CELPIP General - Exam Preparation Exercises
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
The following exercises are to help you prepare for the CELPIP General Test, which is accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and many Canadian professional regulatory bodies as proof of English language proficiency. The test has four components: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
Listening Test
The CELPIP Listening Test lasts approximately 47 to 55 minutes and contains 38 questions across six parts. You will hear a range of spoken material including conversations, news items, and discussions, and must answer multiple-choice questions about what you hear.
Part 1 - Listening to Problem Solving
A conversation between two strangers in which one person helps the other work through an everyday problem.
Duration: About 8 minutes.
What You Do: Listen to three short audio segments that form a continuous conversation. After each segment, you answer 2-3 multiple-choice questions read aloud one at a time, with 30 seconds per question. There are 8 questions in total.
What It Tests: Your ability to follow how a problem is introduced, what solutions are explored, and what is decided.
Pass Your Cambridge Exam - from ESL Lounge
- Interactive practice that takes you from first exercises to full mock exam conditions.
- B2 First, C1 Advanced and more — instant scores on hundreds of tasks.
- 365-day access — study at your own pace, on any device.
🎓 Try a free sample course today
Our Courses | FAQ | Sign Up!
Part 2 - Listening to a Daily Life Conversation
A single conversation between two people who know each other, such as colleagues, friends, or family members.
Duration: About 5 minutes.
What You Do: Listen to one audio clip of approximately 1.5 to 2 minutes, then answer 5 multiple-choice questions read aloud one at a time, with 30 seconds per question.
What It Tests: Your understanding of the main points, attitudes, and tone of an informal exchange.
Are you also an English teacher?
- High quality PDF lesson plans.
- Full teacher notes - zero preparation time.
- mp3 listening materials.
- Full color flashcards for grammar/vocabulary teaching.
- Thousands of content members from around the world.
- Lesson plans in both British and American English.
Premium Home Page | Free Samples | Why Join | FAQ | Sign Up!
Take The Tour
★Special Coupon Discount★
$8 off Lifetime Membership. Enter coupon code 8LIFE at registration.
(valid for this month)
Part 3 - Listening for Information
A conversation in which one speaker provides detailed practical information to another, such as at a service counter or information desk.
Duration: About 6 minutes.
What You Do: Listen to one audio clip of approximately 2 to 2.5 minutes, then answer 6 multiple-choice questions read aloud one at a time, with 30 seconds per question.
What It Tests: Your ability to identify and retain specific facts, figures, and details from a structured, information-heavy exchange.
Practice Real English Conversations
- Listen to natural spoken English and choose how to respond
- Build vocabulary with key phrases and definitions
- Replay audio at slow speed to catch every word
- Review the full transcript when you've finished
Part 4 - Listening to a News Item
A news report delivered by a single speaker in a formal, factual style similar to a radio or television broadcast.
Duration: About 5 minutes.
What You Do: Listen to one audio clip of approximately 1.5 minutes. All 5 questions appear on screen at the same time as sentence-completion dropdowns, and you can answer them in any order within the time allowed.
What It Tests: Your understanding of specific details, key events, and the main points of a formal spoken text.
Best CELPIP Books For Students
CELPIP Study Guide and Practice Test and Answers | See in UK
Part 5 - Listening to a Discussion
A three-way discussion in which three speakers talk about a topic, such as planning an event or making a group decision.
Duration: About 9 minutes.
What You Do: Listen to one audio clip of approximately 1.5 to 2 minutes. All 8 questions appear on screen at the same time as sentence-completion dropdowns, and you can answer them in any order.
What It Tests: Your ability to follow multiple speakers, track different viewpoints, and understand what is agreed or disputed.
What's My Level? — Free CEFR English Level Test
- Adaptive — questions get harder or easier based on your answers.
- Multiple skills — grammar, vocabulary, and listening.
- Quick — find out your CEFR level (A1–C2) in under five minutes.
Part 6 - Listening for Viewpoints
A monologue in which a single speaker delivers a prepared talk presenting and analysing different perspectives on a topic. The language is formal and may include specialised vocabulary.
Duration: About 8 minutes.
What You Do: Listen to one audio clip of approximately 3 minutes. All 6 questions appear on screen at the same time as sentence-completion dropdowns, and you can answer them in any order.
