CELPIP Reading Practice Test
The CELPIP Reading Test has 4 parts and 38 scored questions, and each part has its own timer. Here is the official format of each part, one free practice question with answers in every part, and how the test is scored.
Free Reading CourseCELPIP Reading Practice by Part
Each part tests something different. Pick one to see its format, strategies and practice questions.
Free CELPIP Reading practice questions
There is one free question in every part, from the same bank as our Premium questions, and Premium unlocks the other 89 reading question sets. You do not need an account to read them here.
Moving Apartment Arrangements
Read the email and answer the questions. Then read the reply and fill in the blanks.
Read the passage
From: Jennifer Walsh
To: Mark Thompson
Subject: Moving Out - Apartment Details and Timeline
Hi Mark,
I hope you're doing well. As discussed last week, I wanted to confirm the details for moving out of the apartment at 142 Pine Street. My lease officially ends on March 31st, and I plan to be completely moved out by March 29th to allow time for any final cleaning.
I've already arranged for a moving truck for March 28th, starting around 9 AM. The movers estimated it will take about 4-5 hours to load everything. I'll be taking all my furniture except the dining room table and chairs, which you mentioned you'd like to keep for the next tenant.
Regarding the security deposit, I understand it's $1,200. I've been quite careful with the apartment, though I did notice a small stain on the living room carpet from when I spilled coffee last month. I tried several cleaning products, but it's still slightly visible. I hope this won't affect the full return of my deposit, but I wanted to be upfront about it.
I'll make sure all utilities are transferred out of my name by March 30th. The final meter readings should be taken that day. Also, I'll leave both sets of keys on the kitchen counter along with the garage door opener.
Could you let me know when would be convenient for you to do the final walk-through? I'm flexible with timing but would prefer sometime on March 29th afternoon.
Thanks for being such an understanding landlord!
Best regards,
Jennifer
- When does Jennifer plan to completely move out?
- March 28th
- March 29th
- March 30th
- March 31st
- What is Jennifer concerned might affect her security deposit?
- Damage to the dining room furniture
- A coffee stain on the carpet
- Missing keys
- Unpaid utilities
- How much is Jennifer's security deposit?
- $1,000
- $1,200
- $1,400
- $1,500
Show the answers
- B. Jennifer states she plans 'to be completely moved out by March 29th to allow time for any final cleaning.'
- B. Jennifer mentions 'a small stain on the living room carpet from when I spilled coffee' and hopes it won't affect her deposit return.
- B. Jennifer clearly states 'I understand it's $1,200' when referring to the security deposit.
Ottawa Youth Soccer League Spring Registration Guide
Read the diagram and the email. Complete the email by filling in the blanks, then answer the statements.
Read the passage
Sarah Mitchell → Ottawa Youth Soccer League Registration
Subject: Registration Question for My Son Jake
Hello, I'm interested in registering my 13-year-old son Jake for the spring soccer season. I have a few questions about the registration process. First, I want to take advantage of the early bird pricing, so I need to register by [BLANK_1]. Since Jake is 13, he'll be in the U12-U14 age group, and with the early bird discount, the total fee will be [BLANK_2]. I noticed that his age group practices on [BLANK_3] at Canterbury Recreation Center. I'm also preparing the required documents - I see that I need to fill out the medical form, which is called [BLANK_4]. If I have any other questions during the registration process, I can call your office at [BLANK_5]. Thank you for providing such a comprehensive guide. I look forward to Jake participating in the league this spring season!
- What is the tone of Sarah's email?
- Demanding and urgent
- Polite and organized
- Confused and frustrated
- Casual and informal
- What is Sarah's main purpose for writing this email?
- To confirm her son's registration is complete
- To gather specific information before registering her son
- To complain about the registration process
- To request a refund for registration fees
- Based on the email, what can we infer about Sarah's approach to her son's activities?
