Overview

Reading - Part 1: Reading Correspondence is the first part of the CELPIP Reading Test. In this section, you will read an email or a series of messages about a common social or work-related situation. Your task is to answer multiple-choice questions based on the content of the correspondence. This part assesses your ability to understand everyday written communication.

Structure

• Time to Complete: 11 minutes
• Number of Questions: 11 questions
• Text Type:
  • Main Text: An email or a message from one person to another about an everyday social or work situation.
  • Second Text: A short response to the main text, with some blanks that you need to fill in based on your understanding of the first text.

What to Expect

• Tone and Formality: The correspondence typically has a conversational, social, friendly, and familiar tone. However, it avoids extreme informality, such as slang or expressions of affection.
• Common Scenarios: The emails or messages may involve scenarios such as:
  • Colleagues coordinating a work project.
  • Friends arranging a social event.
  • Customers requesting services from a business.
  • Community members discussing volunteer opportunities.

Suggested Steps and Timing

1. Preview the Text (30 seconds)

• Quick Overview: Spend the first 30 seconds skimming the email or message to identify the writer, recipient, and general purpose of the correspondence.
• Key Details: Note any requests made by the writer or the overall tone of the message.

2. Read and Answer Questions (4 minutes for the first set, 4.5 minutes for the second set)

• Identify Keywords: As you read the questions, identify keywords that will help you locate the relevant section in the email or message.
• Skim or Read Thoroughly: Depending on the amount of text, either skim the relevant sections for specific information or read more thoroughly to understand the overall message.
• Watch for Paraphrase: Be aware that the correct answers may paraphrase information from the text. Ensure you understand the main ideas rather than just looking for exact wording.

3. Review and Answer Blanks (4.5 minutes)

• Fill in the Blanks: After reading the short response to the main text, use the context to determine which words best complete the blanks. Consider the tone and purpose of both the main text and the response.
• Consider the Relationship: Understand the relationship between the correspondents, as this can influence the formality and word choice in the response.

4. Final Review (30 seconds)

• Check Your Answers: Use the last 30 seconds to ensure that all questions have been answered and that your choices make sense within the context of the emails or messages.

Key Strategies

1. Identify the Main Idea and Purpose

• Writer's Intent: Determine why the writer is sending the email. Are they requesting something, providing information, or responding to a previous message?
• Recipient's Role: Understand what the recipient is expected to do after reading the message. This can guide your understanding of the response and help you choose the correct answers.

2. Focus on Specific Details

• Locate Key Information: Pay attention to names, dates, requests, and other specific details mentioned in the correspondence. These often form the basis of the specific information questions.
• Avoid Distractors: Be cautious of answer choices that seem correct but include incorrect or misleading details.

3. Understand the Tone

• Tone Recognition: Recognize whether the tone is formal, neutral, or informal. This can help in understanding the writer's intentions and selecting the appropriate words to fill in blanks.
• Consistency in Tone: Ensure that the tone of the second text (response) matches the tone of the main text.

Common Pitfalls

• Overlooking Key Details: Missing small but important details can lead to incorrect answers. Always read carefully when answering specific information questions.
• Misinterpreting Tone: Failing to recognize the correct tone can result in choosing inappropriate words to fill in blanks.
• Ignoring Context: Answer choices that seem correct out of context may not fit within the overall message of the text. Always consider the full context when choosing an answer.

Final Advice

To excel in Reading - Part 1: Reading Correspondence, practice reading various types of emails and messages to become familiar with different tones, styles, and levels of formality. Focus on understanding both the main idea and specific details, and pay close attention to how paraphrasing is used in questions and answer choices. With regular practice and careful attention to detail, you will develop the skills needed to effectively navigate this part of the CELPIP Reading Test.