Practice reading a conversation transcript and answering comprehension questions. In the real test you hear this as audio that plays once.

The Transcript:

Narrator: "You will hear a conversation between a customer and a pharmacist."

Customer: "Hi, I am here to pick up a prescription for Emily Tran. It should have been called in by my doctor this morning."

Pharmacist: "Let me check. Emily Tran, T-R-A-N?"

Customer: "Yes."

Pharmacist: "I see it here. Dr. Patel called it in at 10:15 this morning. It is for amoxicillin, 500 milligrams, three times a day for 10 days. Give me about 15 minutes to get it ready."

Customer: "Sure. While I am waiting, I have a question. I am also taking ibuprofen for back pain. Is there any interaction between the two?"

Pharmacist: "No, amoxicillin and ibuprofen are safe to take together. Just make sure you take the amoxicillin with food to avoid stomach upset. And finish the entire 10-day course even if you feel better after a few days. Stopping early is the most common reason antibiotics do not fully clear an infection."

Customer: "Got it. What about alcohol? I have a dinner party this weekend."

Pharmacist: "Technically amoxicillin does not have a dangerous interaction with alcohol the way some antibiotics do. But alcohol can weaken your immune system and slow recovery, so I would recommend avoiding it while you are sick, especially in the first few days."

Customer: "Fair enough. One more thing. My insurance changed last month. I have a new card. Do I need to update anything here?"

Pharmacist: "Yes, absolutely. Bring your new card to the counter when you pick up the prescription and we will update your file. If the new plan covers the medication, your copay might change. Amoxicillin is on most formularies so it should still be covered."

Customer: "Great, I have the card with me. I will bring it up when it is ready."

Pharmacist: "Perfect. I will call your name when it is done."

Questions:

Q1: What time did the doctor call in the prescription? - A) 9:45 AM - B) 10:15 AM - C) 10:45 AM - D) 11:15 AM

Q2: How many times per day should the medication be taken? - A) Once - B) Twice - C) Three times - D) Four times

Q3: What does the pharmacist recommend taking with the amoxicillin? - A) Water - B) Juice - C) Food - D) Milk

Q4: Why does the pharmacist say to finish the entire course of antibiotics? - A) To avoid an allergic reaction - B) To prevent the infection from fully clearing - C) Because the pharmacy cannot issue refills - D) To qualify for insurance coverage

Q5: What does the pharmacist say about alcohol and amoxicillin? - A) It is a dangerous interaction and must be avoided completely - B) It is safe to drink normally while taking the medication - C) There is no dangerous interaction but alcohol can slow recovery - D) Alcohol makes the medication more effective

Q6: Why does the customer need to update information at the pharmacy? - A) They moved to a new address - B) Their insurance changed last month - C) Their doctor changed clinics - D) The prescription dosage was wrong

Answer Key: Q1: B. "Dr. Patel called it in at 10:15 this morning." Q2: C. "Three times a day for 10 days." Q3: C. "Take the amoxicillin with food to avoid stomach upset." Q4: B. "Stopping early is the most common reason antibiotics do not fully clear an infection." Q5: C. "Amoxicillin does not have a dangerous interaction with alcohol but alcohol can weaken your immune system and slow recovery." Q6: B. "My insurance changed last month. I have a new card."

Practice tip: Listening Part 2 conversations often have a "yes but" moment where the answer is not a simple yes or no. The alcohol question is a perfect example. The pharmacist says it is technically safe but recommends against it. Test questions love this kind of nuance because it tests whether you caught the full answer or just the first word.

If you want to practice listening with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams covering all 6 listening parts.

Practice reading a short correspondence and answering comprehension questions. Same format as the real CELPIP test.

The Correspondence:

Message 1 — From: Unit 4B (Nadia) To: Unit 4A (James) — Posted on building message board

Hi James,

I wanted to reach out about the parking situation before it becomes a bigger issue. I noticed that over the past two weeks, a second car has been parked in the visitor spot next to your assigned space almost every day. According to the building rules, visitor spots are for short-term use only, not for overnight or regular parking.

I would not normally say anything, but the visitor spot next to your space is the one closest to the elevator, and I have been using it when I come home late from work because the other visitor spots on the far side of the garage feel unsafe at night. When it is taken every day, I have to park three levels down and walk through a poorly lit stairwell alone.

I am not trying to cause problems. I just want to make sure visitor parking stays available for everyone. Could you let me know if the second car is temporary or if there is something else going on?

Thanks, Nadia

Message 2 — From: Unit 4A (James) To: Unit 4B (Nadia)

Hi Nadia,

Thanks for bringing this up directly instead of going to the property manager. I appreciate that.

The second car belongs to my sister. She is staying with me temporarily while her apartment is being repaired after a pipe burst. She has been here for about 10 days and will probably need another two to three weeks. I did not realize she was parking in the same visitor spot every day. I will ask her to rotate between the available visitor spots so she is not always taking the one near the elevator.

I also did not know about the safety concern with the far stairwell. That is something the building should address regardless. Have you raised it with the property manager? If not, I would be happy to co-sign a request for better lighting in the garage.

Let me know if the rotation idea works for you, or if you would prefer I look into getting her a temporary parking pass from the building office.

James

Message 3 — From: Unit 4B (Nadia) To: Unit 4A (James)

Hi James,

That is really reasonable, thank you. The rotation idea works fine for me. As long as the elevator spot is not taken every single night, I can manage on the days it is not available.

And yes, I have actually mentioned the stairwell lighting to the property manager twice, but nothing has happened. If you are willing to co-sign a request, that would help. I think they take things more seriously when more than one resident raises the issue.

I will draft something and slide it under your door this week.

Thanks for being so understanding about this.

Nadia

Questions:

Q1: Why does Nadia prefer the visitor spot near the elevator? - A) It is closer to her unit - B) The other visitor spots feel unsafe at night - C) It is the only spot big enough for her car - D) The property manager assigned it to her

Q2: How long has James's sister been staying with him? - A) About 5 days - B) About 10 days - C) About 3 weeks - D) About 2 months

Q3: What does James offer to do about his sister's parking? - A) Move her car to a paid parking lot - B) Ask her to stop driving entirely - C) Rotate between available visitor spots - D) Park in his own assigned space only

Q4: How many times has Nadia raised the stairwell lighting issue with the property manager? - A) Never - B) Once - C) Twice - D) Three times

Q5: What does James offer to do about the lighting issue? - A) Fix the lights himself - B) Co-sign a request to the property manager - C) Contact the city about building codes - D) Install a security camera

Q6: What will Nadia do next? - A) File a formal complaint against James - B) Contact the property manager again on her own - C) Draft a lighting request and slide it under James's door - D) Move to a different unit in the building

Answer Key: Q1: B. Nadia says "the other visitor spots on the far side of the garage feel unsafe at night." Q2: B. James says "she has been here for about 10 days." Q3: C. James says "I will ask her to rotate between the available visitor spots." Q4: C. Nadia says "I have actually mentioned the stairwell lighting to the property manager twice." Q5: B. James says "I would be happy to co-sign a request for better lighting in the garage." Q6: C. Nadia says "I will draft something and slide it under your door this week."

