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CELPIP Speaking · Task 3

Describing a Scene Template Guide

Master CELPIP Speaking Task 3 with a simple spatial template, powerful scene vocabulary, and pro tips to describe any picture vividly for someone who cannot see it.

Preparation: 30 seconds

Speaking: 60 seconds

Target: who, where, what

Goal

Describe the Picture for Someone Who Cannot See It

CELPIP Speaking Task 3 asks you to describe a picture in detail. You must systematically cover the who, where, and what while demonstrating precise spatial vocabulary and accurate grammar. Your listener should be able to imagine the picture from your words.

Assessment Criteria

What the Examiner Looks For

Structure (Spatial Flow)

Move logically like a camera: foreground to background or left to right. Do not jump randomly around the image.

Grammar (Accuracy)

Use Present Continuous for actions and state verbs with the correct -s, such as "he seems" or "the work looks."

Vocabulary (Precision)

Use specific nouns and verbs, such as barn, harvesting, and chopping, instead of general words like house, doing, and cutting.

Note: scene vocabulary depends entirely on the picture, so regular practice with different images is the best way to build flexible vocabulary for this task.

Step 1

The Opening: The Starter Phrase

Goal: begin clearly by identifying the setting and the general atmosphere. Do not start by listing random items immediately.

Grammar Booster: Articles (A vs. The)

Since the examiner cannot see the image, introduce new items with a or an. Once you have mentioned them, continue with the.

Rule: Start with A. Continue with The.

Example: I see a man. The man is working hard.

The Setting: Where is this? A park, an office, a farm, a street, a store, or a school.

The Atmosphere: What is the vibe? Busy, calm, chaotic, wintery, cheerful, crowded, or peaceful.

Example: This picture appears to show a busy farm scene on a clear day. The overall atmosphere seems active and productive because several people are working in different areas.

Step 2

Organization: Spatial Indicators

Goal: move through the picture logically using signpost words so the listener does not get lost. Alternate between describing actions and describing impressions.

TypeGrammarUsageExample
ActionPresent ContinuousUse this for what people or animals are doing right now.A man is chopping logs near a large red barn.
Impression3rd Person Singular State VerbUse this for what something seems, looks, or appears to be.The work looks physically demanding.

Grammar Alert: The "S" for 3rd Person

If the subject is he, she, or it, add an -s to state verbs: he seems, she looks, it appears, the work looks.

Zone 1

The Center / Foreground

Start with the most obvious element in the picture.

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 after you describe the center.

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 and describe two specific actions if possible.

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 and landscape.

Spatial Marker: In the background...

Description: I can see a large white farmhouse and some rolling green hills.

Step 3

The Closing

Goal: finish with a simple summary sentence that gives an overall impression.

Example: Overall, it looks like a peaceful but busy day on the farm, and everyone seems focused on finishing their work.

CELPIP Speaking Part 3

Instruction, Picture, and Sample Response

Instruction

Describe the picture to someone who cannot see it. Talk about the people, the place, the actions, and any important details you notice.

Picture

Farm scene with riders, workers, a red barn, apple picking, and green hills

This picture appears to show a busy farm scene on a clear day. The overall atmosphere seems peaceful but productive because several people are working or enjoying outdoor activities.

In the foreground, two women are riding brown horses along a dirt path. The women seem relaxed, and the horses look calm as they move through the open area.

On the left side, two men are kneeling in a field and planting crops. The work looks physically demanding because they are bending close to the ground.

On the right side, a man is chopping logs with an axe near a large red barn. Behind him, a woman is picking apples from a tall tree, and the harvest appears to be plentiful.

In the background, I can see a large white farmhouse and rolling green hills. Overall, it looks like a hardworking rural community on a calm and sunny day.