- She prefers to register at the last minute
- She is detail-oriented and wants to save money
- She is hesitant about her son playing soccer
- She expects special treatment for her son
Show the answers
- B. Sarah's email demonstrates politeness with phrases like 'thank you' and shows organization by systematically addressing different aspects of registration.
- B. Sarah states she's 'interested in registering' and has 'questions about the registration process,' indicating she's gathering information before completing registration.
- B. Sarah shows attention to detail by researching specific information and demonstrates cost-consciousness by planning to use the early bird discount.
Urban Wildlife in Canadian Cities
Read the passage and match each statement to the correct paragraph (A-D) or select E if not given.
Read the passage
[A]
Canadian cities are experiencing an unprecedented increase in urban wildlife populations. Toronto reports a 40% rise in raccoon sightings over the past five years, while Vancouver has documented growing populations of coyotes in residential neighborhoods. These animals have adapted remarkably well to city environments, learning to navigate traffic patterns and exploit human food sources. Wildlife management experts attribute this trend to habitat loss in surrounding areas and the abundant resources available in urban settings, including garbage bins, pet food, and landscaped gardens that provide shelter and sustenance.
[B]
The presence of wildlife in urban areas creates significant challenges for city planners and residents alike. Property damage from animals seeking food or shelter can be costly, with insurance claims related to wildlife encounters increasing by 25% annually across major Canadian cities. Additionally, public safety concerns arise when large animals like bears venture into populated areas, prompting emergency responses and temporary area evacuations. Municipal governments are investing heavily in specialized wildlife control units and public education programs to address these growing concerns.
[C]
Successful coexistence strategies are being implemented in cities across Canada. Calgary has introduced wildlife-resistant garbage containers and established wildlife corridors that allow animals safe passage through urban areas. Montreal's innovative approach includes community education workshops that teach residents how to secure their properties and respond appropriately to wildlife encounters. These programs emphasize prevention over removal, encouraging residents to eliminate attractants like unsecured compost bins and accessible pet food rather than relocating animals.
[D]
Research conducted by Canadian universities reveals fascinating insights into urban animal behavior. Studies show that city-dwelling animals develop different social structures and feeding patterns compared to their rural counterparts. Urban coyotes, for instance, tend to be more solitary and nocturnal than those in wild habitats. Scientists have also observed that some species are evolving physically in response to city life, with urban birds developing different vocal patterns to communicate over traffic noise, and some mammals showing increased problem-solving abilities when accessing human-created food sources.
- Raccoon populations in Toronto have grown significantly in recent years.Which paragraph (A to D) says this? Choose E if it is not in the text.
- Wildlife-related insurance claims are becoming more frequent in Canadian cities.Which paragraph (A to D) says this? Choose E if it is not in the text.
- Edmonton has implemented special garbage bins to prevent wildlife access.Which paragraph (A to D) says this? Choose E if it is not in the text.
Show the answers
- A. Paragraph A states that Toronto reports a 40% rise in raccoon sightings over the past five years.
- B. Paragraph B mentions that insurance claims related to wildlife encounters are increasing by 25% annually across major Canadian cities.
- E. Not given - the passage mentions Calgary using wildlife-resistant garbage containers, but Edmonton is not mentioned.
Remote Work Policy in Canadian Public Sector
Read the article and answer the questions. Then read the response and fill in the blanks.
