CELPIP Mock Exam 5

All 38 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

1. A. Last year Halden Software, a 120-person company in Waterloo, tried a four-day work week for six months. Staff kept their full salaries but worked 32 hours instead of 40, with every Friday off. B. Managers measured the results carefully. The number of completed projects stayed almost exactly the same, and sick days fell by about a quarter. In an anonymous survey, nine out of ten employees said they felt less stressed. Customer satisfaction scores, however, dipped slightly in the first two months, mainly because clients could not reach anyone on Fridays. C. To fix that problem, the company created a small rotating team that works Fridays and takes a different weekday off instead. Halden has now made the four-day week permanent. Its chief executive admits the model may not suit every business, especially those that must serve customers in person every day.

   How many hours a week did Halden staff work during the trial?

   1. 40
   2. 32
   3. 36
   4. 30

2. Few sounds signal autumn in the suburbs like the roar of a gas-powered leaf blower. Now several municipalities are debating whether to ban them. Supporters of a ban point to noise and pollution. Dr. Helen Fraser, an environmental health researcher, notes that small two-stroke engines burn fuel inefficiently and release far more pollution per hour than their size suggests. Residents who work night shifts also complain that the machines make daytime sleep impossible. Landscaping companies see the issue differently. Marco Bellini, who runs a twelve-person crew, says battery-powered models are improving but still struggle with wet leaves on large properties. "A ban would double the time each job takes," he says, "and customers would pay for that." He would prefer limits on the hours blowers can be used rather than an outright ban. City councillor Amira Shah has proposed a compromise: a ban on gas blowers starting in 2028, with a rebate program to help small businesses buy electric equipment before then. Critics on both sides say her plan goes either too far or not far enough, but it may be the only option that can win a majority on council.

   How does the writer appear to view Shah's compromise?

   1. As ignoring noise complaints
   2. As possibly the most realistic option
   3. As clearly far too strict
   4. As certain to fail on council

3. RIVERBEND RECREATION CENTRE — WINTER SWIM LESSONS (8 weeks) Starfish (ages 3–5, parent in water): Saturdays 9:00–9:30 a.m. — $64 Minnow (ages 5–7): Mondays 4:30–5:15 p.m. or Saturdays 10:00–10:45 a.m. — $88 Dolphin (ages 7–10): Wednesdays 5:30–6:15 p.m. — $88 Shark (ages 10–13): Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 p.m. — $104 Riverbend residents receive 15% off. Registration closes January 5. Hi Lena, I'm trying to sign up both kids for swimming this winter. Noah just turned 6 and Ava is 9. I work until 5 on weekdays, so Monday afternoon lessons won't work, but Wednesday evenings are fine because my husband is home by then. We'd love the kids to swim on the same day, but I know their ages might not allow it. I'm also not sure whether we live inside the Riverbend boundary. Do you know? Talk soon, Paulina

   If the family lives inside the Riverbend boundary, what will Ava's lessons cost?

   1. $73.00
   2. $74.80
   3. $88.00
   4. $79.20

4. Hi Tomás, It has been far too long! I finally feel settled in Saskatoon after almost four months, so I wanted to send you a proper update instead of another quick text. The new job at the hospital lab is going well. The work is similar to what we did in Regina, but the team is bigger and I'm learning a lot about the new testing equipment. The only downside is the schedule: I work four ten-hour shifts, which leaves me exhausted by Thursday but gives me a long weekend every week. I've been using those long weekends to explore. Last month I rented a canoe and paddled part of the South Saskatchewan River. It was beautiful, even though I got soaked when I tried to stand up to take a photo. Here's my real reason for writing: my landlord has offered the apartment next door to my sister, who is starting university here in September. You mentioned that your nephew rented in this neighbourhood a few years ago. Do you know if he had any problems with noise or parking? I'd like an honest opinion before she signs a lease. Hope the family is well. Call me any Friday! Grace

   What happened during Grace's canoe trip on the river?

   1. She lost her phone in the water
   2. She got lost for several hours
   3. She got wet trying to take a photo
   4. She paddled the entire river

5. What does Grace see as the drawback of her new job?

   1. The lab equipment is out of date
   2. Her team is smaller than before
   3. The work is unlike her old job
   4. Her long shifts leave her worn out

6. MAPLEWAVE MOBILE — MONTHLY PLANS Basic: $35 — 10 GB data, unlimited Canada-wide calling, no international texts Plus: $50 — 40 GB data, unlimited Canada-wide calling, unlimited international texts Travel: $65 — 40 GB data, unlimited calling and international texts, plus 2 GB of U.S. roaming data each month Extra line: $25 per month; shares the main plan's data All plans require a 24-month agreement, except Basic, which is month-to-month. Hi Omar, You mentioned you're switching providers, so I thought I'd ask your advice. I use about 30 GB a month, mostly for video calls with my parents in Manila, and I text my cousins in Dubai every day. I'm also driving to Seattle twice this year for work. The problem is that I may move to another province next spring, so I don't want to be locked into a long contract. Any thoughts? Jun

   Which plan gives Jun enough monthly data at the lowest price?

