Task objective
You read an informational passage (often split into labeled paragraphs A, B, C, D) and answer questions about the main idea, specific details, and sometimes which paragraph contains certain information.
How to complete the task
- 1
Read the questions first and identify keywords to look for.
- 2
Skim each paragraph to know what each one is about.
- 3
For each question, go to the likely paragraph and read for the answer in detail.
- 4
For 'which paragraph…?' questions, use keywords to locate the section.
- 5
Choose the option the text directly supports, not the one that 'sounds logical'.
Tips & tricks
Question-first approach: reading questions before the text saves time and focus.
The correct answer usually paraphrases the text; distrust ones that copy exact words.
Don't use outside knowledge: answer only with what the passage says.
If stuck, mark your best option and move on; return if time allows.
How it's scored
Reading is computer-scored: 1 point per correct answer out of 38 questions across all 4 parts. That raw score converts to a CELPIP level from M to 12, which maps 1:1 to your CLB level (a CELPIP 9 is a CLB 9).
What this part measures
Informational comprehension: identifying the main idea, locating supporting details and recognizing paraphrase. The correct option usually restates the text in different words; the wrong ones tend to copy literal wording from the passage.
Raw score → CLB level
Each correct answer adds one point. The conversion isn't a linear percentage: it's adjusted for the difficulty of each test version. As a rough guide, 24–28 correct lands around CLB 7, 31–33 around CLB 9, and 33 or more points to CLB 10–12.
No penalty for wrong answers
A wrong answer is worth exactly the same as a blank one: zero. Never leave a question unmarked, even if you're guessing between two options — a 50% chance always beats a guaranteed zero.
Not all questions weigh the same
The harder parts (2 and 4) tend to contribute more to your final level. Reserving enough time for them pays off more than rushing Part 1 to save a few minutes.
The clock is part of the assessment: questions you don't reach count as wrong. If one blocks you, mark your best option and move on.
Ready to try it?
Practice this task with a real question.
Keep reading
Reading skill and its tasks
CELPIP Reading tests you on four types of text: correspondence, visual documents, informational articles, and opinion passages. Learn what each part asks and how to approach it.
Part 1. Reading Correspondence
A personal message and a reply with blanks. Your job: get the point and complete the reply so it makes sense.
Part 2. Reading to Apply a Diagram
A diagram (schedule, map, flyer) plus an email. You connect the visual info with the text.
Part 4. Reading for Viewpoints
An opinion article and a reader comment with blanks. You tell viewpoints and nuance apart.