Reading for Viewpoints

How the task works

An opinion piece followed by a comment responding to it. Ten questions, thirteen minutes, and the last thing you read on the test.

The questions ask what each writer thinks, where they differ, and what they would say next.

Strategy that works

• Separate the two voices as you read: the article’s position, then the commenter’s.
• Concessions are not changes of mind. "Of course there are costs" is still an argument for.
• The final questions often ask what the writer would most likely agree with — extrapolate from their stated position, not from your own.

What costs marks

• Reading with your own opinion switched on.
• Taking the commenter as simply disagreeing; partial agreement is more common.
• Running out of time here because Parts 1 to 3 were read too carefully.

Practise it

Worked examples of this task, with answers and explanations, are on the CELPIP reading samples page. The rest of the section is set out on the CELPIP reading description page.

Common questions