CELPIP Reading Practice Test 39

Dear Mr. Thompson,

I am writing to inquire about joining the Riverside Table Tennis Club's weekly practice sessions. I recently moved to the neighborhood and was excited to learn about your club through the community bulletin board at the recreation center. I've been playing table tennis recreationally for several years and would love to improve my skills with other enthusiasts.

I noticed from your club's website that you hold regular practice sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. However, some of the information seems outdated, as the practice times listed are from 2022. I would greatly appreciate it if you could confirm the current schedule and let me know if there are any openings for new members.

My previous experience includes participating in a casual table tennis league at my former workplace in Vancouver. While I wouldn't consider myself an advanced player, I can maintain good rallies and understand basic techniques. I'm particularly interested in improving my serve variations and learning proper footwork. I've watched several of your club members practicing through the community center windows, and I'm impressed by the level of play I've observed.

I understand that your club has a structured approach to integrating new members, which I find very appealing. The website mentions a skills assessment session for newcomers, but it doesn't specify if this is still a requirement or how to schedule one. I would be happy to come in for an assessment at your convenience.

Additionally, I'd like to know about the membership fees and what they include. Do members need to bring their own equipment, or does the club provide paddles and balls? I have my own paddle, but it's quite basic, and I'm not sure if it meets club standards. Also, is there a dress code or specific requirements for court shoes?

I'm excited about the possibility of joining your club and becoming part of the table tennis community. I'm available most evenings after 6:00 PM and any time on weekends for an initial meeting or assessment. I look forward to hearing back from you with more information about the membership process and current practice schedule.

Best regards,Sarah Chen

Dear Ms. Chen, Thank you for your interest in our club. You're right that some of our website information needs 7. Choose…to be removedto be updatedto be expandedto be simplified. Our current practice sessions are now Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7-9 PM. Regarding membership, we do require all new players to 8. Choose…pay full feesattend an orientationcomplete an assessmentsign a waiver before joining regular sessions. I can schedule you for next Wednesday at 6 PM if that works for you. Our membership fee is $120 per quarter, which 9. Choose…is negotiableincludes all equipmentcovers facility costsmust be paid upfront. While members typically bring their own equipment, we do have some club paddles available for 10. Choose…beginnerspurchasetestingtournaments. As for attire, we require non-marking court shoes and 11. Choose…professional gearcomfortable sportswearclub uniformswhite clothing. Please let me know if Wednesday works for your assessment. Best regards, James Thompson

Dog:

Requires daily walks

Needs larger living space

Higher food costs

Average lifespan: 10-13 years

Initial adoption fee: $250

Cat:

Independent, low maintenance

Suitable for small apartments

Lower food costs

Average lifespan: 12-18 years

Initial adoption fee: $150

Rabbit:

Quiet, good for apartments

Requires special diet

Needs regular exercise

Average lifespan: 8-12 years

Initial adoption fee: $100

Parrot:

Can learn to speak

Long lifespan, up to 50 years

Requires mental stimulation

Needs large cage or aviary

Initial adoption fee: $200

Sam and Alex are 12. Choose…colleagues.siblings.roommates or partners.strangers..

The main purpose of the email is to 13. Choose…compare pet food prices.discuss pet adoption options.plan a visit to an animal shelter.complain about their current pet..

Sam seems to be leaning towards adopting a 14. Choose…dogcatrabbitparrot.

Subject: Pet Adoption Decision

To: Alex

From: Sam

Hi Alex,

I've been researching our pet adoption options, and I wanted to share my thoughts. Dogs seem great, but they 15. Choose…are the most affordablerequire the least spaceneed more attentionlive the longest compared to other pets. Cats are more suitable for our apartment lifestyle and 16. Choose…are more expensiverequire less maintenanceneed more spacehave shorter lifespans. I was surprised to learn that rabbits need 17. Choose…constant attentionexpensive foodregular exerciselarge cages, which might be challenging with our schedules. The parrot option is interesting, especially since they 18. Choose…are the quietestrequire the least carehave the shortest lifespancan learn to talk, but I'm concerned about the long-term commitment. Given our living situation and lifestyle, I think a 19. Choose…dogcatrabbitparrot might be the best choice for us.

What do you think?

Best,

Sam

Paragraph A

Nordic boat building is an ancient craft that dates back to the Viking Age, representing one of the most sophisticated shipbuilding traditions in maritime history. These vessels were characterized by their clinker-built construction, where the edges of hull planks overlapped each other, creating a strong yet flexible structure. This distinctive technique, developed over a millennium ago, allowed Nordic boats to withstand harsh sea conditions while maintaining remarkable speed and maneuverability. The basic principles of this construction method have remained largely unchanged and continue to influence modern wooden boat building.

