Making Predictions

Say what happens next in the scene you just described. Future forms, and a reason for each one.

How the task works

Time

60 seconds

Counts as

1 task

Preparation

30 seconds

Section

Speaking

The same picture, now with sixty seconds to say what will happen next. Thirty seconds to prepare.

You are being marked on future forms and on whether your predictions are anchored to what is actually visible.

Strategy that works

Tie every prediction to something in the picture: "because the sky is already dark, they will probably...".
Vary the future forms — will, going to, likely to, about to.
Two or three developed predictions, not a list of six.
Finish with the most likely outcome overall.

What costs marks

Repeating the description from Task 3 instead of moving forward in time.
Predicting things nothing in the picture supports.
Using "will" eleven times in sixty seconds.

Practise it

Worked examples of this task, with answers and explanations, are on the CELPIP speaking samples page. The rest of the section is set out on the CELPIP speaking description page.

Common questions

How long do I get?

60 seconds, after 30 seconds of preparation.

Is anyone listening live?

No. You speak into a headset and the recording is rated later. There is no examiner in the room and no second attempt.

Written by Kirill O'Nayd

English test expert and educator at TestSucceed, where he builds the CELPIP practice tasks and mock tests and has spent years taking apart how Canada's immigration English tests award their points. See all TestSucceed preparation materials.