CAEC: Reading: informational texts

All 24 questions in this test

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

1. Northgate Community Centre — Winter Programs Registration opens Monday, January 6, at 9 a.m. online or at the front desk. Residents of Northgate register first; non-residents may register starting January 13. Learn to Skate (ages 4–8) Saturdays, 10:00–10:45 a.m., 8 weeks. $64. Helmets are required; CSA-approved hockey helmets are accepted. Adult Conversational French Tuesdays, 7:00–8:30 p.m., 10 weeks. $90. Beginner level; no textbook needed. Seniors' Chair Yoga (ages 60+) Mondays and Thursdays, 1:00–2:00 p.m., 8 weeks. $48 for both days or $28 for one day per week. Fee assistance: Households with low incomes may apply for a 50% reduction on program fees. Apply at the front desk with proof of income before registering. Cancellations: Full refunds are given up to seven days before a program starts. After that, refunds are given only with a medical note.

   Why does the Northgate brochure use headings for each program?

   1. To show readers which program is the most popular one
   2. To list all of the programs in order from cheapest to dearest
   3. To separate the free programs from the ones that cost money
   4. To help readers quickly find the details of each program

2. According to the Northgate Community Centre brochure, when may non-residents start registering?

   1. Seven days before a program
   2. Any time after 9 a.m.
   3. January 6
   4. January 13

3. To: All warehouse staff From: Priya Nandakumar, Operations Manager Subject: New shift schedule starting March 3 Starting Monday, March 3, we are moving from two shifts to three so that orders can ship within 24 hours. Day shift: 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Evening shift: 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Night shift: 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. The 30-minute overlap between shifts is for handover. Outgoing team leads will brief incoming leads on unfinished orders and any equipment problems. Night-shift staff will receive a premium of $2.00 per hour on top of their regular wage. Shift choices will be offered by seniority. Please submit your first and second choices on the form in the break room by Friday, February 21. If you have child-care or transportation needs that affect your availability, please speak with Human Resources before February 21 so we can take them into account. Thank you for helping us serve our customers faster.

   According to the shift-schedule memo, how will shifts be assigned?

   1. By each team lead choosing the people they want
   2. By the order in which staff hand in their forms
   3. By seniority, using staff members' first and second choices
   4. By a random draw that managers will hold on March 3

4. According to the memo about the new shift schedule, why is the warehouse adding a third shift?

   1. So orders can ship within 24 hours
   2. Because equipment keeps breaking down
   3. So staff can work fewer hours each week
   4. Because the night shift pays more

5. Northgate Community Centre — Winter Programs Registration opens Monday, January 6, at 9 a.m. online or at the front desk. Residents of Northgate register first; non-residents may register starting January 13. Learn to Skate (ages 4–8) Saturdays, 10:00–10:45 a.m., 8 weeks. $64. Helmets are required; CSA-approved hockey helmets are accepted. Adult Conversational French Tuesdays, 7:00–8:30 p.m., 10 weeks. $90. Beginner level; no textbook needed. Seniors' Chair Yoga (ages 60+) Mondays and Thursdays, 1:00–2:00 p.m., 8 weeks. $48 for both days or $28 for one day per week. Fee assistance: Households with low incomes may apply for a 50% reduction on program fees. Apply at the front desk with proof of income before registering. Cancellations: Full refunds are given up to seven days before a program starts. After that, refunds are given only with a medical note.

   A senior wants Chair Yoga only on Thursdays. According to the Northgate brochure, what is the fee?

   1. $28
   2. $14
   3. $48
   4. $56

6. Bay Road Bridge to Close for Repairs The Bay Road bridge over Mill Creek will close to all traffic from May 5 to August 29 while crews replace its deck, the county announced Tuesday. The bridge, built in 1964, carries about 6,000 vehicles a day. A county inspection last fall found that salt and freeze-thaw cycles had cracked the concrete deck. "The bridge is safe today, but it will not stay safe without this work," said county engineer Hana Sato. During the closure, drivers will be detoured along Route 9 and Pine Street, adding about seven minutes to a typical trip. A temporary footbridge will let pedestrians and cyclists continue to cross. Some business owners on Bay Road are worried. "Summer is our busiest season," said Luis Ortega, who runs a bakery near the bridge. "If people can't drive past, they won't stop." The county says it chose the summer because concrete cures best in warm weather. The $3.2-million project is funded jointly by the county and the province.