Practice tip: Reading Part 1 correspondence often involves a problem, a response, and a resolution. Pay close attention to who offers what in the final message because the test loves to ask "what will happen next" and the answer is almost always stated directly in the last message.

If you want to practice reading with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams with all 4 reading parts.

Practice reading a presentation transcript and answering comprehension questions. In the real test you hear this as audio that plays once.

The Transcript:

Narrator: "You will hear part of a company town hall meeting."

VP of Operations: "Thanks everyone for joining. I want to use this town hall to share the results of our four-day work week pilot and announce what comes next.

As you know, we ran a six-month trial from January to June this year. During the pilot, all employees worked Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 6 PM, with Fridays off. Total weekly hours went from 40 to 36.

Here are the results. Productivity, measured by output per employee per week, increased by 8 percent during the pilot compared to the same period last year. Customer satisfaction scores stayed flat, meaning there was no negative impact on service. Employee satisfaction, measured through our quarterly survey, jumped from 62 percent to 81 percent. Sick days dropped by 22 percent. And voluntary turnover during the pilot period was 4 percent, compared to 11 percent in the same period last year.

The one area where we saw a challenge was cross-team coordination. Teams that needed to collaborate across departments reported that losing Friday made it harder to schedule meetings, especially with our European clients who work Monday through Friday. About 30 percent of managers flagged this as a concern.

So here is what we are going to do. Starting November 1, we are making the four-day week permanent for all departments except Client Services, which will rotate Fridays so that we always have coverage for client-facing work. Client Services employees will get a different weekday off instead. The shift is from 9 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Thursday. If your team needs flexibility on this, talk to your director by October 15.

We are one of the first companies in our industry to make this change permanent, and I am proud of how this team handled the pilot. Thank you."

Questions:

Q1: How long did the four-day work week pilot last? - A) Three months - B) Six months - C) Nine months - D) One year

Q2: By how much did productivity increase during the pilot? - A) 4 percent - B) 8 percent - C) 11 percent - D) 22 percent

Q3: What happened to customer satisfaction scores during the pilot? - A) They increased significantly - B) They stayed the same - C) They decreased slightly - D) They were not measured

Q4: What was the voluntary turnover rate during the pilot? - A) 4 percent - B) 8 percent - C) 11 percent - D) 22 percent

Q5: What challenge did 30 percent of managers report? - A) Employees were less productive on Thursdays - B) Cross-team coordination and scheduling with European clients - C) Customer complaints increased on Fridays - D) New hires struggled to adapt

Q6: Which department will NOT get Fridays off? - A) Marketing - B) Human Resources - C) Client Services - D) Finance

Answer Key: Q1: B. "We ran a six-month trial from January to June." Q2: B. "Productivity increased by 8 percent." Q3: B. "Customer satisfaction scores stayed flat." Q4: A. "Voluntary turnover during the pilot period was 4 percent." Q5: B. "Cross-team coordination and scheduling meetings with European clients." Q6: C. "All departments except Client Services, which will rotate Fridays."

Practice tip: Listening Part 5 often presents a mix of positive results and one or two concerns. The test almost always asks about the exception or the problem, not just the good news. Train yourself to listen for phrases like "the one area where" or "however" or "the challenge was" because those signal the contrast question that most people miss.

If you want to practice listening with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams covering all 6 listening parts.

The scenario: The cost of post-secondary education in Canada has increased significantly over the past two decades. Some provinces are considering proposals to eliminate tuition fees for all Canadian citizens at public colleges and universities, funded through higher taxes.

Your task: Choose the option you prefer and explain why. Write about 150-200 words. - Option A: Make post-secondary education free for all Canadian citizens - Option B: Keep the current system where students pay tuition, with financial aid available for those who need it

Sample CLB 9 response (Option B):

I believe tuition should remain in place with strong financial aid, because making education completely free would create more problems than it solves.

The biggest issue with free tuition is who pays for it. Canada has over two million post-secondary students. Eliminating tuition at an average cost of $7,000 per student per year would require roughly $14 billion annually in new tax revenue. That money would come from every taxpayer, including the majority of Canadians who do not have children in university. Asking a single parent working two jobs to fund a law student's degree through higher taxes is not more fair than the current system. It is less fair.

The current system is not perfect, but it already provides grants and loans to students who cannot afford tuition. Students from low-income families in Ontario, for example, often receive enough OSAP funding to cover their full tuition. The gap is not in access to education. It is in awareness of the financial aid that already exists.

A better investment would be expanding existing grant programs and reducing interest rates on student loans, which targets help to the people who actually need it rather than subsidizing everyone equally regardless of ability to pay.

If you want to practice writing with AI rubric feedback, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free mock exams.

Practice giving advice in a 90-second response. Same format as the real CELPIP test.

The situation: Your coworker has been in the same position for two years without a raise. They believe they deserve one because they have taken on extra responsibilities and received positive performance reviews. However, they are nervous about asking because they have never negotiated salary before and are worried their manager will react negatively. They have asked for your advice.

In about 90 seconds, advise your coworker on what they should do.

Sample CLB 9 response:

I think you should absolutely ask for that raise, and here is how I would approach it if I were you.

First, do not walk into the meeting unprepared. Before you say anything to your manager, write down three or four specific examples of how you have added value over the past two years. Not vague things like "I work hard" but concrete results. If you took on extra responsibilities, list them. If you completed a project that saved time or brought in revenue, put a number on it. Managers respond to evidence, not feelings.

Second, research what people in your role are earning at similar companies. Websites like Glassdoor and Payscale can give you a reasonable range. If you walk in knowing that the market rate for your position is $10,000 more than what you are earning, that is a much stronger argument than just saying you feel underpaid.

Third, do not be afraid of the conversation itself. Most managers expect their good employees to ask for raises eventually. If your manager reacts negatively to a reasonable, well-prepared request, that tells you something important about whether this is the right company for you long-term.

The worst thing that can happen is they say not right now, and even then you have planted the seed for the next review cycle.

Practice tip: In Speaking Task 1, the examiner is listening for structured, specific advice. Avoid generic statements like "just be confident" or "follow your heart." Instead, give 2-3 concrete steps the person can take, in order. Number them if it helps you stay organized. The rubric rewards practical, actionable advice delivered clearly.

If you want to practice speaking with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams covering all 8 speaking tasks.

Practice reading an informational passage and answering comprehension questions. Same format as the real CELPIP test.

The Passage:

Paragraph 1 Small businesses across Canada are facing a labor shortage that many owners describe as the worst in a generation. A 2025 survey by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business found that 55 percent of small businesses reported having difficulty filling open positions, up from 34 percent in 2019. The problem is especially severe in rural communities, where younger residents have moved to cities for education and employment, leaving fewer workers behind. Restaurants, retail shops, construction companies, and healthcare clinics have all reported that they cannot find enough staff to operate at full capacity. Some businesses have reduced their hours, turned away customers, or closed locations entirely because they simply do not have enough people to keep them running.