   1. Plus
   2. Travel
   3. Basic
   4. Extra line

7. Hi Ken, I hope you and Linda had a relaxing trip to Halifax. I wanted to thank you again for letting me borrow your snowblower while you were away. The storm last Tuesday dropped almost forty centimetres on our street, and I honestly don't know how I would have cleared the driveway without it. Unfortunately, I have some bad news. On Thursday morning the machine started making a grinding noise, so I switched it off right away. My brother-in-law, who repairs small engines, took a look and found that a bolt had come loose inside the auger. He says it is a simple fix, but the replacement part has to be ordered from Winnipeg and will take about a week to arrive. I feel terrible about this, and of course I will cover the cost of the repair. In the meantime, I have cleared your front walk and steps twice with a shovel, so your mail carrier should have no trouble getting to the door. If you would rather take the snowblower to your usual repair shop, just let me know and I will drop it off there instead. Warm regards, Marisol

   What happened to Ken's snowblower on Thursday morning?

   1. It was stolen from the driveway
   2. It ran out of fuel in the storm
   3. It began making a grinding noise
   4. It would not start in the cold

8. NEWCOMER CAREER DAY — SATURDAY, APRIL 18, CENTRAL LIBRARY 9:30–10:30 a.m.: Writing a Canadian-style résumé (Room 2), registration required 10:45–11:45 a.m.: Getting your foreign credentials assessed (Room 4) 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Mock job interviews with volunteers (Room 1), bring a résumé 1:00–2:00 p.m.: Networking for introverts (Room 2) 1:00–3:00 p.m.: Employer booths (Main Hall), free entry Lunch is not provided; the library café is open until 2 p.m. Free parking is available only before 10 a.m. Hi Sofia, Thanks for telling me about the career day! I'm an engineer from Colombia, and my biggest problem is that employers don't seem to understand my degree. I'd also love to practise interviewing, though my résumé still needs work. I can't get there before 10:30 because I drop my son at soccer. What should I go to? Andrés

   Which career day session deals with Andrés's biggest problem?

   1. Mock job interviews with volunteers
   2. Writing a Canadian-style résumé
   3. Networking for introverts
   4. Getting your foreign credentials assessed

9. A. Last year Halden Software, a 120-person company in Waterloo, tried a four-day work week for six months. Staff kept their full salaries but worked 32 hours instead of 40, with every Friday off. B. Managers measured the results carefully. The number of completed projects stayed almost exactly the same, and sick days fell by about a quarter. In an anonymous survey, nine out of ten employees said they felt less stressed. Customer satisfaction scores, however, dipped slightly in the first two months, mainly because clients could not reach anyone on Fridays. C. To fix that problem, the company created a small rotating team that works Fridays and takes a different weekday off instead. Halden has now made the four-day week permanent. Its chief executive admits the model may not suit every business, especially those that must serve customers in person every day.

   Why did customer satisfaction dip early in the Halden trial?

   1. Projects were delivered late to many clients
   2. Staff salaries were reduced
   3. Too many staff were off sick
   4. Clients could not reach staff on Fridays

10. A. Visitors to Cedar Bluff Provincial Park will notice something new this summer: small posts with QR codes along the six-kilometre Ridge Trail. Scanning a code with a phone opens a short recording in which a park interpreter describes the plants, rock formations or wildlife at that spot. B. The project was suggested by a group of high-school students who noticed that many young visitors ignored the printed brochures. The students wrote the first drafts of the scripts, and park staff checked them for accuracy before recording. Recordings are available in English and French, and a version in an Indigenous language, developed with a nearby Cree community, is planned for next year. C. Because cell coverage on the ridge is patchy, the park recommends downloading all the recordings at the visitor centre, where free Wi-Fi is available. Printed brochures will still be offered to visitors who prefer not to use a phone.

    Who first came up with the idea for the trail recordings?

