Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation Template
The Template¶
Prep time: 60 seconds | Speaking time: 60 seconds | Blanks to fill: 4
Everything outside the brackets is memorized word for word. Scan the picture and fill in what you see.
"Hi [NAME]. I know you have been looking for a
[THING] for a while now. Well, I am walking around
right now, and I haven't seen anything quite like
this before!
You won't believe this, but it is absolutely
stunning. It is quite sizable, and the whole thing
looks enchanting.
What really caught my eye is [DETAIL 1]. It is
truly magnificent. On top of that, [DETAIL 2]. The
attention to detail is really fascinating. It really
is a delightful setup.
I really think you should come and see this for
yourself. You would absolutely love it. Let me know
when you're free and we can come back together."
Your 60-Second Prep¶
Scribble 4 things on your notepad:
1. name
2. looking for a ___
3. caught my eye — one thing
4. on top of that — one more thing
That's it. The adjectives and present perfect grammar are already memorized.
What to Fill In¶
| Label | Ask yourself | Example |
|---|---|---|
| "[NAME]" | Who are you calling? | Sarah / Mom / Jake |
| "looking for a [THING]" | What is this place or object? | playground / restaurant / garden |
| "caught my eye is [DETAIL 1]" | What's the main thing you see? | a giant tower shaped like a cupcake |
| "on top of that, [DETAIL 2]" | What's one more thing? | the stepping stones look like cookies |
Built-In Level 9 Adjectives¶
The template automatically replaces basic words with high-level vocabulary:
| Basic word | What the template uses |
|---|---|
| pretty | stunning |
| big | sizable |
| nice | enchanting |
| great | magnificent |
| interesting | fascinating |
| good | delightful |
You don't need to think about vocabulary — just say the template and the Level 9 words come out automatically.
Built-In Present Perfect¶
The examiner wants to hear Present Perfect tense. It's already baked in:
| Line | Grammar |
|---|---|
| "you have been looking for" | Present perfect continuous |
| "I haven't seen anything quite like this" | Present perfect negative |
You don't need to think about grammar — just follow the template.
Examples¶
Candy Playground¶
Prompt: You discover a whimsical playground designed with a candy theme. Call your friend Sarah and describe it. Suggest she bring her children.
"Hi Sarah. I know you have been looking for a [playground for the kids] for a while now. Well, I am looking at it right now, and I haven't seen anything quite like this before!
You won't believe this, but it is absolutely stunning. It is quite sizable, and the whole thing looks enchanting.
What really caught my eye is [a giant play tower shaped like a cupcake with pink frosting on top]. It is truly magnificent. On top of that, [the stepping stones are designed to look like miniature Oreo cookies]. The attention to detail is really fascinating. It really is a delightful setup.
I really think you should come and see this for yourself. You would absolutely love it. Let me know when you're free and we can come back together."
Unusual Restaurant¶
Prompt: You find a restaurant where all the furniture is made of recycled materials. Call your friend Jake and describe it. Suggest you eat there together.
"Hi Jake. I know you have been looking for a [unique restaurant to try] for a while now. Well, I am looking at it right now, and I haven't seen anything quite like this before!
You won't believe this, but it is absolutely stunning. It is quite sizable, and the whole thing looks enchanting.
What really caught my eye is [the tables are made entirely from recycled wooden pallets]. It is truly magnificent. On top of that, [the chairs are built from old bicycle frames]. The attention to detail is really fascinating. It really is a delightful setup.
I really think you should come and see this for yourself. You would absolutely love it. Let me know when you're free and we can come back together."
Rooftop Garden¶
Prompt: You discover a beautiful rooftop garden in the city. Call your mom and describe it. Suggest she visit this weekend.
"Hi Mom. I know you have been looking for a [nice garden to relax in] for a while now. Well, I am looking at it right now, and I haven't seen anything quite like this before!
You won't believe this, but it is absolutely stunning. It is quite sizable, and the whole thing looks enchanting.
What really caught my eye is [a beautiful fountain surrounded by colorful flowers]. It is truly magnificent. On top of that, [there are cozy benches with a view of the entire city]. The attention to detail is really fascinating. It really is a delightful setup.
I really think you should come and see this for yourself. You would absolutely love it. Let me know when you're free and we can come back together."
Delivery Tips — Sound Natural, Not Robotic¶
Pause with Purpose¶
| Bad pause | Good pause |
|---|---|
| "um... you won't believe this..." | "You won't believe this... (pause) ...but it is absolutely stunning." |
| "uh... what caught my eye..." | "What really caught my eye is... (pause) ...[detail]." |
Emphasize Key Words¶
| Line | How to say it |
|---|---|
| "I haven't seen anything quite like this!" | Sound excited, amazed |
| "absolutely stunning" | Slow down, sound impressed |
| "truly magnificent" | Sound genuinely wowed |
| "really fascinating" | Sound curious, intrigued |
| "You would absolutely love it" | Sound warm, inviting |
The Secret: Sound Excited¶
Task 8 is a phone call to a friend or family member. Sound like you're genuinely amazed by what you see — not reading a report. Energy and excitement in your voice will push your score up.
Memorization Checklist¶
Practice saying the template out loud until you can do it without looking:
- Opening: "Hi ___. I know you have been looking for a ___ for a while now. Well, I am looking at it right now, and I haven't seen anything quite like this before!"
- Overview: "You won't believe this, but it is absolutely stunning. It is quite sizable, and the whole thing looks enchanting."
- Details: "What really caught my eye is . It is truly magnificent. On top of that, . The attention to detail is really fascinating. It really is a delightful setup."
- Closing: "I really think you should come and see this for yourself. You would absolutely love it. Let me know when you're free and we can come back together."