Speaking Task 6 · Dealing with a Difficult Situation
CELPIP Speaking Task 6 Template: Soften · Reason · Offer
60s prep · 60s to speak
Show you understand and give your answer politely, explain why, then offer something that helps. Firm but kind.
Free PDF: all 8 speaking templates- Soften
- Reason
- Offer
The template
Each part has a job, a budget and starters. Fill every blank with a detail from your prompt: raters score how well you answer the task in front of you, not memorised sentences.
- 1
Soften
20sShow you understand their side, then give your answer clearly and politely.
Starters
- Hi , I completely understand that . Unfortunately, I won't be able to .
- , I know how much means to you, so this is hard to say, but .
Phrases that score
- I completely understand
- I really appreciate
- unfortunately
- I'm afraid I can't
Earns: Task Fulfillment, Listenability
- 2
Reason
20sA real, specific reason, not a weak excuse.
Starters
- The thing is, . On top of that, .
- The reason is that , so .
Phrases that score
- the thing is
- it's simply that
- I've already committed to
Earns: Content/Coherence, Vocabulary
- 3
Offer
20sA solution or compromise that helps them anyway.
Starters
- However, what I can do is . That way, .
- How about this: ? I think that would .
Phrases that score
- what I can do is
- that way
- how about if
- meet you halfway
Earns: Task Fulfillment, Content/Coherence
See it in action
The template applied to a real task, part by part.
The task
Your manager asks you to work during your vacation next week to finish an urgent report. Choose: agree, or politely refuse.
CLB 9+ answer, spoken (108 words)
1. Soften
Hi Karen, thanks for calling. I completely understand that this report is critical for the team. Unfortunately, I won't be able to work on it while I'm on vacation next week.
2. Reason
The thing is, it's my first vacation in two years, and I'm visiting my family overseas. I won't have my work laptop, and the internet there is very unreliable, so I honestly couldn't do the work properly even if I tried.
3. Offer
However, what I can do is stay late tonight and tomorrow to finish the first half. I'll also leave detailed notes for Sam so he can complete it. That way, it'll still be done on time.
Make it stick
Two quick rounds. Get the order right, then match each starter to its part.
Drag the parts of the Soften · Reason · Offer template into the right order.
- Reason
- Offer
- Soften
Practise the timing
Answer out loud while the bar shows which part you should be on. It's the fastest way to stop running out of time.
Pick any prompt and answer it out loud. You get 60s to prepare, then 60s to speak.
The part you should be on shows here while you speak.
Mistakes that cost marks
- Over-apologising. One "unfortunately" is enough, and repeated sorries sound weak.
- Sounding blunt or rude. The rater listens for tact.
- Ending without an offer. The offer is what makes a refusal sound reasonable.
Try this template on a real question, free
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