CELPIP Reading Practice Test 3 — All 4 Parts With Passages & Answers

Free CELPIP Reading practice test 3: Reading Correspondence, Applying a Diagram, Reading for Information and Viewpoints — full passages, 38 questions and the answer key.

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CELPIP Reading practice test in the official four-part order: 38 questions across correspondence, applying a diagram, reading for information and viewpoints.

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Part 1 — Reading Correspondence

Dear Dr. Alvarez, I am in your Biology 201 course (Section B), and I missed last Thursday's lab on cell division because I had a sudden flu. I visited a clinic, and the doctor gave me a note confirming I was unfit to attend that day. I understand the lab counts for 10% of my final grade. I would like to arrange a makeup session. I am free on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons after 2 PM, and also on Friday mornings. Could you let me know a suitable time, and whether I need to bring the lab manual? My student number is 883214. Thank you for your understanding. Kevin Marsh

Questions on the message

1. What is the main purpose of Kevin's email?

  1. To drop the course
  2. To request a makeup lab session
  3. To complain about the grade
  4. To change sections
Answer: B

Why: He asks to arrange a makeup for the missed lab.

2. Which course and section is Kevin in?

  1. Chemistry 201, Section A
  2. Biology 101, Section B
  3. Biology 201, Section B
  4. Biology 201, Section C
Answer: C

Why: He writes he is in Biology 201, Section B.

3. Why did Kevin miss the lab?

  1. He had a sudden flu with a doctor's note
  2. He forgot the time
  3. He was on vacation
  4. The lab was cancelled
Answer: A

Why: He says he had a sudden flu and a doctor's note.

4. How much of the final grade is the lab worth?

  1. 5%
  2. 10%
  3. 15%
  4. 20%
Answer: B

Why: He says the lab counts for 10% of his grade.

5. Which of these times is Kevin available?

  1. Monday mornings
  2. Wednesday evenings
  3. Saturday afternoons
  4. Friday mornings
Answer: D

Why: He lists Friday mornings among his free times.

6. What is Kevin's student number?

  1. 882314
  2. 883244
  3. 883214
  4. 883210
Answer: C

Why: He gives his student number as 883214.

The reply — choose the best option for each gap

Hi Kevin, I received your note about missing the {BLANK_1} lab. I am sorry you were ill, and your doctor's note explains the {BLANK_2} absence. I can schedule your makeup for Thursday at {BLANK_3}, which fits a time you listed. Please bring your {BLANK_4}, as we will repeat the exercise. Your student number {BLANK_5} is now on my record. Regards, Dr. Alvarez

7. Blank 1 — choose the option that fits the passage

  1. chemistry
  2. cell division
  3. history
  4. physics
Answer: B

Why: Passage A says he missed the lab on cell division.

8. Blank 2 — choose the option that fits the passage

  1. unexcused
  2. medical
  3. planned
  4. late
Answer: C

Why: Passage A says a doctor's note confirmed he was unfit to attend.

9. Blank 3 — choose the option that fits the passage

  1. 9 AM
  2. 2 PM
  3. 8 PM
  4. noon
Answer: A

Why: Passage A says he is free Thursday afternoons after 2 PM.

10. Blank 4 — choose the option that fits the passage

  1. textbook
  2. lab manual
  3. calculator
  4. laptop
Answer: A

Why: Passage A asks whether he must bring the lab manual.

11. Blank 5 — choose the option that fits the passage

  1. 882314
  2. 883214
  3. 883244
  4. 883210
Answer: C

Why: Passage A gives his student number as 883214.

Part 2 — Reading to Apply a Diagram

The table below shows borrowing limits and late fees at the Greenfield Public Library. Item type | Loan period | Max items | Late fee/day Books | 21 days | 20 | $0.25 DVDs | 7 days | 5 | $1.00 Magazines | 14 days | 10 | $0.50 Audiobooks | 21 days | 10 | $0.25 Membership is free for residents; non-residents pay $30 per year. Any item can be renewed twice as long as no one else has requested it.

Questions

1. How many days can books be borrowed?

  1. 7
  2. 14
  3. 21
  4. 30
Answer: A

Why: The Books row shows a 21-day loan period.

2. Which item has the highest late fee per day?

  1. $0.25
  2. $0.50
  3. $1.00
  4. $1.50
Answer: B

Why: DVDs cost $1.00 per day late, the highest.

3. What is the maximum number of DVDs a member may borrow?

  1. 10
  2. 5
  3. 20
  4. 14
Answer: C

Why: The DVDs row shows a max of 5 items.

4. How long is the magazine loan period?

  1. 7 days
  2. 14 days
  3. 21 days
  4. 30 days
Answer: D

Why: Magazines are loaned for 14 days.

5. What does a non-resident pay for membership each year?

  1. Free
  2. $15
  3. $30
  4. $45
Answer: A

Why: Non-residents pay $30 per year.

6. How many times may an item be renewed?

  1. Once
  2. Twice
  3. Three times
  4. Unlimited
Answer: B

Why: Items can be renewed twice.

7. What is the per-day late fee for books?

  1. $0.25
  2. $0.50
  3. $1.00
  4. $0.10
Answer: C

Why: Books show a $0.25 late fee per day.

