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CELPIP Reading · Part 3

Part 3 practice course: Reading for Information

Match each statement to the paragraph that says the same thing in other words, and spot the statements no paragraph supports. Work through six short steps, from how the part works to a timed test, about 40 minutes in all. New to this part? Read the Part 3 format and strategy first.

6 stepsabout 10 minutes · 9 questionsFree · no account needed
Illustration: reading for information in daily life
Step 1 of 6

Learn the part

How the part works, how to use your time, the traps it sets and the signal words, then a quick check.

Part 1 of 5

Four paragraphs, nine statements

You read an article in four paragraphs, A to D. For each of 9 statements you choose the paragraph that contains that information, or E if no paragraph does.

A fact said in other words

Workers kept going through the night.

  1. Turn the statement into its key idea: work at night.
  2. Think of other ways to say it: "around the clock", "24 hours a day".
  3. Scan each paragraph for that idea, not the same words.
  4. Choose the paragraph where the full idea is.
A cause or a result

New buildings led to the decision to build the tower.

  1. Find both halves: the cause and the result.
  2. Look for a paragraph that links them, with words like "because", "so" or "led to".
  3. A paragraph that names only one half is not enough.
Not given (E)

The museum's ticket money pays for other projects.

  1. Find the paragraph that talks about the same topic.
  2. Check if it says this exact thing, not just something close.
  3. If no paragraph says it, choose E.

Part 3 cheat sheet

The key points of the course on one screen, to read again just before your test.

How to use about 10 minutes

Before you read
  • Read the title and the first line of each paragraph.
  • Give each paragraph a short label: history, building, records, today.
  • Remember that most articles go in time order.
While you read
  • Read the whole article once at a steady pace.
  • For each statement, guess the paragraph from your labels, then check it.
  • Look for the same meaning, not the same words.
After you answer
  • Point to the exact sentence behind each letter you chose.
  • If you can't find one, think about E.
  • Don't change an answer just because one letter appears many times.

The traps this part sets

  • Choosing the paragraph that shares a word with the statement. Match the whole idea of the statement, not one word.
  • Choosing E when the idea is there in other words. Before you choose E, think of two other ways to say the statement and look again.
  • Choosing a paragraph that is close but not exact. Check every part of the statement: who, what, when. If one part is missing, it's not a match.

Signal words to look for

  • Time (paragraphs often go in order): “before”, “at the time”, “later”, “by then”, “today”
  • Cause and result: “because”, “so”, “led to”, “as a result”, “meant”
  • Contrast: “but”, “yet”, “although”, “unlike”, “however”
  • Common rewordings: “around the clock = day and night”, “surpassed = beaten”, “notorious = known for something bad”, “sent packing = made leave”

Questions about Part 3

How does CELPIP Reading Part 3 work?

You read an article in four paragraphs, A to D. For each of 9 statements you choose the paragraph that contains that information, or E if no paragraph does. A fact said in other words: Turn the statement into its key idea: work at night.; Think of other ways to say it: "around the clock", "24 hours a day".; Scan each paragraph for that idea, not the same words.; Choose the paragraph where the full idea is.. A cause or a result: Find both halves: the cause and the result.; Look for a paragraph that links them, with words like "because", "so" or "led to".; A paragraph that names only one half is not enough.. Not given (E): Find the paragraph that talks about the same topic.; Check if it says this exact thing, not just something close.; If no paragraph says it, choose E..

How should I use my time in CELPIP Reading Part 3?

Before you read: Read the title and the first line of each paragraph. Give each paragraph a short label: history, building, records, today. Remember that most articles go in time order. While you read: Read the whole article once at a steady pace. For each statement, guess the paragraph from your labels, then check it. Look for the same meaning, not the same words. After you answer: Point to the exact sentence behind each letter you chose. If you can't find one, think about E. Don't change an answer just because one letter appears many times.

What traps does CELPIP Reading Part 3 set?

Choosing the paragraph that shares a word with the statement. A word like "night", "gold" or "dogs" often appears in a paragraph that says something else about it. Instead: Match the whole idea of the statement, not one word. Choosing E when the idea is there in other words. The statement is written with different words, so the right paragraph doesn't look like it at first. Instead: Before you choose E, think of two other ways to say the statement and look again. Choosing a paragraph that is close but not exact. A paragraph may talk about the same topic, like a restaurant or a prize, without saying what the statement claims. Instead: Check every part of the statement: who, what, when. If one part is missing, it's not a match.

Is this Part 3 course free?

Yes. Every step is free and needs no account, and nothing you do leaves your browser. With a free CELPass account, your wrong answers are saved with the trap they fell for and turned into daily drills.

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