Read the passage
It's Time to End Mandatory Return-to-Office Policies in Canada's Public Sector
By Margaret Chen
The federal government's recent push to bring public servants back to the office full-time is a step backward that ignores both employee wellbeing and practical realities. After three years of successful remote work during the pandemic, forcing civil servants back to their desks seems particularly tone-deaf. The evidence is overwhelming: remote work has maintained productivity levels while significantly improving work-life balance for thousands of Canadian families. Public sector employees have proven they can deliver essential services from home, often with greater efficiency and job satisfaction. Moreover, the environmental benefits cannot be ignored. Fewer commutes mean reduced carbon emissions, directly supporting Canada's climate commitments. The cost savings are equally compelling – both for employees who save on transportation and meals, and for taxpayers who benefit from reduced office space requirements. Critics argue that collaboration suffers in remote environments, but modern technology has proven this concern largely unfounded. Video conferencing, digital collaboration tools, and flexible hybrid arrangements can maintain team cohesion while preserving the benefits of remote work. Instead of rigid return-to-office mandates, the government should embrace flexible work arrangements that trust employees to determine where they work best. This approach would position Canada as a progressive employer, helping attract and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive job market. The future of work is flexible, and our government policies should reflect this reality.
- What is the author's main argument regarding return-to-office policies?
- They should be implemented gradually over several months
- They are outdated and should be replaced with flexible work arrangements
- They are necessary for maintaining government accountability
- They should only apply to senior management positions
- According to the author, what evidence supports remote work effectiveness?
- Increased government revenue and reduced operational costs
- Higher employee turnover and improved recruitment numbers
- Maintained productivity levels and improved work-life balance
- Better customer service ratings and faster response times
- What tone does the author use when discussing the government's return-to-office push?
- Neutral and analytical
- Critical and disapproving
- Supportive but cautious
- Enthusiastic and encouraging
Show the answers
- B. The author argues that mandatory return-to-office policies are 'a step backward' and advocates for flexible work arrangements that 'trust employees to determine where they work best.'
- C. The author specifically states that 'remote work has maintained productivity levels while significantly improving work-life balance for thousands of Canadian families.'
- B. The author uses critical language, calling the policy 'a step backward' and 'particularly tone-deaf,' indicating strong disapproval of the government's approach.
The CELPIP Reading test format
Reading is the second part of the CELPIP-General Test, after Listening. It takes about 55 to 60 minutes and has 38 scored questions across 4 parts (there may also be one unscored part).
Each part has its own timer. The text and all its questions are on one screen, you can change your answers until that part's time is up, and then the test moves on by itself. You cannot go back to an earlier part. Every question has four answer choices.
Part 1, Reading Correspondence, has about 11 questions and about 11 minutes. Part 2, Reading to Apply a Diagram, has about 8 questions and about 9 minutes. Part 3, Reading for Information, has about 9 questions and about 10 minutes. Part 4, Reading for Viewpoints, has about 10 questions and about 13 minutes.
How CELPIP Reading is scored
Each of the 38 scored questions is worth one point, and no points are taken off for a wrong answer, so always answer every question. The computer works out your CELPIP level from your points and the difficulty of the questions. As a rough guide from CELPIP's own study pack, Level 7 is about 24 to 28 correct answers out of 38, and Level 9 is about 31 to 33.
CELPIP reports a level for each skill, and each CELPIP level equals the same CLB level for Canadian immigration (CELPIP 10, 11 and 12 all count as CLB 10+). Express Entry's Federal Skilled Worker program needs at least CLB 7 in all four skills. Canadian citizenship (ages 18 to 54) needs CLB 4 in speaking and listening. Express Entry gives the most points for your first official language at CLB 10 or higher in each skill. Results must be less than 2 years old.
How to approach each CELPIP Reading part
Preview before you read. In Part 1, find the writer, the reader, the purpose, and whether the writer asks for something, then read the first set of questions for keywords. In Part 2, look at what kind of diagram it is, who made it, and how the text and pictures connect, then do the same for the email. In Part 3, note the topic and the main idea of each paragraph, so you can find the right paragraph for each statement, and choose E only when the information is not in the text. In Part 4, note who is mentioned, what each person believes, and why.
Expect paraphrase. CELPIP says you should never expect the correct answer to use the same words as the text, so look for the same idea in different words.
Our question bank has 93 reading question sets organized by part, with one free set in every part, and every answer comes with an explanation.
CELPIP Reading FAQ
Common questions about the CELPIP Reading test