CELPIP Speaking Task 6 Template (Dealing with a Difficult Situation)

Learn how to tackle CELPIP Speaking Task 6 by diplomatically handling disagreements. Get a clear template, real examples, and top tips for a confident performance.

Matthew ZareCELPIP Teacher
8 min read

The sandwich method

  1. Hush

    Listen, I have something important to run by you, so do you have a minute?

  2. Validate

    I know you think we should [Action]... and I totally get where you are coming from.

  3. However

    I know you want [X] and I completely understand [Why]... However, I feel that [Y].

  4. Solution

    I think the most constructive way forward would be to [Action].

  5. Close

    I hope you can see my perspective on this.

CELPIP Speaking Task 6, Dealing with a Difficult Situation, gives you 60 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak. The prompt sets up a conflict between two people and asks you to choose one option, then explain that decision directly to a friend, family member, acquaintance or customer. Be considerate but firm, outline the problem, explain your decision and back it with reasons.

Print it: this Task 6 template, and the other seven, are in our free CELPIP Speaking templates PDF. One page per task, no sign-up.

Video lesson· 11:06

The same answer said to you, then said about you

Jump to11

The video opens by talking about you in the third person, to your face, so you feel the mistake before it is explained. Then you are cast as the person receiving the news, and the full answer is delivered to you.

CELPIP Speaking Task 6 Dealing with a Difficult Situation: Sample

The full CELPIP Speaking Course is free: CELPIP Speaking Course · More lessons on the CELTESTPIP YouTube channel

Goal

Explain a decision to a friend, family member, acquaintance or customer (that is how CELPIP itself describes Task 6). You must choose ONE option and explain your decision while maintaining a polite and respectful tone.

What does a CELPIP Speaking Task 6 question look like?

Every Task 6 prompt has the same shape. You get a short situation where two people want different things, and you are caught in the middle. Then the screen says Choose ONE and gives you two options: talk to the first person and explain one decision, or talk to the second person and explain the other.

In the sample CELPIP uses in its 2026 Speaking Pro study pack, you work in a store. A customer wants to return a shirt that ripped. Your co-worker will not take it back because the customer has worn it, and the customer says the shirt was poor quality and should not have ripped so easily. You either tell your co-worker why the shirt should be returned, or you tell the customer why it cannot be.

Three things follow from that shape:

  • You always speak to one named person, as if they were in front of you. Say "you", never "he" or "she".
  • Both options are real choices. Pick the one you can give the best reasons for, not the one that sounds kinder.
  • You get 60 seconds to prepare, double the 30 seconds most tasks give you. Use it to choose quickly and note two reasons.

For a full sample answer with notes on each criterion, see the Task 6 section of our CELPIP Speaking sample answers. To try one yourself on the real clock, answer a free Task 6 question.

What does CELPIP actually rate on Task 6?

CELPIP rates every Speaking task on the same four dimensions: Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability and Task Fulfillment. Those names come from the Speaking Performance Standards that Paragon publishes at celpip.ca.

DimensionWhat Paragon lists under itWhat it means on Task 6
Content/CoherenceNumber of ideas, quality of ideas, organization of ideas, examples and supporting detailsIs the problem clear, is your decision clear, and does each reason support it?
VocabularyWord choice, suitable use of words and phrases, range of words and phrases, precision and accuracy"Reconsider", "compromise" and "arrangement" carry the message better than "change" and "fix".
ListenabilityRhythm, pronunciation and intonation, pauses, interjections and self-correction, grammar and sentence structure, variety of sentence structureSoft modals (would, could, might) count here, as part of grammar, not as a score of their own.
Task FulfillmentRelevance, completeness, tone, lengthTone is named here. Talk to the right person, about the option you chose, politely, and use most of your 60 seconds.

Each answer is scored on all four, and no single task decides your result. The CELPIP Speaking Pro study packs put it this way: "As each Speaking response is scored separately in each of the four dimensions, and your Level is a product of your scores on all 8 tasks, there are many ways to achieve a particular CELPIP Level." There is no separate Grammar score. For how the four turn into a level, see the CELPIP Speaking score chart.

What strong Task 6 answers do well

These are not the official criteria. They are three habits that earn what the criteria reward on this task.

C3. Keep the existing three items (Tone, Structure, Grammar) under this new H3. Change only the third label from "Grammar (Modals of Softness)" to "Soft modals". Then add this line after the three items:

Polite is not the same as vague. Paragon's own advice for this task is to be considerate but firm, so by the end the other person should know exactly what you decided.

Step 1: The Greeting & The "Hush" (Set the Scene)

Goal: Signal immediately that this is a serious or delicate conversation. Do not start with a casual "Hey, what's up?"

Structure

  1. Greeting

    Hi [Name]. Hope you’re doing well.

  2. The Signal

    "Listen, I have something a bit delicate to discuss with you..."

  3. The Request

    "...so if I could have a moment of your time, I’d really appreciate it."

Example

"Hi Sam. Hope you’re doing well. Listen, I have something a bit delicate to discuss with you, so if I could have a moment of your time, I’d really appreciate it."

Step 2: The Conflict (Polite Disagreement)

Goal: State the problem without being aggressive. Acknowledge their side before giving your opinion.

Grammar Alert: The "Validate → However" Pattern

You must show empathy first to lower their defenses.

Pattern

"I know you want [X] and I completely understand [Why]... However, I feel that [Y]."

Example

"I know you were really looking forward to staying with us for two months, and I completely understand that it would save you money. However, I spoke to my roommate, and unfortunately, we cannot have long-term guests."

