Copy of CELPIP Set 5 – Practice Test 1

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 practice 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. For more information on test format, click here.
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 Part 1: Reading Correspondence

Read the following message.

Dear Mr. Albertson,

We are interested in renting your charming cottage for the first two weeks of September. I found your ad on the internet, and the pictures are really attractive. Living that close to the ocean would be a real treat for a few weeks. I can already smell the refreshing salt air!

I’ve heard that the Atlantic Ocean is quite cold and that swimming isn’t always possible. Is that true? Your ad mentions nearby Martinique Beach, a 5-km-long white sand beach with beautiful waves enjoyed by surfers. The pictures I’ve seen show surfers in protective wetsuits, but perhaps that’s winter surfing? We’re hoping to put in long hours lying on the beach, and then cooling off in the fresh ocean water.

Another thing I’ve heard is that Nova Scotia gets hurricanes, especially in September. Is that true? I’ve read all about Hurricane Juan that hit in late September, 2003. I learned that the power was out for some residents for as long as three weeks. How can anyone survive without electricity for that long? It’s unimaginable. In a situation such as this, what do you do for food and coffee, for heat and water? Do you keep emergency supplies and information in the cottage? I just can’t imagine winds of 160 km/h! Wow. The waves must be spectacular with that much wind. It would be fantastic watching the waves from the comfort of your lovely cottage!

We really enjoy sampling the local cuisine, and we’ve read about Nova Scotian specialties such as lobster and scallops. On the internet I found one food place—it can’t really be called a restaurant—that serves seafood. This is Scallopini’s, which is supposed to be a short drive from your cottage. It features two dishes worth trying, a scallop sauté and a cold lobster roll. Would you recommend Scallopini’s, or should we go into the city to a real restaurant?

Anyway, we would like to reserve your cottage. Please let me know what details you need and how to send the deposit.

Thanks,

Alison MacGregor

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

1. Alison’s main reason for writing the email is to

2. Alison is interested in

3. Why does Alison think the Atlantic Ocean might be cold?

4. Alison is worried about hurricanes because

5. Alison has never experienced

6. Why does Alison want to rent this cottage?

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. MacGregor,

We would be delighted to have you rent our cottage in September. Consider it booked.

Answering your question about the 7. , it may be true, depending on what you’re used to. We think it’s pleasant, and early September is when it’s warmest. If you’re interested in surfing, you need to bring your own 8. , but we provide the boards.

People experience considerable 9. when hurricanes hit, but these storms usually miss us, which is why you’ve read about just one, Juan. The belief is that a bad one hits every 50 years, so you don’t need to worry. To answer your questions, the cottage has 10. .

Yes, we recommend Scallopini’s, and there are several other excellent 11. close by.

See you in September!

John Albertson

Reading Part 2: Reading to Apply a Diagram

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 (▾).

To: <farrah@newmail.com>
From: <marjan29@gomail.ca>
Subject: Information

Hi Farrah,

Nice meeting you today! As promised, here is the
1. . (To go to it, just click HERE.) As I mentioned, I think your family is in the Thompson Public School area like us, but if you click on the 2. tab near the top, you should be able to find your designated location.

I noticed that the dates have not yet been announced for 3. , so I guess you’ll have to keep checking. Also, I saw that they had some news about childcare spaces 4. which may be of interest to you.

By the way, as evening ESL students at the school, it looks like we are eligible for 5. ! I’m excited to try that out in the evenings!

See you tomorrow!

Marjan

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

6. Farrah and Marjan are likely

7. Farrah probably has a

8. The overall purpose of Marjan’s message is to

Reading Part 3: Reading for Information

Read the following passage.

A. For some, it may be hard to imagine how a small stainless steel needle put into one’s left palm can soothe a stomachache. Yet in the practice of acupuncture, such fine needles are used to pierce specific points on the body for pain relief or therapeutic purposes. Acupuncture began in China thousands of years ago and remains a leading form of medical treatment in some Asian cultures. However, the practice of acupuncture has only taken hold beyond its traditional homelands over the last three decades. Over that time, its popularity in Western culture has greatly increased. It is now being hailed by many Westerners as a safe, drug-free remedy for ailments such as arthritis, chronic pain, addiction, and depression.