    1. A nearby Cree community
    2. The provincial tourism office
    3. The park's interpreters
    4. A group of high-school students

11. A. Every February since 1962, the town of Pine Hollow has held a winter carnival on the frozen surface of Mirror Lake. It began as a single afternoon of skating races organized by the volunteer fire department to raise money for new equipment. B. Over the decades the event grew to fill an entire weekend. Today visitors can watch ice-sculpting contests, ride a horse-drawn sleigh or cheer on the famous bed race, in which teams push decorated beds on skis along a 200-metre course. The carnival now attracts around 15,000 people, roughly five times the town's population. C. Warmer winters have created new challenges. In three of the last ten years the ice was too thin for safe use, and organizers had to move activities to the arena parking lot. The committee is now considering a permanent move to the fairgrounds, although many long-time residents argue that the carnival would lose its character away from the lake.

    Which paragraph mentions disagreement over where the carnival should be held?

    1. Not given in the passage
    2. Paragraph C
    3. Paragraph A
    4. Paragraph B

12. Rental e-scooters arrived in Lakeport two summers ago as a pilot project. City council must now decide whether to keep them. Fans of the program, many of them university students, say the scooters fill a gap in the transit system. Bus routes in the east end run only every 30 minutes, and a scooter can cover the two kilometres to the nearest rapid-transit station in under ten minutes. The operator reports more than 400,000 trips last year. Opponents focus on safety and clutter. A seniors' advocacy group says scooters left lying on sidewalks are a tripping hazard, especially for people with poor eyesight or those using walkers. Emergency room doctors have also reported a steady stream of injuries, most involving riders who were not wearing helmets. The operator has proposed changes: parking only in marked zones, enforced by fines charged to riders' accounts, and a lower speed limit of 15 km/h in the downtown core. Councillor Ben Tremblay says those changes are a good start, but he wants the city to track injuries for another year before signing a long-term contract.

    What concern does the seniors' advocacy group raise about scooters?

    1. Scooters on sidewalks can trip people
    2. Rentals are too expensive for most seniors
    3. Scooters are noisy at night
    4. Riders are too young

13. When the provincial museum dropped its $22 admission fee for a one-year trial, attendance nearly doubled. Now the government must decide whether to make free entry permanent. Museum director Paul Arsenault is strongly in favour. He says the trial brought in many first-time visitors, especially families from lower-income neighbourhoods who had never been able to afford a visit. "A public museum belongs to everyone," he argues, "and a ticket price sends the message that it doesn't." Finance critics are less enthusiastic. Admission fees used to cover about a fifth of the museum's operating budget, and the trial was funded by a one-time grant. Taxpayer advocate Linda Moreau questions whether residents of distant towns, who rarely travel to the capital, should pay for a service they seldom use. Some suggest a middle path: free admission for residents one evening a week, with regular fees at other times. Arsenault dismisses the idea as "free entry for people who already have free evenings," noting that shift workers and parents of young children would be the least likely to benefit.

    What share of the museum's operating budget did admission fees once cover?

    1. About one half
    2. About one tenth
    3. About one quarter
    4. About one fifth

14. APARTMENTS FOR RENT — LAKESHORE PROPERTY GROUP Unit 1: 1 bedroom, 3rd floor, $1,450/month, heat included, no pets, 10-minute walk to subway Unit 2: 2 bedrooms, ground floor, $1,900/month, heat and hydro included, cats only, 25-minute walk to subway Unit 3: 2 bedrooms, 8th floor with elevator, $1,750/month, utilities extra, small dogs allowed, 5-minute walk to subway Unit 4: 1 bedroom + den, 2nd-floor walk-up, $1,600/month, heat included, pets allowed, 15-minute walk to subway First and last month's rent are due at signing. Hi Kwame, My partner and I are looking for a new place. We need two bedrooms because we both work from home, and we have a small beagle named Biscuit. Our budget is $1,800 a month before utilities. I'm having knee surgery next month, so I'd like to avoid stairs for a while. We both commute downtown twice a week. Thanks for any help, Nadia

    Why is Unit 2 a poor fit for Nadia and her partner?

    1. It only allows cats
    2. It has only one bedroom
    3. It is on a high floor
    4. It does not include heat

15. A. Visitors to Cedar Bluff Provincial Park will notice something new this summer: small posts with QR codes along the six-kilometre Ridge Trail. Scanning a code with a phone opens a short recording in which a park interpreter describes the plants, rock formations or wildlife at that spot. B. The project was suggested by a group of high-school students who noticed that many young visitors ignored the printed brochures. The students wrote the first drafts of the scripts, and park staff checked them for accuracy before recording. Recordings are available in English and French, and a version in an Indigenous language, developed with a nearby Cree community, is planned for next year. C. Because cell coverage on the ridge is patchy, the park recommends downloading all the recordings at the visitor centre, where free Wi-Fi is available. Printed brochures will still be offered to visitors who prefer not to use a phone.

