CELPIP Speaking Task 6: Dealing with a Difficult Situation
Explain a difficult decision clearly and politely
Choose one option, explain your decision to the right person, and offer help you can provide.
Task at a glance: 60 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.
Guide 6 of 8 in the Speaking path · Reviewed
Know the task
This task gives you two choices. Choose one and speak to the person named for that choice. Explain your decision and reasons directly to them. An answer addressed to the examiner that only describes both choices would leave the task unfinished.
See the official CELPIP test formatA useful approach
- 1
Choose your answer and who to speak to
If you choose to help your cousin move, speak to your supervisor about refusing the shift. If you choose the shift, speak to your cousin. Write down your choice and listener before preparing your answer.
- 2
State your decision near the start
Thank the person for asking, then say what you can or cannot do. “I won’t be able to cover Saturday morning” gives the supervisor a clear answer while remaining polite.
- 3
Give your reason and offer another way to help
Explain why you need to keep your earlier promise. Then offer something you can do, such as asking colleagues about the shift. You can promise to ask; you cannot promise that another person will be free.
Sample question and answer
Sample question: You promised to help your cousin move on Saturday morning. Your supervisor now asks you to cover a shift at the same time. You can speak to your supervisor and explain why you cannot take the shift, or speak to your cousin and explain why you cannot help with the move. This example chooses to speak to the supervisor.
Sample speaking response · Select a passage to see its explanation.
Clear decision
The supervisor knows straight away that the speaker cannot work on Saturday morning.
Read the full sample answer
Thanks for asking me, but I won’t be able to cover the shift on Saturday morning. I’ve already promised to help my cousin move, and they’re relying on me to drive the rented van. They have to leave their current apartment that day, so cancelling now would leave them with a serious problem.
I understand that being short of staff makes your job difficult, and I’d like to help with another solution. I can ask the team whether anyone wants the extra hours, although I can’t promise that someone will be available. If you need cover on Sunday afternoon instead, I’m free then and would be happy to take that shift.
I’m sorry I can’t accept this particular request. I wanted to give you a clear answer straight away so you still have time to arrange cover for Saturday.
Check your understanding
A common mistake
Being so unclear that the listener does not know your decision.
Less useful: Saturday is a little complicated, and perhaps things could be difficult.
More specific: I won’t be able to work on Saturday morning because I have a commitment I cannot move.
The clearer sentence gives a definite answer and a reason. You can then explain the difficulty and offer another way to help without changing that answer.
Useful language in context
- cover a shift
Work at a time when an extra or replacement worker is needed.
I can cover a shift on Sunday, but I’m unavailable on Saturday.
- rely on someone
Depend on someone for help or to keep a promise.
My cousin is relying on me to drive the van.
- arrange cover
Find someone to work when another worker is absent or more help is needed.
I wanted to answer early so you have time to arrange cover.
Try it yourself
- Try the other choice in the situation above: accept the shift and speak to your cousin.
- Say your decision aloud. Explain why you cannot help with the move and show that you understand the problem this causes.
- Offer another way you could help. Check that you spoke to your cousin, clearly said you cannot help on Saturday morning, and offered something you can do.