B. Traditional acupuncture is based on the East Asian belief that the body’s internal organs are connected by a system of energy channels. A very simple explanation is that vital energy travels along these channels in the body, like water in a stream. Diseases are caused by a blockage in these natural energy flows, just as a fallen tree would obstruct a stream. The acupuncturist must find the obstruction, isolate the area, and clear the blockage. To do this, fine stainless steel needles are inserted into a related acupuncture point. These disposable needles are gently twirled and then removed, and the energy flow can be restored to a natural state.

C. People who have been helped by acupuncture have little problem accepting its success. Yet some in the Western medical community find the unfamiliar concepts of energy and channels hard to believe. As a result, experts in this community have tried to find more scientific reasons for how acupuncture works. After decades of research, some Western medical researchers have proposed theories.

D. Experimental research suggests that acupuncture needles put into certain points on the body can stimulate the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Once stimulated, the central nervous system can release “feel good” chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These natural painkillers block pain signals from going to the brain, leading to a feeling of physical and emotional well-being. In light of the research, a growing number of scientists and medical practitioners are suggesting the use of acupuncture under certain conditions. In fact, it is becoming so popular that many people in North America are using it to treat their ailing household pets!

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. Skepticism has led to investigations into acupuncture’s efficacy.

– 2. In acupuncture, illness can be alleviated by clearing obstructions within the body.

– 3. Some studies have shown that acupuncture has little more than a placebo effect.

– 4. Some believe that acupuncture works because it causes the body to produce its own anesthetic.

– 5. Acupuncture is a well established medical practice in East Asia.

– 6. Only in recent years has acupuncture become an accepted treatment around the world.

– 7. The analogy of acupuncture is akin to hydro-irrigation systems.

– 8. Scientific studies are beginning to provide evidence for the efficacy of acupuncture.

– 9. Scientific evidence shows that acupuncture cures damaged nerves and muscles.

Reading Part 4: Reading for Viewpoints

Read the following article from a website.

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) covers all eligible Canadians. Based on the amount of earnings, a deduction is made from each pay cheque and deposited into Canada’s Pension Plan fund. Employers are also required to contribute to the plan for each of their employees. When an employee reaches 65 years of age, he or she is entitled to receive payments from the plan.

Many people believe that participation should be voluntary, but having a guaranteed stream of revenue into the plan means that the government can hopefully provide a stable return to contributors.

Another criticism of the plan is that the people who need it the most are the ones who receive the least. This is because the size of payments depends on the amount contributed, and the amount contributed depends on one’s level of income. People who have had little or low-paying employment thus receive low payments. And yet they are the ones who have been least able to put aside money of their own for their old age. It should be noted, however, that other government programs can provide financial assistance for people in need.

Some companies (especially large ones) have, in addition to this government plan, their own pension plans that work in essentially the same way. Deductions are also based on level of income, but part-time employees are often not eligible at all. This again seems to put those with lower incomes at a disadvantage. Even if someone has two part-time jobs that together equal a full-time job, he or she would be eligible to participate only in the Canada Pension Plan and probably not in the pension plans offered by either employer. But again, there are other programs.

Some critics consider both the government and employer pension plans to be patronizing. They believe that people should have complete freedom in whether and how much they save for their old age, along with how they invest what they save. Such critics seem to forget that they then wouldn’t benefit from government or employer contributions!

Using the drop-down menu (▾), choose the best option according to the information given on the website.

1. The author’s purpose of the first paragraph is to

2. The CPP and company pension plans are similar with respect to

3. At 65 years of age, people with low-income part-time jobs will most likely

4. If pension plans were voluntary, the critics mentioned in the last paragraph would likely

5. Critics believe that the pension plans are patronizing because

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 don’t understand why employers are required to make CPP contributions. It shouldn’t be their responsibility to ensure the government has a constant source of 6. for re-investments. My guess is that having to contribute to the CPP 7. many businesses. Even for larger companies, I was surprised by the author’s opinion. Why is it problematic that most employer pension programs 8. ? Companies and individuals should be free to do what they want with their money. I can understand providing 9. ; employers want to see their employees at the workplace as much as possible, not absent due to illness. However, I agree with the critics, even if it means I miss out on 10. .

Copy of CELPIP Set 5 – Practice Test 1 – Reading

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