    What happens when a visitor scans a code on the Ridge Trail?

    1. A park fee is charged
    2. A trail map appears
    3. A short recording opens
    4. A ranger is alerted

16. Hi Ken, I hope you and Linda had a relaxing trip to Halifax. I wanted to thank you again for letting me borrow your snowblower while you were away. The storm last Tuesday dropped almost forty centimetres on our street, and I honestly don't know how I would have cleared the driveway without it. Unfortunately, I have some bad news. On Thursday morning the machine started making a grinding noise, so I switched it off right away. My brother-in-law, who repairs small engines, took a look and found that a bolt had come loose inside the auger. He says it is a simple fix, but the replacement part has to be ordered from Winnipeg and will take about a week to arrive. I feel terrible about this, and of course I will cover the cost of the repair. In the meantime, I have cleared your front walk and steps twice with a shovel, so your mail carrier should have no trouble getting to the door. If you would rather take the snowblower to your usual repair shop, just let me know and I will drop it off there instead. Warm regards, Marisol

    Who discovered what was wrong with the snowblower?

    1. Ken's usual repair shop
    2. A mechanic in Winnipeg
    3. Marisol's brother-in-law
    4. Marisol's mail carrier

17. Dear Mei, I hope your first year of nursing school is going well. Your mother told me you made the dean's list, which did not surprise me one bit. I'm writing because the Eastside Youth Basketball program is growing faster than we expected. We have 140 children registered this season, up from 90 last year, and I am short of volunteer coaches for the under-10 division. You were one of the most patient players I ever coached, and the younger kids always looked up to you. I know your schedule is busy, so I want to be clear about what is involved. Practices are on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7:30, and games are on Saturday mornings. You would be paired with an experienced head coach, so you would never be in charge of a team on your own. We also cover the cost of the required first-aid course and background check. If you can only help on Saturdays, that would still make a big difference. Please let me know by October 15 so I can finalize the coaching list before the season starts on October 28. All the best, Coach Daniel

    How many children signed up for Eastside Youth Basketball this season?

    1. 140
    2. 90
    3. 100
    4. 50

18. NEWCOMER CAREER DAY — SATURDAY, APRIL 18, CENTRAL LIBRARY 9:30–10:30 a.m.: Writing a Canadian-style résumé (Room 2), registration required 10:45–11:45 a.m.: Getting your foreign credentials assessed (Room 4) 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Mock job interviews with volunteers (Room 1), bring a résumé 1:00–2:00 p.m.: Networking for introverts (Room 2) 1:00–3:00 p.m.: Employer booths (Main Hall), free entry Lunch is not provided; the library café is open until 2 p.m. Free parking is available only before 10 a.m. Hi Sofia, Thanks for telling me about the career day! I'm an engineer from Colombia, and my biggest problem is that employers don't seem to understand my degree. I'd also love to practise interviewing, though my résumé still needs work. I can't get there before 10:30 because I drop my son at soccer. What should I go to? Andrés

    What should Andrés know about parking at the library?

    1. It is reserved for employers
    2. It is closed on Saturdays
    3. It is free for the whole day
    4. It is free only before 10 a.m.

19. GREENVIEW COMMUNITY GARDEN — 2026 PLOTS Plot A: raised bed, 1 m × 3 m, wheelchair accessible, next to the water tap — $30 per season Plot B: ground level, 3 m × 3 m, full sun, far from the tap — $40 per season Plot C: ground level, 3 m × 6 m, partial shade under maple trees — $55 per season Plot D: raised bed, 2 m × 3 m, full sun, beside the tool shed — $45 per season Every gardener must volunteer 4 hours per season. Seniors (65+) pay half price. Dear Mr. Haddad, I would like to rent a plot this year. My doctor has told me to avoid kneeling, so I need a bed I can work at while standing or sitting. I plan to grow tomatoes and peppers, which need plenty of sun. I turn 66 in March, so I hope I qualify for a discount. Carrying heavy watering cans is also hard for me these days. Best wishes, Edith Park

    Which plot best suits Edith's plan to grow sun-loving vegetables?

