Practice Test A - Reading Test

Reading Test Instructions

  • On the official test, once you leave a page, you cannot go back to it to change your answers. However, in this sample test, you can.

  • Watch the timer in the top right corner to make sure that you complete the Reading Test before the time is up.

  • This Reading Test is identical in format to the official test except that the Reading section of the official test may be slightly longer as it might contain additional questions included for research and development purposes.

Reading Instructional Video

celpip_listening

Practice Test A - Reading Practice Task

Time remaining: 2 minutes

Read the following message.

Canada is surrounded on three sides by oceans.
To the north, the Arctic Ocean borders Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
Off the west coast of British Columbia is the Pacific Ocean.
The Atlantic Ocean, meanwhile, sits to the east of Canada’s Maritime provinces, which include Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.

Using the drop-down menu (🔽), choose the best option according to the information given in the message.

The correct option is: 2

Practice Test A - Reading Part 1: Reading Correspondence

Time remaining: 11 minutes

Read the following message.

To whom it may concern,
My name is Janet White and I am a tenant at your residential rental property, Garden Plaza, at 257 Pine Street, Apartment 502. I am writing to bring your attention to an ongoing issue regarding a broken heater in my rental unit. Unfortunately, even after numerous complaints, the problem has yet to be solved. As you can imagine, I am feeling very frustrated by the whole ordeal.
To recap, the heater in the living room of my apartment is broken. The average temperature in this room is between 15–17⁰C during the day and even lower at night. This is unacceptable as the local bylaw states that the landlord must keep the heat in rental apartments at a minimum of 20⁰C from October to April. I often work from home and find it hard to accomplish anything when I am freezing cold. I have had to purchase a small electric heater to keep myself warm which costs me money on my electricity bill. This is unfair because heat is supposed to be included in the rent I pay. In addition to my frustration with insufficient heat, there has been a lack of communication on your end about what has been done to solve the issue. The superintendent has never contacted me to let me know whether anyone has come to check out the heater. I had to call the head office on Tuesday, January 3rd, to find if there had been any attempt to rectify the problem. I was upset to find out that nothing had been done, even after submitting three complaint forms and leaving multiple voicemail messages about the issue.
At this point I am extremely disgruntled with the situation and the poor service I have received from your company. It has been over 3 weeks that I’ve been trying to deal with this problem. I feel that the manner in which this issue is being handled is completely unacceptable. I would like this situation to be resolved as soon as possible. I would also like to be contacted by your manager or supervisor at Johnson Realty Management to discuss what can be done to make up for the time, money, and frustration this issue has caused me.
Sincerely,
Janet White

Using the drop-down menu (🔽), choose the best option according to the information given in the message.

The correct option is: 2
The correct option is: 4
The correct option is: 1
The correct option is: 1
The correct option is: 4
The correct option is: 3

Here is a response to the message. Complete the response by filling in the blanks. Select the best choice for each blank from the drop-down menu (🔽).

Dear Ms. White, My staff passed on to me your message regarding 7. The correct option is: 1 . Steps have already been taken to solve the problem, and a replacement heater is on order. Immediately after it arrives, we will make arrangements with you to 8. The correct option is: 3 There are several broken heater units in Garden Plaza apartments. Your superintendent has reported these and requested replacements. Our usually 9. The correct option is: 2 staff have been laid low with the flu. Hence, we are not completing work at our usual fast pace. I apologize for the inconvenience.I can meet with you any afternoon next week to 10. The correct option is: 3 . Please telephone to make an appointment.Alice Jefferson 11. The correct option is: 4 Johnson Realty Management

Practice Test A - Reading Part 2: Reading to Apply a Diagram

Time remaining: 9 minutes

Read the following email message about the diagram on the left. Complete the email by filling in the blanks. Select the best choice for each blank from the drop-down menu (🔽).

Subject: Mary’s Party
To: Jenny Smith < [email protected] >
From: Darrell Smith < [email protected] >
Hi Jenny,
Mary’s birthday party is this Saturday evening. I think that ordering Earth Crust Pizza will save a lot of running around as there is 1.
The correct option is: 2 . All we need to do is order. They also offer some good deals, and their pizza is cheap and tasty. Mary has a friend who doesn’t eat meat, so we need to include a 2. The correct option is: 1 or Vegetarian pizza. Earth Crust Pizza also sells pasta and we can order 3. The correct option is: 3 without meat. Alternatively, we can order a 4. The correct option is: 3 and ensure that it’s one-quarter Greek. I’ll give them a call and find out. Finally, for each large pizza we buy, we can also get 5. The correct option is: 4 delivered to us for two bucks.Let me know what you think.Darrell

Using the drop-down menu (🔽), choose the best option.

6.Earth Crust Pizza The correct option is: 4
7.The advertised prices The correct option is: 1
8.Darrell wants the food for Mary’s party to be The correct option is: 2

Practice Test A - Reading Part 3: Reading for Information

Time remaining: 10 minutes

Read the following message.

