CELPIP reading
Reading for Viewpoints
How to Master CELPIP Reading Task 4: Reading for Viewpoints
This is the final and most complex task in the Reading section. It tests your ability to understand, compare, and contrast two different opinions on the same topic. It's a 2-part task, just like Task 1.
What You Will Read
- Part 1: A short article (approx. 250-300 words) presenting two different viewpoints on a topic (e.g., "Should the city build a new park?").
- Part 2: A short reply (a "letter to the editor" or "forum comment") from a third person, which has blanks in it.
- You will answer 10 questions total: 5 multiple-choice questions about the article, and 5 fill-in-the-blank questions for the reply.
The #1 Trap to Avoid
The biggest mistake is confusing who said what. The questions are designed to trick you by asking, "Which of the following would Speaker A agree with?" The answer choices will often include opinions from Speaker B. You must create a mental "scorecard" to keep the two viewpoints separate.
Key Strategies for a CLB 9+
- Step 1: Make a Scorecard (1 min): As you read the main article, write down "Viewpoint A" and "Viewpoint B" on your notepaper. Under each, write 2-3 keywords that summarize their main argument (e.g., A: "Pro-park, good for kids, community." B: "Anti-park, too expensive, wastes taxes.").
- Step 2: Answer the 5 MCQs (4-5 min): Use your scorecard to answer the 5 multiple-choice questions. These questions will only be about the main article. They will test if you can compare and contrast the two opinions.
- Step 3: Analyze the Reply (3-4 min): Now, read the second text (the reply). Ask: "Is this person agreeing with A? Disagreeing with B? Or introducing a new, third opinion?"
- Step 4: Fill in the 5 Blanks: Choose the words that perfectly match the context of the main article and the tone and opinion of the reply author.
How to Practice
- Read "Opinion" or "Editorial" sections of news websites (like CBC or The Globe and Mail). Find articles where two people are debating an issue.
- Practice making the "scorecard" and summarizing each person's main point and supporting reasons.
Ready to Master the Final Task?
This task is all about your ability to track and compare different arguments. The "scorecard" method is the key to keeping the information straight under pressure.
Our webapp has unlimited practice questions for this exact 2-part task, all with realistic opinion articles and replies.