    1. Plot B
    2. Plot D
    3. Plot C
    4. Plot A

20. After three years of letting staff work from home, the City of Brookfield has ordered its 2,000 municipal employees back to the office at least four days a week. Mayor Denise Okoro says the decision is about service and teamwork. She believes new employees in particular learn faster when they can watch experienced colleagues and ask quick questions in person. She also points to the downtown cafés and shops that lost business when office towers emptied. The employees' union strongly disagrees. Union president Raj Patel says productivity rose during the remote-work period and that many staff moved farther from downtown to afford housing. "For some members, four days in the office means four extra hours of commuting each day," he says. The union has filed a formal grievance. Workplace consultant Erin Walsh thinks both sides are partly right. In her experience, the most successful employers let each team decide which days it meets in person, based on the work it does. "A blanket rule is easy to announce," she says, "but it rarely fits every department."

    What approach does Erin Walsh recommend?

    1. Letting each team choose its office days
    2. Paying staff to commute
    3. Keeping all staff fully remote, as before
    4. Requiring five office days

21. When the provincial museum dropped its $22 admission fee for a one-year trial, attendance nearly doubled. Now the government must decide whether to make free entry permanent. Museum director Paul Arsenault is strongly in favour. He says the trial brought in many first-time visitors, especially families from lower-income neighbourhoods who had never been able to afford a visit. "A public museum belongs to everyone," he argues, "and a ticket price sends the message that it doesn't." Finance critics are less enthusiastic. Admission fees used to cover about a fifth of the museum's operating budget, and the trial was funded by a one-time grant. Taxpayer advocate Linda Moreau questions whether residents of distant towns, who rarely travel to the capital, should pay for a service they seldom use. Some suggest a middle path: free admission for residents one evening a week, with regular fees at other times. Arsenault dismisses the idea as "free entry for people who already have free evenings," noting that shift workers and parents of young children would be the least likely to benefit.

    Why does Paul Arsenault support free admission?

    1. He finds tickets hard to sell
    2. He believes the museum belongs to everyone
    3. He wants to cut the museum's staffing costs
    4. He expects more donations

22. Dear Ms. Kowalski, I live in unit 1407 and received the notice that the east elevator will be out of service from March 3 to March 24 for a full upgrade. I understand the work is necessary, and I appreciate the advance notice. My concern is that my mother, who moved in with me last fall, uses a walker and cannot manage fourteen flights of stairs. The notice says the west elevator will remain available, but residents have told me it often stops working on weekends, when no maintenance staff are on site. Would it be possible to arrange for a technician to be on call during the upgrade period, at least on Saturdays and Sundays? If that is not possible, could you let me know whether any vacant units on a lower floor might be available for a short-term stay? I would be happy to pay a reasonable fee. My mother has medical appointments every Tuesday morning, so a reliable elevator on those days is especially important to us. Thank you for considering this request. I can be reached by phone after 5 p.m. Sincerely, Arjun Mehta

    What does Arjun propose if his first request cannot be met?

    1. Delaying the upgrade until summer
    2. Hiring a private elevator company
    3. Moving his mother to a care home
    4. A short stay in a lower-floor unit

23. A. Every February since 1962, the town of Pine Hollow has held a winter carnival on the frozen surface of Mirror Lake. It began as a single afternoon of skating races organized by the volunteer fire department to raise money for new equipment. B. Over the decades the event grew to fill an entire weekend. Today visitors can watch ice-sculpting contests, ride a horse-drawn sleigh or cheer on the famous bed race, in which teams push decorated beds on skis along a 200-metre course. The carnival now attracts around 15,000 people, roughly five times the town's population. C. Warmer winters have created new challenges. In three of the last ten years the ice was too thin for safe use, and organizers had to move activities to the arena parking lot. The committee is now considering a permanent move to the fairgrounds, although many long-time residents argue that the carnival would lose its character away from the lake.

    Who organized the very first Pine Hollow winter carnival?

    1. A local skating club
    2. The town council
    3. The volunteer fire department
    4. The carnival committee

24. Few sounds signal autumn in the suburbs like the roar of a gas-powered leaf blower. Now several municipalities are debating whether to ban them. Supporters of a ban point to noise and pollution. Dr. Helen Fraser, an environmental health researcher, notes that small two-stroke engines burn fuel inefficiently and release far more pollution per hour than their size suggests. Residents who work night shifts also complain that the machines make daytime sleep impossible. Landscaping companies see the issue differently. Marco Bellini, who runs a twelve-person crew, says battery-powered models are improving but still struggle with wet leaves on large properties. "A ban would double the time each job takes," he says, "and customers would pay for that." He would prefer limits on the hours blowers can be used rather than an outright ban. City councillor Amira Shah has proposed a compromise: a ban on gas blowers starting in 2028, with a rebate program to help small businesses buy electric equipment before then. Critics on both sides say her plan goes either too far or not far enough, but it may be the only option that can win a majority on council.

