CELPIP Reading Practice Test 2

Dear Neighbors,

I’m excited to propose a community garden project for our block and would love your feedback! After months of research, I’ve secured a vacant lot on Elm Street, available starting June 1st, for us to transform into a shared green space. The goal is to grow fresh produce—like tomatoes, herbs, and squash—while fostering a sense of community. The city has agreed to waive the permit fees if we commit to maintaining it, but we’ll need to fund tools, seeds, and irrigation ourselves. I estimate $800 to start—would a crowdfunding campaign work, or should we seek a local sponsor?

I envision raised garden beds to accommodate all skill levels, plus a compost system to keep it sustainable. Should we limit plots to one per household, or allow multiple based on interest? I’d also like to host a kickoff event—perhaps a planting day with refreshments. Would you prefer mid-June or early July, considering summer schedules? Finally, I could use volunteers to clear weeds and prep the soil on May 25th from 9 a.m. to noon. Please reply by May 15th with your thoughts—I’d hate to move forward without everyone’s input!

Best regards,

Lila (Unit 12B)

Dear Lila,

Love the garden idea—I’ve been hoping for something like this on our block! The idea of growing fresh 7. Choose…squashflowersnothingmore sounds delicious, and I think it’ll bring us all closer together. I’d go with crowdfunding— 8. Choose…sponsorscrowdfundingbothneither seems practical since it spreads the cost evenly and gets everyone invested. One plot per household is fine— 9. Choose…multiplefairnessfewereveryone keeps it fair, especially with limited space. I’d pick mid-June for the event— 10. Choose…Julylatermid-Juneno event works better for me because July’s already packed with travel plans. I can volunteer on the 25th— 11. Choose…weedsnoonearliermorning is convenient, and I’m happy to pitch in with the weeding crew! Looking forward to seeing this take root.

Cheers,

Sam

Hi Mark, I’ve been meaning to tell you about the Green Valley recycling program since you just moved to the South District! They pick up recyclables 12. Choose…every Wednesday morningevery Thursday morningevery Friday morningtwice a week I usually sort my 13. Choose…paper and cardboardplastics and metalsglass bottlescompost waste because it’s easy to rinse and keep separate. It’s all free unless you miss the pickup time, which I’ve never had to worry about since it’s always at 14. Choose…7am sharp8am sharp11am sharp12pm sharp You can also add 15. Choose…large item pickupextra bins for freecompost optioncolor-separated glass if you want to get rid of food scraps too—it’s super convenient. Just make sure you 16. Choose…label your bins with your addressregister one week in advancerinse all glass itemsflatten all cardboard boxes so you’re ready to start. Let me know if you need help signing up!

Cheers,

Lisa

Paragraph A

Art and cultural festivals attract millions of visitors, boosting local economies. Events like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival generate over $200 million annually for the city. These festivals showcase diverse performances, from theater to street art, fostering cultural exchange. They also provide platforms for emerging artists to gain recognition. However, high ticket prices can limit accessibility for some attendees. Organizers often rely on sponsorships to keep costs manageable.

Paragraph B

Many festivals emphasize sustainability to reduce their environmental footprint. For example, Glastonbury Festival in the UK has banned single-use plastics and uses solar-powered stages. Attendees are encouraged to use public transport to lower carbon emissions. These efforts align with growing public demand for eco-friendly events. However, implementing green initiatives can increase operational costs. Some festivals struggle to balance sustainability with affordability.

Paragraph C

Cultural festivals often preserve and promote traditional practices. The Diwali Festival in Leicester, UK, features traditional Indian dance and cuisine, drawing thousands of attendees. Such events strengthen community bonds and educate younger generations about their heritage. However, organizers face challenges in securing venues large enough to accommodate growing crowds. Funding shortages can also limit the scale of these celebrations.

Paragraph D

Technology is transforming the festival experience, making events more accessible. Virtual festivals, like the online version of South by Southwest (SXSW), allow global audiences to participate. Live-streamed performances and interactive apps enhance engagement for remote attendees. However, technical glitches can disrupt virtual events. In-person festivals also use apps for ticketing and scheduling, though not all attendees are tech-savvy. Balancing digital and traditional elements remains a challenge.

As urban populations grow and transportation options diversify, the debate over whether public transportation or personal driving should take priority intensifies. In Portland, city officials are exploring incentives to boost transit use, sparking varied reactions from residents and experts.

Sophie Nguyen, an environmental advocate, strongly favors public transportation. "It’s cheaper than owning a car and kinder to the planet," she says. "I avoid the stress of traffic and parking, though I’ll admit crowded buses can be a downside during peak hours." She sees it as an essential tool for sustainable urban living.

Liam Carter, a freelance photographer, leans toward driving. "I love the freedom to hit the road whenever I want," he explains. "Nothing beats a car for road trips or spontaneity." However, he acknowledges that in cities choked with traffic, public transit can sometimes be the more practical choice.

Ava Reynolds, a retail manager, embraces a blended approach. "I take the train to work to skip parking fees, but I drive for errands or weekend getaways," she notes. "Each has its perks depending on the day." She believes a one-size-fits-all solution misses the mark for diverse lifestyles.

Noah Patel, a graduate student, relies solely on public transportation. "Cars are an unnecessary expense, and they clog up the streets," he argues. "Buses and trains get me where I need to go without the hassle of ownership." He views driving as a contributor to urban gridlock that cities could do without.

Meanwhile, urban planner Clara Mendes offers a pragmatic take. "Public transit needs better funding to ease crowding, but driving’s appeal isn’t going away," she says. "The goal should be a system where both coexist—transit for efficiency, cars for flexibility." She advocates for improvements rather than an either/or choice.

As someone who navigates the city daily, I think public transportation 34. Choose…overshadows the joys of drivingexaggerates environmental concernsis a practical option with some limitationsignores the needs of suburban commuters . Sophie’s focus on cost and eco-benefits is spot-on, but 35. Choose…she underestimates transit delaysLiam’s love for driving’s flexibility rings true for meshe overlooks the cost of car maintenanceher solution doesn’t work in rural areas . Ava’s idea of mixing both options 36. Choose…suits people with varied schedulescomplicates daily planningproves driving is unnecessaryrelies too much on transit reliability . Yet, I can see Noah’s point that 37. Choose…public transit is cheaper for studentsdriving is less efficient overalltransit needs more frequent servicecars worsen city traffic problems . The best approach might be to 38. Choose…make driving the default optionexpand public transit funding and accesseliminate cars from urban coresreduce transit routes to save costs while preserving driving as a viable choice.