A. Despite the increasing prevalence of purchasing and banking through electronic means, Canadian banknotes—commonly referred to as “carrying cash”—remain an important part of Canadian society. However, with the convenience of carrying cash also comes the risk of counterfeiting, or producing imitation currency without authorization from the government. Counterfeiting accounts for millions of dollars of losses to Canadian businesses and individuals each year. To combat this problem, the Bank of Canada introduced new polymer bills in 2013. These durable new bills are considered to be some of the most secure banknotes in the world.
B.The new series of polymer notes is designed in a way which is meant to portray the Canadian spirit of innovation and to celebrate Canada’s national and international achievements. Each bill depicts a different innovation or event that has been a crucial aspect of Canadian history. The five-dollar bill, for example, illustrates the Canadarm2—an important contribution made to the International Space Station in April, 2001. The twenty-dollar bill depicts the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in honour of the sacrifices made by Canadians during the First World War. The one-hundred-dollar bill shows an insulin bottle to commemorate the 1922 discovery of insulin as a treatment for diabetes by Canadian researchers.
C.In addition to visually representing Canada, the new polymer bills are also designed to be more functional and environmentally friendly. The bills are able to withstand temperatures ranging from -75 to 140 degrees Celsius, are harder to tear, and do not absorb moisture, thereby allowing them to be wiped clean with a damp cloth. These improvements mean that, when properly handled, the new bills last up to 2.5 times longer than their paper predecessors. This increased lifespan and ability to be recycled means that polymer notes accomplish the important goal of reducing environmental impact.
D. Most importantly, the new polymer bills include a wide range of security features that are easy to verify and difficult to counterfeit. These features include raised ink located in various places on the surface of the bill, visual details such as transparent text and metallic features, and hidden numbers that can only be detected using an incandescent light. However, in spite of these innovative features, the best security against counterfeiting is still education. This is why front-line employees in Canadian businesses are taught to be both diligent and cautious when dealing in cash transactions.
E. Not given in any of the above paragraphs.

Decide which paragraph, A to D, has the information given in each statement below. Select E if the information is not given in any of the paragraphs.

-1. The new bills display visual representations of important accomplishments. The correct option is: B
-2. Polymer notes contain features that make them more durable than paper bills The correct option is: C
-3. Banks are unable to reimburse businesses for losses caused by counterfeiting. The correct option is: E
-4. Polymer bills contain improvements that help prevent illegal imitations. The correct option is: D
-5. Canadians use multiple forms of payment in their daily lives. The correct option is: A
-6. The features on polymer bills took several years to design and develop. The correct option is: E
-7. Polymer bills were developed in response to security concerns. The correct option is: A
-8. Surveillance by individuals is also important to combat counterfeiting. The correct option is: D
-9. Paper bills only have half of polymer bills’ security features. The correct option is: E

Practice Test A - Reading Part 4: Reading for Viewpoints

Time remaining: 13 minutes

Read the following article from a website.

In our digitally mediated age, many people seeking direct communion with fellow human beings have joined outdoor running groups, yours truly among them. Interestingly, it seems that the type of running terrain has an impact on fostering genuine human fellowship, among other benefits.
The Canadian Association of Sports and Movement claims the choice of terrain, be it dirt trail or hard pavement, is immaterial. But sports trainer David Rogers points out that hip and knee joints that routinely pound on dirt trails sustain less compression and, therefore, fewer injuries than those routinely subjected to unyielding asphalt. Granted, habitual pavement pounders may, on their first mountain trail runs, be humbled by the agility and concentration required to navigate around rocks and tree roots. Trail running has its challenges, but it is a healthier pursuit than road running. Away from urban automobile exhaust, a trail’s lush greenery, stunning scenery, and boosted oxygen levels are exhilarating and psychologically restorative. I’m partial to what’s known as the biophilia hypothesis: the desire to affiliate with nature is innate.
I think we need to tell that to search and rescue coordinator Simon Erholz, who is on public record as wishing more runners had an affinity for pavement. Erholz has publicly castigated the many novice trail runners who’ve fallen or lost their way and called for rescue. In this regard, it’s understandable why so many marathoners opt to train on asphalt. “It’s not that I don’t want to admire Mother Nature while I’m running; I just want to put in my daily 10 kilometres with minimal chance of a face plant,” says marathoner Nita Gill. “Also, running near my downtown condo gives me a sense I’m being monitored in a good way.”
Memo to Nita: Safety, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. If you fall in a road race, participants will hop over you, single-mindedly fixated on the finish line. But in a trail race, they’ll stop and carry you to the nearest first aid station. To me, if that’s not soul-restoring communion with humanity, I don’t know what is.

Using the drop-down menu (🔽), choose the best option according to the information given in the message.

1. What is the main purpose of this article? The correct option is: 3
2. According to the article, why is running popular nowadays? The correct option is: 2
3. Which theory does the author state agreement with? The correct option is: 3
4. What is true about Nita Gill? The correct option is: 2
5. What does the author suggest? The correct option is: 4

The following is a comment by a visitor to the website page. Complete the comment by choosing the best option to fill in each blank.

I’m a sidewalk jogger, and my interest was certainly piqued by this article. In general, I had mixed reactions to what was said. Provided one brings the proper equipment and takes appropriate precautions, it is, as one of the author’s sources points out, 6. The correct option is: 1 . I’ve hit the trails on several occasions, where, as the author implies, the 7. The correct option is: 4 is constantly changing, forcing you to stay in the moment. I do agree with Rogers that 8. The correct option is: 2 . However, Nita Gill serves to remind me that I would still be 9. The correct option is: 4 . Finally, I do want to address the author’s uncharitable comments about road runners. I feel that it’s presumptuous of the author to characterize them as 10. The correct option is: 2 when other competitors are injured.
Top