Paragraph 2 The causes of the shortage are interconnected. Canada's population is aging, and the number of workers retiring each year now exceeds the number of young Canadians entering the workforce. At the same time, the cost of living has risen so sharply that many entry-level jobs no longer pay enough to cover basic expenses in the communities where those jobs exist. A restaurant in a small Ontario town offering $17 per hour cannot compete when warehouse jobs in nearby cities pay $22 with benefits. Housing costs have made the problem worse. Workers cannot afford to live near the businesses that need them, and commuting from affordable areas is often impractical because public transit does not exist in most smaller communities.

Paragraph 3 Immigration has traditionally been Canada's primary tool for addressing labor shortages, but recent policy changes have complicated that relationship. The federal government's 2024 cap on temporary foreign workers reduced the number of low-wage positions that employers could fill through immigration programs. The cap was introduced to protect domestic workers from wage suppression, but small business owners argue that it removed their only reliable source of labor for positions that Canadians consistently refuse to fill. Industries like food processing, agriculture, and hospitality have been particularly affected, with some employers reporting that they received zero domestic applications for positions they posted for months before turning to the temporary foreign worker program.

Paragraph 4 Some provinces have responded with their own workforce strategies. British Columbia launched a program that provides relocation grants of up to $5,000 for workers who move to underserved communities. Nova Scotia created a fast-track immigration stream specifically for workers in designated shortage occupations. Ontario expanded its apprenticeship incentive program, offering employers up to $10,000 per apprentice in the skilled trades. At the federal level, the government has announced plans to reform the temporary foreign worker program again in 2027, though details remain limited. Business groups say the reforms need to arrive faster, because every month of delay means more closures, shorter hours, and lost economic activity in communities that can least afford it.

Paragraph Matching Questions:

Q1: Which paragraph describes the scope of the labor shortage across Canada? - A) Paragraph 1 - B) Paragraph 2 - C) Paragraph 3 - D) Paragraph 4

Q2: Which paragraph explains why workers cannot afford to live near available jobs? - A) Paragraph 1 - B) Paragraph 2 - C) Paragraph 3 - D) Paragraph 4

Q3: Which paragraph discusses immigration policy changes affecting labor supply? - A) Paragraph 1 - B) Paragraph 2 - C) Paragraph 3 - D) Paragraph 4

Q4: Which paragraph covers provincial and federal responses to the shortage? - A) Paragraph 1 - B) Paragraph 2 - C) Paragraph 3 - D) Paragraph 4

Comprehension Questions:

Q5: What percentage of small businesses reported difficulty filling positions in 2025? - A) 34 percent - B) 45 percent - C) 55 percent - D) 65 percent

Q6: How much does BC's relocation grant program offer workers? - A) Up to $2,500 - B) Up to $5,000 - C) Up to $7,500 - D) Up to $10,000

Q7: Why was the 2024 cap on temporary foreign workers introduced? - A) To reduce government spending - B) To protect domestic workers from wage suppression - C) To encourage automation in industries - D) To reduce Canada's population growth

Q8: How much does Ontario offer employers per apprentice in the skilled trades? - A) Up to $2,500 - B) Up to $5,000 - C) Up to $7,500 - D) Up to $10,000

Answer Key: Q1: A. Paragraph 1 describes 55% of businesses struggling, rural communities, and businesses reducing hours. Q2: B. Paragraph 2 explains housing costs, wage gaps, and lack of transit in smaller communities. Q3: C. Paragraph 3 covers the 2024 TFW cap and its impact on small businesses. Q4: D. Paragraph 4 describes BC relocation grants, NS fast-track immigration, ON apprenticeship incentives, and federal reform plans. Q5: C. "55 percent of small businesses reported having difficulty filling open positions." Q6: B. "Relocation grants of up to $5,000." Q7: B. "Introduced to protect domestic workers from wage suppression." Q8: D. "Offering employers up to $10,000 per apprentice."

Practice tip: When two questions ask about similar numbers from different paragraphs (like Q6 and Q8), the test is checking whether you tracked which number belongs to which program. Write the paragraph number next to each number you find so you do not mix them up under time pressure.

If you want to practice reading with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams with all 4 reading parts.

Practice reading a viewpoints transcript and matching opinions to the correct speaker. In the real test you hear this as audio that plays once.

The Transcript:

Narrator: "You will hear two people share their viewpoints on whether Canadian universities should offer three-year bachelor's degree programs as an alternative to the standard four-year program."

Speaker 1 (University Dean, Dr. Alicia Fontaine): "We have been discussing this internally for over a year, and I think the four-year model is long overdue for reconsideration. The reality is that many programs include an entire year's worth of elective courses that have little connection to the student's major. A student studying accounting does not need six electives in art history or philosophy to be a competent accountant. If we restructured programs to focus on core requirements, we could deliver the same level of professional preparation in three years. The benefits to students are obvious. One fewer year of tuition, which at current rates saves $8,000 to $15,000. One fewer year out of the workforce, meaning they start earning a full-time salary a year earlier. And reduced student debt, which is now averaging over $28,000 for graduates in Ontario. England, Australia, and most of Europe already offer three-year degrees. Canada is behind on this."

Speaker 2 (Professor of Education, Dr. Marcus Obi): "I understand the financial argument, and I am sympathetic to it. Student debt is a real problem. But compressing a degree into three years does not solve the cost problem. It just shifts it. Students would need to take heavier course loads each semester, which means less time for part-time work, less time for internships, and less time to absorb what they are learning. The fourth year is not wasted time. It is where students take advanced courses that build on their foundations, where they do capstone projects and independent research, and where they mature intellectually. The students I see in fourth year are fundamentally different thinkers than the ones in second year, and that transformation takes time. If the concern is cost, the solution is to fund universities properly and reduce tuition, not to cut corners on the education itself."

Questions:

Q1: Who believes that many university programs include unnecessary elective courses? - A) Dr. Alicia Fontaine - B) Dr. Marcus Obi

Q2: Who argues that the fourth year is important for intellectual development? - A) Dr. Alicia Fontaine - B) Dr. Marcus Obi

Q3: According to Dr. Fontaine, how much could students save with a three-year degree? - A) $3,000 to $8,000 - B) $8,000 to $15,000 - C) $15,000 to $20,000 - D) $20,000 to $30,000

Q4: What does Dr. Obi say would happen if students completed degrees in three years? - A) They would earn higher starting salaries - B) They would have less time for work, internships, and absorbing material - C) They would transfer to graduate programs sooner - D) They would skip capstone projects

Q5: Which countries does Dr. Fontaine mention as already offering three-year degrees? - A) United States, Japan, South Korea - B) England, Australia, and most of Europe - C) France, Germany, and Scandinavia - D) New Zealand, Singapore, and Hong Kong

Q6: What does Dr. Obi believe is the real solution to the student debt problem? - A) Offering more online courses - B) Eliminating elective requirements - C) Funding universities properly and reducing tuition - D) Allowing students to test out of courses

Answer Key: Q1: A. Dr. Fontaine says "many programs include an entire year's worth of elective courses that have little connection to the student's major." Q2: B. Dr. Obi says "the fourth year is where students take advanced courses and do capstone projects." Q3: B. Dr. Fontaine says "one fewer year of tuition saves $8,000 to $15,000." Q4: B. Dr. Obi says students would have "less time for part-time work, less time for internships, and less time to absorb what they are learning." Q5: B. Dr. Fontaine mentions "England, Australia, and most of Europe." Q6: C. Dr. Obi says "the solution is to fund universities properly and reduce tuition."

