CELPIP Reading/R1

CELPIP Reading Part 1: Reading Correspondence

In Reading Part 1 you read an email about an everyday social or work situation and answer 6 questions, then fill 5 blanks in a short reply. You have about 11 minutes for about 11 questions.

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The official format of Reading Part 1: Reading Correspondence

Questions
about 11
Timer
about 11 minutes for this part alone
What you read
An email from one person to another about an everyday social or work situation (6 questions), then a short reply with blanks to fill in (5 questions).
Answers
Four choices for each question. The text and all its questions are on one screen.

CELPIP's suggested steps for Reading Part 1

From CELPIP's Reading Pro Study Pack (2026).

  1. Preview the message for 30 seconds: find the writer, the recipient, the purpose, and whether the writer asks for something.
  2. Read question set 1 and identify helpful keywords.
  3. Use the keywords to find the relevant part of the message, and read or skim depending on how much text there is.
  4. Watch for paraphrase: the right answer rarely uses the same words as the text.
  5. Leave 30 seconds at the end to make sure you have answered every question.

The 4-point preview for Part 1

CELPIP suggests finding these four things before you answer anything.

1WriterWho wrote it? (the name at the bottom)
2RecipientWho is it to? (the greeting)
3PurposeWhy are they writing?
4The askDoes the writer ask for something?

A worked CELPIP Reading Part 1 example

Read the text

Hi Lena,

I hope your week is going well! I'm writing because I need a big favor for this Saturday. As you know, I'm leading the morning volunteer team at the Riverside Food Bank, and we're expecting our busiest day of the month, since the school food drive ends on Friday.

Unfortunately, my sister just told me she's arriving from Montreal on Saturday morning, a full week earlier than we planned. Her flight lands at nine, which is exactly when our shift starts, and she doesn't know anyone else in the city, so I'd like to pick her up myself.

Would you be able to lead the team until I get there? I should be at the food bank by eleven at the latest. You won't need to do anything special. The sorting tables will already be set up, and Grace from the office will bring the volunteer list and the name tags at a quarter to nine. The only tricky part is the delivery truck. It usually arrives around ten, and someone has to sign for it and count the boxes before the driver leaves.

If Saturday doesn't work for you, please don't worry. Just let me know by Thursday evening, and I'll call the office and see if they can send someone else. Either way, I'll bring coffee and muffins for the whole team to say thank you.

Thanks so much,

Marco

THE QUESTIONS (4)
  1. Why is Marco writing to Lena?
    1. to invite her to the school food drive
    2. to ask her to lead his team on Saturday
    3. to tell her that the food bank will close
    4. to thank her for her help last week
  2. What does Marco say about his sister?
    1. She is coming sooner than expected.
    2. She is driving from Montreal.
    3. Her flight lands at eleven.
    4. She will take a taxi to his home.
  3. When the delivery truck arrives, someone needs to
    1. unload all the boxes
    2. call Grace at the office
    3. sign for it and check how many boxes came
    4. set up the sorting tables
  4. If Lena cannot help on Saturday, she should
    1. call the office herself
    2. find another volunteer
    3. bring coffee for the team
    4. reply to Marco by Thursday evening
Show the answers and why
  1. B. Question one asks why Marco is writing. You already know from the preview. It's B, to ask her to lead his team on Saturday.
  2. A. Question two is about his sister, so scan for the word sister. A full week earlier than we planned. Option A says sooner than expected. Same meaning, different words. Not C, because eleven is when Marco gets there.
  3. C. Question three, scan for truck. Someone has to sign for it and count the boxes. That's C, in different words. Not A, because the email never says unload.
  4. D. Question four says cannot help. The email says it another way. If Saturday doesn't work for you, just let me know by Thursday evening. That's D. Not A, because Marco calls the office, not Lena.

The preview answers the first question before you read in detail. This example works through 4 of the questions; the real Part 1 has about 11.

A free CELPIP Reading Part 1: Reading Correspondence practice question

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

  1. When does Jennifer plan to completely move out?
    1. March 28th
    2. March 29th
    3. March 30th
    4. March 31st
  2. What is Jennifer concerned might affect her security deposit?
    1. Damage to the dining room furniture
    2. A coffee stain on the carpet
    3. Missing keys
    4. Unpaid utilities
  3. How much is Jennifer's security deposit?
    1. $1,000
    2. $1,200
    3. $1,400
    4. $1,500
Show the answers
  1. B. Jennifer states she plans 'to be completely moved out by March 29th to allow time for any final cleaning.'
  2. 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.
  3. B. Jennifer clearly states 'I understand it's $1,200' when referring to the security deposit.
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Common mistakes on Part 1: Reading Correspondence

  • Reading every word before looking at the questions. Preview, then use keywords.
  • Choosing an answer because it repeats words from the email.
  • Forgetting the reply. Part 1 has a second text with blanks.
  • Running out of time: when Part 1's timer ends, the test moves on.

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Part 1: Reading Correspondence FAQ

How many questions are in CELPIP Reading Part 1?+

About 11, in about 11 minutes: 6 about the email and 5 blanks in the reply.

What kind of text is in Reading Part 1?+

An email from one person to another about an everyday social or work situation, and a short reply with blanks to fill in.

Can I go back to Part 1 later?+

No. Each reading part has its own timer, and the test moves on when it ends.

What should I look for first in Part 1?+

The writer, the recipient, the purpose, and whether the writer asks for something.

Related reading

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