    What would Marco Bellini prefer instead of a full ban?

    1. A ban starting in 2028
    2. Limits on the hours blowers can run
    3. Higher prices for customers
    4. Rebates for battery models

25. A. When the Northgate branch of the public library began lending power drills and sewing machines last spring, staff expected a few curious borrowers. Instead, the first 200 tools were all checked out within a week, and the waiting list for the tile cutter grew to more than sixty names. B. The program works much like borrowing a book. Members with a card in good standing can take out up to three tools at a time for seven days. Items with blades or engines come with a short safety video that borrowers must watch at the desk, and anything returned dirty or broken is inspected before it goes back on the shelf. C. Library managers say the program fits their mission of giving everyone equal access to resources. A family that needs a ladder twice a year should not have to buy one, explains branch head Rosa Delgado. The library plans to expand the collection to two more branches next year, paid for by a provincial community grant.

    Which paragraph sets out the rules for borrowing tools from the library?

    1. Paragraph A
    2. Paragraph B
    3. Not given in the passage
    4. Paragraph C

26. To the Customer Care Team at Northline Home, On June 2, I ordered a six-seat dining table with a promised delivery window of June 16 to June 20. The table arrived on June 27, a full week late, and only after I had called your office three times. When the delivery crew unpacked it, we found a deep scratch across the top and one leg that was noticeably shorter than the others. The crew agreed the table was damaged and took photos, but they told me they were not allowed to take it back without approval from your office. I had planned to use the table for my daughter's graduation dinner on June 29. Because of the delay and the damage, I had to rent a table at a cost of $85. I am asking for two things. First, please arrange for the damaged table to be picked up and replaced within ten business days. Second, I would like to be reimbursed for the rental, as it was a direct result of your late delivery. I have attached the rental receipt and the crew's photos. I have been a loyal customer for several years and hope we can resolve this quickly. Regards, Fatima Okafor

    Which of these does Fatima ask Northline Home to do?

    1. Repay the $85 she spent on a rental
    2. Refund the full price of the table
    3. Give her a discount on a future order
    4. Send a different delivery crew

27. A. Last year Halden Software, a 120-person company in Waterloo, tried a four-day work week for six months. Staff kept their full salaries but worked 32 hours instead of 40, with every Friday off. B. Managers measured the results carefully. The number of completed projects stayed almost exactly the same, and sick days fell by about a quarter. In an anonymous survey, nine out of ten employees said they felt less stressed. Customer satisfaction scores, however, dipped slightly in the first two months, mainly because clients could not reach anyone on Fridays. C. To fix that problem, the company created a small rotating team that works Fridays and takes a different weekday off instead. Halden has now made the four-day week permanent. Its chief executive admits the model may not suit every business, especially those that must serve customers in person every day.

    Which paragraph explains how Halden solved its Friday customer problem?

    1. Paragraph C
    2. Not given in the passage
    3. Paragraph B
    4. Paragraph A

28. Hi Tomás, It has been far too long! I finally feel settled in Saskatoon after almost four months, so I wanted to send you a proper update instead of another quick text. The new job at the hospital lab is going well. The work is similar to what we did in Regina, but the team is bigger and I'm learning a lot about the new testing equipment. The only downside is the schedule: I work four ten-hour shifts, which leaves me exhausted by Thursday but gives me a long weekend every week. I've been using those long weekends to explore. Last month I rented a canoe and paddled part of the South Saskatchewan River. It was beautiful, even though I got soaked when I tried to stand up to take a photo. Here's my real reason for writing: my landlord has offered the apartment next door to my sister, who is starting university here in September. You mentioned that your nephew rented in this neighbourhood a few years ago. Do you know if he had any problems with noise or parking? I'd like an honest opinion before she signs a lease. Hope the family is well. Call me any Friday! Grace

    Why does Grace think Tomás can help with her question?

