CELPIP® Speaking Task 6 sample: An Advertisement That Overpromises

Dealing with a Difficult Situation · Preparation: 60 seconds · Response: 60 seconds · Published 23 October 2026

Original practice questions in CELPIP® task formats, created independently by CELPIP Study.

Practice question

You arrange advertisements for a volunteer neighbourhood newsletter in Moncton. Dustin, a shoe store owner, paid $200 for an advertisement saying every winter boot is 30% off. He now explains that only selected styles and sizes qualify, but wants to keep the headline to attract customers. Your editor, Samira, needs his payment to print the planned number of copies. The printer needs the final file in 20 minutes. Asking for corrected wording could make Dustin withdraw; removing the advertisement would mean returning his payment and printing 100 fewer copies. Decide whether to ask Dustin to accept accurate wording or tell Samira to remove the advertisement. Explain your choice to that person.

Talk to Dustin and ask him to approve accurate discount wording, even if he might withdraw his advertisement.
Talk to Samira and explain why the advertisement should be removed despite the reduction in printed copies.

Model answers

These are transcripts of a model response, provided for comparison with your own recording.

Level 7 sample answer

121 words

Dustin, we need to change the wording in your advertisement before we print it. The headline says every winter boot is 30% off, but you've explained that only some styles and sizes have that discount. Um, I understand you want a strong headline to bring people into the store. We also appreciate your $200 payment because it helps us print the newsletter. But readers could be disappointed if they come for a discount that isn't available on their boots. Could we say, '30% off selected winter boots' instead? That still tells people about the sale. I'm happy to work on the layout with you. I think clearer wording will be better to your store and help customers shop with more confident.

Why this answer is at level 7

This level 7 answer makes a clear choice, acknowledges Dustin's interests, and offers usable replacement wording. Its reasoning is straightforward, but it leaves out the urgent deadline and the consequence of losing his payment, while awkward expressions reduce language accuracy compared with the higher-level answers.

But readers could be disappointed if they come for a discount that isn't available on their boots. — Content/Coherence: This gives a relevant reason for correcting the advertisement and connects the misleading headline to customers' expectations. The higher-level answers develop the consequences further, explaining damage to newsletter trust or extra work for store staff.
I think clearer wording will be better to your store and help customers shop with more confident. — Vocabulary: The meaning is understandable, but 'better to your store' and 'with more confident' are awkward. 'Better for your store' and 'with more confidence' would express the idea accurately. The higher-level answers handle similar ideas with more precise, natural wording.
Um, I understand you want a strong headline to bring people into the store. — Listenability: The direct acknowledgment and familiar wording make the message easy to follow. The written hesitation adds a conversational touch but contributes little meaning; the higher-level answers move into their acknowledgments more directly and maintain clearer momentum.
Could we say, '30% off selected winter boots' instead? — Task Fulfillment: This directly asks Dustin to accept accurate wording, fulfilling the chosen route with a concrete proposal. A higher-level answer would also address the printer's deadline and explain how approval and checking can happen within the available time.

Level 9 sample answer

155 words

Samira, I think we should remove Dustin's advertisement and return his $200, even though that means printing 100 fewer copies. He's told us the discount covers selected styles and sizes, but he wants a headline promising 30% off every winter boot. With the final file due in 20 minutes, we have very little time to negotiate and check a revised advertisement. I know losing that payment puts you in a difficult position. However, publishing the current wording could send neighbours to the store expecting a discount they can't get. Their trust in our newsletter is on the line. To make the smaller print run go further, could we ask the community centre to keep several copies available for people to read there? I'd make that call and help adjust the distribution plan. It won't replace 100 individual copies, but it would give more readers a chance to see the newsletter while keeping its advertisements accurate.

Why this answer is at level 9

This level 9 answer balances reader trust against the financial cost, addresses Samira sympathetically, and proposes a realistic way to extend access to fewer copies. Compared with level 11, its explanation of reputational harm is broader, and its arrangements for completing the advertisement removal are less explicit.

