CELPIP Reading Practice Test 12 — All 4 Parts With Passages & Answers

Free CELPIP Reading practice test 12: 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 Ms. Lindsey,

I am writing to recommend Kevin Tran for the summer data-analyst internship at your firm. Kevin was the top student in my third-year Data Analysis course, earning an A+, and he led a class project that modelled our city's transit delays using open data.

He is proficient in Python and SQL, and he communicates technical results clearly to non-experts — a rare combination. Kevin is available to start on June 1st and can work through August 15th.

We discussed the role briefly at the career fair, and I believe he would be a strong fit. Could you confirm whether an interview could be arranged for May 5th? Please let me know by April 30th if my reference is still needed.

Sincerely,
Dr. Omar Ahmed
Department of Computer Science

Questions on the message

1. What is the main purpose of this email?

  1. To apply for a job
  2. To recommend Kevin for an internship
  3. To request a reference
  4. To advertise a course
Answer: B

Why: Dr. Ahmed recommends Kevin for the internship.

2. What grade did Kevin earn in Dr. Ahmed's course?

  1. A
  2. A-
  3. A+
  4. B+
Answer: C

Why: He earned an A+.

3. When is Kevin available to start?

  1. June 1st
  2. June 15th
  3. May 5th
  4. August 15th
Answer: A

Why: He can start June 1st.

4. Which skills does Kevin have?

  1. Java only
  2. Python and SQL
  3. Excel only
  4. French
Answer: B

Why: He is proficient in Python and SQL.

5. What interview date does Dr. Ahmed suggest?

  1. April 30th
  2. May 5th
  3. June 1st
  4. August 15th
Answer: B

Why: He proposes May 5th for the interview.

6. By when should Ms. Lindsey reply about the reference?

  1. April 30th
  2. May 5th
  3. June 1st
  4. April 15th
Answer: A

Why: He asks for a reply by April 30th.

The reply — choose the best option for each gap

Dear Dr. Ahmed,

Thank you for recommending {BLANK_1} for our summer internship — his profile looks strong. I note he earned an {BLANK_2} in your Data Analysis course, which impressed our team. We can indeed arrange the interview for {BLANK_3}. He should plan to start on {BLANK_4}, as you mentioned, and we'll confirm his {BLANK_5} skills during the conversation.

Best,
Ms. Lindsey

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

  1. Sam
  2. Omar
  3. Kevin Tran
  4. Lindsey
Answer: C

Why: Passage A recommends Kevin Tran.

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

  1. A
  2. B+
  3. A+
  4. A-
Answer: C

Why: Passage A states Kevin earned an A+.

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

  1. April 30th
  2. May 5th
  3. June 1st
  4. August 15th
Answer: B

Why: Passage A proposes the May 5th interview.

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

  1. June 1st
  2. August 15th
  3. May 5th
  4. June 15th
Answer: A

Why: Passage A says he can start June 1st.

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

  1. Java
  2. Excel
  3. Python
  4. French
Answer: C

Why: Passage A lists Python among his skills.

Part 2 — Reading to Apply a Diagram

The table below compares five cell-phone plans. 'Data' is the monthly allowance, 'Talk' is included minutes, 'Price' is per month, and 'Contract' is the minimum commitment.


Plans with no contract can be cancelled any month, while GlobalMax locks the user in for the longest period.

ProviderDataTalkPriceContract
TalkRight10 GBUnlimited$35None
MegaNet50 GB500 min$501 year
ValueGo5 GBUnlimited$25None
GlobalMaxUnlimitedUnlimited$702 years
SeniorSim2 GB200 min$15None

Questions

1. Which plan has the smallest data allowance?

  1. SeniorSim
  2. TalkRight
  3. ValueGo
  4. MegaNet
Answer: A

Why: SeniorSim offers only 2 GB of data per month, less than TalkRight (10 GB), MegaNet (50 GB) or ValueGo (5 GB).

2. Which plan offers unlimited data?

  1. MegaNet
  2. GlobalMax
  3. TalkRight
  4. ValueGo
Answer: B

Why: GlobalMax has Unlimited data.

3. How much data does MegaNet include?

  1. 5 GB
  2. 10 GB
  3. 50 GB
  4. Unlimited
Answer: C

Why: MegaNet includes 50 GB.

4. How many plans have no contract?

  1. Four
  2. Two
  3. One
  4. Three
Answer: D

Why: TalkRight, ValueGo, and SeniorSim have no contract.

5. What is the price of the 5 GB plan?

  1. $25
  2. $15
  3. $35
  4. $50
Answer: A

Why: ValueGo is 5 GB at $25.

6. Which plan has the longest contract?

  1. MegaNet
  2. GlobalMax
  3. ValueGo
  4. TalkRight
Answer: B

Why: GlobalMax requires a 2-year contract.

7. What is GlobalMax's contract length?

  1. None
  2. 6 months
  3. 2 years
  4. 1 year
Answer: C

Why: GlobalMax requires a 2-year contract.

8. Which no-contract plan has 10 GB and unlimited talk?

  1. MegaNet
  2. ValueGo
  3. SeniorSim
  4. TalkRight
Answer: D

Why: TalkRight matches all three.

