CELPIP Reading Part 1 Practice Test: Calgary Heating Costs

Dear Anne,

You asked what heating actually costs out here, so here's what my bills show!

My first winter in Calgary, I was sure something was wrong with the furnace. It gets far colder here than in Vancouver, yet the bill arrived and it was a lot lower than I'd expected. My building was renovated the year before I moved in, when the owners put in new windows and blew extra insulation into the attic, and it made a real difference. My highest bill this year was $85, in January, which was by far the coldest month. January was rough all round, actually. My curling team, which I only joined last fall, lost every single game that month, though at least there's always hot chocolate afterwards! I'd read plenty of scary warnings online before I came out, and none of them turned out to be true for this building. I've learned that the building matters far more than where you set the thermostat.

I almost rented a small house a few streets over instead. The rent was reasonable, and I thought about it for a week. Then I had a proper look and found that the furnace was the original one, and the agent showed me the last tenant's winter bills, which were more than twice what I pay now. That is why I stayed in the apartment, and I am so glad I did! It also came with a covered parking spot, which I've come to love on frosty mornings.

The other thing to watch for is which way a unit faces. Units that face north lose a lot more heat in winter because they never get the afternoon sun, so ask about that for any place you're seriously considering. You are welcome to stay with me when you come out to look.

I'm at a conference in Edmonton from the 3rd to the 6th of next month and I will not be home until the 7th, so plan around that. Raj from my office has a spare programmable thermostat he will lend you once you have signed a lease. Send me the listings once you have a short list, and I'll give you my honest opinion of them.

Take care,

Dave

Dear Dave,

Thanks for answering so quickly! It has rained here in Vancouver for a week straight, and my basement flooded again on Tuesday, so I'm more than ready for a change. It sounds like your low bill comes from 7. Choose…the upgrades to your buildingthe age of your furnacethe mild weatherthe size of your unit rather than the thermostat. After all the horror stories I'd read online, your numbers were 8. Choose…a serious worryno surprise at alla big reliefdisappointing news.

Two of the places on my list have windows only on the north side. After what you said about the afternoon sun, I'll 9. Choose…pay extra forthink twice aboutput in an offer onask Raj about those two. I'll plan my trip around your conference and come out 10. Choose…as soon as it startswhile you're awayafter the lease endsonce you're home again.

I'll send you the short list this week. I must say your letter has 11. Choose…helped me plan my searchcome too late to be usefulput me off moving theremade me want a house.

Take care,

Anne