Paragraph B

The traditional Nordic boat-building process begins with the careful selection of materials. Pine and oak were historically the preferred woods, chosen for their durability and resistance to water damage. The wood was typically harvested during winter when sap content was lowest, then naturally dried for several years before use. Builders would select trees with natural curves in their trunks and branches, using these curved sections to create the boat's ribs and stem pieces. This careful material selection process was crucial for ensuring the vessel's longevity and structural integrity.

Paragraph C

The construction of Nordic boats has always been a highly skilled craft, passed down through generations of builders. The process starts with laying the keel, followed by attaching the overlapping planks that form the hull. These planks are traditionally secured using iron rivets and roves, creating a water-tight seal between each layer. The spaces between planks are then filled with tarred wool or cotton, a process known as caulking. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that each vessel is not only seaworthy but also aesthetically pleasing, with smooth lines and balanced proportions.

Paragraph D

Today, while modern materials and tools have been incorporated into the craft, many traditional Nordic boat builders still maintain historical techniques and design principles. This preservation of traditional methods has led to a renewed interest in Nordic boat building, with several schools and workshops dedicated to teaching these ancient skills. The craft has also been recognized by UNESCO as an important piece of intangible cultural heritage, acknowledging its significance in maritime history and its continued relevance in modern boat building. These traditional vessels are now sought after not only for their practical use but also as works of art that represent a living connection to maritime heritage.

Paragraph E

Not given in any of the above paragraphs.

The growing demand for plant-based meal options in school cafeterias has sparked a heated debate in the Riverside School District. While some argue that schools should expand their menus to accommodate vegetarian and vegan students, others contend that maintaining traditional meal options is more practical and cost-effective.

Sarah Chen, a nutritionist and parent advocate, strongly supports the introduction of plant-based options in school cafeterias. 'We're seeing an increasing number of students adopting vegetarian and vegan diets, either for health, environmental, or ethical reasons,' Chen explains. 'These students deserve to have nutritious options that align with their dietary choices.' She points out that many current cafeteria menus leave vegetarian students with limited choices, often resulting in unbalanced meals consisting mainly of side dishes.

However, Robert Martinez, the district's food services director, expresses concerns about the financial implications. 'Introducing separate vegetarian and vegan meal options would significantly increase our food preparation costs and require additional staff training,' Martinez argues. 'Our current budget is already stretched thin, and we need to ensure we can feed all students efficiently.' He notes that the current menu planning follows USDA guidelines and provides adequate nutrition for students.

Local chef and school food consultant Amanda Thompson offers a middle-ground perspective. 'We don't need to completely overhaul the menu,' she suggests. 'We can make simple modifications to existing dishes and incorporate more plant-based proteins that appeal to all students, not just vegetarians.' Thompson has successfully implemented such changes in other districts, where dishes like bean burritos and vegetable curry have become popular among both vegetarian and non-vegetarian students.

The district's parent association president, Michael Brooks, disagrees with Thompson's approach. 'Most students prefer traditional meal options, and we shouldn't compromise their choices to accommodate a minority,' Brooks states. 'Parents can pack lunches for children with specific dietary requirements.' He suggests that the focus should remain on improving the quality of existing menu items rather than adding new options.

The debate continues as the school board prepares to vote on next year's cafeteria budget and menu planning. Meanwhile, a student-led petition for more inclusive meal options has gathered over 500 signatures, highlighting the growing interest in dietary diversity within the school community.

Sarah Chen's main argument for plant-based options is that 29. Choose…traditional meals are unhealthy for studentscurrent options don't meet dietary preferencesvegetarian meals are more cost-effectivestudents are becoming overweight. Robert Martinez's primary concern about menu changes is 30. Choose…students might reject the new menu itemsvegetarian options are less nutritiousbudget and operational constraintsstaff might resist the changes. Amanda Thompson's proposed solution differs from others because 31. Choose…she wants to eliminate all meat optionsshe suggests gradual menu modificationsshe proposes separate cooking facilitiesshe recommends imported ingredients. Michael Brooks's position on the issue suggests that 32. Choose…he supports complete menu overhaulhe favors individual responsibilityhe wants more expensive optionshe advocates for student choice. Based on the article, the most likely outcome of this debate will be 33. Choose…immediate removal of all meat optionsno changes to the current menua compromise between opposing viewsoutsourcing to private food services.

As a former school administrator, I believe this debate 34. Choose…reflects changing societal valueswastes valuable school resourcesignores academic prioritiesthreatens school unity. While Chen makes valid points about student needs, 35. Choose…she overlooks budget constraintsshe exaggerates student demandsshe lacks nutritional expertiseshe dismisses traditional meals. Martinez's concerns about costs are legitimate, but 36. Choose…they can be addressed through planningthey are entirely unfoundedthey should be ignoredthey require more funding. Thompson's approach seems the most practical because 37. Choose…it eliminates all meat optionsit satisfies multiple stakeholdersit reduces overall costsit simplifies food preparation. The student petition suggests that 38. Choose…parents are uninformedstudents want more expensive mealsthere is significant student interestthe current menu is inadequate, which should be a key consideration in the final decision.