Step 3: The "Soft" Solution

Goal: Propose a solution using the "Longer is Politer" rule. Use this table to avoid sounding bossy.

  • Strategy: The "Hypothetical" (Use Would)

    Too Direct (Rude):

    "You should stay at a hotel." / "Go to an Airbnb."

    Polite & Soft (Score 9+):

    "I think the best approach would be for you to stay at a hotel." / "It might be a better idea if we found an Airbnb."

  • Strategy: The "Inclusive" (Use We)

    Too Direct (Rude):

    "You need to solve this."

    Polite & Soft (Score 9+):

    "We can figure this out together." / "Let's look for a solution."

  • Strategy: The "Benefit" (Explain Why)

    Too Direct (Rude):

    "My roommate said no."

    Polite & Soft (Score 9+):

    "This way, we can avoid tension with my roommate."

Step 4: The Closing (Seeking Agreement)

Goal: Persuade them to accept your solution.

Warning: Do NOT ask "What do you think?"

Asking "What do you think?" gives them a chance to argue or say "No." You want to close the door gently but firmly.

The Persuasive Closing

"I hope you can agree with me on this solution, even though I know it is a difficult situation to face."

What does CELPIP itself say to do on Task 6?

CELPIP's 2026 Speaking Pro study pack lists six key strategies for this task. Here is where each one lands in the template above.

CELPIP's strategyWhere it goes in the template
Speak directly to the person.Step 1: use their name and say "you".
Be considerate but firm.Step 2: show you understand their side, then say "however" and hold your position.
Speak in a respectful way.Every step: soft modals and "we" instead of orders.
Clearly outline the problem.Step 2: one or two sentences on what the problem is.
Explain your decision.Step 3: say what you decided, then offer the soft solution.
Provide effective reasons to support your decision.Steps 2 and 3: give the reasons behind your choice, ideally ones that help the other person too.

CELPIP Speaking Part 6: Model Answer (Score 9+)

Scenario: Your cousin wants to stay for 2 months. You have to tell him your roommate said "No."

Start of Response

Hi Sam. Hope you’re doing well. Listen, I have something a bit delicate to discuss with you regarding your visit, so if I could have a moment of your time, I’d really appreciate it.

  1. Greeting & The "Hush"

I know you were really excited to stay at my place for two months, and I completely understand that it would help you save money while you look for a job. However, I had a serious talk with my roommate, and unfortunately, our lease agreement does not allow guests to stay for longer than three days.

  1. The Conflict (Validate -> However)

I think the best approach would be for us to find you an affordable hostel or Airbnb nearby. I would be happy to help you pay for the first week. This way, you will have a comfortable place to stay without risking eviction for me and my roommate.

  1. The "Soft" Solution
  2. Reasoning & Compromise

I hope you can agree with me on this solution, even though I know it is disappointing news. I can't wait to see you soon.

  1. The Closing

Try this on a real Task 6 question, free

Sign up free and answer the first Speaking Task 6 question on the real clock. You get up to three AI-scored tries, with feedback on what to fix before test day.

Answer a free Speaking Task 6 question

Universal Templates

1. The "Hush" Opener(Sets a serious tone)

  • "Listen, I have something important to run by you, so do you have a minute?"
  • "Listen, there is a slight issue regarding [Topic] that we need to clear up."

2. The Validation(Shows empathy)

  • "I know you think we should [Action]... and I totally get where you are coming from."
  • "I realize this is important to you... and I respect your point of view."

3. The Proposal(Softens the solution)

  • "I think the most constructive way forward would be to [Action]."
  • "It might be a better idea if we [Action]."
  • "I believe the best compromise would be to [Action]."

4. The Persuasive Closing(Seals the deal)

  • "I hope you can see my perspective on this."
  • "I hope we can move past this and find a solution that works for everyone."

Put the template to work

Answer a real Speaking Task 6 question against the clock and get your answer scored.

Practise Speaking Task 6

Answer templates

Every CELPIP task, one template each

All templates
Speaking8 templates
  1. S1Giving Advice
  2. S2Personal Experience
  3. S3Describing a Scene
  4. S4Making Predictions
  5. S5Comparing and Persuading
  6. S6Difficult SituationReading
  7. S7Expressing Opinions
  8. S8Describing an Unusual Situation
Writing2 templates
  1. W1Writing an Email
  2. W2Survey Question

FAQ

Speaking Task 6 Template FAQ

Quick answers to the questions test takers ask us most.

01

How long do you have for CELPIP Speaking Task 6?

60 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak. The only other task with a full minute of preparation is Task 5, comparing and persuading.

02

Which option should I choose in Task 6?

Whichever one you can defend better in 60 seconds. Your score depends on how clearly you explain the decision, so pick the side where your reasons come to you fastest.

03

Can I memorise a Task 6 template?

Memorise the frame, not the sentences. The four steps and a few soft phrases will fit any prompt. A word for word script rarely fits the situation on the screen, and Task Fulfillment asks whether you answered that situation.

04

How is CELPIP Speaking Task 6 scored?

Like every Speaking task, on Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability and Task Fulfillment. Your Speaking level comes from all eight tasks together, so Task 6 is one part of it. Practise all eight on the CELPIP Speaking practice page.

Still have a question?Ask the AI CELPIP Coach, any time.

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About the author

Matthew Zare
Matthew Zare

CELPIP Teacher

Strategic CELPIP Coaching for Express Entry

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