FlexiLingoCELPIP Speaking Task 6: Questions with Sample Answers (CLB 7, 9, 11)
CELPIP Speaking Task 6 gives you 60 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak about a no-win choice. Here is the six-step answer structure, the polite phrases that carry it, one scenario answered at CLB 7, 9 and 11, and three more practice questions with sample answers.
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1The short answer: what CELPIP Speaking Task 6 is and how to answer it
CELPIP Speaking Task 6, "Dealing with a Difficult Situation", describes a problem with two possible choices. You get 60 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak. You choose one option; each option tells you who to talk to and what to explain, and usually that person will not like what you have to say. Answer in six moves: greet them, give your decision early, explain one real reason, acknowledge how they feel, offer something to make up for it, and close warmly.
Task 6 — "Dealing With a Difficult Situation" — is the most human task in the whole CELPIP Speaking test. Instead of describing a picture or sharing an opinion, you're handed a small social dilemma: two people are counting on you, you can only satisfy one of them, and whichever path you choose, somebody is going to be let down. Your job is to pick one option and speak to the person it names — usually someone your choice will disappoint.
Here's the catch that trips up so many test-takers: there is no "right" choice. The scenario is deliberately built so that both options are reasonable and both have a cost. You're not graded on which option you pick — you're graded on how well you handle the fallout. Can you break difficult news clearly, justify your decision with real reasons, and still leave the relationship intact?
That's why diplomacy is the heart of Task 6. You have to be honest enough to be believed, firm enough to be taken seriously, and warm enough that the listener doesn't feel discarded. In real Canadian workplaces and friendships, this is a skill people use constantly — declining a request, rescheduling a commitment, choosing one obligation over another. Task 6 is simply testing whether you can do it under pressure, out loud, in 60 seconds.
Task 6 isn't a test of decision-making — it's a test of delivery. The examiner doesn't care which option you choose. They care whether you can deliver the disappointing news clearly, with good reasons, and without burning the relationship.
The free CELPIP mock test runs all eight Speaking tasks with the official preparation and speaking timers, and you record into your microphone as you will at the test centre. With a free account, your recording comes back with an AI-estimated CLB band.
2Timing & format
Task 6 follows the same tight rhythm as the rest of CELPIP Speaking. You read the scenario on screen, you get a short window to plan, and then you speak alone into the microphone — there's no human interviewer responding to you.
That 60-second prep window is short, so don't waste it agonising over the decision. Pick a side in the first ten seconds, then spend the rest planning your reasons, your apology, and what you'll offer to make things right. The decision is the easy part; the delivery is what earns the marks.
Decide who you're speaking to before you decide what to say. The whole tone of your answer — how formal, how apologetic, how casual — depends on whether you're addressing a friend, a colleague, or a manager. Lock that in first.
3How Task 6 is scored
Like every CELPIP Speaking task, Task 6 is rated on the same four dimensions: Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability, and Task Fulfillment. What changes is how those dimensions show up — in Task 6, they're all filtered through the lens of diplomacy.
The hidden grading criterion in Task 6 is tone management. A grammatically flawless answer that sounds cold or dismissive will score lower than a slightly simpler answer delivered with real warmth and a clear, polite structure. The raters are listening for someone who can disappoint another person gracefully.
The single biggest score driver in Task 6 is justification plus politeness. Give a real reason, deliver it kindly, and offer something in return — that combination is what separates a mid-band answer from a high one.
4The winning structure for Task 6
You only have 60 seconds, so you need a structure you can run on autopilot. This six-step arc takes the listener from a warm opening, through the bad news, to a reassuring close — and it works for almost any Task 6 dilemma.
The golden rule of Task 6: never let your final sentence be the bad news. Always close on an offer or a reassurance. The last thing the listener hears shapes how the whole message feels — end warm.
5Diplomatic language for difficult news
High-band Task 6 answers all share one thing: a toolkit of polite, softening phrases that cushion the blow. These are the exact expressions native Canadian speakers reach for when they have to disappoint someone. Memorise a few from each category and you'll always have a phrase ready.
Used to introduce the bad news gently instead of dropping it cold. "I feel really bad about this, but…", "I'm so sorry to do this to you…", "This is really hard for me to say, but…". A short softener before the news instantly raises your politeness.
