What You'll Learn
- Understand the format and question types in Reading Part 1
- Identify sender, recipient, purpose, and tone in correspondence quickly
- Apply scanning strategies to correspondence passages efficiently
- Answer 11 questions accurately within the time limit
Reading Part 1 tests your ability to understand written correspondence in everyday Canadian contexts. You’ll read emails, letters, memos, or notices and answer questions about details, tone, and intent.
This part simulates real-world reading: checking work emails, understanding notices from service providers, or reading formal letters. Master the scanning techniques here, and you’ll save time for the longer passages ahead.
At a Glance
- Content Type: Emails, letters, memos, notices
- Questions: 11 questions
- Time: ~11 minutes (suggested)
- Skills Tested: Detail recognition, tone, purpose
What to Expect in Part 1
Reading Part 1 typically presents one or two pieces of correspondence. You might see:
- Single emails from a colleague, manager, or service provider
- Business memos announcing policy changes or events
- Formal letters from organizations (banks, landlords, government agencies)
- Notices posted in workplaces or community centres
Questions focus on comprehension of specific details, not complex inference. You’ll answer questions about who sent the message, why they sent it, what action is required, and the tone or relationship between parties.
Read the Questions First
Scan all 11 questions before reading the correspondence. This primes your brain to spot relevant details as you read, saving you from re-reading multiple times.
Core Strategy: The 4-Point Scan
Before diving into details, identify these four elements in the first 10 seconds:
- Sender: Who wrote this? (Name, role, organization)
- Recipient: Who is it addressed to? (You, a team, a specific person)
- Purpose: Why was it sent? (Request, complaint, announcement, reminder)
- Tone: Formal or informal? Friendly, neutral, or stern?
These four points answer many questions directly and guide your understanding of the entire passage.
First 10 Seconds Checklist
- Check the "From" and "To" fields in emails
- Read the subject line because it often reveals the purpose
- Notice greeting and sign-off (formal vs. casual)
- Identify any action items or requests in bold or lists
Question Types You’ll See
All 11 questions are multiple-choice. Common question types include:
- Detail questions: “What time is the meeting?” “How many people are invited?”
- Purpose questions: “Why did the sender write this email?”
- Tone/relationship questions: “What is the tone of this message?” “What is the relationship between the sender and recipient?”
- Action/request questions: “What does the sender want the recipient to do?”
- Inference questions: “What will the recipient likely do next?”
Most answers are directly stated in the text. You rarely need deep inference, just careful scanning.
Eliminate Wrong Answers
If you’re unsure, eliminate obviously wrong choices first. Often two options are clearly off-topic, leaving you a 50/50 guess between plausible answers. Look for exact wording matches in the text to confirm your choice.
Time Management
You have approximately 55 minutes for all four reading parts. Allocate about 11 minutes to Part 1 (1 minute per question).
If a question stumps you, mark your best guess and move on. Part 1 is the easiest section, so don’t let one tricky question consume time you need for Parts 3 and 4.
Time-Saving Tips
- Skim questions first (30 seconds)
- Read correspondence once, scanning for question keywords
- Answer easy questions immediately
- Skip difficult questions and return to them if time permits
- Never leave a question blank, guess if needed
Practice Example
Sample Part 1 Task
From: Lisa Chen, Office Manager
To: All Staff
Subject: Updated Parking Policy: Effective March 1
Date: February 15, 2024
Hi everyone,
Starting March 1, we’re implementing a new parking system to accommodate our growing team. All employees must register their vehicles online by February 28 to receive a parking pass.
Key changes:
- Parking passes are required for all vehicles.
- Visitor parking is now located in Lot B (south entrance).
- Monthly parking fees remain $40, payable by payroll deduction.
Please visit our intranet portal to register. If you have questions, contact me by February 22.
Thanks for your cooperation,
Lisa
Questions:
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What is the purpose of this email? A) To announce a new employee B) To inform staff of a parking policy change C) To increase parking fees D) To close the parking lot
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When must employees register their vehicles? A) March 1 B) February 15 C) By February 28 D) February 22
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What is the tone of this email? A) Angry and demanding B) Formal and informative C) Casual and humorous D) Apologetic
Show answers and explanations →
Answers:
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B) To inform staff of a parking policy change: The subject line and first sentence clearly state the purpose.
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C) By February 28: The second sentence says employees must register “by February 28.”
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B) Formal and informative: Lisa uses professional language (“implement,” “accommodate”) and a polite closing, but it’s not casual. There’s no anger or apology.
Key takeaway: The subject line and first sentence almost always reveal the purpose. Dates and deadlines are common detail questions, so scan for bold text and numbers.
Self-Check After Practice
Self-Check
- I identified sender, recipient, and purpose within 10 seconds
- I scanned questions before reading the correspondence
- I found answers directly in the text without over-inferring
- I completed all questions within 11 minutes
4-5 checks = strong Part 1 readiness. 2-3 checks = review scanning strategies.
You’re now equipped to tackle Reading Part 1 efficiently. Practice with timed correspondence passages to build speed, and always read questions first to guide your scanning.