Reading Strategy
CELPIP Reading Part 4 — Viewpoints Strategy
Last updated: June 2026
Reading Part 4 (Reading for Viewpoints) presents two short passages on the same topic written from different perspectives. You must compare the authors' positions, identify agreements and disagreements, and answer 8 questions in approximately 10 minutes. Most test-takers find this the most challenging Reading section.
Why Part 4 scores lower than other Reading sections
- ✗You must track two authors simultaneously — it is easy to confuse which author said what
- ✗Answer options are often paraphrases of the text, so surface-level reading leads to wrong answers
- ✗Time pressure: 8 questions in ~10 minutes is faster than Parts 1–3
- ✗Inference questions require careful elimination — multiple options can look correct
4-step approach for Part 4
Read the topic line, not both passages first
The heading or introduction tells you the topic and the two positions. Read that first so you enter the passages with a framework.
Read Passage A, then mark its core claim in one phrase
After reading Passage A, write or mentally note: 'Author A thinks ___'. Do not re-read — note it and move on.
Read Passage B and note the contrast with A
As you read B, actively compare: 'B agrees with A on ___, but disagrees on ___'. This becomes the key for agreement/disagreement questions.
For each question, return to the text — do not answer from memory
Go back to the specific line referenced by the question. CLB 9 questions hinge on exact wording. Memory leads to wrong answers.
The 4 question types in Part 4
Author's position
Identify whether Author A or Author B holds a particular view. Never assume — the answer must be stated explicitly or clearly implied.
Strategy:
Underline signal words: 'argues', 'believes', 'suggests', 'questions', 'challenges', 'supports'.
Point of agreement / disagreement
Find a statement that both authors would agree with, or one that only one author would accept.
Strategy:
Read topic sentences of each paragraph. Agreement is usually on the facts; disagreement is usually on the solution or interpretation.
Evidence or example
Identify which piece of evidence an author uses to support a claim. The options are usually paraphrased.
Strategy:
Go to the sentence where the claim is made and read the sentence after it — that is almost always the supporting evidence.
Inference
Choose what can be reasonably inferred from one of the passages. Not explicitly stated, but logically follows.
Strategy:
Eliminate options that go beyond the text. CELPIP inference questions stay close to the text — they do not require background knowledge.
Signal words that identify an author's position
Support / agreement
Challenge / disagreement
Two traps to avoid
Trap 1: Confusing which author said what
After reading both passages, it is easy to attribute a point to the wrong author. For agreement/position questions, go back to the passage — never answer from memory.
Trap 2: Choosing an option because it sounds reasonable
CELPIP often includes answer options that are logically plausible but not actually stated in the text. For Part 4, only choose an answer if you can find its source in the passage.
Time allocation for Part 4
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in CELPIP Reading Part 4?
CELPIP Reading Part 4 (Reading for Viewpoints) has 8 questions based on two short passages presenting different perspectives on the same topic. You have approximately 10 minutes for this section, giving you roughly 52 seconds per question after reading both passages.
What is 'Reading for Viewpoints' in CELPIP?
Reading for Viewpoints (Part 4) presents two short passages on the same topic written from different perspectives — typically one supporting and one questioning or opposing a position. Your job is to identify each author's stance, find agreements and disagreements, and answer inference questions about their positions.
Why is CELPIP Reading Part 4 the hardest?
Part 4 requires you to track two authors simultaneously, which is cognitively demanding under time pressure. Answer options are often paraphrases of the text rather than exact quotes, so surface-level reading leads to wrong answers. The 8 questions in ~10 minutes is also faster than Parts 1–3.
How do you tell which author said what in CELPIP Reading Part 4?
After reading each passage, write or mentally note 'Author A thinks ___' in a single phrase before moving to Author B. Look for signal verbs: Author A 'argues', 'supports', 'believes' vs. Author B 'challenges', 'questions', 'disputes'. Return to the specific passage line for every question — never answer from memory.
What is the difference between agreement and inference questions in Part 4?
Agreement questions ask what both authors share in common — usually a factual premise, not a conclusion. Inference questions ask what can be logically concluded from one passage — the answer is not stated explicitly but follows closely from what is written. For inference, eliminate options that go beyond or contradict the text.