Used to lead into your justification so it feels like a confession, not an excuse. "The thing is…", "What happened is…", "The reason I can't is…". These phrases buy you a moment and make the explanation sound honest and considered.
Used to prove you understand how the other person feels. "I completely understand if you're frustrated…", "I know this puts you in a tough spot…", "I'd be annoyed too if I were you…". Naming their likely emotion is what makes you sound sincere rather than self-centred.
Used to turn an apology into action. "Let me make it up to you by…", "How about I…instead?", "To make up for it, I'll…". An offer transforms "no" into "not now, but here's what I can do."
Used to close warmly and protect the relationship. "I promise I'll…", "You can count on me for…", "I'll absolutely be there next time…". A genuine promise at the end leaves the listener feeling valued, not dropped.
You don't need all fifteen phrases — you need one from each of the five categories, delivered smoothly. A softener, a reason, an empathy line, an offer, and a promise: that's the full diplomatic arc in five sentences.
6Sample answer at CLB 7
Scenario for all three samples: You promised to help your friend move apartments on Saturday. But your manager has just asked you to come in that same Saturday to finish an urgent, important project. You have decided to go to work. Speak to your FRIEND and explain your decision. At CLB 7, the answer below makes a clear decision, apologises simply, and offers something basic. The structure is all there — it's just delivered in plain, functional language.
Hi Jordan, I need to talk to you about Saturday. I'm really sorry, but I can't help you move anymore. The reason is that my manager called me today and asked me to come to work on Saturday. We have an important project and it has to be finished. I know this is bad news for you, and I feel really sorry about it. I promised to help you and now I can't, so I understand if you are upset. I don't want to leave you with no help. Maybe I can come on Sunday and help you unpack the boxes. Or I can ask another friend to help you carry things on Saturday. I'm very sorry again, Jordan. You are a good friend and I will make it up to you next time. Thank you for understanding.
Why this is CLB 7: The answer does everything the task asks — clear decision, a real reason, a simple apology, and an offer to make it up. But the language stays basic and a bit repetitive ("I'm really sorry" / "I feel really sorry" / "I'm very sorry"), the sentences are short and additive, and the empathy is stated rather than felt ("I understand if you are upset"). It fulfils the task cleanly without the smoothness or nuance of a higher band.
7Sample answer at CLB 9
Same scenario, same decision — but now the delivery is smoother. At CLB 9 the reasons are better developed, the empathy feels more genuine, and the phrases connect instead of stacking. The speaker sounds like someone handling a real, slightly awkward conversation rather than reciting a script.
Hey Jordan, listen, I feel terrible about this — I know I promised to help you move on Saturday, but I'm not going to be able to make it after all. The thing is, my manager just asked me to come in that day to finish a project that's due first thing Monday, and honestly, I'm not in a position to say no right now. I completely understand if you're frustrated, and I'd be annoyed too if I were in your shoes — moving day is stressful enough without someone bailing on you. So let me make it up to you. How about I come over Sunday morning and help you unpack and get everything sorted? And I'll cover the pizza that night, my treat. I really value our friendship, Jordan, and I promise I'll be there for the next one. Talk soon, okay?
Why this is CLB 9: The reason is specific and well-justified ("due first thing Monday… not in a position to say no"), the empathy is active and warm ("I'd be annoyed too if I were in your shoes"), and the connectors flow naturally ("The thing is," "So let me make it up to you"). The offer is concrete and generous. The tone is confident and friendly — the answer sounds like real spoken English, not a list of memorised lines.
8Sample answer at CLB 11
At the top band, everything tightens. The tone is nuanced, the empathy is sincere rather than formulaic, the reasoning is firm without being defensive, and the offer feels genuine and thought-through. The speaker manages the whole emotional arc effortlessly in 60 seconds.
Hey Jordan, I've got to be straight with you, and I really hate having to say this — I can't help you move on Saturday anymore, and I feel awful about it. Here's what happened: my manager pulled me aside today and asked me to come in to finish a project that's blown up out of nowhere, and it genuinely can't wait until Monday. I wrestled with it, but I just don't think I can turn this one down right now. I know that leaves you in a real bind, and you have every right to be frustrated — I'd feel exactly the same. So here's what I want to do: I'll be at your place first thing Sunday to help you unpack, build the furniture, the whole thing, and dinner's on me. You've always shown up for me, Jordan, and I promise I'll more than make this up to you.
