CELPIP Speaking Task 6 Questions With Answers

CELPIP Speaking Task 6 is where polite English gets tested under pressure.

You are usually put into an awkward situation: a neighbour is too loud, a coworker is not helping, a friend wants something unreasonable, or you have to explain a problem without sounding rude.

Most weak answers fail in one of two ways. They become too soft, so nothing is actually solved. Or they become too direct, so the tone feels unnatural for the situation.

A strong Task 6 answer does both jobs: it handles the conflict and still sounds like a real person.

Key takeaways

• CELPIP Speaking Task 6 usually asks you to deal with a difficult situation in a polite but clear way.
• A CLB 9-ready answer needs task fulfillment, not just good English: explain the problem, show understanding, give a clear request, and offer a practical solution.
• The safest structure is acknowledge, explain, request, solution, close.
• Do not memorize full answers. Memorize the move sequence so you can adapt to any situation.
• Practice with a timer and review your answer against Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability, and Task Fulfillment.
• If you want a scored practice run, start a CELPIP Speaking practice test or drill Task 6 directly.

What CELPIP Speaking Task 6 asks you to do

Task 6 is commonly called dealing with a difficult situation.

The official CELPIP Speaking test includes eight recorded tasks completed on a computer (CELPIP Test Format). In Task 6, the hard part is not usually vocabulary. The hard part is social judgment.

You need to decide:

1. Who am I speaking to?
2. What is the problem?
3. How direct should I be?
4. What solution can I suggest?
5. How do I end without sounding robotic?

That is why Task 6 matters for CLB 9+.

A high-scoring answer is not just fluent. It is appropriate for the situation.

How Task 6 is scored

CELPIP's official Speaking performance standards describe four practical scoring dimensions: Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability, and Task Fulfillment (CELPIP Performance Standards PDF). CELPIP also explains that Speaking responses are rated by trained raters and reported as CELPIP levels that correspond to Canadian Language Benchmark levels (CELPIP Test Results).

For Task 6, translate those dimensions like this:

For many test-takers, CLB 9 is a practical target because CELPIP is used for immigration pathways, including Express Entry language requirements (Canada.ca). That means your Task 6 answer cannot just be understandable. It needs control, tone, and completion.

A Task 6 structure you can reuse

Use this five-part structure:

1. Acknowledge: show you understand the person or situation.
2. Explain: state the problem clearly.
3. Request: say what you need to happen.
4. Solution: offer a practical next step or compromise.
5. Close: end politely and confidently.

Template:

I understand that [their situation]. At the same time, [problem]. Would it be possible to [clear request]? I think this would help because [reason]. If needed, we could also [compromise]. I appreciate your understanding, and I hope we can sort this out.

Do not recite that exactly.

Use it as a map. Task 6 should sound natural, not like a legal email being read into a microphone.

How to use prep time

In prep time, write four short notes:

• Person: friend, neighbour, coworker, manager, landlord
• Problem: what is wrong
• Request: what you want
• Solution: compromise or next step

Example prompt:

Your neighbour often plays loud music late at night. You have an important exam tomorrow. Talk to your neighbour about the situation.

Prep notes:

• neighbour
• music late, exam tomorrow
• lower volume after 10
• headphones / weekend time

That is enough.

If you try to write a full answer, you will sound like you are reading. If you write no notes, you may become too vague. Four notes gives your answer a spine without trapping you.

16 CELPIP Speaking Task 6 practice questions

Use these for timed practice. Record your answer once, then repeat the same question with one focused improvement.

1. Your neighbour plays loud music late at night, and you have an important exam tomorrow. Speak to your neighbour.
2. Your coworker has not finished their part of a group project, and the deadline is tomorrow. Speak to your coworker.
3. Your friend borrowed your car and returned it with damage. Speak to your friend.
4. Your landlord wants to enter your apartment with very little notice. Speak to your landlord.
5. Your manager scheduled you for a shift even though you requested that day off. Speak to your manager.
6. Your roommate keeps leaving the kitchen messy after cooking. Speak to your roommate.
7. Your classmate copied part of your assignment and submitted it. Speak to your classmate.
8. Your friend wants you to lend them money, but you are not comfortable doing that. Speak to your friend.
9. A delivery company lost an important package, and you need it urgently. Speak to customer service.
10. Your coworker often interrupts you during meetings. Speak to your coworker.
11. Your neighbour's dog barks early every morning and wakes your family. Speak to your neighbour.
12. Your child’s school changed an event time without enough notice, and you cannot attend. Speak to the school office.
13. Your friend cancelled plans at the last minute several times. Speak to your friend.
14. Your internet provider charged you for a service you did not order. Speak to customer service.
15. Your team member takes credit for your work during a meeting. Speak to your team member.
16. Your apartment building has repeated heating problems during winter. Speak to the building manager.

Sample answer 1: noisy neighbour

Prompt: Your neighbour plays loud music late at night, and you have an important exam tomorrow. Speak to your neighbour.

Thin answer

Hi, your music is very loud and I have an exam tomorrow. I cannot sleep, so please stop the music. It is very important for me. I hope you understand because I need to study and sleep. Thank you.

This answer is clear, but it is too short and underdeveloped. It makes a request, but it does not show much control, tone, or solution-building.