    1. He lives next door to her
    2. His nephew once rented in that area
    3. He used to be her landlord
    4. He works at the university in Saskatoon

29. RIVERBEND RECREATION CENTRE — WINTER SWIM LESSONS (8 weeks) Starfish (ages 3–5, parent in water): Saturdays 9:00–9:30 a.m. — $64 Minnow (ages 5–7): Mondays 4:30–5:15 p.m. or Saturdays 10:00–10:45 a.m. — $88 Dolphin (ages 7–10): Wednesdays 5:30–6:15 p.m. — $88 Shark (ages 10–13): Wednesdays 6:30–7:30 p.m. — $104 Riverbend residents receive 15% off. Registration closes January 5. Hi Lena, I'm trying to sign up both kids for swimming this winter. Noah just turned 6 and Ava is 9. I work until 5 on weekdays, so Monday afternoon lessons won't work, but Wednesday evenings are fine because my husband is home by then. We'd love the kids to swim on the same day, but I know their ages might not allow it. I'm also not sure whether we live inside the Riverbend boundary. Do you know? Talk soon, Paulina

    Which swim level matches Ava's age?

    1. Minnow
    2. Shark
    3. Dolphin
    4. Starfish

30. When the provincial museum dropped its $22 admission fee for a one-year trial, attendance nearly doubled. Now the government must decide whether to make free entry permanent. Museum director Paul Arsenault is strongly in favour. He says the trial brought in many first-time visitors, especially families from lower-income neighbourhoods who had never been able to afford a visit. "A public museum belongs to everyone," he argues, "and a ticket price sends the message that it doesn't." Finance critics are less enthusiastic. Admission fees used to cover about a fifth of the museum's operating budget, and the trial was funded by a one-time grant. Taxpayer advocate Linda Moreau questions whether residents of distant towns, who rarely travel to the capital, should pay for a service they seldom use. Some suggest a middle path: free admission for residents one evening a week, with regular fees at other times. Arsenault dismisses the idea as "free entry for people who already have free evenings," noting that shift workers and parents of young children would be the least likely to benefit.

    What happened to museum attendance during the free-entry trial?

    1. It fell slightly
    2. It nearly doubled
    3. It tripled
    4. It stayed the same

31. After three years of letting staff work from home, the City of Brookfield has ordered its 2,000 municipal employees back to the office at least four days a week. Mayor Denise Okoro says the decision is about service and teamwork. She believes new employees in particular learn faster when they can watch experienced colleagues and ask quick questions in person. She also points to the downtown cafés and shops that lost business when office towers emptied. The employees' union strongly disagrees. Union president Raj Patel says productivity rose during the remote-work period and that many staff moved farther from downtown to afford housing. "For some members, four days in the office means four extra hours of commuting each day," he says. The union has filed a formal grievance. Workplace consultant Erin Walsh thinks both sides are partly right. In her experience, the most successful employers let each team decide which days it meets in person, based on the work it does. "A blanket rule is easy to announce," she says, "but it rarely fits every department."

    Why does Raj Patel say the rule is especially hard on some workers?

    1. They prefer working alone
    2. They moved far from downtown
    3. They have no desks in the office
    4. They mostly work night shifts

32. Dear Mei, I hope your first year of nursing school is going well. Your mother told me you made the dean's list, which did not surprise me one bit. I'm writing because the Eastside Youth Basketball program is growing faster than we expected. We have 140 children registered this season, up from 90 last year, and I am short of volunteer coaches for the under-10 division. You were one of the most patient players I ever coached, and the younger kids always looked up to you. I know your schedule is busy, so I want to be clear about what is involved. Practices are on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7:30, and games are on Saturday mornings. You would be paired with an experienced head coach, so you would never be in charge of a team on your own. We also cover the cost of the required first-aid course and background check. If you can only help on Saturdays, that would still make a big difference. Please let me know by October 15 so I can finalize the coaching list before the season starts on October 28. All the best, Coach Daniel

    What makes Daniel think Mei would suit the role?

    1. She was very patient as a player
    2. She made the dean's list
    3. She is studying to be a nurse
    4. She has coached teams before

33. Few sounds signal autumn in the suburbs like the roar of a gas-powered leaf blower. Now several municipalities are debating whether to ban them. Supporters of a ban point to noise and pollution. Dr. Helen Fraser, an environmental health researcher, notes that small two-stroke engines burn fuel inefficiently and release far more pollution per hour than their size suggests. Residents who work night shifts also complain that the machines make daytime sleep impossible. Landscaping companies see the issue differently. Marco Bellini, who runs a twelve-person crew, says battery-powered models are improving but still struggle with wet leaves on large properties. "A ban would double the time each job takes," he says, "and customers would pay for that." He would prefer limits on the hours blowers can be used rather than an outright ban. City councillor Amira Shah has proposed a compromise: a ban on gas blowers starting in 2028, with a rebate program to help small businesses buy electric equipment before then. Critics on both sides say her plan goes either too far or not far enough, but it may be the only option that can win a majority on council.

