Tip #21: CELPIP Reading Part 1 (Reading Correspondence): Attack letter structure first, skim for context, deduct from the wrong to the right, cross check for contender answers

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.Pre-Reading Tips
Attack the Diagram First (30 sec)
✔ Identify Key Sections: Days, Times, Activities, Notes.
✔ Look for Patterns:

• Are mornings academic and afternoons social?
• Are there meal times or free periods?
  ✔ Note Special Symbols: Asterisks (*) for exceptions, bold for highlights.

2. Skim the Email for Context (1 min)
✔ Who’s Writing? (e.g., coworker, friend).
✔ Purpose: Request, update, complaint?
✔ Tone: Urgent, casual, formal?
✔Action: What does the writer want?
3. Answer Strategies
✔ Fill-in-the-Blanks:

• Use context clues from the sentence before/after.
• Eliminate illogical options (e.g., "books" for a meal question).

✔ MCQs:

• Inference Questions: Think, "What’s implied but not stated?"
• Trap Answers: Watch for partial truths or misplaced details.

✔Confirmation is Key

• Never guess blindly—cross-check the diagram/email.
• Synonyms Matter: The text might say "prohibit" while the question says "ban."

Beware Traps: Exact wording matches may be misleading.

Practice Task
Time: 11 minutes | Letters: 2 (1 long, 1 short) | Questions: 11 (6 + 5)

Letter 1 (340 words)

Dear City Council,

I’m writing to oppose the proposed ban on street performers in downtown parks. While I understand concerns about noise, performers like myself rely on these spaces for income. Last summer, I entertained hundreds of families with magic shows, and many tourists tipped generously. Banning us would hurt artists and reduce the city’s cultural vibrancy.

The council claims performers block sidewalks, but we strictly follow designated zones. For example, I always set up near the fountain, where crowds can gather safely. Instead of a ban, why not expand performer zones or set decibel limits?

This ban feels targeted. Most performers are students or retirees supplementing incomes. Would the council prioritize businesses over people? I urge you to reconsider and meet with performers to discuss fair solutions.

Sincerely,

Luca Marino


 Questions (Letter 1)

1. Luca implies his performances contribute to the city’s _______.
   a) Safety
   b) Cultural identity
   c) Traffic congestion
   d) Noise pollution
2. The council’s argument about sidewalk blockage is countered by Luca’s mention of _______.
   a) Tourist complaints
   b) Designated zones
   c) Police enforcement
   d) Business endorsements
3. Luca’s suggestion to "set decibel limits" implies he believes the real issue is _______.
   a) Crowd size
   b) Performance quality
   c) Volume control
   d) Artist licensing
4. The phrase "This ban feels targeted" suggests Luca views the council as _______.
   a) Supportive
   b) Biased
   c) Indifferent
   d) Understaffed
5. Luca’s reference to "students and retirees" aims to evoke _______.
   a) Sympathy
   b) Anger
   c) Boredom
   d) Confusion
6. The word "reconsider" in the closing implies Luca hopes the council will _______.
   a) Ignore him
   b) Compromise
   c) Resign
   d) Delay the ban

Letter 2 (Response – Fill-in-the-Blank Format)
Dear Mr. Marino,

Thank you for your 7_______.
a) Patience
b) Outrage
c) Feedback
d) Performance

We acknowledge your 8_______ about the ban’s impact on artists.
a) Excitement
b) Concerns
c) Denial
d) Humor

However, our primary 9_______ is ensuring accessibility for all visitors.
a) goal
b) opportunity
c) opinion
d) inspiration

Research shows crowded performances 10_______ wheelchair users.
a) entertain
b) exclude
c) inspire
d) employ

We’re exploring 11_______ like time slots to balance interests.
a) prohibitions
b) goals
c) compromises
d) punitive measures

Updates will be shared 12_______.
a) secretly
b) next month
c) annually
d) periodically

We appreciate your 13_______   the city’s culture.
a) interest in
b) contribution to
c) clarification of
d) criticism of

Sincerely,

City Council

Answers at the end

Post-Reading Assessment & Reflection

Self-Checklist
✔ Did I infer implied meanings (e.g., "targeted" = bias)?
✔ Did I recognize tone shifts (e.g., Luca’s frustration vs. council’s neutrality)?
✔ Did I resist confirmation bias by avoiding exact word matches?
✔ Did I manage time (7 mins for Letter 1, 4 mins for Letter 2)?

Reflection Questions

1. Which blanks required rereading the first letter? Why?
2. Did I overthink any answers? Which ones?
3. How can I better anticipate synonyms (e.g., "impact" → "consequences")?

Practice Tip: Cover answer choices, predict the blank, then match to options.

Why These Questions Are Challenging

• Implied Meaning: Q4 requires understanding "targeted" = bias.
• Tone Analysis: Q5 tests emotional appeal (sympathy).
• Context Gaps: Letter 2’s blanks force recall of Letter 1’s arguments.

Answer Key
Letter 1: 1-b, 2-b, 3-c, 4-b, 5-a, 6-b
Letter 2: 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-b, 5-c, 6-b, 7-b