Mastering CELPIP Reading: Strategies for Part 1 - Reading Correspondence & Practice Test & Reading Strategies
- Language Flow Lab
- Feb 24
- 9 min read
Updated: Feb 26
The CELPIP Reading Test can be challenging, especially when it comes to Part 1: Reading Correspondence. This section requires you to quickly understand and interpret emails, letters, and messages. To help you improve your reading skills and maximize your test performance, here’s a step-by-step strategy guide to follow during practice.
Step 1: Preview the Text Before Reading
Before diving into the details, take a moment to glance over the text.
Ask yourself:
✔️ What is the format? Is it an email, a letter, or a message?
✔️ Who is the sender, and who is the recipient?
✔️ What is the general purpose of the message?
🔹 Why this helps: Previewing gives you a big-picture understanding of the text, helping you anticipate the kind of information you’ll find.
📝 Quick Practice: Preview the Text
Read the following sentence:"Dear Mr. Taylor, I’m reaching out to confirm the details of our upcoming business meeting next Thursday."
What can you tell from this sentence?
✅ The format of the text is likely a business email.
✅ The sender is contacting Mr. Taylor.
✅ The purpose of the message is to confirm meeting details.
By previewing, you already have an idea of what to expect in the full text!
Step 2: Skim for Main Ideas
Instead of reading every word, focus on the first few sentences of each paragraph to grasp the main points.
Try to answer these questions:
✔️ What is the topic of each paragraph?
✔️ Are there any keywords that stand out?
✔️ Does the tone suggest a question, request, or complaint?
🔹 Why this helps: Skimming allows you to quickly identify key ideas so you don’t waste time reading irrelevant details.
📝 Quick Practice: Skim the Text
Read the first sentence of each paragraph in the following email:
"Hi Sarah, I wanted to thank you for organizing yesterday’s event—it was fantastic! The venue was perfect, and the guest speaker was engaging. I do have a quick question about the follow-up survey. Could you send me the link to share with our team? Thanks again!"
Question:
What is the main idea of this email?
A) The sender is inviting Sarah to an event.
B) The sender is thanking Sarah and requesting something.
C) The sender is complaining about the guest speaker.
(Answer: B – The sender is expressing gratitude and making a request.)
Step 3: Scan for Specific Information
Scanning is different from skimming—it’s all about searching for details.
When answering test questions, practice:
✔️ Looking for names, dates, and key phrases.
✔️ Identifying important numbers or locations.
✔️ Finding words that match the question’s keywords.
🔹 Why this helps: Scanning speeds up your ability to locate precise answers without getting distracted by extra information.
📝 Quick Practice: Scan for Details
Read this sentence:
"The event will be held on June 15 at the Grand Hotel. Guests should arrive by 6:30 PM, and dinner will be served at 7 PM."
Question:
What time should guests arrive?
A) 6:30 PM
B) 7:00 PM
C) June 15
(Answer: A – Guests should arrive by 6:30 PM.)
Step 4: Locate Answers in the Right Paragraphs
Once you’ve previewed, skimmed, and scanned, it’s time to pinpoint your answers.
✔️ Double-check that your answer comes from the correct paragraph.
✔️ Make sure the information is stated explicitly in the text.
✔️ Avoid assuming answers based on personal knowledge.
🔹 Why this helps: Many test-takers lose marks by choosing answers too quickly without verifying the source. Take a moment to confirm before selecting!
📝 Quick Practice: Locate the Answer
Read this excerpt:
"I’ve read that the Atlantic Ocean is quite cold, but I hope it’s still comfortable for swimming in September. Do you think I need a wetsuit, or would regular swimwear be fine?"
Question:
What is the sender asking about?
A) The ocean’s temperature in September
B) Where to rent a wetsuit
C) The best time to go surfing
(Answer: A – The sender is inquiring about the ocean’s temperature for swimming.)
Final Thoughts: Practice Makes Perfect!
Using this four-step approach—Preview, Skim, Scan, and Locate—can drastically improve your reading speed and accuracy for the CELPIP test. The more you practice these techniques, the easier it will become to find answers quickly and confidently.
🚀 Challenge Yourself!
