TIP #8 CELPIP Speaking task 3 (Describing a Scene): Scan & Prioritize, use Grammar Variety, Structure Your Description, Describe Efficiently, summarize atmosphere

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.Pre-Speaking Checklist for CELPIP Task 3
1. Scan & Prioritize (30 Seconds Prep)
2. Grammar Variety
3. Structure Your Description
4. Describe Efficiently
5. Avoid Common Mistakes
6. Close by summarizing atmosphere ("The scene feels lively and peaceful").

Task Prompt
Preparation: 30 seconds
Recording: 60 seconds
"Describe some things that are happening in the picture below as well as you can. The person with whom you are speaking cannot see the picture."

[This image is from ISL Collective ]

Model Answer (CELPIP Task 3: Describing a Scene)

"This is a cheerful outdoor scene on a sunny day with puffy clouds in the distance.

In the foreground on the left, there’s a family having a picnic on a checkered mat. The mother sits on the far left, unpacking delicious food, while a brown-and-white dog (like Lassie) lies calmly beside her. Behind them, I can see a tree with squirrels climbing its branches, and to the right of the tree, a rock garden with colorful stones adds a playful touch.
A little girl wanders away from the picnic, clutching a teddy bear. In front of the family, to the right, there’s a boy in a bright orange shirt feeding birds and ducks, his mother watching from behind. In the center of the picture, a boy in blue shorts stands next to his blue bike, looking toward the action.

Further right, there’s a tranquil pond with ducks swimming. A boy launches a sailboat near a small island, while a huge willow tree sways in the background. The atmosphere is lively--I can see a carousel shelter, people relaxing, and even a kite dancing in the sky. It’s a perfect summer day!"

Why This Works for CELPIP:

1. Grammar Variety:
   • Present continuous: "is unpacking," "are climbing," "is launching"
   • Existential clauses: "There’s a family," "There’s a tranquil pond"
   • Observation phrases: "I can see a tree," "I can see a carousel"
2. Logical Flow:
   • Foreground (picnic) → Middle (pond, bike) → Background (willow tree, carousel).
3. Vivid but Concise:
   • Focuses on 6-7 key elements (picnic, dog, squirrels, boy feeding birds, pond, willow tree, carousel).
4. Natural Transitions with location linkers:
   • "Behind them," "Further right," "In the center" guide the listener.