CLB 9-ready answer

Hi Mark, sorry to bother you, but I wanted to talk to you quickly about the music tonight. I understand it is still early for you, and maybe you are relaxing after work, but the sound is coming through my bedroom wall quite clearly. I have an important exam tomorrow morning, so I really need to sleep soon. Would you be able to lower the volume after ten o’clock tonight? If you want to keep listening, maybe headphones would work better for the rest of the evening. I would really appreciate it, and of course if I am ever making too much noise, please let me know as well.

Why it works

Sample answer 2: coworker missed a deadline

Prompt: Your coworker has not finished their part of a group project, and the deadline is tomorrow. Speak to your coworker.

Thin answer

You did not finish your work and now we have a problem. The deadline is tomorrow, so you need to finish it today. I cannot do everything by myself. Please complete it as soon as possible.

This is direct, but it sounds irritated and flat. It may be understandable, but Task 6 rewards appropriate communication, not just complaint.

CLB 9-ready answer

Hey Priya, do you have a minute to talk about the project? I noticed that the research section is not finished yet, and since the deadline is tomorrow afternoon, I am getting a bit concerned about how we will submit everything on time. I know you have been busy with other work, but I need to understand what is still left so we can make a realistic plan. Could you finish the first half tonight and send it to me by nine? Then I can format it and combine it with my section in the morning. That way we are not rushing right before the deadline.

Why it works

The answer is firm without being rude. It names the missing work, explains the urgency, asks for a specific action, and offers a practical workflow. That is much stronger than simply saying, "You need to finish."

Sample answer 3: friend asks for money

Prompt: Your friend wants you to lend them money, but you are not comfortable doing that. Speak to your friend.

Thin answer

I am sorry, but I cannot give you money. I have my own expenses, and I do not want any problems between us. Maybe you can ask someone else or use your credit card. I hope you understand.

This is acceptable, but it ends too quickly and the alternatives are not very thoughtful.

CLB 9-ready answer

I’m really sorry you are dealing with this, and I understand why you asked me. At the same time, I do not feel comfortable lending money to friends because I have seen it create tension, even when both people have good intentions. I also have some bills coming up this month, so I need to be careful with my own budget. What I can do is help you look through your expenses tonight and figure out which payments are urgent. If you want, I can also help you search for community support or short-term options that do not put pressure on our friendship. I hope you understand that I am saying no to the loan, not to helping you.

Why it works

This answer protects the relationship and still gives a clear refusal. That is exactly the Task 6 balance: polite, specific, complete.

CLB 7 vs. CLB 9 in Task 6

Here is the difference in plain English.

A CLB 7-style answer usually handles the basic situation:

I understand your problem, but this is difficult for me. Please change the time because I cannot come. Maybe we can do it another day. Thank you for understanding.

A CLB 9-ready answer does more:

I understand why you changed the meeting time, especially if another client was only available then. The issue is that I already booked a medical appointment at that exact time, and it would be difficult to reschedule on short notice. Would it be possible to move our meeting to later in the afternoon, maybe around three o’clock? If that does not work, I can send my notes in advance and join the last fifteen minutes by phone. I want to make sure I still contribute without creating extra work for everyone.

The second answer is not just longer. It is more complete.

It gives context, explains the problem, makes a clear request, offers a backup plan, and keeps the tone appropriate.

Common Task 6 mistakes

Mistake 1: Being polite but unclear

Weak:

Maybe if possible you can think about changing it, but it is okay if not.

Better:

Would it be possible to lower the volume after ten tonight? I have an exam early tomorrow, so that would really help me sleep.

Polite does not mean vague.

Mistake 2: Sounding angry

Weak:

This is unacceptable and you need to fix it immediately.

Better:

I’m frustrated because this has happened twice now, but I would like to find a practical solution today.

You can show frustration without losing control.

Mistake 3: Giving no solution

Weak:

This is a big problem for me, and I hope you understand.

Better:

Could we agree on quiet hours after ten, at least during weekdays?

Task 6 needs action.

Mistake 4: Forgetting the relationship

You should not speak to a friend, manager, landlord, and customer-service agent the same way.

A friend might hear:

I care about our friendship, so I want to be honest with you.

A manager might hear:

I wanted to bring this up early so we can adjust the schedule before it affects the team.

A customer-service agent might hear:

Could you please check the account notes and confirm what options are available?

Tone is part of task fulfillment.

Mistake 5: Ending too abruptly

Weak:

So please fix it. That’s all.

Better:

I appreciate you hearing me out, and I think this plan should work for both of us.

Your ending is the last impression the rater hears.

A 20-minute Task 6 practice routine

Use this routine twice a week if Task 6 feels uncomfortable.

1. Choose one difficult-situation prompt.
2. Give yourself the real prep time.
3. Record your answer once.
4. Listen only for task fulfillment: did you make a clear request?
5. Record the same prompt again.
6. Listen for tone: was it polite, firm, and natural?
7. Write one phrase you can reuse, like "I understand your situation, but..."
8. Try a new prompt.

Do not just collect sample answers. Use them as reps.

If you want the timer and task flow built in, use the Task 6 practice page. If you want to check the full test experience, start a free CELPIP Speaking practice test.

Final check before test day

Before test day, your Task 6 answer should pass this checklist:

• Did I identify the person I am speaking to?
• Did I state the problem clearly?
• Did I make a specific request?
• Did I offer a solution or compromise?
• Did I keep the tone appropriate?
• Did I finish with a clean closing line?

That is the real goal.

Not sounding fancy. Not memorizing a perfect script. Not using dramatic vocabulary.

Just handling the situation clearly enough that the listener knows what happened, what you need, and why your response makes sense.

That is what Task 6 is testing.