Why typing the question first matters
On CELPIP, you don’t have time to read everything slowly. If you can tag each item G (General Meaning), S (Specific Information), or I (Inference) in a few seconds, you’ll know how to read: wide for gist, narrow for facts, or careful for implied ideas. This is the single fastest way to cut wasted minutes and avoid “almost correct” choices.
The 5-second decision tree
- Does the stem ask for the overall idea, purpose, title, tone, or what the writer mainly thinks? → Tag G.
- Does the stem ask for one concrete thing (who/when/where/how many/which paragraph)? → Tag S.
- Does the stem use words like implies, suggests, likely, can be inferred, or what would X agree with? → Tag I.
If a stem seems mixed, pick the highest-precision tag. For example, if it names a date or a person, it’s S even if the sentence is long. If nothing in the stem can be matched exactly in the passage, it’s usually I.
General Meaning (G) — the “big picture” family
What G items are checking
Can you combine several lines—or the whole text—into one correct idea? Typical versions:
- Main idea / best title / main purpose
- Overall attitude or stance (writer supports/criticizes, formal vs. informal)
- What the passage is mostly about / best summary
Trigger words in stems
mainly, primarily, overall, best title, main point, main purpose, writer’s attitude, viewpoint of the author, tone
How to read for G
- Skim first lines of paragraphs and any contrast markers (however, although, while).
- Ignore examples and numbers unless several options differ only by scope.
- Ask: if I had to explain this in one sentence, what would I say?
Quick tests before choosing
- Too narrow? Reject options that describe only one paragraph or a single example.
- Too broad or off-topic? Reject options that could fit many texts, not this one.
- Tone mismatch? If the passage is cautious (“may help”), reject options with absolute claims (“always solves”).
Common traps
- “Glitter detail”: an attractive statistic or name used as a fake title.
- “Negative flip”: the right topic but the opposite stance.
- “Bag of words”: an option that repeats vocabulary without capturing the idea.
Stem patterns you’ll see
- Which title best fits the passage?
- What is the writer mainly trying to do? (inform / request / persuade / complain)
- Which statement best describes the author’s overall view?
Specific Information (S) — the “find one thing” family
What S items are checking
Can you locate a single fact precisely and verify wording? These include:
- Names, dates, times, prices, counts, places
- Which paragraph (A–D) mentions…
- Which option matches a stated condition (especially in diagrams/schedules)
Trigger words in stems
according to the passage, which, how many, what time, what is the cost, where, who, which paragraph, in paragraph X
How to read for S
- Scan for anchors that don’t paraphrase: names, numbers, capitalized terms, units (km, $, am/pm).
- Read one full sentence above and below the anchor; options often twist scope or time.
Quick tests before choosing
- Exact match check: Can you point to the exact words that support the option? If not, don’t select it.
- Scope check: Does the option apply to all cases or only a subset?
- Timeline check: Watch before/after, until, starting, except, at least—these flip answers.
Common traps
- Near-number: 12 vs. 21; $13 vs. $31.
- Scope creep: a rule that applied to weekdays becomes “always”.
- Paragraph mis-map: the right idea, wrong paragraph letter.
Stem patterns you’ll see
- Which paragraph mentions the pilot program for seniors?
- According to the notice, how much is the weekend fee?
- On which day are at least three lanes open after 7 pm?
Inference (I) — the “read between the lines” family
What I items are checking
Can you combine clues to reach a logical conclusion the text implies but doesn’t say directly? Typical versions:
- What the writer would agree with / likely thinks
- What is suggested / implied by a statement
- Tone/attitude strength (e.g., cautious support vs. strong opposition)
Trigger words in stems
implies, suggests, most likely, can be inferred, would agree/disagree, attitude, tone, what would be true if, indicates that
How to read for I
- Collect two pieces: (a) the statement in the text, and (b) the context (who said it, to whom, and why).
- Respect hedges (may, could, tends to) and limits (some, often, rarely). The correct option usually matches strength.
Quick tests before choosing
- One tiny step, not a leap: If you need outside knowledge, it’s probably wrong.
- Strength alignment: If the writer is cautious, reject options with absolute verbs/adverbs.
- Speaker alignment: Ask “Who believes this?” If it mismatches the speaker, eliminate it.
Common traps
- Over-inference: true in the real world, but not guaranteed by the passage.
- Stance swap: assigns the author’s claim to a commenter (or vice versa).
- Premise stretch: takes a detail and builds an outcome the text never supports.
Stem patterns you’ll see
- What does the author’s comment about late buses suggest?
- Which statement would the resident who opposes longer hours most likely agree with?
- Based on the manager’s reply, how does she feel about the proposed changes?
Fast ID by part (how these families show up)
- Part 1 (Correspondence): Mostly S (facts/constraints for the reply) with some G (purpose/tone).
- Part 2 (Apply a Diagram): Almost all S (matching constraints to titles/legends/notes).
- Part 3 (Information): A mix of S and I, plus Not Stated decisions when no support exists.
- Part 4 (Viewpoints): Heavy I (stance, agreement, implication) with some G (best title/main viewpoint).
Paraphrase radar (works across all three)
- Safe paraphrases: purchase ↔ buy, assist ↔ help, residents ↔ people who live here.
- Meaning-changing paraphrases: must ↔ should, will ↔ may, free ↔ discounted, extend hours ↔ hire more staff. These are not interchangeable.
- Signal words to copy into notes: only, except, at least, before, after, until, unless, more than, fewer than.
How to use tags while you work (G/S/I in the margin)
- Skim the stems first and pencil G/S/I beside each.
- Answer S items early (quick wins).
- Build the gist for G items after a structured skim (openings + contrast).
- Spend saved time on I items; read two spots: the claim and its context.
- Before you move on, glance at your tags: if any I item has a bold, absolute option, re-check the text’s strength.