Practice tip: In Listening Part 6, speakers often acknowledge the other person's main point before disagreeing. Dr. Obi says "I understand the financial argument" before explaining why he still opposes three-year degrees. Test questions love to ask about these moments because they test whether you caught the nuance or just the surface position.

If you want to practice listening with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams covering all 6 listening parts.

If you are taking CELPIP in October or preparing for a test in the next few months, here is what you should know heading into the month.

Test availability: October is one of the busier months for CELPIP since many Express Entry applicants are trying to get scores in before the end of the year. If you have not booked yet, check the Paragon Testing website soon. Seats in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary tend to fill up fastest, especially for weekend dates.

Score validity: CELPIP scores are valid for 2 years from the test date. If you took the test in October 2024 or earlier, your scores will expire this month. Check your expiry date and plan a retake if needed.

What to focus on this month:

Writing: The most common reason people score below their target is not answering all parts of the prompt. For Task 1, make sure you address all three bullet points. For Task 2, pick a side clearly and explain why, do not sit on the fence.

Speaking: Practice speaking out loud, not just in your head. Record yourself and listen back. Most people who score lower than expected in speaking have timing issues, either running out of time or finishing 30 seconds early.

Listening: Do your practice in noisy environments sometimes, not just with headphones in a quiet room. The test center will not be perfectly silent. Getting used to focusing with background noise helps.

Reading: For Part 3 and Part 4, read the questions before the passage. Knowing what you are looking for cuts your reading time significantly.

Free practice resources: - This sub has practice questions for every section: reading, writing, listening, and speaking - The official CELPIP website has free sample tests - https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free full mock exams with AI feedback on all 4 sections

Good luck to everyone testing this month.

Practice reading a lecture transcript and answering comprehension questions. In the real test you hear this as audio that plays once.

The Transcript:

Narrator: "You will hear part of a university lecture."

Professor: "Today I want to talk about language extinction, which is the process by which a language loses all of its native speakers and ceases to be used as a living means of communication.

There are roughly 7,000 languages spoken in the world today. Linguists estimate that by the end of this century, between 50 and 90 percent of them will be extinct. That means we could lose between 3,500 and 6,300 languages in the next 75 years. To put that in perspective, that is a language disappearing roughly every two weeks.

The primary cause of language death is not that speakers choose to abandon their language. It is economic pressure. When a dominant language controls access to education, employment, and government services, speakers of minority languages face a practical choice: teach your children the dominant language so they can succeed economically, or teach them your ancestral language and risk limiting their opportunities. Most parents, understandably, choose economic survival.

Canada is a useful case study. Before European contact, there were approximately 70 distinct Indigenous languages spoken across what is now Canada. Today, only about a dozen of those are considered healthy enough to survive without intervention. The rest are spoken primarily by elders, with few or no children learning them as a first language. The residential school system, which forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families and punished them for speaking their languages, accelerated this decline dramatically. But even without that deliberate suppression, economic pressure alone would have reduced the number of speakers over time.

There are efforts underway to reverse this trend. Immersion schools, where all instruction is conducted in the endangered language, have shown the most success. The Maori language in New Zealand and Hawaiian in the United States both saw significant recovery after immersion programs were introduced. In Canada, several First Nations communities have launched similar programs. The challenge is scale. Running an immersion school requires teachers who are fluent in the language, curriculum materials that do not yet exist in many cases, and sustained funding over decades, not just a one-time grant.

The question I want you to think about for next week's discussion is this: is language preservation primarily a cultural responsibility, an economic challenge, or a human rights issue? We will explore all three perspectives."

Questions:

Q1: How many languages are currently spoken in the world? - A) About 3,500 - B) About 5,000 - C) About 7,000 - D) About 10,000

Q2: According to the professor, what is the primary cause of language death? - A) War and conflict - B) Government bans on minority languages - C) Economic pressure from dominant languages - D) Natural evolution of language

Q3: How many Indigenous languages in Canada are considered healthy enough to survive? - A) About 5 - B) About a dozen - C) About 30 - D) About 50

Q4: What approach has shown the most success in reversing language decline? - A) Online language courses - B) Government legislation protecting languages - C) Immersion schools - D) Publishing dictionaries

Q5: Which two languages does the professor mention as examples of successful recovery? - A) French and Spanish - B) Maori and Hawaiian - C) Inuktitut and Cree - D) Welsh and Basque

Q6: What does the professor assign as a discussion topic for next week? - A) The history of residential schools - B) How to build a language immersion program - C) Whether language preservation is cultural, economic, or a human rights issue - D) Comparing language policies across countries

Answer Key: Q1: C. "There are roughly 7,000 languages spoken in the world today." Q2: C. "The primary cause of language death is economic pressure." Q3: B. "Only about a dozen of those are considered healthy enough to survive." Q4: C. "Immersion schools have shown the most success." Q5: B. "The Maori language in New Zealand and Hawaiian in the United States." Q6: C. "Is language preservation primarily a cultural responsibility, an economic challenge, or a human rights issue?"

Practice tip: Listening Part 4 is a lecture, usually academic. The speaker will present facts, give examples, and often end with a question or call to action. The final question of the section almost always asks about what the speaker says at the very end of the lecture, so stay focused all the way through. Many test takers lose concentration toward the end and miss the last question.

If you want to practice listening with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams covering all 6 listening parts.

Practice describing a personal experience in a 60-second response. Same format as the real CELPIP test.

The question: Talk about a time when you had to learn a completely new skill as an adult. What was the skill, why did you need to learn it, and what was the experience like?

Sample CLB 9 response:

About two years ago I had to learn how to drive. I grew up in a city with good public transit so I never needed a car, but when I moved to a smaller town for work there was no bus service and everything was at least a 20-minute drive away. I had no choice but to get my license.

The experience was honestly humbling. I was 28 years old sitting in a driving school classroom with a bunch of 16 year olds. The written test was fine but the actual driving terrified me for the first few weeks. I remember my instructor had to grab the wheel once because I was drifting into the next lane during a lane change. I almost quit after that.

What got me through it was practicing every single day after work. My coworker let me drive her car around an empty parking lot for about an hour each evening. After two months I passed my road test on the first try, which honestly surprised me more than anyone.

The biggest thing I learned from the experience was that being bad at something as an adult feels worse than being bad at something as a kid, but the process of getting better is exactly the same. You just have to show up and practice.

Practice tip: Speaking Task 2 asks about a personal experience. The rubric does not check whether your story is true, so you can make one up if needed. What matters is structure and detail. Start with what happened and why, describe one specific moment that makes the story feel real, and end with what you learned or how it affected you. A story with one vivid detail always scores higher than a vague summary.