Why this is CLB 11: The tone is sophisticated and self-aware ("I wrestled with it," "I've got to be straight with you"), the reasoning is firm yet humble ("I just don't think I can turn this one down"), and the empathy is genuine and specific ("that leaves you in a real bind… I'd feel exactly the same"). The offer is detailed and the close ("You've always shown up for me") reciprocates the friendship. Vocabulary, idiom, rhythm, and emotional intelligence are all at a near-native level.
9Task 6 practice question 1 (with sample answer): the early shift
For the past year you have driven your coworker Priya to work every morning, because she does not have a car and the bus takes her over an hour. Your manager has now offered you a permanent early shift with higher pay, but it starts an hour before Priya's shift.
Hi Priya, do you have a minute? There's something I need to tell you, and I'd rather you heard it from me now than at the last minute. My manager has offered me the early shift starting next month, and I've decided to take it. It pays quite a bit more, and with my rent going up in January, I really can't afford to say no. The problem is that it starts at seven, an hour before you do, so I won't be able to drive you anymore. I feel bad about that, because I know how much you count on those rides. So here's what I'd like to do. I'll keep driving you for the next four weeks while you sort something out, and I've already asked Marco from the warehouse, who lives near you, whether he has room in his car. I really hope that helps, and thanks for understanding.
Why it works: the decision comes early, the reason is specific (more pay, rent going up), and the speaker names the impact on Priya before offering two concrete fixes — four more weeks of rides and a possible replacement ride. It closes on help, not on the bad news.
10Task 6 practice question 2 (with sample answer): the dog-sitting promise
Your neighbour, Mr. Grant, is having a small operation next month and asked you to look after his dog for five days. You agreed. Now your sister has told you she is flying in from Vancouver that same week with her two children — and her son is allergic to dogs.
Hey Mei, I'm so happy you're coming, and the kids are going to love it here. But before you book the flights, I need to be honest with you about something. A while ago I promised Mr. Grant next door that I'd look after his dog while he's in hospital that week, and he really has no one else to ask. With Leo's allergy, having the dog in and out of my place just isn't safe, and I'd never forgive myself if he got sick on his holiday. I know you've already asked for time off, and I'm really sorry to make this complicated. Could you push the trip back by one week? If the flights cost more, I'll cover the difference. And I'll take that whole week off myself, so we can actually spend proper time together. What do you think?
Why it works: it opens warmly, explains the conflict without blaming anyone, and makes clear the reason is her son's safety, not convenience. The request is small and specific — one week — and the speaker offers to pay the cost of the change, which is what makes a hard request feel fair.
11Task 6 practice question 3 (with sample answer): the payment without an invoice
You volunteer as treasurer for a community soccer league. The league president wants you to pay for new team jerseys today so they arrive before the first game. The supplier has not sent an invoice yet, and the league's rules say no payment can be made without one.
Hi Daniel, thanks for flagging the jersey order. I know the season starts in three weeks and you want the kids to have them for the first game. I've thought about it carefully, and I'm not comfortable making the payment before we have the invoice. Our rules are very clear on this, and as treasurer, I'm the one who has to answer for it if something goes wrong, like a wrong amount or a supplier who never delivers. I really don't want to be the person holding things up, though, so here's what I suggest. I'll call the supplier first thing tomorrow and ask them to email the invoice right away. The moment it arrives, I'll approve the payment, even if it's late at night. That way the order still goes out this week, and the league is fully covered. Does that work for you?
Why it works: a more formal register for a volunteer role, with the league's rule as the reason rather than personal preference. The speaker acknowledges the president's goal first, stays firm on the decision, and offers a plan that still meets the deadline — firm and helpful at once, the balance Task 6 is built to test.
12Common mistakes on Task 6
Most lost marks on Task 6 come from a handful of predictable errors. Recognising them is half the battle — once you know the traps, you can structure your prep to avoid every one.
13How to practice Task 6
Task 6 is a skill you build by reps, not by reading. The goal is to make the six-step structure and the diplomatic phrases so automatic that you can run them on any scenario in 60 seconds. Here's a practice routine that gets you there.
