At a glance
- Skill
- Reading
- Questions
- 8
- Time limit
- 9 min
What you need to do
In Reading Part 2, you get a diagram — for example a schedule, a price list, a map or a table — and an email that refers to it. You use information from both to answer the questions.
Many questions can't be answered from the email alone or the diagram alone. You have to read one, then check the other. Some questions also need a small calculation, like adding a discount.
Think of it like real life: you're reading a schedule or a price list to help someone make a decision. The skill is finding exactly the right information and checking it against what the person needs.
What you'll see on the test
- One diagram (a table, schedule, map, flyer or price list) and one email about it.
- 8 questions: 5 blanks in the email, then 3 multiple-choice questions.
- The blanks are drop-down menus inside the email.
- About 9 minutes for the whole part.
What the test is looking for
Finding the right row or column
You need to find exactly the right line in the diagram — the right day, age group, price or location.
Combining two sources
The email gives a need (for example "my son is 8"), and the diagram gives the option that matches it.
Notes and small print
Discounts, deadlines and rules are often in a short note under the diagram, and questions like to test them.
Simple calculations
Adding two prices, taking off a discount or counting days. Nothing difficult, but you must be careful.
Reading like a real person would
The questions ask what someone should choose or pay, just like real decisions: which class fits, which ticket is cheapest, what time to arrive.
Step-by-step strategy
- 1
Look at the diagram's layout first (about 30 seconds)
Read the title, the column headings and any notes. Don't read every cell yet.
- 2
Read the email and note what each person needs
Ages, days, budgets and preferences are the clues you'll use to search the diagram.
- 3
For each blank, search the diagram with your clue
Go to the exact row or column that matches. Then read the email sentence again to check the answer fits.
- 4
Check the notes before you answer
A discount, a deadline or an age limit in the small print can change the answer.
- 5
Do calculations on paper
At the test centre you get paper and a pen. Write the numbers down instead of calculating in your head.
- 6
Read every answer choice before choosing
Several choices may appear in the diagram. Only one matches every detail in the question — the right age, day and price.
Common mistakes
Reading the wrong row of the table.
Put your finger or pen on the row and read across carefully.
Ignoring the notes under the diagram.
Always read the notes. They often contain the key to one or two questions.
Answering from the email alone.
If a question is about prices, times or places, the answer is probably in the diagram.
Rushing a simple calculation.
Write it down and check it once. A small mistake costs a whole point.
Mixing up a.m. and p.m., or weekdays and weekends.
Times and days are easy to misread. Check them twice before choosing an answer.
Examples with answers
Example 1
How much will the daughter's bike cost?
- A$12
- B$15Correct answer
- C$30
- D$22.50
Why: They want to ride for about four hours, so they need the half-day price of $30. The daughter is under 12, so she pays half: $30 ÷ 2 = $15.
Example 2
A parent registers their 7-year-old on May 20. How much will the lessons cost?
- A$85Correct answer
- B$95
- C$90
- D$80
Why: A 7-year-old belongs in Level 2, which costs $95. Registering on May 20 is before June 1, so they save $10: $95 − $10 = $85. The note under the diagram is the key.
Questions students ask
How many questions are in CELPIP Reading Part 2?
There are 8 questions: 5 blanks in the email and 3 multiple-choice questions. You have about 9 minutes.
Do I need to do math in Reading Part 2?
Sometimes. You may need to add prices, apply a discount or compare numbers. The math is simple, but writing it down helps you avoid mistakes.
What kinds of diagrams are used?
Everyday ones: schedules, price lists, program tables, maps, flyers and similar information you might see in daily life in Canada.
Is Reading Part 2 harder than Part 1?
A little. The texts are short, but you have to combine two sources and sometimes do a quick calculation, so careful checking matters more than speed.
Where do I find the answers in Part 2 — the diagram or the email?
Usually both. The email tells you what someone needs, and the diagram tells you which option matches. Most questions need you to check one against the other.