CELPIP READING PART 1

Reading Comprehension Builder

Friends — Relocating homes
Paragraph 1 — The New Ranch
Read the paragraph sentence by sentence. Focus on meaning more than specific words. Repeat an idea in your mind. Then answer the comprehension questions.
Time Cue
90 – Try to read the paragraph before 0

Dear Jenny,

Thank you for your lovely note! At first, I was surprised that you and Nicolas didn't get the place close to town. Still, I'm happy to hear that you two found the ranch of your dreams. I must confess, when you and Nicolas moved to Saskatchewan, I thought you were both crazy. After all, the weather is so very different from the coast. Still, after seeing the pictures you attached, I can see I was wrong. The log cabin looks gorgeous, and the land is beautiful. Forty acres is a lot of space, and I'm sure you'll make great use of it. I can't wait to come visit you for the holidays.

All the best,
Sarah

Start the comprehension questions. Try to answer each question in 30 seconds.
Question 1 of 20
Grammar & Meaning Focus

1. Jenny and Nicolas ______ a ranch near town.

 
Contrast Focus

2. Sarah first questioned their move, but now she ______.

 
Vocabulary in Context

3. Sarah thought they were "crazy" to move. She means she ______.

 
Rephrased Meaning

4. Sarah believes Jenny and Nicolas have ______.

 
Response Cloze Focus

5. Sarah is excited to because she wants to visit their new home.

 
Paragraph 2 — Sarah's New Apartment
Read the paragraph carefully. Then answer five comprehension questions.
Time Cue
90 – Try to read the paragraph before 0

I've also moved recently. I had to move as my landlord was putting the house on the market. It was actually a relief because I wasn't too happy in that basement suite as there simply wasn't enough light. The new apartment I'm in is great. It's small, but it's on the top floor and has a skylight and large windows. It's also very close to the transit line, which was a major deciding factor since I don't own a car. The rent is a bit more than I paid before, but not by much.

Start the comprehension questions. Try to answer each question in 30 seconds.
Question 6 of 20
Grammar & Meaning Focus

6. Sarah's new apartment is slightly ______ than her old one.

 
Contrast Focus

7. Although Sarah's new apartment is small, it ______.

 
Vocabulary in Context

8. Moving was "a relief" for Sarah. This means she ______.

 
Rephrased Meaning

9. Sarah chose her apartment partly because she ______.

 
Response Cloze Focus

10. Sarah needed another home because her landlord so she had to find somewhere else to live.

 
Paragraph 3 — The Art Auction
Read the paragraph carefully. Then answer five comprehension questions.
Time Cue
90 – Try to read the paragraph before 0

Things also changed in my work situation. As you know the art market has really taken a dive, and sales were not going as expected. I finally had enough when 10 other artists and I were invited to auction our paintings to raise money for high school art programs. We were to get 60% of each sale. At first I was happy because I ended up selling all five of my paintings. The buyers took my paintings home, and the fundraiser committee wrote down which paintings I had sold, or so I thought! After not getting my cheque in the mail for 2 weeks, I called the organizing committee. It turns out that they had lost their record book and didn't have any verification of my sales!

Start the comprehension questions. Try to answer each question in 30 seconds.
Question 11 of 20
Grammar & Meaning Focus

11. The committee ______ its records before Sarah called.

 
Contrast Focus

12. Although Sarah sold every painting, she ______.

 
Vocabulary in Context

13. The art market "has taken a dive." This means ______.

 
Rephrased Meaning

14. The art auction was organized to ______.

 
Response Cloze Focus

15. Sarah was supposed to receive because the agreement gave artists sixty percent.

 
Paragraph 4 — A New Career
Read the final paragraph carefully. Then answer five comprehension questions.
Time Cue
90 – Try to read the paragraph before 0

The lady on the phone said they couldn't pay me since they couldn't confirm how much I had made. Luckily, I was able to speak to the buyers and they contacted the committee stating how much they had paid for my paintings, and in the end, they paid me, but only after many phone conversations with the head manager. I decided it was time for a more conventional job, so I got a position at the Vancouver Art Gallery, taking visitors through the exhibitions. I miss painting but I'm enjoying the stability and being surrounded by so many different artistic styles and personalities.

Other than that, life is good. I've just adopted a kitten and am enjoying my work and my new location.

Start the comprehension questions. Try to answer each question in 30 seconds.
Question 16 of 20
Grammar & Meaning Focus

16. Sarah ______ a kitten recently.

 
Contrast Focus

17. Although Sarah misses painting, she ______.

 
Vocabulary in Context

18. Sarah wanted a "conventional job." She wanted ______.

 
Rephrased Meaning

19. Sarah was finally able to prove her sales because ______.

 
Response Cloze Focus

20. Sarah now works at an art gallery where she instead of depending on her own painting sales.

 

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