What It Tests: Your ability to distinguish between multiple viewpoints, understand the reasoning behind each, and identify the speaker's own position and conclusions.
Reading Test
The CELPIP Reading Test lasts approximately 55 to 60 minutes and contains 38 questions across four parts. You will read a variety of text types including correspondence, diagrams, informational passages, and opinion articles, and answer questions in dropdown format.
Part 1 - Reading Correspondence
Two related emails: a main message about an everyday social or work situation, and a shorter reply with gaps to fill in.
Duration: About 11 minutes.
What You Do: Read both emails and answer 11 sentence-completion questions in dropdown format. Questions 1-6 are about the main email; questions 7-11 are blanks within the reply. All text and questions appear on the same screen.
What It Tests: Your understanding of purpose, detail, and tone, and your ability to cross-reference information between the two texts.
Part 2 - Reading to Apply a Diagram
An information diagram (such as a brochure, schedule, or comparison guide) alongside a short email that applies the diagram's content to a specific situation.
Duration: About 9 minutes.
What You Do: Read the diagram and the email, then answer 8 questions in dropdown format. Five are blanks within the email; three are standalone questions below it. All text and questions appear on the same screen.
What It Tests: Your ability to find specific facts in the diagram and connect them to the situation described in the email.
Part 3 - Reading for Information
A four-paragraph informational text about a person, place, event, or process, with each paragraph labelled A to D.
Duration: About 10 minutes.
What You Do: Read 9 statements and decide which paragraph each one refers to, selecting A, B, C, or D. If the information is not stated anywhere in the text, you select E. All text and questions appear on the same screen.
What It Tests: Your ability to locate specific information within a structured text and to distinguish between what is stated and what is not.
Part 4 - Reading for Viewpoints
An article presenting multiple viewpoints on an issue, followed by a reader's comment with gaps to fill in.
Duration: About 13 minutes.
What You Do: Read the article and answer 10 questions in dropdown format. Questions 1-5 are standalone sentence completions about the article; questions 6-10 are blanks within the reader's comment. All text and questions appear on the same screen.
What It Tests: Your ability to track who holds which viewpoint, understand the reasoning behind different positions, and follow a new commenter's response to the article.
Highlighted Links
Some pages on the site you might not have seen.
Writing Test
The CELPIP Writing Test lasts 53 minutes and has two tasks. You will be assessed on your ability to communicate clearly and appropriately in written English for practical and social purposes.
Task 1 - Writing an Email
You are given a situation and must write an email addressing a set of specific points.
Duration: 27 minutes.
What You Do: Read a scenario and a set of bullet points, then write an email of 150-200 words that addresses each one. The situation may ask you to make a request, offer an apology, give information, or respond to a problem.
What It Tests: Your ability to write a clear, well-organised email with appropriate tone, complete coverage of the required points, and accurate language.
Task 2 - Responding to Survey Questions
You are presented with a scenario and two options, and must explain which you prefer and why.
Duration: 26 minutes.
What You Do: Read the scenario and the two options, then write a response of 150-200 words choosing one option and supporting your choice with reasons and examples in connected paragraphs.
What It Tests: Your ability to state a clear position, develop it with well-supported reasoning, and maintain a confident, appropriate tone throughout.
Speaking Test
The CELPIP Speaking Test lasts approximately 15 minutes and contains eight tasks. All responses are recorded by computer. You are assessed on content and coherence, vocabulary, listenability, and task fulfillment.
Task 1 - Giving Advice
You will help someone make a decision or prepare for something by giving practical advice with reasons.
Task 2 - Talking about a Personal Experience
You will tell a story about a past experience, using descriptive detail to bring the listener into the situation.
Task 3 - Describing a Scene
You will look at an illustration and describe what is happening to someone who cannot see the picture.
Task 4 - Making Predictions
Using the same illustration from Task 3, you will describe what you think will happen next.
Task 5 - Comparing and Persuading
You will choose between two options and then persuade another person that your choice is the better one.
Task 6 - Dealing with a Difficult Situation
You will explain a decision to a friend, family member, or colleague in a considerate but direct way.
Task 7 - Expressing Opinions
You will answer a "Do you think...?" question by stating your position clearly and supporting it with at least three reasons.
Task 8 - Describing an Unusual Situation
You will describe a picture of an unusual item or situation to someone who cannot see it, using precise and imaginative language.
