CELPIP Speaking
Task 3 of 8
Describing a Scene
You're shown a still image and describe what is happening in it in detail. What you picture has to reach a listener who can't see it, so precision and coverage both count.
- to prepare
- 30 s
- to speak
- 60 s
- criteria scored
- 4
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What a Task 3 prompt looks like
An example written by Celpip Plus in the same shape as the real speaking task, with notes on how to read it.
(In the test you see a photo. Here: a farmers' market in a town park on a Saturday morningnote 1, where a vendor is weighing apples, a boy is reaching for a honey sample, and a dog has wound its leash around a sign.) Describe some things that are happening in the picture as well as you can. The person you're talking to can't see the picturenote 2.
- 1 The setting: name it in your first sentence, so the listener has a frame for every detail after it.
- 2 Your listener: they can't see the picture, so say where things are: in the foreground, on the left, behind the stall.
How to prepare for Describing a Scene
- Describe the scene systematically, moving from foreground to background or side to side, so your description stays organized and easy to follow.
- Name specific people, objects, actions, and settings, because precise detail is what demonstrates strong Content and Vocabulary here.
- Use present-tense and present-continuous forms to describe what is happening in the still image at the moment.
What raters listen for in Task 3
- Content/CoherenceA clear route through the picture, such as left to right or front to back, instead of jumping between details.
- VocabularyPrecise words for objects and actions ("a wooden crate", "weighing apples") and for where things are.
- ListenabilityPresent continuous used naturally ("is reaching", "are chatting"), at an even pace.
- Task FulfillmentCovers the whole scene, its people, actions and setting, not just the first thing you notice.
For how the four criteria turn into a CELPIP level from 1 to 12, read How CELPIP Speaking is scored.
Keep going with Speaking Task 3
Practise on the real interface
The same screen, timer and controls as test day — rebuilt so nothing on the exam is a surprise.
Describing a Scene: frequently asked questions
Use present tenses, including the present continuous, to describe what is happening in the image right now.
Move through the image in a logical order, such as front to back or left to right, so the listener can picture it without getting lost.
As much specific, relevant detail as you can — people, actions, objects, and setting — since rich detail drives your Content and Vocabulary scores.
Yes, the following task typically asks you to predict what happens next in the same image, so describe the scene thoroughly to set that up.
You get 30 seconds to prepare, then 60 seconds to speak in CELPIP Speaking Task 3.
The rest of the Speaking test
- Giving Advice, 30 s to prepare, 90 s to speak
- Talking about a Personal Experience, 30 s to prepare, 60 s to speak
- Describing a Scene, 30 s to prepare, 60 s to speak
- Making Predictions, 30 s to prepare, 60 s to speak
- Comparing and Persuading, 60 s to choose, 60 s to prepare, 60 s to speak
- Dealing with a Difficult Situation, 60 s to prepare, 60 s to speak
- Expressing Opinions, 30 s to prepare, 90 s to speak
- Describing an Unusual Situation, 30 s to prepare, 60 s to speak