Speaking Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation

Covered with long, narrow bands of different colours.

“The cow in the field is painted with blue and yellow striped patterns.”

“A striped tent has been set up right in the middle of the intersection.”

Often used: black and white striped · striped pattern · vertically striped

CELPIP tip: Name the colours and direction of the stripes. Pattern words help the listener tell the odd object apart from ordinary ones.

With the top part at the bottom and the bottom part at the top.

“Every picture in the café is hung upside down.”

“A shopping cart is lying upside down in the middle of the pond.”

Often used: turn upside down · hang upside down · completely upside down

CELPIP tip: Do not confuse it with inside out, which means the inner surface faces outward. Say which part is now at the bottom to make the image clear.

Very strange and surprising, in a way that is hard to explain.

“There's a bizarre sculpture in the lobby that looks like a giant spoon wearing a hat.”

“The most bizarre part is a canoe hanging from the ceiling of the bank.”

Often used: a bizarre sight · absolutely bizarre · the most bizarre thing

CELPIP tip: Use it early to set the tone, then prove it with details. Calling something bizarre without describing it leaves the listener with nothing to picture.

Much larger than the normal or expected size for that kind of thing.

“An oversized rubber duck is floating in the harbour.”

“The cyclist is wearing an oversized helmet that nearly covers his eyes.”

Often used: an oversized version of · oversized clothing · comically oversized

CELPIP tip: Tells the listener the object is familiar but the scale is wrong. Follow it with a size comparison to make the scale concrete.

To hang loosely and swing slightly from something above.

“Dozens of old keys are dangling from the branches of the maple tree.”

“A pair of skates is dangling from the power line above the street.”

Often used: dangle from · left dangling · dangling in the air

CELPIP tip: Adds movement to a still description. Use the -ing form with from to show exactly where the object hangs.

Uneven, with one side higher, lower or bigger than the other.

“The snowman is lopsided, with one arm much longer than the other.”

“The wedding cake looks lopsided, as if it slid sideways in the car.”

Often used: slightly lopsided · a lopsided grin · badly lopsided

CELPIP tip: A precise word for something that is not straight. Add which side is higher or bigger so the listener can see the tilt.

Unusual in a way that seems a little strange or puzzling.

“There's a peculiar machine in the parking lot with pipes and a spinning wheel.”

“The man is walking a goat on a leash, which is quite peculiar for downtown Ottawa.”

Often used: a peculiar sight · rather peculiar · something peculiar about

CELPIP tip: Softer and more measured than bizarre. Use it for details that are odd but not shocking.

To extend beyond a surface or edge so that part of something can be seen.

“Two long umbrellas are sticking out of the chimney.”

“A fishing rod is sticking out of the mailbox at an odd angle.”

Often used: stick out of · stick out from · sticking out at an angle

CELPIP tip: Pair it with of and a location to describe position precisely. The -ing form suits a scene you are describing right now.

To manage to see, read or hear something that is not clear.

“I can just make out some writing on the side of the balloon.”

“It's hard to make out what's inside the glass box because of the glare.”

Often used: can just make out · hard to make out · can't quite make out

CELPIP tip: Honest phrasing for details you cannot see clearly. It sounds more natural than inventing details you are unsure of.

Having the outline or form of another familiar object.

“The mailbox is shaped like a moose head, with the antlers holding the flag.”

“She was carrying a purse shaped like a slice of watermelon.”

Often used: shaped like a · oddly shaped like · roughly shaped like

CELPIP tip: Compare the odd shape with an everyday object the listener knows. That instantly gives them a mental picture.

Sitting high up on the edge or top of something, often in an unstable way.

“A garden gnome is perched on top of the traffic light.”

“There's a tiny house perched on top of a tall wooden pole.”

Often used: perched on top of a · precariously perched · perched on the edge of

CELPIP tip: More vivid than on top of alone. It suggests height and balance, which suits odd scenes where things are in unlikely places.

Shows that your statement is based only on what is visible and might not be complete.

“From what I can see, the car is parked on the roof of a garden shed.”

“From what I can see, somebody has covered the whole bus shelter in knitted wool.”

Often used: from what I can see, · from what I can see so far

CELPIP tip: It is a helpful opener when the picture is strange and you are not sure what is happening. Follow it with precise details rather than a general guess.

Introduces the explanation you think is most likely, while admitting you are not certain.

“My best guess is that it's some kind of art project for the winter festival.”

“My best guess is that the owner is filming a commercial.”

Often used: my best guess is that · but my best guess is

CELPIP tip: Separates what you see from what you infer. Put it near the end after the description, and give one clue that supports your guess.

Gives an approximate size by comparing an object with something familiar.

“The pumpkin is roughly the size of a small car.”

“There's a snail roughly the size of my hand crawling across the patio door.”

Often used: roughly the size of a · about roughly the size of

CELPIP tip: Size comparisons help more than numbers the listener cannot see. Choose a common reference like a fridge, a basketball or a shoebox.

An opener that prepares a friend for surprising news or a strange sight.

“You won't believe this, but there's a horse standing in the grocery store parking lot.”

“Hey Jordan, you won't believe this: our neighbour built a slide from his balcony.”

Often used: you won't believe this, but · honestly, you won't believe this

CELPIP tip: A natural way to start if you are describing the scene to a friend. Move straight into details after it so the surprise has content.

Shows a strong logical guess about something that happened in the past.

“It must have been left here after last night's parade, judging by the confetti.”

“Someone must have been painting the fence and forgot the ladder.”

Often used: must have been left · must have been made · it must have been

CELPIP tip: Use must have for strong guesses and might have for weak ones. Mixing the two shows control over speculation grammar.

Looking wrong or unusual because it does not belong in that location.

“A shiny grand piano sits in the middle of the soccer field, totally out of place.”

“The palm tree looks out of place beside the snowbanks on Portage Avenue.”

Often used: look out of place · completely out of place · feel out of place

CELPIP tip: Explains why something is unusual by contrasting it with its surroundings. Mention both the object and the setting.

When you look more carefully, you notice something you missed at first.

“At first it looks like a normal dog, but on closer inspection, it's a robot.”

“On closer inspection, the fence is made from hundreds of old skis.”

Often used: on closer inspection, it turns out · but on closer inspection

CELPIP tip: Creates a small surprise in your description. Mention the first impression, then reveal the odd detail with this phrase.