CELPIP Reading Traps and Trick Words

Answers are not always obvious in CELPIP Reading. Learn five common traps, the trick words that hide them, and a simple method to compare options and choose the best supported answer.

Why Answers Are Not Always Obvious

CELPIP Reading is not only about understanding vocabulary. It is also a multiple choice test that checks how carefully you read and how well you can compare similar options. Sometimes two answers look correct, but only one is fully supported by the passage. To win those questions, you need critical thinking, and you need to match every word in the option to what the text actually says.

What To Pay Attention To

The question type. Detail, main idea, purpose, tone, or inference.
Keywords in the question. Names, dates, numbers, and negative words like not and except.
Scope. Is the text about one example, or about a general trend.
Cause and effect. Do not confuse correlation with a real reason.
What is stated versus what is implied. Inference questions still need evidence.

The 5 Most Common Reading Traps

Trap 1: Extreme Language That Sounds Confident

Why it works

Test writers love options that sound strong and certain. Many passages are careful and nuanced, so an extreme option is often too strong to be true.

Trick words

alwaysnevereveryoneeveryno onecompletelyonlymustrequiredguaranteedguarantees

How to beat it

Look for softer language in the passage. If the text says may, often, or tends to, then an answer with always or never is usually wrong.

Example

Passage: The community centre recommends registering online in advance. Same day drop in spots may be available, but they are limited and fill quickly.

Question: Which statement is best supported by the announcement?

Options

It may be possible to join as a drop in on the same day, but it is not guaranteed.
It may be possible to join as a drop in on the same day, and it is guaranteed if you arrive early.
If you arrive early, you can always get a drop in spot.
Online registration is required for every class.

Best answer: It may be possible to join as a drop in on the same day, but it is not guaranteed.

Why: The text says recommends and may, and it warns that spots are limited, so it does not promise a guaranteed spot. The tricky distractor repeats the same idea but flips the meaning by using guaranteed and adding a condition that is not in the passage.

Trap 2: A Half True Option With One Wrong Detail

Why it works

Many wrong answers include one correct detail from the passage and then add a small change. Under time pressure, people see the familiar detail and choose it too fast.

Trick words

onlyuntileligibleall

How to beat it

Check every part of the option. If even one detail does not match the passage, the whole option is wrong.

Example

Passage: The bookstore is offering 15% off all CELPIP study guides until April 30. The discount is available in store only.

Question: Which purchase is eligible for the discount?

Options

A CELPIP prep book purchased in person on April 30.
A CELPIP prep book ordered online on April 30.
An IELTS prep book purchased in person on April 30.
A CELPIP prep book purchased in person on May 1.

Best answer: A CELPIP prep book purchased in person on April 30.

Why: The trap is a near copy answer that matches two details but fails one limit. The passage says all CELPIP study guides, until April 30, and in store only. Wrong options change one detail such as the test, the date, or the purchase method.

Trap 3: Paraphrase That Changes The Meaning

Why it works

Correct answers often use paraphrase. Wrong answers also use paraphrase, but they change the meaning slightly. The sentence looks similar, but the logic is different.

Trick words

suggestsimpliesindicatesmainlyprimarilyas a result

How to beat it

Do not hunt for the same words. Match the meaning. Ask yourself if the option keeps the same relationship between ideas, not just the same topic.

Example

Passage: A customer survey reported high satisfaction with the new store layout. Respondents mentioned clearer signage, wider aisles, and shorter checkout lines.

Question: What does the survey suggest about the new store layout?

Options

The survey suggests people liked the layout for several reasons, such as clearer signs, wider aisles, and faster checkout lines.
The survey suggests signage was mainly responsible for customer satisfaction.
As a result, the survey implies shorter checkout lines were primarily responsible for customer satisfaction.
The survey indicates customers were unhappy with the new layout.

Best answer: The survey suggests people liked the layout for several reasons, such as clearer signs, wider aisles, and faster checkout lines.

Why: The passage lists several reasons. The tricky options use words like mainly, primarily, and as a result to change the meaning and force a single main cause that the passage does not state.

Trap 4: Scope Shift From Specific To General

Why it works

A passage might describe one case, one study, or one group. A wrong option turns that into a general rule for everyone.

