CELPIP vocabulary: news and current events
Everyday words and phrases for news and current events that come up across CELPIP Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, each with its meaning, an example, similar words and a CELPIP tip. This is topic 15 of our 500 essential CELPIP words.
Verbs 5
announce
verbCLB 6/əˈnaʊns/To make something known officially.
“The mayor announced a new housing plan.”
Similardeclaremake publicrevealCELPIP tip In Listening Part 4 news items, the first sentence often announces the main topic, so listen closely to it.
decline
verbCLB 7/dɪˈklaɪn/To fall or become smaller in amount.
“Bus use declined during the pandemic.”
SimilardropfalldecreaseCELPIP tip Also means to refuse politely, as in "declined to comment". News reports use both senses, so check the context.
evacuate
verbCLB 8/ɪˈvækjueɪt/To move people away from danger.
“Residents were told to evacuate.”
Similarclearmove outremoveCELPIP tip Often passive: "Residents were evacuated." The noun evacuation appears in news about wildfires and floods.
estimate
verbCLB 7/ˈestɪmeɪt/To make a rough calculation of an amount.
“Officials estimate 500 people were affected.”
Similarcalculate roughlyguessjudgeCELPIP tip As a verb it ends like "mate"; as a noun (/ˈestɪmət/) it ends like "mitt". Numbers after it are approximate.
launch
verbCLB 7/lɔːntʃ/To start something new.
“The province launched a new program.”
Similarstartintroduceroll outCELPIP tip Collocates with program, campaign and service. Canadian English spells it "program", not "programme".
Phrases 1
according to
prepositionCLB 6As stated by a person or source.
“According to the report, prices rose 3%.”
Similaras reported byin the words ofbased onCELPIP tip Always name the source: according to the report, according to experts. Never say "according to me"; use "in my opinion" instead.
Nouns 16
spokesperson
nounCLB 7/ˈspoʊkspɜːrsn/A person who speaks for a group.
“A company spokesperson declined to comment.”
Similarrepresentativespokesmanpress officerCELPIP tip A gender-neutral word preferred in Canadian news; what the spokesperson says often answers a Listening question.
official
nounCLB 6/əˈfɪʃl/A person with authority.
“City officials met with residents.”
SimilarauthorityadministratorofficerCELPIP tip Also an adjective (an official statement). In news reports, "city officials" and "health officials" are common pairings.
poll
nounCLB 7/poʊl/A survey of opinions.
“A recent poll shows most residents support the plan.”
Similarsurveyopinion pollvoteCELPIP tip Pattern: a poll shows or suggests that... Useful in Writing Task 2 when you refer to what most people think.
statistics
nounCLB 7/stəˈtɪstɪks/Numbers that show facts.
“Statistics show fewer accidents this year.”
SimilarfiguresdatanumbersCELPIP tip Takes a plural verb in this sense: "Statistics show..." Reading Part 3 questions often test a figure mentioned only once.
increase
nounCLB 5/ˈɪŋkriːs/A rise in amount or number.
“There's been an increase in rents.”
SimilarrisegrowthjumpCELPIP tip Pattern: an increase in + noun. As a noun, stress the first syllable; as a verb, the second (in-CREASE).
investigation
nounCLB 7/ɪnˌvestɪˈɡeɪʃn/An official search for facts.
“Police have opened an investigation.”
SimilarinquiryprobeexaminationCELPIP tip Pair it with open, launch or carry out: "Police opened an investigation." Common in Listening Part 4 news items.
incident
nounCLB 7/ˈɪnsɪdənt/An event, often a problem.
“No one was hurt in the incident.”
SimilareventoccurrenceepisodeCELPIP tip News reports use this vague word first, so listen for the detail that follows, such as a crash or a fire.
witness
nounCLB 6/ˈwɪtnəs/A person who saw something happen.
“Witnesses saw the car leave the scene.”
SimilaronlookerobserverbystanderCELPIP tip Also a verb: "She witnessed the accident." Handy in Speaking Task 2 stories about something you saw.
emergency crews
nounCLB 7Firefighters, police and paramedics who respond to an emergency.
