drove him") and a missing article ("in waiting room"); still easy to follow.
- Task Fulfillment: makes the request and answers the objection briefly; offers nothing in return.
Model answer · CLB 9
110 words · no sign-upDad, I need to talk to you about Tuesdays. I've loved driving you to physio, but with my new job, I can't leave work in the afternoon anymore. I know you don't like asking strangers for help, and I understand that. But I think an accessible bus service would be a good solution. It picks you up at the door, so you won't have to walk to a stop with your knee. How about this: I'll help you sign up and make the first booking with you this weekend, and I'll call you on Tuesday evening to see how it went. If you really hate it, we'll find another way.
Why this answer works
- Option chosen: talking to your father. Content/Coherence: explains the change, acknowledges his feelings and proposes the bus with a compromise (signing up together).
- Vocabulary: "picks you up at the door" and "make the first booking" are accurate; the range is good.
- Listenability: "How about this" introduces the plan, and the plan itself follows the order it will happen: sign up, first ride, phone call.
- Task Fulfillment: persuasive and kind, with a follow-up call and an honest way out.
Model answer · CLB 11
115 words · no sign-upI wanted to talk about Dad's Tuesday physio before it turns into a crisis. I've driven him every week for two months, and I've been glad to, but my new job doesn't let me get away on Tuesday afternoons. I know you're busy, and I'm not suggesting your work matters less than mine. The difference is that you can take your laptop to the clinic, and I can't, so it's really about who can be there, not who has more free time. Could you take over Tuesdays from next week? It's about ninety minutes. In exchange, I'll handle his groceries and pharmacy runs on weekends. Let's try it for a month and talk again then.
Why this answer works
- Option chosen: talking to your brother. Content/Coherence: acknowledges the objection and reframes it ("it's really about who can be there, not who has more free time").
- Vocabulary: "turns into a crisis", "pharmacy runs" and "In exchange" are precise and natural.
- Listenability: the request is a short question on its own ("Could you take over Tuesdays from next week?") right after the longest sentence, so it is impossible to miss.
- Task Fulfillment: a direct request, a trade that answers his objection and a one-month review keep it fair to both of you.
Level reviewed by a TESOL-certified instructor. Not an official CELPIP score.
The most common mistake
Ignoring the listener's objection; if you never mention that your brother said he is busy, or that your father may dislike the bus, the request sounds unrealistic.
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