CELPIP Practice Tasks - Integrated Practice - Reading, Writing & Speaking (Answer Included)

Language Flow Lab
22 hours ago
6 min read

Reading Part 1 – Reading Correspondence

Read the following message.

October 2025

Engineering & Public Works

1234 Hammersmith Ave

Coquitlam, B.C. V7C 5B2

Information Line: 604-170-2783

Dear Resident,

Re: Getting Ready for Rain – Tips to Reduce Flood Risks

In preparation for the rainy season, Engineering and Public Works would like to share some tips to help reduce the risk of flooding on your property and in our community.

When leaves and other yard trimmings block either your internal drainage or the City’s drainage system, this can result in flooding in your area.

It’s easy to recycle leaves, grass clippings, and other yard trimmings. We collect them weekly as part of Green Cart collection.

Here are a few tips you might not know:

If you have too many leaves for your Green Cart, you can use paper yard waste bags. There is no limit on the number of bags you can have picked up on your regular collection day.
You can also use a standard bin (maximum 80 litres) with a Green Can sticker for extra yard and garden trimmings. (For stickers, please call Environmental Programs at 604-170-2783.)
You can drop off extra yard and garden trimmings at the Richmond Recycling Depot.

It is important to avoid blocking catch basins and drainage grates on your property and the road, as these drains collect rainwater to move it away from your property.

Here’s how you can help prevent blockages that cause flooding:

Do not blow or rake leaves, grass, or other yard and garden trimmings onto the street.
Rake up leaves and put them in your Green Cart and/or paper yard bags as needed.
Keep catch basins and drainage grates on or near your propety clear of any debris.

Working together, we can help prevent flooding and reduce costs due to overtime when crews need to respond to issues from blocked drainage systems.

We are also helping the environment as recycled yard and garden trimmings are taken to a composting facility and made into compost for nutrient-rich soil products.

If you have any questions, please feel free to visit coquitlam.ca/greencart or contact Environmental Programs at 604-170-2783 or by email at garbageandrecycling@coquitlam.ca.

Sincerely,Engineering and Public Works Division

Choose the best option according to the information given in the message.

1. What is the main purpose of this letter?

A) To remind residents about garbage collection fees

B) To provide information on how to prevent flooding and recycle yard waste

C) To advertise compost products for sale

D) To introduce a new Green Cart program

2. What should residents do if their Green Cart is full?

A) Put leaves in paper yard waste bags for pickup

B) Store leaves until the next collection

C) Put leaves in the garbage bin

D) Leave them on the street for collection

3. What should residents avoid doing, according to the letter?

A) Raking up leaves on their property

B) Dropping off yard waste at the recycling depot

C) Raking or blowing leaves onto the street

D) Using Green Can stickers

4. Who should residents contact if they need a Green Can sticker?

A) The Coquitlam City Hall

B) Environmental Programs

C) The Recycling Depot

D) The local fire department

5. What is the environmental benefit of recycling yard waste?

A) It is burned to generate power

B) It becomes compost for soil enrichment

C) It reduces garbage collection fees

D) It improves air quality

6. How can residents find more information about the Green Cart program?

A) By visiting coquitlam.ca/greencart

B) By calling City Hall

C) By visiting the library

D) By asking neighbours

Here is a response to the message. Complete the response by filling in the blanks. Select the best choice for each question.

To: garbageandrecycling@coquiltlam.ca

Subject: Questions about Yard Waste Collection

Dear Environmental Programs Team,

Thank you for sending the helpful information about getting ready for the rainy season. I appreciate the city’s efforts to reduce flood risks and promote recycling.

I have a couple of questions about the Green Cart program.First, is there a specific size or brand of paper yard waste bags that residents must use for extra leaves?Second, if I have large tree branches, can those also go in the Green Cart or should I take them directly to the Richmond Recycling Depot?

I also wanted to mention a small concern. My Green Cart sometimes gets full before the collection day, especially during fall. Is it possible to request an additional cart for my property?

Thank you very much for your time and assistance. I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Stacy Smith

Part B – Responding to the Email (Questions 7–11)

Choose the most appropriate answer for each situation.

7. Why did the resident write this email?

A) To complain about a missed collection

B) To ask detailed questions about yard waste and Green Cart limits

C) To report flooding in their neighbourhood

D) To apply for a recycling job

8. What specific question does the resident ask about paper yard waste bags?

A) Whether they can be reused

B) Whether there is a size or brand requirement

C) How much they cost

D) Where to buy them in bulk

9. What does the resident want to know about large tree branches?

A) Whether they can go in the Green Cart or must be dropped off

B) If they can be burned on private property

C) How often branches are collected

D) Whether the city provides trimming services

10. What concern does the resident mention?

A) The Green Cart is sometimes too small and fills up quickly

B) Their garbage is not picked up on time

C) They don’t know how to get a Green Can sticker

D) They received a fine for putting out too many bags

11. What kind of tone does the resident use in this email?

A) Impolite and demanding

B) Formal and respectful

C) Angry and sarcastic

D) Unclear and confusing

Answer Key

Question	Answer	Explanation
1	B	The letter provides information about flood prevention and recycling.
2	A	Residents can use paper yard waste bags if the Green Cart is full.
3	C	The letter says not to rake or blow leaves onto the street.
4	B	Residents must call Environmental Programs for stickers.
5	B	Yard waste becomes compost.
6	A	The website coquitlam.ca/greencart is given.
7	B	The resident asks specific questions about Green Cart and yard waste.
8	B	They ask if there’s a required size or brand of paper yard bag.
9	A	They ask whether large branches can go in the Green Cart or Depot.
10	A	They mention their cart fills up before collection day.
11	B	The email is polite, formal, and appreciative.

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✉️ CELPIP Writing Task 1 — Responding to an Email

You are a resident who received the letter from the City of Coquitlam. You have some questions and concerns about the collection process.

Write an email to the Environmental Programs office (garbageandrecycling@coquitlam.ca). In your email:

Thank them for the information.
Ask two specific questions about Green Cart or yard waste collection.
Explain one small concern or challenge you have.
Request further clarification or assistance.

Sample Response

Dear Environmental Programs Office,

Thank you for providing the recent information regarding the City’s Green Cart and yard waste collection services. I truly appreciate the City of Coquitlam’s ongoing commitment to promoting environmental sustainability.

I would like to ask for clarification on a few points related to the collection process. First, could you please confirm whether food scraps may be placed directly into the Green Cart without using compostable liners? Additionally, I would like to know if small branches and twigs can be included with regular yard waste, or if they must be tied and bundled separately.

One concern I have is that the Green Cart provided seems rather small for larger households. During peak periods, particularly in the summer, the cart reaches capacity quickly. I would appreciate knowing whether it is possible to request an additional cart or arrange for more frequent collection.

Thank you very much for your attention to these questions. I would be grateful if you could provide further clarification or direct me to the appropriate resources for additional information.

Sincerely,

Kenny Sin

Resident, City of Coquitlam

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🗣️ CELPIP Speaking Task 1 – Giving Advice

Your friend, Kelly, just moved to Coquitlam and recently received information about the city’s Green Cart and yard waste collection program. She feels confused about how to use the system and worries about having too much waste for one cart. She asks for your advice.

Question: Tell Kelly what she should do to manage her household waste properly. Give her two or three specific suggestions and explain why they would be helpful.