CELPIP Speaking Task 3 Template (Describing a Scene)

Goal

Describe a picture in detail to a person who cannot see it. You must systematically cover the Who, Where, and What while demonstrating precise spatial vocabulary and accurate grammar.

What the Examiner Looks For (Assessment Criteria)

• Structure (Spatial Flow): They want a logical path. You cannot jump randomly from left to right. You must move like a camera: Background → Foreground or Left → Right.
• Grammar (Accuracy): They are listening for Present Continuous for actions (is running) and State Verbs with the "S" (he seems).
• Vocabulary (Precision): You need specific nouns (barn, harvesting, chopping) rather than general ones (house, doing, cutting). Note: This vocabulary depends entirely on the specific picture, so you should practice on our website to cover all possible scenarios.

Step 1: The Opening (The Starter Phrase)

Goal: Begin clearly by identifying the setting and the general atmosphere. Do not just list items immediately.

Grammar Booster: Articles (A vs. The)

Since the examiner cannot see the image, you must introduce new items with "A" (indefinite). Once you have mentioned them, you can use "The" (definite).

• Rule: Start with A. Continue with The.
• Example: "I see a man. The man is working hard."

Structure

1. The Setting: Where is this? (A park, a office, a farm).
2. The Atmosphere: What is the "vibe"? (Busy, calm, chaotic, wintery).

Example (for your image): "The picture I am looking at depicts a lively farm scene on a sunny day. It looks like it is autumn because people are harvesting crops and chopping wood."

Step 2: Organization (Spatial Indicators)

Goal: Move through the picture logically using "Signpost Words" so the listener doesn't get lost.

⚠️ Grammar: Present Continuous vs. State Verbs

You must alternate between describing actions and describing impressions.

Grammar Alert: The "S" for 3rd Person

Even native speakers sometimes forget this. If the subject is He, She, or It, you MUST add an "S" to the state verb.

• Correct: "The woman looks happy."
• Incorrect: "The woman look happy."

Zone 1: The Center / Foreground

Start with the most obvious element.

Structure:

• Spatial Marker: "In the center of the picture..." / "In the foreground..."
• Action (Present Continuous): "Two women are riding brown horses along a dirt path."
• Impression (State Verb): "They seem quite relaxed as they enjoy their ride."

Zone 2: The Left Side

Move your "camera" to the left.

Structure:

• Spatial Marker: "On the left side..."
• Action (Present Continuous): "Two men are kneeling in a field and planting crops."
• Impression (State Verb): "The work looks physically demanding."

Zone 3: The Right Side

Move your "camera" to the right.

Structure:

• Spatial Marker: "On the right side..."
• Action 1 (Singular): "A man is chopping logs with an axe near a large red barn."
• Action 2 (Singular): "Behind him, a woman is picking apples from a tall tree."
• Impression (State Verb): "The harvest appears to be very plentiful this year."

Zone 4: The Background

Finish with the distant details.

Structure:

• Spatial Marker: "In the background..."
• Description: "I can see a large white farmhouse and some rolling green hills."

Step 3: The Closing

Goal: A simple summary sentence to finish the description.

• Example: "Overall, it seems like a very productive day at the farm."

CELPIP Speaking Part 3: Model Answer (Score 9+)

Task: Describe the picture.

Start of Response:

The picture I am looking at depicts a lively farm scene on a beautiful sunny day. Starter Phrase + Atmosphere

In the foreground, there are two women who are riding horses down a dirt path. Spatial Marker + Present Continuous They seem very relaxed and are smiling at each other. Impression (State Verb with S)

On the left side, two men are working in a large field. They are kneeling down to plant crops in the soil. Action (Plural) The work looks tiring, but they seem focused on their task. Impression (State Verb with S)

On the right side, the scene is quite busy. A man is chopping wood with an axe, while a woman behind him is picking apples from a tree. Action (Singular + Articles) There is also a large red barn that looks very traditional. State Verb

In the background, I can see a white farmhouse surrounded by green hills. Background Detail

Overall, everyone seems to be enjoying their work in the fresh air. Closing

Universal Templates

Step 1: The Opening (The "Big Picture")

• "The picture I am looking at shows a [Place: park/office/street] on a [Weather: sunny/rainy/snowy] day."
• "This is a busy scene inside a [Place: cafe/airport/station]. Everyone seems to be in a rush."

Step 2: The "Action & Feeling" Formula

Memorize this pattern for every section of the image.

Pattern A (Singular Person): "I see a [Person]. He/She is [Verb-ing]..." "...He/She looks [Adjective: happy/stressed/bored]."

Pattern B (Group of People): "There are [Number] people who are [Verb-ing]..." "...They seem [Adjective: excited/focused/tired]."

Step 3: Spatial Transitions

• "Moving to the left side, I can see..."
• "Shifting to the right side, there is..."
• "In the background, I notice..."
• "In the foreground, right in front of me, there is..."