When you tackle CELPIP Speaking Task 4, you’ll be looking at the same picture you described in Task 3. This time, you need to predict what might happen next. You have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak, focusing on your ability to speculate using logical reasoning and relevant details from the image. Below is a six-part breakdown with additional sample lines for each section, plus expanded vocabulary to help you confidently craft your predictions.
1. Brief Recap of the Scene
Purpose: Quickly remind the listener what the scene is before you jump into your predictions.
Sample Lines:
- “I see a busy train platform where people are lined up, and a train is about to arrive.”
- “There’s a bustling café filled with customers who seem to be waiting for their orders.”
- “It appears to be a park setting: children on the swings, parents chatting, and a dog chasing a ball.”
- “This classroom looks energetic—students at their desks, the teacher at the front, and some group work going on.”
- “It’s a street market scene with rows of colorful stalls, lots of shoppers, and a musician playing guitar on the side.”
2. Transition into Predictions
Purpose: Shift from describing the current situation to explaining you’re about to speculate on future events.
Sample Lines:
- “Judging by everyone’s expressions, I suspect a few intriguing things might happen soon.”
- “Observing the scene, I can guess the next few minutes could be quite eventful.”
- “From the overall mood, here’s what I think might take place next.”
- “Seeing all these details, I have a feeling something significant is about to occur.”
- “Based on these clues, I can already imagine what’s going to unfold shortly.”
3. Highlight One Main Prediction
Purpose: Focus on a single character or element and predict a clear outcome.
Sample Lines:
- “The woman at the ticket machine seems frustrated, so she might leave the line and try another service desk.”
- “The server at the café is running around, so I predict they’ll drop something if they keep rushing.”
- “The dog chasing the ball looks excited—it could jump onto someone’s picnic blanket by accident.”
- “The teacher flipping through papers might announce a pop quiz, catching the students off guard.”
- “The guitarist collecting spare change appears anxious; maybe he’ll pack up soon if he doesn’t earn enough.”
4. Add a Second or Third Prediction
Purpose: If time allows, add more predictions about other parts of the scene or other individuals.
Sample Lines:
- “Meanwhile, the parent on the phone might end up missing their child’s antics in the sandbox.”
- “I also notice a train conductor stepping off the train, so they could be checking tickets soon.”
- “The two friends in line at the café might split up—one looking for a free table while the other orders.”
- “The couple on the picnic blanket could realize they forgot something important, like utensils, and rush off.”
- “Those two students whispering in the corner might be planning a prank or a surprise for the teacher.”
5. Provide a Logical Reason or Explanation
Purpose: Show why you think these events are likely, tying them back to clues in the picture.
Sample Lines:
- “She looks at her watch every few seconds, implying she’s pressed for time.”
- “He’s gesturing wildly as if he’s losing patience, so it’s logical he might complain to a manager.”
- “Since the dog is off-leash and running at full speed, it’ll likely cause some chaos if it doesn’t stop.”
- “Because the students are smiling and glancing at the teacher’s notes, it suggests they’re anticipating a surprise.”
- “He has barely any coins in his guitar case, so it stands to reason he’ll move to a busier spot soon.”
6. Conclude Politely
Purpose: End your predictions naturally, signaling that you’ve finished.
Sample Lines:
- “All in all, I anticipate a mix of small mishaps and rushed decisions in the next few moments.”
- “That’s what I foresee happening next, based on the current situation.”
- “So, in short, a handful of surprises might be just around the corner here.”
- “I think it’ll be quite lively once these events unfold—time will tell how it all works out.”
- “Those are my main predictions for what might happen in this scene; thanks for listening.”
Most Important & Frequent Words/Vocabulary
Below are more speculative and descriptive words/phrases to help you build logical predictions:
Speculative Verbs
- anticipate: expect or foresee
- foresee: predict something will happen
- suspect: believe or guess something is likely
- imagine: form a mental picture or idea
- reckon: think or have an opinion about
Probability/Modals
- might: indicates possibility but not certainty
- could: suggests a potential scenario or outcome
- likely to: probably going to occur
- possibly: there’s a chance that
- on the verge of: about to happen
Linking/Reasoning Phrases
- given the fact that: considering the situation or evidence
- seeing that: noticing something that indicates a likely outcome
- as a result of: because of the preceding actions or context
- in view of: taking something into account
- from the looks of it: judging by appearances
Observational Clues
- restless: unable to stay still, indicating impatience
- eager: showing strong interest or enthusiasm
- distracted: preoccupied with something else
- flustered: agitated or confused, possibly leading to mistakes
- on edge: nervous and easily upset
Linking Predictions
- meanwhile: happening at the same time
- likewise: similarly, in addition
- as for: referencing another person or situation
- next up: indicates the following event or possibility
- following that: pointing to a subsequent development
Potential Outcomes
- chaos: a state of complete disorder
- relief: the easing of worry or tension
- accident: an unintended event, often causing minor trouble
- confrontation: a direct encounter or argument
- resolution: the point at which a conflict or confusion is solved
By combining these expanded sample lines for each of the six parts—Brief Recap, Transition, Main Prediction, Additional Predictions, Logical Reasons, and Conclusion—with the rich vocabulary above, you’ll be fully equipped to create a convincing, well-organized response in CELPIP Speaking Task 4.