How to Describe a Graph in CELPIP Speaking Task 6

Why Task 6 trips up so many candidates

Task 6 gives you a graph, table, or chart and asks you to describe it out loud. Most candidates either read every number they see, or freeze because they do not know where to start.

Both responses score poorly — and for the same reason. The examiner is not looking for a data dump. They want a clear spoken summary: what the chart shows, what stands out, and why it matters.

A three-part structure that works every time

Use this sequence whenever you see a graph:

1. Overview — state what the chart is about in one sentence
2. Key trend — identify the most significant pattern (highest, lowest, sharpest change)
3. Supporting detail — add one or two specific numbers to back up your trend

You do not need to mention every value. Pick the story the data tells and narrate it.

What it sounds like in practice

Here is an example prompt: "The graph shows monthly gym membership sign-ups for 2023."

Weak answer:

"January has 200 members. February has 180. March has 220. April has 250. May has 300…"

That response technically covers the data, but it has no direction. The listener cannot tell what you think is important.

Stronger answer:

"This graph shows gym membership trends throughout 2023. The most notable pattern is steady growth in the second half of the year — sign-ups nearly doubled from around 200 in January to almost 400 by December. The sharpest jump happened between August and October, which could suggest a seasonal pattern around back-to-school routines."

Same data. Completely different impression.

What to do during preparation time

You get 30 seconds to prepare. Use them like this:

• First 10 seconds: scan the whole chart — what is it measuring, over what time period?
• Next 10 seconds: identify the one trend you will lead with
• Last 10 seconds: pick two specific data points that support that trend

Do not try to memorize everything. Plan your opening sentence and you will know where to go next.

The vocabulary that separates scores

Examiners reward range. Rotate through language like:

• "peaked at", "dropped sharply", "remained relatively stable"
• "the most significant change occurred", "a gradual increase", "a notable decline"
• "this suggests", "this could indicate", "one possible explanation is"

That last group matters because it moves you beyond description into light interpretation — which is exactly what strong Task 6 responses do.

The most common mistake to avoid

Spending too much time on minor details and running out of time before reaching a conclusion. If you describe every bar in a bar chart, you will almost certainly get cut off with no strong finish.

Follow the 80/20 rule: 80% of your words should be about the main trend, 20% about the details. The examiner remembers your opening and closing more than the middle.

Pair this with your review habit

After each Task 6 attempt, run the same three-question check from How to Self-Review a CELPIP Recording Without Guessing:

• Was my main trend clear in the first 10 seconds?
• Did I use at least two specific values without listing every number?
• Did my answer have a clear ending?

If you are following a weekly practice routine, designate one Thursday stretch session specifically for Task 6. Graphical data responds well to repetition — the structure becomes automatic faster than you expect.

Use CELPIP Speaking Coach to practice Task 6

The CELPIP Speaking Coach app includes Task 6 prompts with real exam-style charts. You can record your response, play it back, and track how your graph descriptions improve over time. If you have been avoiding this task, that is exactly why you should practice it first.

The more you dislike a task, the more points you are leaving on the table.