Part 3 — Reading for Information

A Sea otters inhabit the coastal waters of the North Pacific Ocean, ranging from the shores of Alaska down to central California. They live close to shore in kelp forests and sheltered bays, rarely venturing into the open ocean. Unlike most marine mammals, they spend almost their entire lives in the water, sleeping, eating, and even giving birth while floating on the surface rather than coming onto land.
B The sea otter is the smallest marine mammal in the world, yet it has the densest fur of any animal, with up to a million hairs per square centimetre. Because it has almost no body fat, this fur is essential for staying warm in cold water. Sea otters are also one of the few mammals that use tools: they often place a flat rock on their belly and hammer shellfish against it to break open the shell.
C Sea otters are carnivorous foragers that feed mainly on sea urchins, crabs, clams, and mussels. By keeping urchin numbers in check, they protect kelp forests, making them a keystone species in their ecosystem. They typically eat while floating on their backs, using their chest as a table, and an adult may consume about twenty-five percent of its body weight in food each day to fuel its high metabolism.
D During the 18th and 19th centuries, sea otters were hunted nearly to extinction for their valuable pelts. International protection beginning in 1911 allowed some populations to recover, and they are now listed as endangered in parts of their range. Today the greatest threats are oil spills, which ruin their insulating fur, along with pollution and entanglement in fishing gear. Continued protection of kelp habitat remains critical to their survival.

Match each statement to the correct paragraph

1. Sea otters range along the coast from Alaska to central California.

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

Why: Paragraph A gives the range.

2. They have the densest fur of any animal and use rocks as tools.

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

Why: Paragraph B covers fur and tool use.

3. By eating urchins, otters help protect kelp forests.

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

Why: Paragraph C explains the keystone role.

4. Fur hunting nearly wiped them out before protection in 1911.

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

Why: Paragraph D describes the hunting history.

5. Sea otters stay warm in freezing water because of thick layers of blubber.

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

Why: Not stated; the passage says they have almost no body fat.

6. They sleep and eat while floating on the surface.

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

Why: Paragraph A notes surface floating.

7. An adult may eat about a quarter of its body weight in food daily.

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

Why: Paragraph C gives the 25% figure.

8. Oil spills are a major modern threat because they ruin the fur.

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

Why: Paragraph D names oil spills.

9. Sea otters are the largest marine mammal in the world.

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

Why: Not stated; the passage says they are the smallest.

Part 4 — Reading for Viewpoints

The city council is debating a mandatory composting program. Councillor Rita Nguyen argues in favour. She says composting keeps organic waste out of landfills, cuts the methane gas those dumps produce, and creates rich soil that the city can use in its parks.

Mr. Greg Hall disagrees. He argues the program is costly to administer, that the outdoor bins attract pests such as rats, and that enforcing it is unfair to apartment dwellers who have little space for a bin. He prefers a voluntary scheme instead.

Questions on the article

1. Rita Nguyen supports mandatory composting because…

  1. it reduces landfill waste and methane
  2. it costs less to run
  3. it bans compost bins
  4. it helps apartment dwellers
Answer: A

Why: She cites landfill and methane reduction.

2. What does Rita say the finished compost can be used for?

  1. Park soil
  2. Fuel
  3. Packaging
  4. Road salt
Answer: A

Why: She says the city can use it in parks.

3. Greg Hall's concern about the bins is that they…

  1. are too small
  2. attract pests
  3. smell pleasant
  4. are free
Answer: B

Why: He says bins attract rats and other pests.

4. Who does Greg say is treated unfairly?

  1. Homeowners
  2. Apartment dwellers
  3. Farmers
  4. Children
Answer: B

Why: He argues enforcement is unfair to apartment dwellers.

5. What does Greg say is costly?

  1. The compost itself
  2. Program administration
  3. The city parks
  4. The bins
Answer: B

Why: He says the program is costly to administer.

A reader responds — complete the comment

I'm leaning toward {BLANK_1} on this. {BLANK_2} paints a rosy picture about methane, but the pest problem with the bins is real, and {BLANK_3} is correct that {BLANK_4} residents get unfairly penalised. A voluntary scheme feels like the {BLANK_5} approach rather than a forced mandate.

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

  1. the council
  2. Hall
  3. Nguyen
  4. the mayor
Answer: B

Why: The commenter leans toward Greg Hall's skeptical view from Passage A.

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

  1. the engineer
  2. the gardener
  3. Nguyen
  4. Hall
Answer: C

Why: Rita Nguyen argued the methane benefit in Passage A.

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

  1. the worker
  2. Nguyen
  3. Hall
  4. the tenant
Answer: C

Why: Hall raised the unfairness point in Passage A.

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

  1. senior
  2. apartment
  3. rural
  4. wealthy
Answer: B

Why: Hall said apartment dwellers are penalised in Passage A.

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

  1. sensible
  2. forced
  3. costly
  4. temporary
Answer: A

Why: The voluntary 'sensible' approach matches Hall's preference in Passage A.

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