   According to the news article about the Bay Road bridge, what damaged the bridge deck?

   1. Salt and freeze-thaw cycles
   2. Heavy trucks carrying concrete
   3. A flood on Mill Creek
   4. Poor work by the 1964 builders

7. Let Our Libraries Lend More Than Books When the Riverside branch library began lending tools last spring, some councillors called it a gimmick. They were wrong. In its first six months, the library lent out drills, ladders and sewing machines more than 1,400 times, according to the library's own report. Think about what that means. A family that needs a ladder twice a year no longer has to buy one for $150 and store it in a crowded apartment. A student fixing a bike can borrow a wrench set instead of paying for a repair. Every tool lent is money that stays in a household budget. Critics say the city should not be in the hardware business. But libraries have always lent things people need and cannot easily afford. A century ago that meant books. Today it can also mean a stud finder. The program costs about $12,000 a year, less than one per cent of the library's budget. Council will vote on its future next month. I believe it should not only keep the program but expand it to every branch in the city. A library that lends a ladder is still doing what libraries do best: sharing.

   What is the writer's main purpose in the editorial about the library tool-lending program?

   1. To advertise tools for sale at a local store
   2. To persuade council to keep and expand the program
   3. To explain how to use a stud finder safely
   4. To report on the history of public libraries

8. To: All warehouse staff From: Priya Nandakumar, Operations Manager Subject: New shift schedule starting March 3 Starting Monday, March 3, we are moving from two shifts to three so that orders can ship within 24 hours. Day shift: 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Evening shift: 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Night shift: 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. The 30-minute overlap between shifts is for handover. Outgoing team leads will brief incoming leads on unfinished orders and any equipment problems. Night-shift staff will receive a premium of $2.00 per hour on top of their regular wage. Shift choices will be offered by seniority. Please submit your first and second choices on the form in the break room by Friday, February 21. If you have child-care or transportation needs that affect your availability, please speak with Human Resources before February 21 so we can take them into account. Thank you for helping us serve our customers faster.

   How is the shift-schedule memo mainly organized?

   1. A problem followed by several possible solutions
   2. A comparison of two companies' schedules
   3. A story told in time order from past to present
   4. Announcement, details of the change, then what staff must do

9. Let Our Libraries Lend More Than Books When the Riverside branch library began lending tools last spring, some councillors called it a gimmick. They were wrong. In its first six months, the library lent out drills, ladders and sewing machines more than 1,400 times, according to the library's own report. Think about what that means. A family that needs a ladder twice a year no longer has to buy one for $150 and store it in a crowded apartment. A student fixing a bike can borrow a wrench set instead of paying for a repair. Every tool lent is money that stays in a household budget. Critics say the city should not be in the hardware business. But libraries have always lent things people need and cannot easily afford. A century ago that meant books. Today it can also mean a stud finder. The program costs about $12,000 a year, less than one per cent of the library's budget. Council will vote on its future next month. I believe it should not only keep the program but expand it to every branch in the city. A library that lends a ladder is still doing what libraries do best: sharing.

   In the tool-lending editorial, why does the writer mention that a ladder costs $150?

   1. To argue that ladders are too expensive to make
   2. To compare prices at different hardware stores
   3. To show how borrowing saves families money
   4. To prove that the program loses money

10. Northgate Community Centre — Winter Programs Registration opens Monday, January 6, at 9 a.m. online or at the front desk. Residents of Northgate register first; non-residents may register starting January 13. Learn to Skate (ages 4–8) Saturdays, 10:00–10:45 a.m., 8 weeks. $64. Helmets are required; CSA-approved hockey helmets are accepted. Adult Conversational French Tuesdays, 7:00–8:30 p.m., 10 weeks. $90. Beginner level; no textbook needed. Seniors' Chair Yoga (ages 60+) Mondays and Thursdays, 1:00–2:00 p.m., 8 weeks. $48 for both days or $28 for one day per week. Fee assistance: Households with low incomes may apply for a 50% reduction on program fees. Apply at the front desk with proof of income before registering. Cancellations: Full refunds are given up to seven days before a program starts. After that, refunds are given only with a medical note.

    According to the Northgate brochure, which statement about Learn to Skate is true?