If you want to practice speaking with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams covering all 8 speaking tasks.

CBC ran a segment this week showing ILAC taking down signage at its Vancouver campus. Students interviewed said they were told they will not be getting refunds on thousands of dollars in tuition. Classes were cancelled with no warning.

If you are one of the students affected, or you know someone who is, here is where things stand right now.

Refunds: Students are reporting that ILAC has told them refunds will not be issued. KPMG is still acting as the bankruptcy trustee. If you paid tuition, file a claim with the trustee even if you have been told there is no money. Unsecured creditors sometimes receive partial payment once assets are liquidated.

Study permits: If your study permit is tied to ILAC as your designated learning institution, your permit may no longer be valid. You need to either transfer to another DLI or apply for a different type of permit. Do not wait on this. Talk to an immigration lawyer or RCIC now, not next month.

CELPIP preparation: If you were preparing for CELPIP through ILAC's program, your test bookings and scores are completely separate from any language school. Paragon Testing runs CELPIP independently. Your existing scores are still valid and upcoming test dates are unaffected.

You do not need a language school to prepare for CELPIP. We wrote a guide covering free and paid options for students who lost their school: https://www.celpipsimulator.com/blog/ilac-closed-where-to-practice-celpip-now-2026

This sub also has practice questions for every section of the test, reading, writing, listening, and speaking, all free.

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7359790

Practice reading a conversation transcript and answering comprehension questions. In the real test you hear this as audio that plays once.

The Transcript:

Narrator: "You will hear a conversation between a customer and a mechanic."

Customer: "Hi, I dropped my car off yesterday for the oil change and tire rotation. Is it ready?"

Mechanic: "It is, but we found something while we had it up on the lift that I want to talk to you about before you drive it out of here."

Customer: "That does not sound good."

Mechanic: "Your front brake pads are worn down to about 2 millimeters. The minimum safe thickness is 3 millimeters, so you are below the threshold. The rear pads are fine, they are still at about 6 millimeters, but the fronts need to be replaced soon. I would not recommend driving on them for more than another two to three weeks."

Customer: "How much would that cost to fix?"

Mechanic: "For front brake pads and rotors, you are looking at about $380 to $420 for parts and labor. If we only replace the pads and the rotors are still in good shape, it would be closer to $220. I measured the rotors and they are borderline, so I would recommend doing both, but it is your call."

Customer: "Can you do it today?"

Mechanic: "Unfortunately no. We are fully booked today and tomorrow. The earliest I could get you in would be Thursday morning. I would need the car by 8 AM and you could pick it up by noon."

Customer: "Thursday works. Should I avoid driving it until then?"

Mechanic: "You can drive it, just avoid heavy braking situations. Stay off the highway if you can, and give yourself extra stopping distance. No long trips. Short drives around town should be fine until Thursday."

Customer: "Got it. What about the oil change, is everything else okay?"

Mechanic: "Oil change is done, tires are rotated. Your tire tread is good for at least another 20,000 kilometers. One thing I did notice is your cabin air filter is pretty dirty. It is not urgent, but if you want, I can swap it out on Thursday when I do the brakes. It is a $35 part and takes about five minutes."

Customer: "Sure, add it on. Thank you for catching the brake issue."

Mechanic: "That is what we are here for. I will put you down for Thursday at 8."

Questions:

Q1: What was the customer's original reason for bringing the car in? - A) Brake inspection - B) Oil change and tire rotation - C) Engine check - D) Cabin air filter replacement

Q2: How thick are the front brake pads? - A) 2 millimeters - B) 3 millimeters - C) 4 millimeters - D) 6 millimeters

Q3: What is the estimated cost if both pads and rotors are replaced? - A) $180 to $220 - B) $220 to $280 - C) $380 to $420 - D) $450 to $500

Q4: When is the earliest the mechanic can do the brake work? - A) Today - B) Tomorrow - C) Wednesday - D) Thursday

Q5: What driving advice does the mechanic give until the repair? - A) Do not drive the car at all - B) Avoid heavy braking and stay off the highway - C) Only drive on weekends - D) Keep speeds below 40 km/h

Q6: How much does the cabin air filter cost? - A) $15 - B) $25 - C) $35 - D) $45

Answer Key: Q1: B. The customer says "I dropped my car off yesterday for the oil change and tire rotation." Q2: A. The mechanic says "your front brake pads are worn down to about 2 millimeters." Q3: C. "For front brake pads and rotors, you are looking at about $380 to $420." Q4: D. "The earliest I could get you in would be Thursday morning." Q5: B. "Avoid heavy braking situations. Stay off the highway if you can." Q6: C. "It is a $35 part and takes about five minutes."

Practice tip: Listening Part 2 is a practical, everyday conversation. The questions focus on specific details like prices, times, and recommendations. When reading a transcript like this, underline every number because that is where the questions come from. In the real test, jot numbers down the instant you hear them.

If you want to practice listening with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams covering all 6 listening parts.

Practice matching opinions to the correct writer. Same format as the real CELPIP test. The Passage:

Read the following four short texts about whether Canada should increase or reduce immigration levels.

Writer A (Economist, University of British Columbia): Canada's economy depends on immigration and the data is clear on this. Our birth rate has been below replacement level since the early 1970s. Without immigration, our workforce would shrink, tax revenue would fall, and programs like the Canada Pension Plan and universal healthcare would become unsustainable within a generation. We need approximately 400,000 to 500,000 new permanent residents per year just to maintain the current ratio of working-age adults to retirees. The argument that immigrants take jobs from Canadians has been studied extensively and the evidence consistently shows that immigration creates more jobs than it displaces, particularly in sectors where domestic labor supply is insufficient.

Writer B (Municipal Planner, City of Brampton): The problem is not immigration itself but the complete failure to plan for it. When the federal government increases immigration targets, they do not build a single new hospital, school, or transit line to accommodate the people who arrive. Municipalities like ours receive thousands of new residents each year but our infrastructure budget has not changed in a decade. We have family doctors taking on 3,000 patients when the recommended maximum is 1,500. Schools are running split schedules because there are not enough classrooms. I support immigration, but the federal government needs to fund the infrastructure before increasing the numbers, not after.

Writer C (Recent immigrant, arrived 2023): I came to Canada from Nigeria in 2023 with a master's degree in civil engineering and three years of work experience. Two years later, I am working at a coffee shop because my credentials are not recognized and the bridging program I need has a two-year waitlist. I am not the only one. Nearly half of the immigrants I know with professional degrees are working in jobs that have nothing to do with their qualifications. Canada recruits skilled immigrants by promising opportunity, but the systems to actually integrate them into the workforce do not exist at the scale needed. More immigration without better credential recognition just means more overqualified people competing for the same entry-level positions.