Choose any online article today and practice:
✅ Previewing the article’s topic
✅ Skimming for main points
✅ Scanning for key details
✅ Locating specific facts
🌟 Pro Tip:
By consistently using these strategies, you’ll develop stronger reading comprehension skills and feel more confident on test day! Try applying these strategies to everyday reading, such as emails, news articles, or online reviews, to develop a natural habit of scanning and skimming information.
Now, we are ready for the practice task, please set up 10 minutes for each task. :)
🚀 Ready to test your skills?
🤓Practice Task - Reading Part 1 - Reading Correspondence 🤓
Practice Task 1 - Reading Part 1: Reading Correspondence
Read the following message.
Dear Mrs. Smith,
I am writing in response to your reservation request for the “Blue Oasis” vacation property. I sincerely appreciate your choosing my rental property for your family’s Christmas holidays; however, I regret to inform you that the home you’ve chosen has already been booked. The good news is that in the same neighbourhood I own another property which is larger - “Seaside Escape.” It has a pool and is desirably situated closer to the ocean. I think this house would be an excellent choice for a family with kids, such as yours, as the amenities include high speed wireless internet, video game consoles, and a four-player table tennis set, not to mention a home theatre system. Although I usually rent it at a higher rate than the slightly less roomy “Blue Oasis,” I am willing to offer it to you for the same price.
The available house is more spacious and luxurious than your original choice. This three-level villa offers a total of 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms that are spread out over two floors and can sleep up to 8 people comfortably. On the main level is a large living room and a formal dining room off the open gourmet kitchen. Beside the kitchen is a recreation room and a separate entertainment room with a large-screen TV. There is also a stunning outdoor pool which has a waterfall on one side and is completely surrounded by tropical landscaping to maintain privacy. Just off the pool is a large seating area with an outside shower and a large barbecue. The home's wrap-around decks overlook the elegant pool, ocean and dock. There are also many other attractions in the neighborhood, such as restaurants, movie theatres, an amusement park, and a shopping mall.
If you are interested in taking me up on this offer, please let me know by September 21st. As previously mentioned, I am willing to rent you this property for a reduced rate of $1200 a week. Please be advised that a $450 deposit must be made at the time of the reservation, and the remainder must be paid by October 31st.
I look forward to hearing from you regarding your decision.
Sincerely,Sandro Cavalli
Using the drop-down menu ( ), choose the best option according to the information given in the message.
1. What kind of letter is this? ▾
A. offer
B. advice
C. apology
D. agreement
2. Who is Mr. Cavalli? ▾
A. a seller
B. a parent
C. an agent
D. a landlord
3. “Blue Oasis” is ▾
A. taken.
B. sold.
C. roomy.
D. vacant.
4. Compared to Blue Oasis, “Seaside Escape” has ▾
A. more flexible payment terms.
B. more convenient beach access.
C. higher quality kitchen appliances.
D. fewer entertainment options.
5. What does Sandro suggest the children will enjoy? ▾
A. the gourmet kitchen
B. mall shopping
C. game playing
D. outdoor swimming
6. Four hundred and fifty dollars is to... ▾
A. cover travel costs.
B. confirm the booking.
C. pay for damages.
D. finalize the payment.
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 Mr. Cavalli,
Many thanks for your message concerning the alternate property. You’ve given me a thorough 7. ▾ of the residence, which, on one level at least, would seem an appealing substitute for my own more 8. ▾ initial selection. Obviously your pricing is 9. ▾ compared with Seaside Escape. However, I do have two concerns to address before I’m ready to 10. ▾ . I understand this is a multi-storey house and that it has a pool, both of which seem to be considered 11. ▾ features. That said, I have a one-year-old child and am wondering if there are stairway safety gates and a pool enclosure. Could you advise?
Kind regards,
Olean Smith
7.
A. apology
B. confirmation
C. description
D. contract
8.
A. modest
B. private
C. coastal
D. expensive
9.
A. complex
B. favourable
C. standard
D. inflexible
10.
A. move
B. buy
C. bid
D. choose
11.
A. exotic
B. brand-new
C. desirable
D. unusual
Answer Key Practice Task 1
Q1 | A. offer |
Q2 | D. a landlord |
Q3 | A. taken. |
Q4 | B. more convenient beach access. |
Q5 | C. game playing |
Q6 | B. confirm the booking. |
Q7 | C. description |
Q8 | A. modest |
Q9 | B. favourable |
Q10 | D. choose |
Q11 | C. desirable |
Practice Task 2 - Reading Part 1: Reading Correspondence
Read the following message.