Trick words

in generaloverallmostmanyalltypically

How to beat it

Confirm who the statement is about. Check the time and the group. If the passage is narrow, do not choose a broad option.

Example

Passage: In a pilot program at two high schools, students who attended weekly tutoring improved their math scores by an average of 8%. The report notes that the sample size was small.

Question: Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?

Options

A small pilot at two high schools found an average math score increase of about 8% among students who attended weekly tutoring.
In general, weekly tutoring improves math scores for all high school students.
Typically, most high school students improve their math scores by 8% after tutoring.
Overall, tutoring improves math results across Canadian high schools.

Best answer: A small pilot at two high schools found an average math score increase of about 8% among students who attended weekly tutoring.

Why: The passage is about a small pilot in two schools. Options with in general, overall, typically, or all go beyond the scope of the text.

Trap 5: Negatives And Exceptions

Why it works

Questions with not, except, or least likely are easy to misread. A single missed word can flip the correct answer.

Trick words

notexceptwithoutavoidleastrarelyseldom

How to beat it

Circle the negative word before you look at the options. Then eliminate choices that are true, and keep the one that does not match the passage.

Example

Passage: Your monthly membership includes access to the gym, the pool, and all group fitness classes. Personal training sessions are available for an additional fee.

Question: All of the following are included in the monthly membership except:

Options

Use of the gym.
Use of the pool.
Group fitness classes.
One on one training sessions.

Best answer: One on one training sessions.

Why: The trap word is except, so you must choose the one option that is not included. The passage says personal training costs an additional fee, so it is not included in the membership.

A Simple Method To Compare Similar Options

Read the question and decide what it asks. Detail, inference, main idea, or purpose.
Underline the key constraints. Who, when, where, and any numbers or negatives.
Find the best matching sentence in the passage, and read a few lines around it for context.
Test each option against the evidence. Mark it as supported, contradicted, or not mentioned.
Choose the option that matches all parts of the question, not the option that sounds nicest.

Trick Words To Watch In Questions And Options

Absolutes

alwaysneverallnoneonlymustrequiredguaranteedguarantees

Softening words

maymightcancouldoftenusuallysometimestends togenerally

Contrast words

howeverbutalthoughdespitewhereasinsteadon the other hand

Cause and effect words

becausethereforesodue toleads toresults in

Comparison words

morelessmostleastincreasedecreasebetterworse

Exception words

notexceptwithoutavoidunless

When you see these words, slow down and confirm the exact meaning. One small word can change the correct answer.

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Why Answers Are Not Always Obvious

What To Pay Attention To

The question type. Detail, main idea, purpose, tone, or inference.

Keywords in the question. Names, dates, numbers, and negative words like not and except.

Scope. Is the text about one example, or about a general trend.

Cause and effect. Do not confuse correlation with a real reason.

What is stated versus what is implied. Inference questions still need evidence.

The 5 Most Common Reading Traps

Trap 1: Extreme Language That Sounds Confident

Why it works

Test writers love options that sound strong and certain. Many passages are careful and nuanced, so an extreme option is often too strong to be true.

Trick words

alwaysnevereveryoneeveryno onecompletelyonlymustrequiredguaranteedguarantees

How to beat it

Look for softer language in the passage. If the text says may, often, or tends to, then an answer with always or never is usually wrong.

Example

Passage: The community centre recommends registering online in advance. Same day drop in spots may be available, but they are limited and fill quickly.

Question: Which statement is best supported by the announcement?

Options

It may be possible to join as a drop in on the same day, but it is not guaranteed.
It may be possible to join as a drop in on the same day, and it is guaranteed if you arrive early.
If you arrive early, you can always get a drop in spot.
Online registration is required for every class.

Best answer: It may be possible to join as a drop in on the same day, but it is not guaranteed.

Trap 2: A Half True Option With One Wrong Detail

Why it works

Many wrong answers include one correct detail from the passage and then add a small change. Under time pressure, people see the familiar detail and choose it too fast.

Trick words

onlyuntileligibleall

How to beat it

Check every part of the option. If even one detail does not match the passage, the whole option is wrong.

Example

Passage: The bookstore is offering 15% off all CELPIP study guides until April 30. The discount is available in store only.