“Emergency crews arrived within minutes.”
Similarfirst respondersemergency servicesrescue teamsCELPIP tip Usually plural in news reports; pair it with arrive, respond or be called to the scene.
damage
nounCLB 5/ˈdæmɪdʒ/Physical harm to things.
“The storm caused millions of dollars in damage.”
SimilarharmdestructionlossCELPIP tip Uncountable: say "a lot of damage", not "damages", for physical harm. Pattern: damage to + noun.
funding
nounCLB 7/ˈfʌndɪŋ/Money given for a purpose.
“The library received new funding.”
SimilarfinancingmoneygrantsCELPIP tip Uncountable. Common pairings: receive funding, cut funding, funding for + noun. Frequent in Reading Part 3 and Listening Part 6.
initiative
nounCLB 8/ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/A new plan to solve a problem.
“The initiative aims to reduce waste.”
SimilarprogramschemeprojectCELPIP tip Also means acting without being told, as in "She took the initiative." Useful in Speaking Task 7 when suggesting a community solution.
pilot project
nounCLB 8A small trial before a full plan.
“The pilot project runs for six months.”
Similartrial runtest programpilotCELPIP tip A favourite in Listening Part 6 discussions, where speakers argue about whether a pilot project should become permanent.
impact
nounCLB 7/ˈɪmpækt/A strong effect.
“The closure will have an impact on local shops.”
SimilareffectinfluenceconsequenceCELPIP tip Pattern: have an impact on + noun. Mix in "effect" for variety so Writing Task 2 does not repeat one word.
regulation
nounCLB 8/ˌreɡjuˈleɪʃn/An official rule.
“New regulations limit short-term rentals.”
SimilarrulelawrequirementCELPIP tip Usually plural in news: new regulations, strict regulations. More formal than "rule", so it suits Reading and Writing.
authorities
nounCLB 7/əˈθɔːrətiz/The people in charge.
“Authorities are asking drivers to avoid the area.”
Similarofficialsthe governmentthe policeCELPIP tip Always plural with "the" in this sense: "the authorities". Common in safety warnings in Listening Part 4.
Adjectives 3
significant
adjectiveCLB 7/sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/Large or important.
“The change had a significant impact.”
SimilarconsiderablemajorimportantCELPIP tip Common pairings: a significant impact, a significant increase. A stronger choice than "big" in Writing Task 2.
controversial
adjectiveCLB 8/ˌkɑːntrəˈvɜːrʃl/Causing disagreement.
“The decision was controversial.”
SimilardivisivedisputeddebatableCELPIP tip Signals that a Listening Part 6 discussion will have two opposing sides; note who supports and who opposes.
ongoing
adjectiveCLB 7/ˈɑːnɡoʊɪŋ/Still happening.
“The investigation is ongoing.”
Similarcontinuingin progresscurrentCELPIP tip Written as one word with no hyphen. Common pairings: an ongoing investigation, ongoing construction.
How to learn these words
- Skip the words you already use with confidence, and start with the ones at or just above your target CLB. Pick a level in Any CLB level to see only those.
- Say each example sentence out loud, then make your own sentence about your life.
- Open Flashcards to test yourself. Words you mark I know it drop out of the To learn view.
- Use two or three of the words on purpose in your next Speaking or Writing practice answer.
More CELPIP vocabulary by topic
- Housing and renting (25 words)
- Community and local life (25 words)
- Work and the workplace (25 words)
- Jobs and careers (25 words)
- Shopping and customer service (25 words)
- Money, banking and bills (25 words)
- Transportation and commuting (25 words)
- Travel and holidays (25 words)
- Health and wellness (25 words)
- Education and children (25 words)
- Family, friends and social life (25 words)
- Food and eating out (25 words)
- Weather and the environment (25 words)
- Technology (25 words)
- Events and free time (25 words)
- Requests, complaints and apologies (25 words)
- Opinions and persuasion (25 words)
- Describing pictures and scenes (25 words)
- Linking words (25 words)
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