8. What is the maximum number of books a resident may borrow?

  1. 5
  2. 10
  3. 14
  4. 20
Answer: D

Why: The Books row allows up to 20 items.

Part 3 — Reading for Information

A The aurora borealis, often called the northern lights, is a natural light display that appears in the night sky above the Earth's polar regions. It is not produced by human activity but by processes happening high in the atmosphere, and it has fascinated observers for thousands of years.
B Auroras form when charged particles flowing from the Sun collide with gases in the upper atmosphere. The collisions release light: oxygen at high altitude glows red, while lower oxygen glows green, and nitrogen produces shades of blue and purple. The exact colours depend on the gas and the height of the collision.
C The best views come from places close to the Arctic Circle during the dark, clear nights of the winter months. Popular viewing regions include the Yukon and Northwest Territories in Canada, northern Norway, and Iceland. Strong solar activity makes the display brighter and visible farther from the poles.
D Long before modern science, Indigenous peoples of the North explained the lights through legend, seeing them as spirits, ancestors, or messages in the sky. Today the aurora is also a major draw for tourism, with visitors travelling great distances for a chance to see the shifting curtains of colour.

Match each statement to the correct paragraph

1. The aurora is a natural light display in the polar sky.

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
Answer: A

Why: Paragraph A defines the aurora this way.

2. Green and red colours come from oxygen in the atmosphere.

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
Answer: B

Why: Paragraph B links green and red to oxygen.

3. The lights are best seen near the Arctic Circle in winter.

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
Answer: C

Why: Paragraph C gives the best viewing conditions.

4. Indigenous peoples explained the lights through legend.

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
Answer: D

Why: Paragraph D mentions Indigenous legends.

5. The aurora can be seen clearly from the equator all year round.

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
Answer: E

Why: Not stated; the passage says viewing is best near the poles, not the equator.

6. The particles that cause auroras come from the Sun.

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
Answer: B

Why: Paragraph B says charged particles flow from the Sun.

7. Blue and purple tones are linked to nitrogen.

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
Answer: B

Why: Paragraph B attributes blue/purple to nitrogen.

8. The Yukon and Iceland are good places to watch the aurora.

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
Answer: C

Why: Paragraph C lists these as viewing regions.

9. Auroras are caused by lightning storms in the tropics.

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
Answer: E

Why: Not stated; the passage describes a solar, not lightning, cause.

Part 4 — Reading for Viewpoints

Some educators want high schools to start at 9:00 AM instead of the current 8:00 AM. Sleep researcher Dr. Priya Nair strongly supports the later start. She cites studies showing that teenagers' natural sleep cycles make early mornings difficult, and that getting more sleep improves both grades and mood. Parent and school trustee Greg Holt opposes the change. He argues that a later start pushes after-school sports and part-time jobs into the evening, leaving less time with family, and that school buses are already scheduled around the early bell. He believes students should simply go to bed earlier.

Questions on the article

1. Dr. Nair supports a later start mainly because…

  1. teen sleep cycles make early mornings hard and more sleep helps
  2. buses are already scheduled
  3. sports need the evening
  4. parents requested it
Answer: A

Why: She cites teen sleep cycles and the benefits of more sleep.

2. Who refers to studies about sleep?

  1. Holt
  2. Nair
  3. the school
  4. the parents
Answer: B

Why: Nair cites studies on teen sleep.

3. What is Greg Holt's main concern?

  1. Falling grades
  2. Evening sports and jobs reducing family time
  3. Teen sleep cycles
  4. The cost of buses
Answer: B

Why: He worries about lost family time from evening activities.

4. What alternative does Holt propose?

  1. A later start
  2. Students going to bed earlier
  3. Cancelling sports
  4. More buses
Answer: B

Why: He says students should simply go to bed earlier.

5. According to Nair, more sleep improves…

  1. grades and mood
  2. bus schedules
  3. family time
  4. sports results
Answer: A

Why: She says more sleep improves grades and mood.

A reader responds — complete the comment

I side with {BLANK_1} on this — the research on teen {BLANK_2} is clear, and school results matter. {BLANK_3} concern about sports timing is fair, but families can adjust schedules. Starting later means teenagers are more {BLANK_4} in class, not dozing. This is a sensible, not a {BLANK_5}, reform.

6. Blank 1 — choose the option that fits the passage

  1. Nair
  2. Holt
  3. the trustee
  4. the school
Answer: B

Why: Passage A shows Nair supports the later start; the commenter agrees.

7. Blank 2 — choose the option that fits the passage

  1. sleep
  2. buses
  3. sports
  4. grades
Answer: C

Why: Passage A discusses teenagers' natural sleep cycles.

8. Blank 3 — choose the option that fits the passage

  1. Nair
  2. Holt
  3. parents
  4. students
Answer: D

Why: Passage A says Holt raises the sports-timing concern.

9. Blank 4 — choose the option that fits the passage

  1. tired
  2. alert
  3. confused
  4. late
Answer: B

Why: Passage A says more sleep improves mood; commenter says students are more alert.

10. Blank 5 — choose the option that fits the passage

  1. temporary
  2. radical
  3. expensive
  4. optional
Answer: B

Why: The commenter aligns with Nair's pro-reform stance, calling it sensible not radical.

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