Question: Which purchase is eligible for the discount?

Options

A CELPIP prep book purchased in person on April 30.
A CELPIP prep book ordered online on April 30.
An IELTS prep book purchased in person on April 30.
A CELPIP prep book purchased in person on May 1.

Best answer: A CELPIP prep book purchased in person on April 30.

Trap 3: Paraphrase That Changes The Meaning

Why it works

Correct answers often use paraphrase. Wrong answers also use paraphrase, but they change the meaning slightly. The sentence looks similar, but the logic is different.

Trick words

suggestsimpliesindicatesmainlyprimarilyas a result

How to beat it

Do not hunt for the same words. Match the meaning. Ask yourself if the option keeps the same relationship between ideas, not just the same topic.

Example

Passage: A customer survey reported high satisfaction with the new store layout. Respondents mentioned clearer signage, wider aisles, and shorter checkout lines.

Question: What does the survey suggest about the new store layout?

Options

The survey suggests people liked the layout for several reasons, such as clearer signs, wider aisles, and faster checkout lines.
The survey suggests signage was mainly responsible for customer satisfaction.
As a result, the survey implies shorter checkout lines were primarily responsible for customer satisfaction.
The survey indicates customers were unhappy with the new layout.

Best answer: The survey suggests people liked the layout for several reasons, such as clearer signs, wider aisles, and faster checkout lines.

Why: The passage lists several reasons. The tricky options use words like mainly, primarily, and as a result to change the meaning and force a single main cause that the passage does not state.

Trap 4: Scope Shift From Specific To General

Why it works

A passage might describe one case, one study, or one group. A wrong option turns that into a general rule for everyone.

Trick words

in generaloverallmostmanyalltypically

How to beat it

Confirm who the statement is about. Check the time and the group. If the passage is narrow, do not choose a broad option.

Example

Passage: In a pilot program at two high schools, students who attended weekly tutoring improved their math scores by an average of 8%. The report notes that the sample size was small.

Question: Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?

Options

A small pilot at two high schools found an average math score increase of about 8% among students who attended weekly tutoring.
In general, weekly tutoring improves math scores for all high school students.
Typically, most high school students improve their math scores by 8% after tutoring.
Overall, tutoring improves math results across Canadian high schools.

Best answer: A small pilot at two high schools found an average math score increase of about 8% among students who attended weekly tutoring.

Why: The passage is about a small pilot in two schools. Options with in general, overall, typically, or all go beyond the scope of the text.

Trap 5: Negatives And Exceptions

Why it works

Questions with not, except, or least likely are easy to misread. A single missed word can flip the correct answer.

Trick words

notexceptwithoutavoidleastrarelyseldom

How to beat it

Circle the negative word before you look at the options. Then eliminate choices that are true, and keep the one that does not match the passage.

Example

Passage: Your monthly membership includes access to the gym, the pool, and all group fitness classes. Personal training sessions are available for an additional fee.

Question: All of the following are included in the monthly membership except:

Options

Use of the gym.
Use of the pool.
Group fitness classes.
One on one training sessions.

Best answer: One on one training sessions.

Why: The trap word is except, so you must choose the one option that is not included. The passage says personal training costs an additional fee, so it is not included in the membership.

A Simple Method To Compare Similar Options

Read the question and decide what it asks. Detail, inference, main idea, or purpose.

Underline the key constraints. Who, when, where, and any numbers or negatives.

Find the best matching sentence in the passage, and read a few lines around it for context.

Test each option against the evidence. Mark it as supported, contradicted, or not mentioned.

Choose the option that matches all parts of the question, not the option that sounds nicest.

Trick Words To Watch In Questions And Options

Absolutes

alwaysneverallnoneonlymustrequiredguaranteedguarantees

Softening words

maymightcancouldoftenusuallysometimestends togenerally

Contrast words

howeverbutalthoughdespitewhereasinsteadon the other hand

Cause and effect words

becausethereforesodue toleads toresults in

Comparison words

morelessmostleastincreasedecreasebetterworse

Exception words

notexceptwithoutavoidunless

When you see these words, slow down and confirm the exact meaning. One small word can change the correct answer.