    What is Dr. Fraser's main objection to gas leaf blowers?

    1. The danger to their users
    2. The pollution they release
    3. The cost of their fuel
    4. The damage they do to lawns

34. To the Customer Care Team at Northline Home, On June 2, I ordered a six-seat dining table with a promised delivery window of June 16 to June 20. The table arrived on June 27, a full week late, and only after I had called your office three times. When the delivery crew unpacked it, we found a deep scratch across the top and one leg that was noticeably shorter than the others. The crew agreed the table was damaged and took photos, but they told me they were not allowed to take it back without approval from your office. I had planned to use the table for my daughter's graduation dinner on June 29. Because of the delay and the damage, I had to rent a table at a cost of $85. I am asking for two things. First, please arrange for the damaged table to be picked up and replaced within ten business days. Second, I would like to be reimbursed for the rental, as it was a direct result of your late delivery. I have attached the rental receipt and the crew's photos. I have been a loyal customer for several years and hope we can resolve this quickly. Regards, Fatima Okafor

    Why does Fatima remind the company that she is a long-time customer?

    1. To encourage a quick solution
    2. To explain why she ordered online
    3. To ask for a loyalty reward
    4. To complain about past orders

35. GREENVIEW COMMUNITY GARDEN — 2026 PLOTS Plot A: raised bed, 1 m × 3 m, wheelchair accessible, next to the water tap — $30 per season Plot B: ground level, 3 m × 3 m, full sun, far from the tap — $40 per season Plot C: ground level, 3 m × 6 m, partial shade under maple trees — $55 per season Plot D: raised bed, 2 m × 3 m, full sun, beside the tool shed — $45 per season Every gardener must volunteer 4 hours per season. Seniors (65+) pay half price. Dear Mr. Haddad, I would like to rent a plot this year. My doctor has told me to avoid kneeling, so I need a bed I can work at while standing or sitting. I plan to grow tomatoes and peppers, which need plenty of sun. I turn 66 in March, so I hope I qualify for a discount. Carrying heavy watering cans is also hard for me these days. Best wishes, Edith Park

    Besides paying a fee, what must every Greenview gardener do?

    1. Volunteer four hours a season
    2. Bring their own water supply
    3. Grow only vegetables
    4. Attend a spring orientation

36. A. Visitors to Cedar Bluff Provincial Park will notice something new this summer: small posts with QR codes along the six-kilometre Ridge Trail. Scanning a code with a phone opens a short recording in which a park interpreter describes the plants, rock formations or wildlife at that spot. B. The project was suggested by a group of high-school students who noticed that many young visitors ignored the printed brochures. The students wrote the first drafts of the scripts, and park staff checked them for accuracy before recording. Recordings are available in English and French, and a version in an Indigenous language, developed with a nearby Cree community, is planned for next year. C. Because cell coverage on the ridge is patchy, the park recommends downloading all the recordings at the visitor centre, where free Wi-Fi is available. Printed brochures will still be offered to visitors who prefer not to use a phone.

    Which paragraph gives advice about weak phone reception on the ridge?

    1. Paragraph C
    2. Paragraph A
    3. Paragraph B
    4. Not given in the passage

37. Which new version of the recordings is planned for next year?

    1. One in Mandarin
    2. One in French for school groups
    3. One in an Indigenous language
    4. One in Spanish

38. A growing number of parents are asking school boards to push back the start of the high-school day from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. or later. Their argument rests largely on sleep research. Teenagers' body clocks naturally shift later during adolescence, so many cannot fall asleep before 11 p.m. no matter how early they go to bed. Pediatrician Dr. Kofi Mensah says that forcing them up at 6:30 leaves many students chronically tired, which affects mood, attention and even driving safety. Not everyone is persuaded. Bus companies often use the same vehicles for elementary and secondary routes, so shifting one schedule affects the other. Some parents also rely on older children to walk younger siblings home, which becomes harder if high school ends later. And coaches warn that later dismissal would push practices and games into the evening. Principal Janet Liu, whose school tried a 9:15 start last year, says the results were mixed but encouraging. Attendance in first period improved noticeably, while complaints about after-school activities rose. "It's not a magic fix," she says, "but I wouldn't go back."

    Why do bus schedules make a later high-school start difficult?

    1. Buses cost more in the morning
    2. Drivers refuse to work later hours
    3. Buses are shared with elementary routes
    4. There are too few bus stops