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Speaking · S6

CELPIP Speaking Task 6: change a promise tactfully

Explain a conflict, acknowledge its impact and offer help you can actually provide.

By MockMaple · Updated

Try the prompt

You promised to help your neighbour move on Saturday, but your employer now requires you to attend training that morning. Call your neighbour, explain your decision and offer a practical alternative.

  • Training is compulsory from 9 to 12 on Saturday.
  • You can help after 1 and have access to a car.
  • Do not claim someone else has agreed to help unless you arrange that first.

Plan your approach

  1. Address the neighbour and apologize for the change.
  2. Explain the compulsory commitment and its exact time.
  3. Offer a specific alternative and ask whether it helps.

Complete sample response

Synthetic reading of the complete sample response. This short teaching example is not a full timed test performance.

Hi Sam, I am sorry to change our Saturday plan at short notice. My employer has scheduled compulsory training from nine until noon, so I cannot help with the morning part of your move. I know you were counting on me, especially for carrying the heavier boxes. I can come at one and stay for the afternoon. I will also have the car, so I could transport smaller items while you finish with the moving van. If the heavy lifting has to happen before noon, I can ask a friend whether they are available, but I cannot promise their help yet. Would the afternoon arrangement still be useful?

Why these choices work

A response or interpretation to improve

I cannot come. Work is important so you need another person. I will maybe help later. My friend can do it instead. It is not my fault, so please understand.

It is not my fault → I know you were counting on me

The revision acknowledges the neighbour’s inconvenience rather than focusing only on blame. Try this: Name the effect on the listener before offering a solution.

I will maybe help later. → I can come at one and stay for the afternoon.

A definite available time makes the alternative usable. Try this: Give one alternative with a time and a concrete contribution.

Vocabulary in context

at short notice

With little time to prepare for a change.

I am sorry to cancel at short notice.

Choose the right alternative: Unexpectedly describes surprise; at short notice emphasizes limited preparation time.

Usage note: This phrase does not explain the reason for the change; give that separately.

Explore vocabulary, synonyms and idioms

Check your understanding

Choose an answer to see the evidence and an explanation for every option. These checks are not a proficiency score.

1. Which revision best follows the lesson’s approach?
All answers and explanations

Which revision best follows the lesson’s approach?

Answer: Add a relevant detail that helps the listener or reader act.

Evidence: I know you were counting on me

  • Add a relevant detail that helps the listener or reader act.: A relevant detail develops the message and serves the audience.
  • Replace every ordinary word with an unfamiliar synonym.: Unfamiliar wording can obscure meaning; precision matters more than rarity.
  • Promise that the suggested solution will work for everyone.: The information does not support a universal guarantee.

Try a new situation

You promised to collect a friend from the station at noon, but a compulsory meeting ends at one. You can collect them at two or help them find another route. Explain your decision.

Use your own notes or voice recorder, then check your work:

  • Have you offered help you can actually provide without making commitments for someone else?
  • Identify one specific detail that supports your main message.
  • Revise one vague expression without changing your meaning.
Apply this in free practice

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