    1. A CSA-approved hockey helmet may be worn
    2. No helmet is needed for beginners
    3. It runs on Tuesday evenings for 10 weeks
    4. It is open to children aged 4 to 12

11. To: All warehouse staff From: Priya Nandakumar, Operations Manager Subject: New shift schedule starting March 3 Starting Monday, March 3, we are moving from two shifts to three so that orders can ship within 24 hours. Day shift: 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Evening shift: 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Night shift: 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. The 30-minute overlap between shifts is for handover. Outgoing team leads will brief incoming leads on unfinished orders and any equipment problems. Night-shift staff will receive a premium of $2.00 per hour on top of their regular wage. Shift choices will be offered by seniority. Please submit your first and second choices on the form in the break room by Friday, February 21. If you have child-care or transportation needs that affect your availability, please speak with Human Resources before February 21 so we can take them into account. Thank you for helping us serve our customers faster.

    In the shift-schedule memo, what is the 30-minute overlap between shifts used for?

    1. A paid lunch break for all workers
    2. Training new night-shift staff
    3. Cleaning the warehouse floor
    4. Passing information to the next team

12. Bay Road Bridge to Close for Repairs The Bay Road bridge over Mill Creek will close to all traffic from May 5 to August 29 while crews replace its deck, the county announced Tuesday. The bridge, built in 1964, carries about 6,000 vehicles a day. A county inspection last fall found that salt and freeze-thaw cycles had cracked the concrete deck. "The bridge is safe today, but it will not stay safe without this work," said county engineer Hana Sato. During the closure, drivers will be detoured along Route 9 and Pine Street, adding about seven minutes to a typical trip. A temporary footbridge will let pedestrians and cyclists continue to cross. Some business owners on Bay Road are worried. "Summer is our busiest season," said Luis Ortega, who runs a bakery near the bridge. "If people can't drive past, they won't stop." The county says it chose the summer because concrete cures best in warm weather. The $3.2-million project is funded jointly by the county and the province.

    In the Bay Road bridge article, why is the quotation from Hana Sato included?

    1. To describe the bakery's summer sales
    2. To explain why the repair is needed now
    3. To announce the detour route for drivers
    4. To show that the bridge is already unsafe

13. Why does the Bay Road bridge article include Luis Ortega's comments?

    1. To prove that the county chose the wrong season
    2. To show a concern of people affected by the closure
    3. To explain how concrete cures in warm weather
    4. To give the official cost of the project

14. Let Our Libraries Lend More Than Books When the Riverside branch library began lending tools last spring, some councillors called it a gimmick. They were wrong. In its first six months, the library lent out drills, ladders and sewing machines more than 1,400 times, according to the library's own report. Think about what that means. A family that needs a ladder twice a year no longer has to buy one for $150 and store it in a crowded apartment. A student fixing a bike can borrow a wrench set instead of paying for a repair. Every tool lent is money that stays in a household budget. Critics say the city should not be in the hardware business. But libraries have always lent things people need and cannot easily afford. A century ago that meant books. Today it can also mean a stud finder. The program costs about $12,000 a year, less than one per cent of the library's budget. Council will vote on its future next month. I believe it should not only keep the program but expand it to every branch in the city. A library that lends a ladder is still doing what libraries do best: sharing.

    In the tool-lending editorial, what does the word "gimmick" most likely mean?

    1. A small tool used for repairing old furniture
    2. A new rule passed by a vote of city council
    3. A trick to get attention with little real value
    4. A carefully planned and well-funded public service

15. Bay Road Bridge to Close for Repairs The Bay Road bridge over Mill Creek will close to all traffic from May 5 to August 29 while crews replace its deck, the county announced Tuesday. The bridge, built in 1964, carries about 6,000 vehicles a day. A county inspection last fall found that salt and freeze-thaw cycles had cracked the concrete deck. "The bridge is safe today, but it will not stay safe without this work," said county engineer Hana Sato. During the closure, drivers will be detoured along Route 9 and Pine Street, adding about seven minutes to a typical trip. A temporary footbridge will let pedestrians and cyclists continue to cross. Some business owners on Bay Road are worried. "Summer is our busiest season," said Luis Ortega, who runs a bakery near the bridge. "If people can't drive past, they won't stop." The county says it chose the summer because concrete cures best in warm weather. The $3.2-million project is funded jointly by the county and the province.

    According to the Bay Road bridge article, why did the county schedule the work in summer?

