Reading Part 3: Reading for Information

Close to a stated number or amount but not exactly.

“The festival attracts approximately forty thousand visitors every summer.”

“The drive from Regina to Saskatoon takes approximately three hours.”

Often used: approximately half · approximately the same

CELPIP tip: Numbers in passages often come with this word. The option may use "about" or "roughly" instead, so treat them as matches.

Mainly; for the most important part or reason.

“The trail is used primarily by cyclists during the summer months.”

“Maple syrup production takes place primarily in Quebec and eastern Ontario.”

Often used: primarily used for · primarily because · primarily responsible for

CELPIP tip: If a question says "mainly" or "mostly", scan for primarily. It marks the main point, while other uses in the sentence are minor.

A typical quality or feature that helps identify someone or something.

“One key characteristic of the Canada lynx is its thick, furry paws.”

“Clear lines and simple shapes are characteristics of the architect's work.”

Often used: a key characteristic · share characteristics · physical characteristics

CELPIP tip: Questions asking which feature is typical of something usually rely on sentences with this word or with "feature" and "trait".

To become smaller, weaker or less important, or to make something do so.

“The bird population has diminished as wetlands were drained for farming.”

“Regular stretching can diminish the risk of injury for runners.”

Often used: greatly diminished · diminish over time · diminishing returns

CELPIP tip: Paraphrased in options as "fell", "shrank" or "got smaller". Watch whether the passage talks about a rise or a fall before you pick.

To begin or come from a particular place, time or situation.

“The game of lacrosse originated among Indigenous nations long before European settlement.”

“The idea for the program originated in a small library in Saskatoon.”

Often used: originate in · originate from · originally designed

CELPIP tip: A question asking "where did it come from" or "how did it start" will often be answered by a sentence using originate or origin.

To grow, develop or succeed very well.

“Blueberries thrive in the acidic soil of Nova Scotia.”

“Small businesses thrived once the new pedestrian street opened.”

Often used: thrive in · continue to thrive · a thriving community

CELPIP tip: Often used about plants, animals or communities. It is the opposite of struggling, which can help you rule out wrong options.

Easily harmed or affected, physically or emotionally.

“Young trees are especially vulnerable to damage from deer in winter.”

“The program supports vulnerable seniors who live alone.”

Often used: vulnerable to · particularly vulnerable · vulnerable groups

CELPIP tip: Paraphrased as "at risk" or "easily damaged". Check what the thing is vulnerable to, since options may name a different threat.

Something that happens or exists and can be observed, often something unusual.

“The northern lights are a natural phenomenon caused by particles from the sun.”

“Scientists are still studying this phenomenon in Arctic lakes.”

Often used: a natural phenomenon · a recent phenomenon · a global phenomenon

CELPIP tip: The plural is phenomena. Passages often define the phenomenon in the next sentence, so keep reading after the word appears.

Common or widespread in a particular place or group at a certain time.

“Seasonal allergies are especially prevalent in spring when trees release pollen.”

“Remote work has become more prevalent in the technology sector.”

Often used: more prevalent · highly prevalent · prevalent among

CELPIP tip: An option saying something is "common" or "widespread" may paraphrase prevalent. Also check the group or time it applies to.

To be formed or made up of particular parts or members.

“The committee consists of four parents, two teachers and the principal.”

“A typical winter diet for moose consists of twigs and bark.”

Often used: consist mainly of · consist entirely of

CELPIP tip: It never takes a passive form: say "consists of", not "is consisted of". In passages it often introduces a list you may need to scan.

To form a particular amount or share of something, or to explain why something happens.

“Heating accounts for more than half of a typical household's winter energy use.”

“Longer daylight hours may account for the rise in tourism each June.”

Often used: account for a large share · account for the difference · partly account for

CELPIP tip: It has two meanings: a share of a total, and a reason. Decide which one the passage means before matching it to an option.

To be one of the causes of something, without being the only cause.

“Road salt contributes to the rusting of cars and bridges across Canada.”

“Poor sleep can contribute to difficulty concentrating at school.”

Often used: contribute significantly to · factors that contribute to

CELPIP tip: It means one cause among several. If an option says something is "the only cause", the passage using contribute does not support it.

To come from or be developed from a particular source.

“The name Ottawa is derived from an Algonquin word meaning to trade.”

“Much of the province's electricity is derived from hydroelectric dams.”

Often used: be derived from · largely derived from · a word derived from

CELPIP tip: Look for it in passages about names, materials or energy. A paraphrase in the options may simply say "comes from".

Without being affected by a particular fact or situation.

“The skating rink is free for everyone, regardless of age.”

“Regardless of the weather, the ferry runs on a fixed schedule.”

Often used: regardless of age · regardless of cost · regardless of the outcome

CELPIP tip: Tells you a condition does not matter. An option that makes the thing depend on that condition would contradict the passage.

To say that something is caused by or comes from a particular person or thing.

“Researchers attribute the drop in accidents to the new speed bumps.”

“The quote is often attributed to a nineteenth-century explorer.”

Often used: attribute success to · be attributed to · largely attributed to

CELPIP tip: The effect comes before "to" and the cause comes after it. Reverse them and you will pick the wrong option.

As a result of the thing just mentioned, creating a chain of effects.

“Warmer winters shorten the ice season, which in turn affects local fishing.”

“More visitors bring more revenue, which in turn funds trail repairs.”

Often used: which in turn · and this, in turn

CELPIP tip: Signals a chain: A causes B, and B causes C. Questions about effects may ask about the last link in that chain.

After that; at a later time than something already mentioned.

“The bridge was closed in 2019 and subsequently rebuilt with wider lanes.”

“She studied biology and subsequently became the park's chief naturalist.”

Often used: subsequently developed · subsequently replaced

CELPIP tip: A sequence word. Use it to put events in order when a question asks what happened first or afterwards.

By which; introduces the way or method something is done.

“The city introduced a system whereby residents can report potholes online.”

“It is a process whereby old paper is broken down and reused.”

Often used: a system whereby · an arrangement whereby · a process whereby

CELPIP tip: What follows this word explains how something works. Questions about method or procedure often point to that part of the sentence.