Stop listing objects like a robot. In CELPIP Speaking Task 3, you’re not just naming things—you’re painting a mental picture for someone who can’t see the image. If you jump from a car to a cloud to a dog without structure, your listener gets lost. That’s why the #1 mistake is randomness. The solution? A clear, repeatable strategy: The Spatial Scan.
Master CELPIP Speaking Task 3: The 'Spatial Scan' Strategy
Step 1: Set the Big Picture
Start with a single, strong sentence that sets the scene. Say: 'This is a busy urban park on a sunny afternoon' or 'The scene shows a crowded airport terminal during rush hour.' This anchors your listener instantly.
Step 2: Use the Z-Pattern Movement
Follow a logical eye path: Foreground → Middle → Background, or Left → Center → Right. Never bounce between areas. Let your voice guide the listener’s imagination smoothly. Think of it like scanning a photo with your eyes—your speech should mirror that motion.
Step 3: Apply the 'Action + Detail' Rule
Don’t say, 'There is a man.' Say: 'In the foreground, a man in a blue suit is urgently talking into his phone.' Combine a noun, descriptive adjective, and present continuous action. This adds life, clarity, and scoring points.
Describing a Scene Vocabulary: High-Scoring Prepositions of Place
Replace boring phrases like 'next to' or 'in front of' with these powerful alternatives:
- In the immediate foreground
- Adjacent to
- Hovering above
- In the distance
- To the far left/right
- Behind a cluster of
- Emerging from
- Resting on the edge of
These aren’t just fancy words—they’re evidence of advanced command of spatial language, which the AI scorer actively rewards.
The 'Time Trap' Warning: Less Is More
You only have 60 seconds. Don’t describe every plant, every brick, every cloud. Pick 3–4 compelling interactions: a child running toward a dog, a woman handing a ticket to a clerk, a delivery van unloading boxes. These actions create meaning—and show you can prioritize. Quantity never wins in CELPIP. Precision does.
How to Describe a Picture in CELPIP: Your Action Plan
During your 30-second prep: Sketch a quick Z-pattern on your paper. Jot 2–3 key details per zone. Use your vocabulary list. Time yourself practicing daily. In the test, speak with confident pace—not too fast, not too slow. Your structure is your superpower.
At CelpipPracticeTest.com, we offer 60 unique visual scenes—from bustling markets to quiet libraries—each with an AI-scoring tool that instantly tells you if you used varied prepositions and rich vocabulary. Practice smarter, not harder. Your 9+ score is waiting.
