CELPIP Practice Questions — All Questions
22 questions
By the time we reached the cottage, the rain ___ already stopped. Which choice is correct?
- a.has
- b.had✓
- c.have
- d.was
One past action finished before another, so the past perfect 'had stopped' is needed. 'Has' would be present perfect and does not fit the past time frame.
My neighbour asked me ___ I could help her shovel the driveway. Which choice is correct?
- a.that
- b.for
- c.do
- d.if✓
An indirect yes/no question uses 'if' or 'whether': 'asked me if I could help'. 'That' introduces a statement, not a yes/no question.
There ___ a lot of people at the community centre last weekend. Which choice is correct?
- a.were✓
- b.was
- c.is
- d.has been
'People' is plural and the time is past, so the plural past verb 'were' is correct. 'A lot of people' takes a plural verb.
If I ___ more time tomorrow, I'll drop off the package at the post office. Which choice is correct?
- a.would have
- b.had
- c.will have✓
- d.have
This is a first conditional about a real future plan, so the 'if' clause uses the present simple: 'have'. The result clause already uses 'will'.
The bus was so crowded that I couldn't find ___ seat. Which choice is correct?
- a.some
- b.a✓
- c.any of
- d.the many
A single, non-specific seat takes the article 'a': 'find a seat'. 'Some' is used with plural or uncountable nouns.
I need to ___ an appointment with my dentist for next week. Which word best fits?
- a.do
- b.put
- c.book✓
- d.get up
In everyday Canadian English you 'book an appointment', meaning to arrange one. 'Do' and 'put' are not used with 'appointment' this way.
The weather is going to be ___ today, so bundle up before you head out. Which word best fits?
- a.chilly✓
- b.cozy
- c.spacious
- d.punctual
'Chilly' means uncomfortably cold, which matches the advice to bundle up. 'Cozy' means warm and comfortable, the opposite here.
Could you ___ me a favour and water my plants while I'm away? Which word best fits?
- a.make
- b.give
- c.take
- d.do✓
The fixed expression is 'do someone a favour'. 'Make', 'give', and 'take' are not used with 'a favour' in standard English.
The store is having a big sale, so prices are quite ___ right now. Which word best fits?
- a.expensive
- b.affordable✓
- c.crowded
- d.distant
A sale makes prices lower, so 'affordable' (reasonably priced) fits. 'Expensive' would contradict the idea of a sale.
My coworker is very ___; she always arrives right on time. Which word best fits?
- a.punctual✓
- b.generous
- c.curious
- d.cautious
'Punctual' means arriving on time, which matches the second half of the sentence. The other adjectives describe unrelated qualities.
The city made several ___ to the bike lanes downtown. Which choice is correct?
- a.improve
- b.improved
- c.improvements✓
- d.improving
After 'several', a plural noun is needed: 'improvements'. 'Improve' is the verb and 'improved' the past form or adjective.
She handled the customer's complaint very ___. Which choice is correct?
- a.professional
- b.professionally✓
- c.profession
- d.professionalism
The blank describes the verb 'handled', so an adverb is required: 'professionally'. 'Professional' is the adjective.
The instructions were not very ___, so I got confused. Which choice is correct?
- a.clarity
- b.clearly
- c.clearness
- d.clear✓
After the linking verb 'were' and 'not very', an adjective describes the instructions: 'clear'. 'Clearly' is the adverb and 'clarity' the noun.
We decided to ___ our vacation until the spring. Which choice is correct?
- a.postpone✓
- b.postponement
- c.postponed
- d.postponing
After 'to', a base verb is needed: 'postpone'. 'Postponement' is the noun and would not follow the infinitive marker.
We waited ___ the bus stop for almost twenty minutes. Which choice is correct?
- a.in
- b.at✓
- c.on
- d.into
A specific point like a bus stop takes 'at': 'at the bus stop'. 'In' would suggest being inside an enclosed space.
I wanted to go for a hike; ___, it started to rain heavily. Which choice is correct?
- a.therefore
- b.for example
- c.however✓
- d.because
'However' shows the contrast between wanting to hike and the rain preventing it. 'Therefore' would signal a result, which does not fit.
Let's meet ___ Saturday morning to finish the project. Which choice is correct?
- a.on✓
- b.at
- c.in
- d.by
Days of the week take the preposition 'on': 'on Saturday morning'. 'At' is used with clock times and 'in' with months.
I brought an umbrella ___ it might rain later. Which choice is correct?
- a.although
- b.unless
- c.despite
- d.in case✓
'In case' explains a precaution taken for a possible future event: 'in case it might rain'. 'Unless' would reverse the meaning.
Which sentence is written in correct everyday English?
- a.I'm used to drive on the highway now.
- b.I'm used to driving on the highway now.✓
- c.I'm used to drove on the highway now.
- d.I'm use to driving on the highway now.
'Be used to' (meaning accustomed to) is followed by a gerund: 'used to driving'. The infinitive 'to drive' would only fit the different phrase 'used to drive' for a past habit.
Which sentence corrects the error in 'She has been living here since three years'?
- a.She has been living here since three years ago.
- b.She is living here since three years.
- c.She has been living here for three years.✓
- d.She has lived here since three years.
A length of time uses 'for': 'for three years'. 'Since' is used with a starting point, such as 'since 2020', not with a duration.
Which sentence uses the comparison correctly?
- a.This winter is colder than last winter.✓
- b.This winter is more colder than last winter.
- c.This winter is colder as last winter.
- d.This winter is more cold than last winter.
Short adjectives form the comparative with -er plus 'than': 'colder than'. Adding 'more' before 'colder' is a double comparative and is incorrect.
Which sentence is free of usage errors?
- a.Everyone are welcome to join the potluck.
- b.Everyone were welcome to join the potluck.
- c.Everyone have welcome to join the potluck.
- d.Everyone is welcome to join the potluck.✓
'Everyone' is grammatically singular, so it takes the singular verb 'is': 'Everyone is welcome.' The plural 'are' is a common error.