Run five different scenarios a day for a week and the structure becomes second nature. By test day, you shouldn't be inventing an approach under pressure — you should be slotting any new dilemma into a frame you already own.
14How FlexiLingo helps you master CELPIP Speaking
Task 6 rewards reps with real feedback — and that's exactly what's hard to get on your own. FlexiLingo is built to give you authentic CELPIP-style practice with instant, useful feedback, so every rep actually moves you up a band.
Practise Task 6 dilemmas out loud against realistic prompts, with the same 60-second prep and 60-second speak timing as the real test — so test day feels familiar, not foreign.
Each recorded answer comes back with an AI-estimated CLB band and a breakdown across the four rating criteria — Content/Coherence, Vocabulary, Listenability and Task Fulfillment — so you can see which one is holding you back. A free account includes a monthly allowance of AI scorings.
See how the same dilemma sounds at CLB 7, 9, and 11, so you can hear exactly what separates the bands and pull your own answer upward.
Build your bank of softening, empathising, and offering phrases — saved with the full example sentence, so you learn how each phrase actually behaves in real diplomatic English.
The diplomatic phrases and vocabulary you collect come back for review at the optimal moment, so they're locked in and ready when you open your mouth on test day.
The full four-skill exam in the official order and timing, including all eight Speaking tasks. Different questions on every attempt, and an estimated CLB level at the end.
Practise Task 6, or any of the eight tasks, on its own, with sample answers at CLB 7, 9 and 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
You must pick one — and commit to it clearly. The whole point of Task 6 is that you choose a course of action and then deal with the consequences of that choice. Hedging, half-committing, or weighing both options out loud signals that you haven't fulfilled the task. Lock in your decision within the first ten seconds of prep and spend the rest of the time on how you'll deliver it. Remember: there's no "correct" choice, so don't agonise — just decide and move on to the delivery, which is where the marks actually are.
You don't choose the listener separately: each option in the prompt names who you talk to and what you must explain, so picking an option is picking your listener. Usually it is the person your decision affects most, which is where the diplomacy is tested. In the moving-day scenario, choosing to go to work means talking to the friend you're letting down. Address them directly ("Hey Jordan…"), as if they're standing in front of you — describing the situation in the abstract instead of speaking to a real person is one of the fastest ways to lose Task Fulfillment marks.
Match your tone to who you're addressing. If you're speaking to a friend, be warm, casual, and natural — contractions, friendly openers, and everyday phrases all fit. If you're addressing a manager or a client, stay polite and a little more measured, but still human. The constant across every register is warmth: even a formal message needs a softener, an apology, and an offer. The raters reward a voice that sounds sincere and appropriate for the relationship — not stiff, and not so casual that it sounds careless about the other person's feelings.
Task 5 (Comparing and Persuading) asks you to compare two options and persuade someone to go with your choice — you're selling a decision. Task 6 flips that: you still pick one of two options, but then you have to break disappointing news to the person your choice affects. Task 5 is about persuasion and justification; Task 6 is about diplomacy and damage control. The skills overlap — both need clear reasons — but Task 6 adds the emotional layer of softening bad news, empathising, and protecting a relationship, which Task 5 doesn't test.
Three things move you from CLB 7 to CLB 9. First, develop your reason — don't just say "I have to work," say why it can't wait and why you can't refuse. Second, make your empathy active and specific: instead of "I understand if you're upset," try "I'd be annoyed too if I were in your shoes — moving day is stressful enough." Third, connect your sentences with natural linkers ("The thing is," "So let me make it up to you") instead of stacking short, repetitive ones. Add a concrete, generous offer and close warmly, and you'll sound like the CLB 9 sample — confident, fluent, and genuinely kind.
This page has four: the moving-day scenario answered at CLB 7, 9 and 11 (sections 6 to 8), and three practice questions with sample answers (sections 9 to 11). Paragon, which runs CELPIP, publishes free official practice material on celpip.ca. The free FlexiLingo CELPIP mock test gives you different Task 6 prompts on the real 60-second clock, and with a free account your own recording gets an AI-estimated band.
At a calm, natural pace most people say roughly 130 to 160 words in a minute, and the sample answers on this page sit in that range. You are not scored on word count: a clear, complete answer that finishes inside the 60 seconds beats a rushed one that gets cut off mid-sentence.
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