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Tip: Speaking Task 5: pick one option and stay with it. Comparing both is fine, switching sides isn't.
Tip: Speaking Task 5: pick one option and stay with it. Comparing both is fine, switching sides isn't.
Use visual evidence and future tenses to logically guess what will happen next.
Understanding the assessment criteria helps you deliver exactly what examiners are looking for.
Examiners are strictly listening for your ability to use multiple future forms correctly (e.g., 'will', 'is going to', 'is about to', 'will probably').
Your predictions cannot be entirely random sci-fi events. They must be deeply rooted in the visual evidence you see in the picture.
Using words like 'likely', 'probably', 'undoubtedly', and 'perhaps' to show nuance in how certain you are about the future event.
Using sequence markers (First, Following that, Eventually) to map out a clear timeline of the future events you are predicting.
Ready-to-use expressions that help your answer sound natural, organized, and easy to follow.
See how a high-scoring response sounds with clear structure and practical supporting details.
In this picture, what do you think will most probably happen next? (Image: The same busy farmers market from Task 3, with a dark storm cloud approaching in the background).
"Based on the dark storm clouds quickly gathering in the background of this busy farmers market, I predict that the weather is going to change very drastically in the next few minutes."
"In the immediate future, the man in the green apron is going to quickly hand the apples to the customer so that she can pay him and hurry to her car. The woman is highly likely to grab her paper bag, open her umbrella, and run toward shelter."
"Following that, the two vendors under the white tent are almost certainly going to start packing up their wooden table. They will rapidly throw a plastic tarp over their fresh bread to prevent it from getting ruined by the impending rain."
"Eventually, the entire bustling market will completely empty out as all the shoppers run for cover from the heavy thunderstorm."
Learn from these frequent errors that lower scores on this task.
Forgetting the purpose of the task and accidentally describing the image (Task 3) instead of predicting the future (Task 4).
"The man gives her the apples. The vendors pack the bread."
"The man is going to give her the apples. The vendors will definitely pack up the bread."
Making predictions that have zero visual basis in the picture, which makes your answer seem disorganized.
"An alien spaceship will land on the tent and steal the bread."
"Because the dog is pulling hard on the leash, the owner is probably going to drop the bread."
Using 'will' for every single sentence. Examiners want to see grammar range.
"He will pay. She will run. They will pack."
"He is about to pay. She is highly likely to run. They will probably pack up."
Making one prediction that takes 10 seconds, and then having 50 seconds of dead air.
If you predict the main event too quickly, look at the background! Predict what the birds will do, what the weather will do, or what will happen 3 hours later.
Test your understanding of Speaking Task 4: Making Predictions with these quick questions.
No! There is no 'correct' answer. As long as your prediction is logically tied to something visible in the picture, it is a perfect answer.
Aim for 3 distinct predictions. Make one about the main subject in the foreground, one about a secondary subject in the background, and one 'macro' prediction about the overall environment or weather.
Yes. Cause and effect is great here. For example: 'Because the dog is going to run away, the man will drop his coffee, and consequently, the woman will have to help him clean it up.'
Use both! Native speakers use them interchangeably. 'Going to' is often better for immediate, obvious actions (He is going to trip), while 'will' is great for slightly more distant predictions (The market will close early).
Jump between all 8 CELPIP Speaking templates and review the structure for each task.
Give practical advice with clear reasons.
Tell a clear story with a natural ending.
Describe what you see in an organized way.
Explain what may happen next and why.
Compare two options and persuade clearly.
Handle pressure with a calm solution.
Support your opinion with strong reasons.
Describe an unexpected moment clearly.