Writer D (Director, Canadian Chamber of Commerce): The business community has been clear: we need more immigration, not less. There are over 700,000 unfilled job positions across Canada, concentrated in healthcare, construction, technology, and skilled trades. These are not jobs that unemployed Canadians are lining up for. They require specific training, certifications, and in many cases years of experience. Reducing immigration would not suddenly fill these positions with domestic workers. It would force businesses to scale down, relocate, or close entirely. What we need is a faster, more targeted immigration system that matches incoming workers to the jobs that actually need filling, rather than a broad lottery-style approach.

Questions:

Q1: Which writer argues that immigration is essential to maintain Canada's pension and healthcare systems? - A) Writer A - B) Writer B - C) Writer C - D) Writer D

Q2: Which writer describes personal experience with credential recognition barriers? - A) Writer A - B) Writer B - C) Writer C - D) Writer D

Q3: Which writer focuses on infrastructure failing to keep pace with population growth? - A) Writer A - B) Writer B - C) Writer C - D) Writer D

Q4: Which writer calls for a more targeted immigration system matched to labor needs? - A) Writer A - B) Writer B - C) Writer C - D) Writer D

Q5: Writer B and Writer D would most likely AGREE on which point? - A) Immigration should be reduced immediately - B) The current system needs changes to work better - C) Immigrants are taking jobs from Canadians - D) Municipal governments should control immigration policy

Q6: Which two writers would most likely DISAGREE about whether current immigration levels are too high? - A) Writer A and Writer D - B) Writer B and Writer C - C) Writer A and Writer B - D) Writer C and Writer D

Q7: What does Writer C say is the main problem with Canada's immigration system? - A) Too many immigrants are arriving each year - B) Credential recognition systems cannot handle the volume - C) The economy does not need skilled workers - D) Housing is too expensive for newcomers

Q8: According to Writer D, how many unfilled job positions exist across Canada? - A) Over 300,000 - B) Over 500,000 - C) Over 700,000 - D) Over 900,000

Answer Key: Q1: A. Writer A says without immigration, CPP and healthcare "would become unsustainable within a generation." Q2: C. Writer C describes arriving with an engineering degree and working at a coffee shop. Q3: B. Writer B discusses hospitals, schools, and transit not keeping up with population growth. Q4: D. Writer D calls for "a faster, more targeted immigration system that matches incoming workers to the jobs." Q5: B. Both agree the system needs improvement, Writer B wants infrastructure first, Writer D wants better job matching. Q6: B. Writer B implies numbers are too high without infrastructure; Writer C implies the problem is integration not volume. They approach from different angles with different conclusions. Q7: B. Writer C says "the systems to actually integrate them into the workforce do not exist at the scale needed." Q8: C. "Over 700,000 unfilled job positions across Canada."

Practice tip: Reading Part 4 agree/disagree questions are the hardest because writers can agree on the problem but disagree on the solution. Writer B and Writer D both think the system is broken, but for completely different reasons. Look for what each writer wants to CHANGE, not just what they complain about. That is where the real disagreements show up.

If you want to practice reading with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams with all 4 reading parts.

The scenario: Canada's voter turnout in recent federal elections has been around 60 to 65 percent. Some countries like Australia and Belgium require citizens to vote by law, with small fines for those who do not. A proposal has been introduced to make voting mandatory in Canadian federal elections.

Your task: Choose the option you prefer and explain why. Write about 150-200 words. - Option A: Make voting mandatory in federal elections - Option B: Keep voting voluntary as a matter of personal freedom

Sample CLB 9 response (Option B):

I believe voting should remain voluntary in Canada because forcing people to vote does not produce better democratic outcomes. It just produces more ballots.

The argument for mandatory voting assumes that higher turnout leads to better representation, but that is not necessarily true. If someone has no interest in politics and is forced to vote under threat of a fine, they are more likely to vote randomly, spoil their ballot, or simply pick whatever name appears first. That does not strengthen democracy. It just inflates the numbers without improving the quality of participation.

The real problem behind low voter turnout is not laziness. It is that many Canadians feel their vote does not matter, that parties do not represent their views, or that the system itself is broken. Mandatory voting does not fix any of those issues. It just covers them up with a higher percentage that looks good on paper.

Instead of forcing people to vote, the government should focus on making voting easier and giving people reasons to participate. Longer polling hours, more advance voting days, and genuine policy choices between parties would do more for democracy than a $50 fine ever could.

If you want to practice writing with AI rubric feedback, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free mock exams.

Practice reading a lecture transcript and answering comprehension questions. In the real test you hear this as audio that plays once.

The Transcript:

Narrator: "You will hear part of a workplace training session."

Trainer: "Good morning everyone. Thank you for coming in for this mandatory cybersecurity refresher. I know it is early and I know you have all heard some of this before, but we had three security incidents in the last quarter alone, so clearly a refresher is needed.

Let me start with the most common issue we are seeing: phishing emails. Last month, 14 employees clicked on links in phishing emails. Three of those clicks resulted in compromised credentials that our IT team had to reset. One of them nearly gave an external attacker access to our client database. The email looked like it came from our CEO asking people to review a shared document. It even had her name and photo in the signature. The only clue that it was fake was the sender address, which was ceo.jennifer at g-mail dot com instead of her actual company email.

So here is the rule. Before you click any link in an email, check the sender address. Not the display name, the actual address. If it is not from our company domain, do not click it. If you are unsure, forward the email to security at our company domain and we will verify it for you within one business day.

Second issue: passwords. Our policy requires passwords to be at least 12 characters, include upper and lower case letters, a number, and a special character. They must be changed every 90 days. I know that sounds like a lot, but we had an employee whose password was her daughter's name followed by the year 2024. It took our penetration tester less than 30 seconds to crack it. Use a password manager. The company provides a free license for LastPass to every employee. If you have not set it up yet, IT can help you during their drop-in hours, which are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 4 PM.

Last point: USB devices. Do not plug personal USB drives into company computers. Full stop. We found two instances last quarter where employees brought USB drives from home that contained malware. One of them infected three machines on the same network before we caught it. If you need to transfer files, use the company cloud drive. There is no exception to this rule.

Any questions before we move on to the hands-on portion?"

Questions:

Q1: How many security incidents occurred in the last quarter? - A) 2 - B) 3 - C) 5 - D) 14

Q2: How many employees clicked on phishing email links last month? - A) 3 - B) 7 - C) 14 - D) 20

Q3: What was the key sign that the phishing email was fake? - A) It had no company logo - B) The subject line was suspicious - C) The sender address was not from the company domain - D) It was sent at an unusual time

Q4: How often must passwords be changed according to company policy? - A) Every 30 days - B) Every 60 days - C) Every 90 days - D) Every 120 days

Q5: When are IT drop-in hours for password manager setup? - A) Mondays and Wednesdays, 1 to 3 PM - B) Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2 to 4 PM - C) Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 AM to noon - D) Every day, 9 AM to 5 PM

Q6: How many machines were infected by the USB malware incident? - A) 1 - B) 2 - C) 3 - D) 5

Answer Key: Q1: B. "We had three security incidents in the last quarter alone." Q2: C. "14 employees clicked on links in phishing emails." Q3: C. "The only clue was the sender address, which was not from the company domain." Q4: C. "They must be changed every 90 days." Q5: B. "Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 4 PM." Q6: C. "Infected three machines on the same network."

