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CELPIP Reading Course · Lesson 7 of 8

Paraphrase and Trap Answers

By CELPass Editorial Team · 2 min read · Updated

Most wrong answers in CELPIP Reading are designed to look right. Knowing the common trap types lets you reject them quickly.

Correct answers are paraphrased

The right option usually says the same thing as the text in different words: "postponed" for "moved to a later date", "not everyone agreed" for "opinions were divided". If an option repeats exact words from the text, check it extra carefully.

Four trap types

TrapWhat it looks like
Word matchUses words from the text but changes the meaning.
True but not saidSounds reasonable or is true in real life, but the text doesn't say it.
Wrong personCorrect opinion, but it belongs to someone else in the text.
Partly rightHalf of the option matches; the other half is wrong or extra.

A quick check

Before confirming an answer, point to the sentence in the text that proves it. If you cannot, the option is probably a trap.

Key points

  • Right answers paraphrase; traps often copy words.
  • Know the four trap types.
  • Only choose what you can prove from the text.

Exercise

Text: "The council approved the bike lane, although several members worried about the loss of parking." Name the trap in each wrong option.

  1. A: "The council rejected the bike lane because of parking."
  2. B: "Bike lanes reduce traffic accidents."
  3. C: "All council members supported the bike lane without concerns."
Show answers
  1. Word match (parking) with the wrong outcome
  2. True but not said
  3. Partly right: approved, but not without concerns

Practise with free questions

Free questions in the CELPIP format, with answers and no account needed. Try a few now, while the lesson is fresh.

All lessons in this course

  1. How CELPIP Reading Works and Is Scored
  2. The Question Types and How to Approach Each
  3. Part 1: Reading Correspondence
  4. Part 2: Reading to Apply a Diagram
  5. Part 3: Reading for Information
  6. Part 4: Reading for Viewpoints
  7. Paraphrase and Trap Answers
  8. Pacing and Your Test-Day Plan

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