Dear Jack,
I have the most incredible news! Of course, it would be so much better if I could tell you in person, but since I’m near bursting with the excitement of it all, waiting until you get back from Chicago is simply out of the question. If you can believe it, I’ve been offered a promotion! To be honest I think I might still be in shock. I really didn’t think this day would ever come. Thankfully, I listened to you and all your wisdom, honey, when it came to sticking things out. I was convinced I’d be stuck in that cubicle writing boring memos for the rest of my life, but you assured me, if I just had patience, something great would come out of it all. Now, after five long years, something great has finally arrived; I’ve been promoted to Manager of International Accounts!
Of course, I know what you’re probably thinking: the title doesn’t sound too glamorous, and it’s a long way off from my dream job as a travel writer. However, although I won’t be doing any writing in this position, I will be getting paid to travel all over the world—so at least the travel bug inside of me will be content. Also, there would be a significant salary increase with this position, meaning we would be able to afford that beautiful two-bedroom condo we’ve had our eye on. Imagine, soon we might actually be able to say we own a little piece of Toronto!
I am, of course, getting ahead of myself and before I officially accept the position, there are some important things to consider. For one, as excited as I am about all the travel involved, it would mean delaying having children for another few years; something I’m not sure we want to do. Also, the workload will be pretty intense. In fact, I could see it being the case that although I’ll get to travel to beautiful places like Thailand, I won’t actually have the time to see any of them.
Anyways, I’m anxious to hear what you think. If you have time after the conference today, write me back!
Katy
Using the drop-down menu ( ), choose the best option according to the information given in the message.
1. Jack is ▾
A. staying with friends in Toronto.
B. working temporarily in Chicago.
C. attending a conference in Toronto.
D. visiting his children in Chicago.
2. Katy has worked ▾
A. at the same place for five years.
B. in international journalism.
C. in many different countries.
D. for several different employers.
3. Katy has written Jack to tell him ▾
A. about an exciting job offer.
B. how well her interview went.
C. about a real estate opportunity.
D. how her new job is going.
4. Katy ▾
A. likes travelling to other countries.
B. doesn’t want to have children.
C. owns a condo in Toronto.
D. finds her current job interesting.
5. Manager of International Accounts is a job that Katy ▾
A. will apply for.
B. currently holds.
C. only dreams of.
D. might accept.
6. Katy believes that Jack ▾
A. doesn’t want to travel with children.
B. has given her good advice in the past.
C. cannot afford to buy a condo.
D. should ask his boss for a raise.
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 Katy,
That is amazing! I knew that with a bit of time they’d see how lucky they are to have you as 7. ▾ It sounds like an incredible opportunity and with all the travelling to tropical places, you might even 8. ▾ That would be one step closer to your goal! However, I agree there are some things 9. ▾ first. While the extra 10. ▾ would certainly be nice, I’m a bit worried about the workload. I don’t want it to be that I never get to see my 11. ▾
Anyways, we can talk more about it when I get back but know that whatever you decide, you’ll always have my full support.
Jack
A. a mother.
B. an intern.
C. a manager.
D. a friend.
A. be inspired to write about it.
B. overcome your fear of bugs.
C. have the chance to visit Thailand.
D. get used to flying in planes.
A. you’ll want to experience
B. that should be bought
C. I’ll have to organize
D. .we’ll want to think about
A. money
B. training
C. shifts
D. holidays
A. wife.
B. daughter.
C. mother.
D. friend.
Answer Key Practice Task 2
Q1 | B. working temporarily in Chicago. |
Q2 | A. at the same place for five years. |
Q3 | A. about an exciting job offer. |
Q4 | A. likes travelling to other countries. |
Q5 | D. might accept. |
Q6 | B. has given her good advice in the past. |
Q7 | C. a manager. |
Q8 | A. be inspired to write about it. |
Q9 | D. we’ll want to think about |
Q10 | A. money |
Q11 | A. wife. |
🚀 Remember to Challenge Yourself!
Read an online article of your choice today and practice:
✅ Previewing the article’s topic
✅ Skimming for main points
✅ Scanning for key details
✅ Locating specific facts
Personalized Live Lesson
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