    1. Traffic is lightest in the summer
    2. Businesses asked for a summer closure
    3. Concrete cures best in warm weather
    4. The province pays only for summer work

16. Northgate Community Centre — Winter Programs Registration opens Monday, January 6, at 9 a.m. online or at the front desk. Residents of Northgate register first; non-residents may register starting January 13. Learn to Skate (ages 4–8) Saturdays, 10:00–10:45 a.m., 8 weeks. $64. Helmets are required; CSA-approved hockey helmets are accepted. Adult Conversational French Tuesdays, 7:00–8:30 p.m., 10 weeks. $90. Beginner level; no textbook needed. Seniors' Chair Yoga (ages 60+) Mondays and Thursdays, 1:00–2:00 p.m., 8 weeks. $48 for both days or $28 for one day per week. Fee assistance: Households with low incomes may apply for a 50% reduction on program fees. Apply at the front desk with proof of income before registering. Cancellations: Full refunds are given up to seven days before a program starts. After that, refunds are given only with a medical note.

    Using the Northgate brochure, what would a low-income household pay for Learn to Skate after fee assistance?

    1. $48
    2. $64
    3. $32
    4. $28

17. Bay Road Bridge to Close for Repairs The Bay Road bridge over Mill Creek will close to all traffic from May 5 to August 29 while crews replace its deck, the county announced Tuesday. The bridge, built in 1964, carries about 6,000 vehicles a day. A county inspection last fall found that salt and freeze-thaw cycles had cracked the concrete deck. "The bridge is safe today, but it will not stay safe without this work," said county engineer Hana Sato. During the closure, drivers will be detoured along Route 9 and Pine Street, adding about seven minutes to a typical trip. A temporary footbridge will let pedestrians and cyclists continue to cross. Some business owners on Bay Road are worried. "Summer is our busiest season," said Luis Ortega, who runs a bakery near the bridge. "If people can't drive past, they won't stop." The county says it chose the summer because concrete cures best in warm weather. The $3.2-million project is funded jointly by the county and the province.

    According to the Bay Road bridge article, how will pedestrians cross Mill Creek during the closure?

    1. By a free shuttle bus
    2. On a temporary footbridge
    3. By the Route 9 detour
    4. They will not be able to cross

18. To: All warehouse staff From: Priya Nandakumar, Operations Manager Subject: New shift schedule starting March 3 Starting Monday, March 3, we are moving from two shifts to three so that orders can ship within 24 hours. Day shift: 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Evening shift: 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Night shift: 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. The 30-minute overlap between shifts is for handover. Outgoing team leads will brief incoming leads on unfinished orders and any equipment problems. Night-shift staff will receive a premium of $2.00 per hour on top of their regular wage. Shift choices will be offered by seniority. Please submit your first and second choices on the form in the break room by Friday, February 21. If you have child-care or transportation needs that affect your availability, please speak with Human Resources before February 21 so we can take them into account. Thank you for helping us serve our customers faster.

    What can a reader conclude from the paragraph about child-care and transportation needs in the shift memo?

    1. The company is willing to consider personal circumstances
    2. Human Resources will choose every worker's shift
    3. Workers with children cannot work the night shift
    4. Transportation to the warehouse will be provided

19. Let Our Libraries Lend More Than Books When the Riverside branch library began lending tools last spring, some councillors called it a gimmick. They were wrong. In its first six months, the library lent out drills, ladders and sewing machines more than 1,400 times, according to the library's own report. Think about what that means. A family that needs a ladder twice a year no longer has to buy one for $150 and store it in a crowded apartment. A student fixing a bike can borrow a wrench set instead of paying for a repair. Every tool lent is money that stays in a household budget. Critics say the city should not be in the hardware business. But libraries have always lent things people need and cannot easily afford. A century ago that meant books. Today it can also mean a stud finder. The program costs about $12,000 a year, less than one per cent of the library's budget. Council will vote on its future next month. I believe it should not only keep the program but expand it to every branch in the city. A library that lends a ladder is still doing what libraries do best: sharing.

    According to the tool-lending editorial, how many times were tools lent in the first six months?