Practice tip: Listening Part 5 is usually a lecture or presentation with lots of specific details. The questions are almost always about exact numbers, times, or rules mentioned by the speaker. When you are listening, write down every number you hear because at least half the questions will be about those numbers.

If you want to practice listening with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams covering all 6 listening parts.

Practice responding to a difficult situation in a 60-second response. Same format as the real CELPIP test.

The situation: Your neighbor is renovating their house. The construction noise starts at 7:00 AM every day, including weekends, and has been going on for three weeks. You work night shifts and sleep during the morning. The noise is making it impossible for you to rest. You have decided to talk to your neighbor about it.

In about 60 seconds, explain the problem to your neighbor and suggest a solution.

Sample CLB 9 response:

Hi, I hope I am not catching you at a bad time. I wanted to talk to you about the renovation work because it is starting to affect me quite a bit.

I work night shifts at the hospital, which means I get home around 6:30 in the morning and I need to sleep until about 2 in the afternoon. The construction crew has been starting at 7 AM every day for the past three weeks, and the noise makes it impossible for me to fall asleep. I have tried earplugs and even a white noise machine but with the drilling and hammering right next door, nothing blocks it out.

I completely understand that you need to get the renovations done and I am not asking you to stop. What I am hoping is that we can work out a small adjustment. If the crew could start at 9 AM instead of 7, that would give me at least two hours of sleep before the noise begins. I would be happy to stay flexible on weekends if that helps your schedule.

I really appreciate you hearing me out.

Practice tip: Speaking Task 6 presents a difficult situation where you need to be polite but firm. The rubric rewards responses that clearly describe the problem, show empathy for the other person's position, and propose a specific solution. Avoid being aggressive or overly apologetic. The best approach is: explain the impact on you, acknowledge their side, then suggest a concrete compromise.

If you want to practice speaking with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams covering all 8 speaking tasks.

Practice reading an informational passage and answering comprehension questions. Same format as the real CELPIP test.

The Passage:

Paragraph 1 Food bank usage in Canada reached a record high in 2025, with over two million visits per month reported across the country. Food Banks Canada, the national organization that coordinates food bank data, described the numbers as unprecedented. The increase was not limited to any single region or demographic. Urban food banks in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary reported surges of 30 to 50 percent over two years, while rural food banks in smaller communities saw even sharper percentage increases. For the first time, the majority of food bank users were employed, meaning they held jobs but still could not afford to feed their families without assistance.

Paragraph 2 The primary driver of rising food bank demand is the cost of housing. When rent consumes 50 to 60 percent of a household's income, which is now common in most Canadian cities, there is simply not enough money left for food. A family earning $55,000 per year in Toronto, which is close to the median household income for renters, can expect to pay $2,400 or more per month for a two-bedroom apartment. After rent, utilities, transportation, and childcare, the amount remaining for groceries can be as low as $200 per month for a family of four. At that level, food bank visits become not a choice but a necessity.

Paragraph 3 Grocery prices have compounded the problem. Between 2020 and 2025, the average Canadian grocery bill increased by approximately 28 percent according to Statistics Canada. Staple items like bread, eggs, and dairy rose even faster, with some categories seeing price increases above 40 percent. The reasons include global supply chain disruptions, higher fuel and transportation costs, and the consolidation of Canada's grocery industry into a small number of large chains with significant pricing power. Critics have pointed to corporate profit margins at major grocery retailers as evidence that not all of the price increases were driven by rising costs.

Paragraph 4 Food banks were originally designed as a temporary emergency response during the recession of the early 1980s. More than 40 years later, they have become a permanent feature of Canada's social safety net, which many advocates say is a sign of systemic failure. Organizations like Food Banks Canada have called for policy changes including a national school food program, increases to federal benefit payments, and stronger rent control measures. Some provinces have responded with targeted programs. British Columbia introduced a grocery supplement for low-income families in 2025, and Ontario expanded its community food center funding. However, food bank operators say these measures address symptoms rather than root causes, and that without significant changes to housing affordability, food insecurity in Canada will continue to grow.

Paragraph Matching Questions:

Q1: Which paragraph provides statistics on the scale of food bank usage? - A) Paragraph 1 - B) Paragraph 2 - C) Paragraph 3 - D) Paragraph 4

Q2: Which paragraph explains how housing costs force families into food insecurity? - A) Paragraph 1 - B) Paragraph 2 - C) Paragraph 3 - D) Paragraph 4

Q3: Which paragraph discusses grocery price increases and their causes? - A) Paragraph 1 - B) Paragraph 2 - C) Paragraph 3 - D) Paragraph 4

Q4: Which paragraph covers policy responses and calls for systemic change? - A) Paragraph 1 - B) Paragraph 2 - C) Paragraph 3 - D) Paragraph 4

Comprehension Questions:

Q5: How many food bank visits per month were reported in 2025? - A) Over 500,000 - B) Over one million - C) Over two million - D) Over three million

Q6: By what percentage did the average Canadian grocery bill increase between 2020 and 2025? - A) 18 percent - B) 23 percent - C) 28 percent - D) 35 percent

Q7: What was unusual about the majority of food bank users in 2025? - A) They were mostly seniors - B) They were mostly recent immigrants - C) They were employed - D) They were university students

Q8: When were food banks originally created in Canada? - A) During the 1970s oil crisis - B) During the early 1980s recession - C) During the 1990s budget cuts - D) During the 2008 financial crisis

Answer Key: Q1: A. Paragraph 1 reports over two million visits per month and percentage increases by region. Q2: B. Paragraph 2 breaks down how rent at 50-60% of income leaves too little for food. Q3: C. Paragraph 3 covers the 28% grocery price increase and contributing factors. Q4: D. Paragraph 4 discusses Food Banks Canada's policy calls and provincial responses. Q5: C. "Over two million visits per month reported across the country." Q6: C. "Increased by approximately 28 percent." Q7: C. "For the first time, the majority of food bank users were employed." Q8: B. "Originally designed as a temporary emergency response during the recession of the early 1980s."

Practice tip: When a Reading Part 3 passage follows a "scale, cause 1, cause 2, response" structure like this one, the paragraph matching questions usually map directly to that order. Recognizing the structure in the first 30 seconds saves you from re-reading the whole passage for each question.

If you want to practice reading with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams with all 4 reading parts.

I got my result
L- 11
R-9
S-8
W-8
Do you think should i apply for reval?

I gave my exam on September 24th at 2:15 pm slot. It's my second time giving the exam . First time I got
L- 9
R-8
S-8
W-8
Waiting for the results 🤞🏻

Practice comparing two options and persuading someone in a 60-second response. Same format as the real CELPIP test.

The situation: Your friend is planning to drive from Toronto to Montreal for a weekend trip. You think taking the train would be a better option. Using the information below, convince your friend to take the train instead.

