Reading Part 4: Reading for Viewpoints

Careful to avoid risks or to avoid saying something too strongly.

“Health officials are cautious about calling the program a success so early.”

“I remain cautiously optimistic about the new recycling rules.”

Often used: cautiously optimistic · a cautious approach · remain cautious

CELPIP tip: "Cautiously optimistic" means hopeful but not sure. Choose options that show that balance rather than full confidence.

A person who says what they think is wrong with an idea, plan or person.

“Critics of the new parking fees say they will drive shoppers to the suburbs.”

“Even the plan's harshest critics admit it has lowered traffic.”

Often used: critics argue · a vocal critic · harshest critics

CELPIP tip: When a passage reports critics' views, those may not be the writer's own. Check whether the writer agrees or answers them.

Almost not; used to say something is barely true or not true at all.

“A few more bike racks will hardly solve the parking problem downtown.”

“It is hardly surprising that residents are angry about the tax increase.”

Often used: hardly surprising · hardly ever · hardly enough

CELPIP tip: A negative word even without "not". Misreading it can flip your whole understanding of a writer's stance.

To disagree with a plan or idea and try to stop it.

“Many residents oppose the plan to replace the park with condos.”

“I have always opposed charging fees for public library cards.”

Often used: strongly oppose · be opposed to · oppose the plan

CELPIP tip: Watch for "be opposed to + -ing": "opposed to building". Options may paraphrase it as "against" or "objects to".

To express doubt about whether something is true, wise or necessary.

“The columnist questions whether the city really needs another arena.”

“Some commenters question the survey's findings.”

Often used: question whether · question the need for · openly question

CELPIP tip: As a verb it shows doubt, not a request for information. It often opens a critic's argument.

To praise or show strong approval of an action or decision.

“I applaud the school board for finally adding more French classes.”

“Local business owners applauded the decision to extend patio season.”

Often used: applaud the decision · applaud someone for · widely applauded

CELPIP tip: In opinion texts it rarely means clapping. It signals support, often at the start of a comment before a "but".

To support and defend a cause or plan publicly and with energy.

“The councillor has long championed affordable housing in the downtown core.”

“Local doctors are championing the plan for more cycling paths.”

Often used: champion a cause · champion the rights of

CELPIP tip: As a verb it means strong support, not winning. Use it to identify which person is firmly on the "for" side.

Doubtful; not certain to be true, good or honest.

“The claim that the new stadium will pay for itself seems dubious to me.”

“Some readers remain dubious about the benefits of a four-day school week.”

Often used: dubious claim · remain dubious about · highly dubious

CELPIP tip: Signals skepticism, not total rejection. Options saying the writer "completely rejects" the idea may be too strong.

To say publicly that you support or approve of someone or something.

“The teachers' association has endorsed the proposal for smaller class sizes.”

“I cannot endorse a plan that ignores the needs of rural drivers.”

Often used: fully endorse · publicly endorse · endorse a proposal

CELPIP tip: Stronger than "like"; it means public support. If an option says a group endorses something, find a clear statement of approval.

Feelings of doubt or worry about whether something is a good idea.

“I support the new transit line, but I have some misgivings about the route.”

“Several parents expressed misgivings about the lunch program's cost.”

Often used: serious misgivings · express misgivings · have misgivings about

CELPIP tip: Usually plural. It often shows a mixed stance: the writer may generally agree while still holding concerns.

Based on wrong ideas or poor judgment, even if well meant.

“The plan to remove crosswalks to speed up traffic is misguided.”

“Their intentions are good, but their approach is misguided.”

Often used: a misguided policy · well-meaning but misguided · deeply misguided

CELPIP tip: Shows clear disapproval, often with some respect for intentions. It fits options such as "the writer thinks the plan is a mistake".

Too general; applied to everyone or everything without enough care.

“The writer makes sweeping claims about young drivers without any data.”

“Calling all landlords greedy is a sweeping statement.”

Often used: a sweeping generalization · sweeping claims · sweeping changes

CELPIP tip: When a reader calls a claim sweeping, they are criticizing it as unfair. "Sweeping changes" is different and means large changes.

To support one person or group in a disagreement.

“On this issue, I side with the parents who want the school to stay open.”

“Most readers sided with the tenants in the dispute over rent increases.”

Often used: side with the majority · side with residents

CELPIP tip: Useful for questions asking which side a commenter supports. Note who is named after "with".

To mention something as evidence or a reason for an opinion.

“Supporters point to lower accident rates in cities with photo radar.”

“The author points to rising rents as proof that more housing is needed.”

Often used: point to evidence · point to the success of

CELPIP tip: What follows is evidence for someone's view. Questions often ask what supports an argument, and this phrase points right to it.

Not always true, or not a sure result of something.

“More parking does not necessarily mean more shoppers downtown.”

“A higher price is not necessarily a sign of better quality.”

Often used: not necessarily true · not necessarily the case

CELPIP tip: Hedges a claim instead of rejecting it. Options that say the writer totally denies the idea are too strong.

Shows that the result is not yet known and the writer is not sure.

“It remains to be seen whether the new bylaw will reduce noise complaints.”

“The idea sounds promising, but it remains to be seen if drivers will use it.”

Often used: it remains to be seen whether · it remains to be seen how

CELPIP tip: Signals uncertainty or cautious doubt. Options saying the writer is confident of success or failure do not match it.

Introduces a point that gives balance or credit to the other side.

“To be fair, the mayor did warn us that construction would take two summers.”

“The service was slow; to be fair, they were short-staffed.”

Often used: to be fair, · in all fairness

CELPIP tip: Very common in reader comments. What follows is a concession; the writer's main view usually lies elsewhere.

Despite what has just been said; nevertheless.

“The plan has flaws. All the same, it's better than doing nothing.”

“I understand the budget limits; all the same, the pool should stay open.”

Often used: but all the same · all the same,

CELPIP tip: The writer's real stance comes after this phrase. It is a key turning point in mixed opinions.