    1. About 150 times
    2. More than 1,400 times
    3. About 12,000 times
    4. Fewer than 100 times

20. Northgate Community Centre — Winter Programs Registration opens Monday, January 6, at 9 a.m. online or at the front desk. Residents of Northgate register first; non-residents may register starting January 13. Learn to Skate (ages 4–8) Saturdays, 10:00–10:45 a.m., 8 weeks. $64. Helmets are required; CSA-approved hockey helmets are accepted. Adult Conversational French Tuesdays, 7:00–8:30 p.m., 10 weeks. $90. Beginner level; no textbook needed. Seniors' Chair Yoga (ages 60+) Mondays and Thursdays, 1:00–2:00 p.m., 8 weeks. $48 for both days or $28 for one day per week. Fee assistance: Households with low incomes may apply for a 50% reduction on program fees. Apply at the front desk with proof of income before registering. Cancellations: Full refunds are given up to seven days before a program starts. After that, refunds are given only with a medical note.

    A family cancels Learn to Skate three days before it starts, with no medical note. Based on the Northgate brochure, what happens?

    1. They do not receive a refund
    2. They are moved to the next session
    3. They receive a 50% refund
    4. They receive a full refund

21. To: All warehouse staff From: Priya Nandakumar, Operations Manager Subject: New shift schedule starting March 3 Starting Monday, March 3, we are moving from two shifts to three so that orders can ship within 24 hours. Day shift: 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Evening shift: 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Night shift: 10:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. The 30-minute overlap between shifts is for handover. Outgoing team leads will brief incoming leads on unfinished orders and any equipment problems. Night-shift staff will receive a premium of $2.00 per hour on top of their regular wage. Shift choices will be offered by seniority. Please submit your first and second choices on the form in the break room by Friday, February 21. If you have child-care or transportation needs that affect your availability, please speak with Human Resources before February 21 so we can take them into account. Thank you for helping us serve our customers faster.

    A worker earns $19.50 an hour. Using the shift-schedule memo, what would the hourly pay be on the night shift?

    1. $19.50
    2. $21.00
    3. $23.50
    4. $21.50

22. Bay Road Bridge to Close for Repairs The Bay Road bridge over Mill Creek will close to all traffic from May 5 to August 29 while crews replace its deck, the county announced Tuesday. The bridge, built in 1964, carries about 6,000 vehicles a day. A county inspection last fall found that salt and freeze-thaw cycles had cracked the concrete deck. "The bridge is safe today, but it will not stay safe without this work," said county engineer Hana Sato. During the closure, drivers will be detoured along Route 9 and Pine Street, adding about seven minutes to a typical trip. A temporary footbridge will let pedestrians and cyclists continue to cross. Some business owners on Bay Road are worried. "Summer is our busiest season," said Luis Ortega, who runs a bakery near the bridge. "If people can't drive past, they won't stop." The county says it chose the summer because concrete cures best in warm weather. The $3.2-million project is funded jointly by the county and the province.

    Which sentence from the Bay Road bridge article best states its main idea?

    1. The bridge will close from May 5 to August 29 for deck replacement.
    2. Summer is the busiest season for at least one bakery on Bay Road.
    3. The detour adds about seven minutes to a typical driver's trip.
    4. The bridge was built in 1964 and carries traffic over Mill Creek.

23. Let Our Libraries Lend More Than Books When the Riverside branch library began lending tools last spring, some councillors called it a gimmick. They were wrong. In its first six months, the library lent out drills, ladders and sewing machines more than 1,400 times, according to the library's own report. Think about what that means. A family that needs a ladder twice a year no longer has to buy one for $150 and store it in a crowded apartment. A student fixing a bike can borrow a wrench set instead of paying for a repair. Every tool lent is money that stays in a household budget. Critics say the city should not be in the hardware business. But libraries have always lent things people need and cannot easily afford. A century ago that meant books. Today it can also mean a stud finder. The program costs about $12,000 a year, less than one per cent of the library's budget. Council will vote on its future next month. I believe it should not only keep the program but expand it to every branch in the city. A library that lends a ladder is still doing what libraries do best: sharing.

    In the library tool-lending editorial, which statement is a fact rather than an opinion?

    1. The program costs about $12,000 a year
    2. Council should expand it to every branch
    3. Some councillors were wrong to call it a gimmick
    4. Lending a ladder is what libraries do best

24. How does the tool-lending editorial respond to critics who say the city should not be in the hardware business?

    1. It ignores the criticism completely and changes the subject
    2. It says the critics have probably never visited a public library
    3. It agrees with them and suggests selling the tools to residents instead
    4. It argues that lending useful things has always been a library's role