CELPIP Reading Course · Lesson 3 of 8
Part 1: Reading Correspondence
By CELPass Editorial Team · 2 min read · Updated
Part 1 is a personal email or letter followed by a reply with gaps. It is the most familiar text type, so use it to bank marks quickly and accurately.
The message questions
The first six questions are about the message: why the person is writing, what happened, what they want. Read the questions first, then read the message once, answering as you go. Questions usually follow the order of the text.
The reply
The reply has five gaps. Each answer must agree with the original message: if the friend said the party moved to Sunday, a reply saying "see you Saturday" is wrong even though it sounds natural. Keep the first message on screen and check each fact.
Watch the tone and relationship
Questions sometimes ask how the writer feels or what their relationship is. Look at word choices: "I'm a bit disappointed" is mild; "I can't believe you" is strong. Answer from the words in the text, not what you would feel.
Key points
- Questions follow the text order.
- Every reply gap must match the original message's facts.
- Judge feelings from the writer's actual words.
Exercise
Message: "I'll be in Toronto from the 12th to the 15th for a conference, but my last day is free." Reply gap: "Great! Let's meet on the ___." Options: 12th / 13th / 14th / 15th.
- Which day?
Show answers
- 15th, the free last day; the other days are conference days.
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.
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