Task 8: Describing an Unusual Situation

The prompt explains who your listener is, why you are communicating, and what you must describe or ask. It may involve a call to a friend, a store, or someone else. Do not assume that you always know the listener or must always ask for advice.

Before responding, identify:

• Who you are speaking to and why.
• What is most unusual about the object or situation.
• Which features allow the listener to picture it.
• The final action requested by the prompt.

Avoid beginning with "I see a picture of...", because it does not follow the communication scenario. A brief opening such as "Hi, I'm calling about..." is usually enough.

You can follow this sequence:

1. Brief context for the call.
2. General shape, size, or appearance.
3. Two or three distinctive features.
4. Relevant location, damage, function, or comparison.
5. The requested question or ending.

Spend most of the time describing. You do not need to invent a long story before explaining what you see.

When you do not know a word, compare and explain:

"It looks like a small green robot, but its body is shaped like a frog."

"A metal piece that connects the leg to the body has snapped."

Situation: Your younger brother collects frog toys, and you accidentally broke his favourite one. Call a local toy store, describe the toy and explain which parts are broken. Ask whether it can be repaired.

Hello, I'm calling to ask whether you repair unusual toys. My younger brother has a green frog figure, but it doesn't look like an ordinary stuffed animal. Its body is a hard rectangular box about the size of a toaster, with two large round eyes on top and four thin metal legs.

One of the front legs has completely separated from the body. The small joint that held it in place is still attached to the leg, but the side of the body is cracked as well. There is also a narrow panel on the back that no longer closes properly.

I still have the loose leg and all the broken pieces. Would your store be able to repair this type of toy, or should I contact a specialist?

What to notice: The opening quickly establishes the purpose; the description makes the object and its damage recognizable; the ending fulfills the specific request.

Which beginning best addresses the store prompt?

If the prompt asks whether the toy can be repaired, which ending is relevant?

Use the toy prompt. Prepare for 30 seconds and record up to 60.

• Did I explain the overall appearance first?
• Did I choose features that distinguish the toy?
• Did I separate broken pieces from those still intact?
• Did I finish with the requested question?

Go further: Describe it again without using strange, thing, or weird. Replace them with shape, material, size, and function.