It won't replace 100 individual copies, but it would give more readers a chance to see the newsletter — Content/Coherence: This honestly limits the community-centre proposal while explaining its benefit, making the solution credible. Compared with level 7, it develops the consequences of the choice. A higher-level answer could connect this distribution adjustment more explicitly to the immediate printing arrangements.
Their trust in our newsletter is on the line. — Vocabulary: The natural expression 'on the line' concisely communicates the newsletter's reputational risk. A higher-level answer would support this broad phrase with more specific language about how disappointed shoppers' experiences could affect the newsletter's credibility.
However, publishing the current wording could send neighbours to the store expecting a discount they can't get. — Listenability: The clear transition moves from sympathy for Samira to the reason for removal, and the concrete shopping situation is easy to follow. The level 11 answer adds similarly clear links between customer expectations, staff explanations, and lost goodwill.
Samira, I think we should remove Dustin's advertisement and return his $200, even though that means printing 100 fewer copies. — Task Fulfillment: This immediately addresses the correct person, states the chosen action, and accepts its financial consequence. The removal choice is fully valid. A higher-level response could strengthen execution by specifying who will update and send the final file before the deadline.

Level 11 sample answer

168 words

Dustin, could you approve '30% off selected winter boots' as the revised headline? The printer needs our final file in 20 minutes, so we need wording we can both stand behind now. Your $200 payment helps us reach more neighbours; losing it would mean printing 100 fewer copies. I understand why you want an eye-catching offer, and I'd like to preserve that impact by keeping the discount large and placing the qualification immediately beside it. However, 'every winter boot' creates an expectation that selected styles and sizes simply can't meet. Shoppers who arrive expecting a discount on any pair may leave disappointed, and your staff would have to explain the difference. That could weaken the goodwill the advertisement is meant to build. If you approve the corrected headline now, I'll send you the revised proof immediately so you can check it before printing. I hope we can keep your advertisement in the newsletter with an offer that attracts customers and gives them an accurate picture of the sale.

Why this answer is at level 11

This level 11 answer combines a direct request with persuasive reasoning tailored to Dustin's business interests. It integrates the deadline, payment, reduced circulation, visual presentation, and proof approval into a coherent proposal, using precise language and a respectful, purposeful tone.

Shoppers who arrive expecting a discount on any pair may leave disappointed, and your staff would have to explain the difference. — Content/Coherence: This develops a clear chain from the headline's promise to disappointed shoppers and additional staff explanations. Compared with level 7's simpler disappointment point and level 9's broader trust concern, it makes the business consequences especially concrete for Dustin.
I'd like to preserve that impact by keeping the discount large and placing the qualification immediately beside it. — Vocabulary: Words such as 'preserve' and 'qualification' express the advertising compromise precisely. The wording connects persuasive impact with a specific layout decision, showing a wider and more controlled vocabulary than level 7 without making the proposal difficult to understand.
However, 'every winter boot' creates an expectation that selected styles and sizes simply can't meet. — Listenability: The clear pivot and direct comparison make the central problem easy to follow. Repeating the advertisement's key promise keeps the explanation anchored in Dustin's wording, while the compact sentence supports a firm but conversational delivery.
If you approve the corrected headline now, I'll send you the revised proof immediately so you can check it before printing. — Task Fulfillment: This turns the request into an actionable approval process suited to the deadline. Dustin retains a chance to check the advertisement, while the speaker takes responsibility for preparing the proof, giving the proposed correction a more complete implementation than level 7.

What moves an answer from 7 to 9 to 11

These are model answers written to show each level. The labels are practice estimates, not examiner scores.

Make a clear decision, explain it tactfully to the person addressed and develop the reasons. Acknowledge the other person’s needs and offer a practical way forward.

Content/Coherence: Level 7 models communicate the main ideas; level 9 models develop relevant details with clear connections; level 11 models sustain precise, well-integrated development.
Vocabulary: Compare adequate everyday wording with more varied, accurate choices at level 9 and flexible, precise expression at level 11.
Listenability: Higher-level delivery needs clear pronunciation, rhythm, intonation and controlled pauses. Transcripts suggest phrasing and organisation, but cannot demonstrate these audio features; a recording is needed.
Task Fulfillment: Compare how fully the response addresses the request, develops enough relevant detail and maintains an appropriate tone for the audience within the task limits.

Assess the criteria together. A longer answer or rarer words alone do not establish a higher level.

Answer this question and get your level