Speaking Task 8
Describing an Unusual Situation
In Speaking Task 8 you see something unusual, describe it to somebody on the phone, and then ask them something. You get 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.
Describing beats labelling. Calling something strange tells the listener nothing, while shapes, materials, sizes and a comparison to something familiar let them see it. Leave time for the question at the end, because asking it is part of the task.
A question like this
This is the format you will see on test day.
You are in a park and see a temporary art piece. Call Ana, describe in detail what it looks like, then invite her to come see it before it is taken down.
The template
Everything in black is written for you. Tap each blue blank and type one detail from your own question.
Why you're calling
Hey , it's me, I'm and you'd love this.
How to use this template
A band-10 answer, one line at a time, and the reason each line scores.
Lines you can borrow
Natural phrasing for this kind of email, grouped by what it is doing.
Check before you finish
Six things to read your own answer against before you submit it.
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- All five lines of the template, with blanks you fill in
- A band-10 answer, line by line, and why each one scores
- Ready-made phrases for this kind of email
- The check-before-you-finish list