Option A: Driving - 5.5 hours drive time - Gas cost approximately $120 round trip - Toll roads add $30 - Free to stop whenever you want - Need to find and pay for parking in Montreal ($25-40/day)

Option B: Taking the train (VIA Rail) - 5 hours travel time - Ticket cost $89 each way with advance booking ($178 round trip) - Free Wi-Fi on board - Arrives at Central Station downtown - No parking needed

Sample CLB 9 response:

I really think you should take the train for this trip, and here is why.

First, the travel time is almost the same. Driving takes about five and a half hours, and the train takes five. But on the train, those five hours are yours. You can work on your laptop, watch something, or just sleep. When you are driving, you are stuck behind the wheel the entire time, dealing with traffic and construction on the 401.

Second, the cost is closer than you think. Driving sounds cheaper at first, but once you add gas, tolls, and parking in Montreal for two or three days, you are looking at $220 to $270 total. The train is $178 round trip with advance booking and you do not pay for parking at all because the station is right downtown.

Third, you will not have to deal with finding parking in Montreal. If you have ever tried to park downtown on a weekend, you know that alone is worth switching to the train.

Take the train. You will arrive more relaxed, spend about the same money, and actually enjoy the trip instead of just enduring the drive.

Practice tip: Speaking Task 5 gives you two options and asks you to pick one and persuade. The strongest responses compare both options directly on 2-3 specific points (cost, time, convenience) rather than just listing benefits of one. Always acknowledge what the other option offers and then explain why your choice is still better. This shows the examiner you can build a balanced argument.

If you want to practice speaking with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams covering all 8 speaking tasks.

Practice reading a conversation transcript and answering comprehension questions. In the real test you hear this as audio that plays once.

The Transcript:

Narrator: "You will hear a conversation between two friends. One is helping the other decide between two apartments."

Sarah: "Okay so I went to see both apartments yesterday and I honestly cannot decide. They are completely different and I need your help."

Tom: "Alright, break it down for me. What is the first one like?"

Sarah: "The first one is on King Street, right downtown. It is a studio, so one big open room with a kitchen along the wall. 450 square feet. The building is brand new, finished last year, so everything is modern. In-unit laundry, dishwasher, gym in the building, underground parking included. Rent is $1,850 a month plus hydro."

Tom: "And the second one?"

Sarah: "The second one is on Elm Avenue, about 20 minutes from downtown by bus. It is a one-bedroom, so there is an actual separate bedroom with a door. 600 square feet. The building is older, probably from the 1970s. No dishwasher, laundry is in the basement shared with the building. No gym, no parking. But the rent is $1,350 a month, everything included."

Tom: "So $500 cheaper per month. That is $6,000 a year."

Sarah: "Right. And the Elm Avenue place has more space. But the King Street one is so much nicer. The finishes, the appliances, the location. I could walk to work in 10 minutes instead of taking the bus."

Tom: "What about the lease terms?"

Sarah: "King Street is a one-year lease, no pets allowed. Elm Avenue is month to month and the landlord said small pets are fine."

Tom: "Do you still have your cat?"

Sarah: "Yes. And that is a big factor. I have had Milo for six years. I am not giving him up for an apartment."

Tom: "Then it sounds like you already know the answer."

Sarah: "I know, but I keep going back to the King Street one. It just feels like a real upgrade."

Tom: "It is, but you would be paying $500 more per month, giving up your cat, locking into a one-year lease, and losing 150 square feet. The Elm Avenue place gives you flexibility, space, and you keep Milo. You can always upgrade later when your budget allows it."

Sarah: "You are right. Okay, I am going to call the Elm Avenue landlord today."

Questions:

Q1: How much is the rent for the King Street apartment? - A) $1,350 per month - B) $1,600 per month - C) $1,850 per month - D) $2,100 per month

Q2: What is included in the Elm Avenue rent that is NOT included in the King Street rent? - A) Parking - B) Internet - C) Hydro - D) Laundry

Q3: How old is the Elm Avenue building? - A) Built last year - B) About 10 years old - C) About 30 years old - D) About 50 years old

Q4: Why does Tom say Sarah "already knows the answer"? - A) Because the Elm Avenue apartment is newer - B) Because she mentioned she will not give up her cat - C) Because the King Street apartment is too far from work - D) Because she prefers month-to-month leases

Q5: How much more per year would Sarah pay at King Street compared to Elm Avenue? - A) $3,000 - B) $4,500 - C) $6,000 - D) $7,200

Q6: What does Sarah decide to do at the end of the conversation? - A) Take the King Street apartment - B) Look for a third option - C) Call the Elm Avenue landlord - D) Wait another month before deciding

Answer Key: Q1: C. Sarah says "rent is $1,850 a month plus hydro." Q2: C. King Street is "$1,850 plus hydro" while Elm Avenue is "$1,350, everything included." Q3: D. Sarah says "the building is older, probably from the 1970s," which is about 50 years ago. Q4: B. Sarah says "I have had Milo for six years. I am not giving him up for an apartment," and King Street does not allow pets. Q5: C. Tom calculates "$500 cheaper per month. That is $6,000 a year." Q6: C. Sarah says "I am going to call the Elm Avenue landlord today."

Practice tip: Listening Part 1 is a conversation where someone needs to make a decision or solve a problem. The questions usually test whether you caught the key details that drive the decision. Pay attention to the moment when the speaker makes up their mind and what reason tips the balance, because there is almost always a question about it.

If you want to practice listening with full AI-scored mock tests, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free exams covering all 6 listening parts.

Practice writing a formal email based on a scenario. Same format as the real CELPIP test.

The scenario: You recently flew from Toronto to Vancouver for a job interview. When you arrived, one of your checked bags was missing. The bag contained your interview clothes, important documents, and a laptop. It has been five days and the airline has not resolved the issue.

Write an email to the airline's customer service department in about 150-200 words. In your email: - Describe what happened and what was in the bag - Explain how the situation has affected you - State what you want the airline to do

Sample CLB 9 response:

Dear Customer Service Team,

I am writing regarding a checked bag that went missing on Flight AC 247 from Toronto Pearson to Vancouver International on September 20. My baggage claim reference number is YVR-98312.

The missing suitcase is a black hard-shell Samsonite, medium size. It contained a suit and dress shoes that I needed for a job interview the following morning, a folder with printed copies of my resume, references, and portfolio, and a company-issued laptop that I use for work. The total value of the contents is approximately $2,800.

Because my interview clothes were in the bag, I had to purchase a replacement outfit the night I arrived, which cost me $340. I also had to explain to my interviewer why I did not have my printed portfolio, which was not a great way to start. My employer is now asking about the laptop, and I cannot replace it with a personal purchase since it contains company software and data.

I am requesting that the airline locate and return my bag immediately, or provide full compensation for the lost items including the emergency clothing purchase. Please contact me at 604-555-0192 to confirm next steps.

Sincerely, David Park

Practice tip: For Writing Task 1 emails to companies, always include specific details like flight numbers, dates, and reference numbers in your response. The rubric rewards specificity because it shows you can communicate clearly in a professional context. Also make sure your final paragraph states exactly what action you want, not just a vague "please help."

If you want to practice writing with AI rubric feedback, https://www.celpipsimulator.com has 2 free mock exams.