At a glance
- Skill
- Reading
- Questions
- 11
- Time limit
- 11 min
What you need to do
In Reading Part 1, you read a personal message — usually an email or letter between friends, family members or co-workers — and then a reply to it. You answer questions to show you understood what the writer wants, what happened and how they feel.
This is the first and easiest Reading part, so it is a good place to earn points quickly. But the questions are designed to catch careless reading, so a clear strategy makes a big difference.
The good news is that the situations are always familiar: making plans, sharing news, asking for a favour or sorting out a small problem. You don't need special knowledge — only careful reading.
What you'll see on the test
- One message, followed by a reply from the person who received it.
- 11 questions: 6 multiple-choice questions about the first message, then 5 blanks in the reply.
- For each blank, you choose the best words from a drop-down menu inside the reply.
- Every question has four answer choices. There is no penalty for a wrong answer.
- About 11 minutes for the whole part. When time runs out, the test moves on and you can't go back.
What the test is looking for
The main purpose
Why is the person writing? To share news, ask for help, invite, complain or apologize?
Specific details
Dates, places, plans and reasons. The answer is in the text, but usually in different words.
Feelings and attitudes
How does the writer feel about the situation? Look for words like nervous, relieved or disappointed.
Connections between messages
The reply answers the first message. Most blanks can be solved by finding what the reply is responding to.
Step-by-step strategy
- 1
Skim the message first (about 1 minute)
Find out who is writing, to whom, and why. Don't try to understand every word yet.
- 2
Read each question, then find the answer
Look for the part of the message the question is about, and read that part carefully.
- 3
Match the meaning, not the words
The correct answer usually says the same thing in different words. Be careful with choices that copy words from the text.
- 4
Complete the reply by connecting it to the message
Read the whole sentence around each blank. Ask: what in the first message is this sentence answering?
- 5
Watch the clock
Aim for about 6 minutes on questions 1–6 and 4 minutes on the blanks, then use the last minute to answer anything you skipped.
Common mistakes
Choosing an answer because it uses the same words as the text.
Check that the whole meaning matches. Wrong answers often reuse words but change the meaning.
Missing small linking words like "but", "instead" or "although".
These words often change the meaning of a sentence. Slow down when you see them.
Reading the reply without going back to the first message.
The blanks almost always connect to something in the first message. Go back and find it.
Spending too long on one difficult question.
Choose your best guess, remember the question number, and come back if you have time.
Leaving a question blank.
There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so always choose something.
Examples with answers
Example 1
Why is Sara writing to Leila?
- ATo ask if she can borrow Leila's tent.
- BTo thank Leila and explain a problem with the tent.Correct answer
- CTo invite Leila on a camping trip.
- DTo complain about the weather.
Why: Sara thanks Leila for the tent, explains that a pole bent, and says how she will fix it. She already borrowed the tent, so (A) is wrong. The rain is mentioned, but it is not her reason for writing.
Example 2
On the test, you choose the answer from a drop-down menu inside the text, like the one above.
Choose the best words for the blank in the reply.
- AflightCorrect answer
- Bparty
- Cnew job
- Dapartment
Why: The reply is answering the message. The sister is flying in from Toronto, so the friend hopes she has a good flight. On the real test, you choose these words from a drop-down menu inside the reply.
Questions students ask
How many questions are in CELPIP Reading Part 1?
There are 11 questions: 6 about the first message and 5 blanks in the reply. You have about 11 minutes.
Can I go back to Part 1 after I move on?
No. When the time for a part ends, the test moves on by itself and you can't return to earlier parts. Answer everything before time runs out.
Do I lose points for wrong answers?
No. Points are not taken away for wrong answers, so you should answer every question, even if you have to guess.
Is Part 1 easier than the other Reading parts?
Yes. The Reading parts get harder from Part 1 to Part 4, so try to work quickly and accurately here to save energy for the later parts.
What kinds of messages are in Reading Part 1?
Everyday personal messages between friends, family members, neighbours or co-workers — about plans, news, invitations, favours or small problems.
How should I split my time in Part 1?
A good plan is about 6 minutes for questions 1–6, about 4 minutes for the five blanks, and 1 minute to check anything you skipped.